Head-to-head reliability
Lincoln Zephyr vs FORD F 150
How the Lincoln Zephyr 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 Zephyr vs FORD F 150: The Zephyr has 229 complaints/year, 5 recalls, and 12 injuries, while the F-150 has 1,162 complaints/year, 151 recalls, and 297 injuries. The Zephyr's issues cluster in air bags and wheels; the F-150's in power train and electrical. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lincoln Zephyr or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lincoln Zephyr
The Lincoln Zephyr is a one-year model with 229 complaints, mostly about air bags (142) and wheels (26). Owners report long waits for recall repairs and wheels that peel and leak air. With 9 crash-related complaints and 12 injuries, it's a vehicle that demands careful pre-purchase checks.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years, averaging 1,162 per year. Power train (3,648) and electrical (2,100) issues dominate, with many reports of limp mode and lead frame failures. Despite 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints, it's a widely used truck with a broad support network.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lincoln Zephyr | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 229 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 5 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 9 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 229.0 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 12 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 Zephyr
- 01AIR BAGS142
- 02WHEELS26
- 03SERVICE BRAKES13
- 04STRUCTURE13
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11
142 complaints center on frontal air bag inflator recalls. Owners report dealers refusing or delaying repairs, leaving them driving with potentially defective air bags. This is a critical safety concern that should be resolved before purchase.
26 complaints describe peeling chrome plating on wheels, causing tires to lose air and leading to blowouts or flats. Owners must constantly add air, and replacement wheels may be needed.
13 complaints include brake pedal slow to respond in snow and rusted components preventing recall repairs. This can affect stopping distance and safety.
13 complaints mention windows scratching due to poor fit and a case where a car unexpectedly moved and hit a wall. These issues can lead to costly body repairs and safety risks.
“SINCE 2 YEARS AGO FORD RECALLED THESE AIRBAGS AND DO NOTHING! I WENT TO 2 DEALERS LINCOLN IN MY AREA BECAUSE I RECEIVED LETTER FROM FORD STATING THAT THEY WILL PAY FOR A RENTAL CAR UP TO 45$/DAY UNTIL THIS RECALLED CAR IS DONE AND NONE OF DEALERS WANTED TO PR…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN ZEPHYR. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S WHEELS SPUN AS IF THE VEHICLE WERE IN NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BACKFIRED. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO T…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
3,648 complaints about transmission problems, including limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures. Owners report near-collisions and recurring malfunctions, making reliability a major concern.
2,100 complaints often linked to the same lead frame issue, causing speed sensor failures and limp mode. This can leave drivers stranded or in dangerous situations.
1,224 complaints about lighting failures, which can reduce visibility and increase crash risk. Specific failure patterns are not detailed in the sample, but the high count suggests a common problem.
880 complaints about engine issues, though sample texts focus on other areas. Buyers should still check for recalls and service history related to engine performance.
“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 Zephyr — 5 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 9, 2021 for the passenger side, and November 14, 2022 for th…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles. The valves within the ABS Hydraulic Control Units (HCU) may react with brake fluids containing specific corrosion preventative additives. This reaction may cause the valves to not c…
The risk: If the valves do not properly close, additional brake pedal travel may be required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will flush the brake system with DOT 4 fluid and install a new brake fluid reservoir cap. In addition, the HCU will be tested to detect a possible stuck valve condition, replacing the HCU as necessary.…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Maria…
The risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners of the recall an…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registe…
The risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Ford mailed interim letters informing owners that…
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 Zephyr or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Lincoln Zephyr has far fewer complaints per year (229) than the Ford F-150 (1,162), but its issues are concentrated in critical safety areas like air bags and wheels. The F-150's higher volume means more frequent power train and electrical problems, but also more widespread parts and service availability.
Key differences
- Lincoln Zephyr: 229 complaints/year, mostly air bags (142) and wheels (26); Ford F-150: 1,162 complaints/year, mostly power train (3,648) and electrical (2,100).
- Zephyr owners report recall repair delays and wheel peeling; F-150 owners report limp mode and lead frame failures.
- Zephyr has 9 crash-related complaints and 12 injuries; F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries.
- Zephyr has 5 recalls; F-150 has 151 recalls, indicating broader but more frequent safety campaigns.
- Check for open air bag recalls and confirm the inflator has been replaced; owners report dealers refusing service.
- Inspect wheels for peeling chrome and tire air leaks; multiple blowouts have been reported.
- Test drive for transmission shudder, limp mode, or stuck gears; lead frame issues are common.
- Check for electrical gremlins like speed sensor codes and rear window defroster shorts that can shatter glass.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to see all open recalls for the specific vehicle.
- For the Zephyr, ask for proof that air bag inflators and brake control modules were replaced.
- For the F-150, scan for transmission codes and test drive at highway speeds to check for limp mode.
- Inspect wheels on the Zephyr for peeling and tire pressure loss; on the F-150, check rear window defroster operation.
- Obtain a pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic familiar with the model's common complaints.
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 Zephyr or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lincoln Zephyr vs FORD F 150
- Lincoln Zephyr total complaints
- 229
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Lincoln Zephyr total recalls
- 5
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Lincoln Zephyr avg complaints/year
- 229.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Lincoln Zephyr
- Lincoln Zephyr top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN