Head-to-head reliability
Lincoln Blackwood vs FORD F 150
How the Lincoln Blackwood and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Lincoln Blackwood vs FORD F 150: The Blackwood has 8 complaints over 2 years (4.0/year) and 5 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years (1,162.1/year) and 151 recalls. Blackwood owners report stalling and wheel detachment; F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lincoln Blackwood or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lincoln Blackwood
The Lincoln Blackwood is a rare, low-volume luxury pickup, so complaints are few: 8 over 2 years (4.0 per year) and 5 recalls. Owners report serious issues like engine stalling or failure while driving, and in one case a front wheel and brake line detached at 65 mph. With only 1 crash and 1 injury reported, the pattern suggests that when problems occur, they can be sudden and immobilizing.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume truck with 11,621 complaints over 10 years (about 1,162 per year) and 151 recalls. The most common trouble spots are the power train, electrical system, exterior lighting, and engine. Owners describe recurring transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and even a rear window shattering, with 330 crash-related reports and 297 injuries.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lincoln Blackwood | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 8 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 5 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 4.0 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Lincoln Blackwood
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
- 02WHEELS1
- 03SERVICE BRAKES1
- 04ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
- 05ENGINE1
Owners report the engine malfunctioning, overheating, and stopping while driving, as well as stalling at highway speed without warning. These failures can leave you stranded and may require a full engine replacement.
One owner said the passenger-side front wheel and brake line detached from the vehicle at about 65 mph. A wheel coming off at speed is an extreme safety risk and points to possible mounting or hardware defects.
The same complaint links the brake line detaching with the wheel, meaning braking could be lost suddenly. For a buyer, this means any sign of brake line corrosion or loose hardware should be taken seriously.
An owner reported the engine overheated and stopped working, which can affect stability control and other safety systems. This matters because ESC helps keep the truck stable, and its failure could reduce control in an emergency.
“11/23/2015 VEHICLE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED, OVERHEATED AND STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP REPLACED ENGINE AND RELATED PARTS AND I PICKED UP ON 12/17/15. MILEAGE 2,411 1/1/2016 ENGINE STARTED MAKING…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN BLACKWOOD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AW…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners describe a never-ending lead frame issue that nearly caused a collision, and transmissions that go into limp mode and stick in 5th gear almost daily. These problems can leave you without full power or gear selection when you need it most.
The lead frame problem also shows up here, along with an output speed sensor failure that triggered highway limp mode. Electrical faults like these can cause sudden loss of speed and may require repeated dealership visits.
One owner reported the rear window defroster shorted and the back window exploded outward and shattered. This is a surprising and dangerous failure that could happen without warning and is costly to fix.
Exterior lighting is a top complaint area, though specific sample text is not provided. Lighting failures matter because they affect your ability to see and be seen, and they can lead to tickets or accidents.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Lincoln Blackwood — 5 recalls
The defect: FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2003 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150, 2004 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150 HERITAGE, 1997 THROUGH 1999 MODEL YEAR F-250 LESS THAN 8,500 LBS. GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR), AND 2002 AND 2003 LINCOLN BLACKWOOD VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 20, 1995, THROUGH AUGUST 4, 2004, O…
The risk: AS A RESULT OF THE CORROSION, ONE OR BOTH STRAPS MAY FAIL ALLOWING THE FUEL LINES TO SEPARATE FROM THE TANK, OR IN SOME CASES, CAUSING THE TANK TO CONTACT THE GROUND. EITHER SCENARIO MAY RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK PRESENTING A FIRE HAZARD.
The fix: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND INSTRUCT THEM TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A FORD OR LINCOLN DEALER TO HAVE THE FUEL TANK STRAPS REPLACED WITH STRAPS THAT HAVE INCREASED CORROSION PROTECTION. EARLY IN THIS CAMPAIGN, IF REPLACEMENT STRAPS ARE NOT…
The defect: CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE…
The risk: FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The fix: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
The defect: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
The risk: A FIRE AT THE SWITCH COULD OCCUR.
The fix: BY LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 12, 2005, OWNERS WERE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED THAT PA…
The defect: FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2003 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150, 2004 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150 HERITAGE, 1997 THROUGH 1999 MODEL YEAR F-250 LESS THAN 8,500 LBS. GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR), AND 2002 AND 2003 LINCOLN BLACKWOOD VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 20, 1995, THROUGH AUGUST 4, 2004, O…
The risk: AS A RESULT OF THE CORROSION, ONE OR BOTH STRAPS MAY FAIL ALLOWING THE FUEL LINES TO SEPARATE FROM THE TANK, OR IN SOME CASES, CAUSING THE TANK TO CONTACT THE GROUND. EITHER SCENARIO MAY RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK PRESENTING A FIRE HAZARD.
The fix: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND INSTRUCT THEM TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A FORD OR LINCOLN DEALER TO HAVE THE FUEL TANK STRAPS REPLACED WITH STRAPS THAT HAVE INCREASED CORROSION PROTECTION. EARLY IN THIS CAMPAIGN, IF REPLACEMENT STRAPS ARE NOT…
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
Lincoln Blackwood or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Lincoln Blackwood has far fewer issues per year (4.0 vs. 1,162.1 for the Ford F-150), but that is partly because it is a rare, low-production vehicle. In practice, the F-150’s much higher complaint volume means you are more likely to encounter a recurring problem, especially with the power train and electrical system.
Key differences
- The Blackwood has 8 complaints over 2 years, while the F-150 has 11,621 over 10 years, so the F-150 generates vastly more owner reports.
- Blackwood owners report engine stalling and a wheel and brake line detaching at 65 mph; F-150 owners report transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and a rear window shattering.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls and 330 crash-related reports, compared with 5 recalls and 1 crash-related report for the Blackwood.
- The Blackwood’s top complaint areas are electrical, wheels, brakes, and ESC; the F-150’s are power train, electrical, unknown, and exterior lighting.
- Check for any signs of engine overheating, stalling, or previous engine replacement, since owners reported the engine stopping while driving.
- Inspect the front wheel mounting hardware and brake lines for looseness, corrosion, or damage, because one owner reported the wheel and brake line detaching at highway speed.
- Test drive at highway speeds and watch for limp mode, rough shifting, or getting stuck in 5th gear, which owners reported almost daily.
- Ask about the lead frame and output speed sensor service history, and check for any rear window defroster issues, as owners reported shattering.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls were completed, especially fuel system and speed control recalls on the Blackwood and engine/seat belt recalls on the F-150.
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission and lead frame on the F-150, and the engine, wheel hardware, and brake lines on the Blackwood.
- Test drive both vehicles at highway speeds and in stop-and-go traffic to check for stalling, limp mode, or unusual noises.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any engine, transmission, or electrical repairs.
- Check for open recalls by VIN with a dealer or NHTSA before buying, since both vehicles have multiple recall campaigns.
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Lincoln Blackwood or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lincoln Blackwood vs FORD F 150
- Lincoln Blackwood total complaints
- 8
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Lincoln Blackwood total recalls
- 5
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Lincoln Blackwood avg complaints/year
- 4.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Lincoln Blackwood
- Lincoln Blackwood top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN