Head-to-head reliability
Lotus Evora vs FORD F 150
How the Lotus Evora 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
Lotus Evora vs FORD F 150: The Evora has 12 complaints over 10 years (1.2/year) and 4 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints (1,162/year) and 151 recalls. The F-150 also reports 297 injuries and 1 death, versus none for the Evora. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lotus Evora or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lotus Evora
The Lotus Evora is a low-volume sports car, so complaints are few—12 over 10 years. Owners report serious issues like random power loss from IPS wiring harness faults and rear suspension cracks. These can strand or endanger drivers, and parts are scarce. Living with it means vigilance and specialist care.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume truck with 11,621 complaints over 10 years. Recurring problems include transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and electrical glitches. Some issues cause crashes or injuries. It's a popular truck with known, widespread faults.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lotus Evora | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 12 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.2 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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.
Lotus Evora
- 01ENGINE7
- 02SUSPENSION5
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
- 04POWER TRAIN2
- 05STEERING2
Owners report the IPS wiring harness can cause random complete power loss, leaving the car in limp mode and unable to re-engage gear. One owner also described the engine shutting off during braking, leading to a crash.
The rear upper control arm (wishbone) can crack, causing the spherical joint to slide under braking and acceleration. Another owner heard clunking from the rear suspension, indicating worn or broken components.
The same IPS wiring harness issue can trigger a malfunction indicator light and engine shutdown within seconds. This electrical fault is linked to the power loss complaints.
Power train complaints mirror the engine and electrical issues, with the car shutting off or losing power. This can leave the vehicle locked out of gear and undrivable.
“IPS WIRING HARNESS ISSUE - VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD RANDOMLY LOSE COMPLETE POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. VEHICLE STUCK IN THIS LIMP MODE ARE UNABLE TO GO BACK INTO GEAR AND IS LOCKED OUT FROM DRIVING, THUS REQUIRE THE VEHICLE T…”
“I WAS COMING TO A STOP, APPLYING THE BRAKES AND SHIFTED THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. THE BRAKES BECAME ROCK HARD I HAD TO USE BOTH FEET TO SLOW THE CAR STEERING LOCKED AND I REAR ENDED THE CAR I FRONT OF ME AT 2-3 MPH. THE CAR WAS DAMAGED THE…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report a 'lead frame' issue causing transmission problems, including limp mode and getting stuck in 5th gear. One owner said it nearly ended their life. Another had daily limp mode and failed shifts.
The lead frame issue also appears as an electrical fault, with output speed sensor failures triggering highway limp mode. A rear window defroster short caused a back window to shatter.
Complaints include a rear window defroster short that led to the back window exploding outward. This is a safety hazard not tied to a specific component category.
Engine-related complaints are less frequent than power train, but recalls cover engine issues. Owners may experience stalling or reduced power, though specific patterns are not detailed in the sample.
“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.
Lotus Evora — 4 recalls
The defect: Lotus Cars USA, Inc. (Lotus) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Evora vehicles. The toe board in the passenger footwell lacks stiffness, allowing the knee of an unbelted occupant to contact the rigid structure of the vehicle, in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requ…
The risk: In the event of a crash, if the occupant's knee contacts the rigid structure, there may be an increased risk of injury.
The fix: Lotus will notify owners, and dealers will replace the toe board with a new design to provide the appropriate stiffness, free of charge. The recall began May 27, 2019. Owners may contact Lotus customer service at 1-800-245-6887. Lotus' num…
The defect: Lotus Cars is recalling certain model year 2013 Evora vehicles manufactured September 2012 through November 2012. These vehicles have been granted a temporary exemption from the requirement to conform to the latest passenger side advanced air bag requirements covered by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety…
The risk: An incorrect certification label may prevent the owner from determining recall applicability, potentially increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Lotus Cars will notify the owners instructing them to take their vehicle to a Lotus dealer. The federal compliance label will be replaced and an exemption label will be applied, free of charge. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may…
The defect: Lotus Cars USA, Inc. (Lotus) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Evora vehicles. The toe board in the passenger footwell lacks stiffness, allowing the knee of an unbelted occupant to contact the rigid structure of the vehicle, in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requ…
The risk: In the event of a crash, if the occupant's knee contacts the rigid structure, there may be an increased risk of injury.
The fix: Lotus will notify owners, and dealers will replace the toe board with a new design to provide the appropriate stiffness, free of charge. The recall began May 27, 2019. Owners may contact Lotus customer service at 1-800-245-6887. Lotus' num…
The defect: Lotus Cars Limited (Lotus) is recalling certain 2018 Lotus Evora vehicles. Due to an assembly error, in the event of a frontal collision, the steering column may not properly collapse to absorb some of the impact energy.
The risk: If the steering column does not collapse as intended in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Lotus will notify owners, and dealers will correct the steering column assembly, free of charge. The recall began December 4, 2018. Owners may contact Lotus customer service at 1-800-245-6887. Lotus' number for this recall is 2018/01R.
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
Lotus Evora or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Lotus Evora has far fewer complaints per year (1.2 vs. 1,162.1), but its issues can be severe and parts are scarce. The Ford F-150 has many more complaints, but they are well-documented and often addressed by recalls. In practice, the Evora demands specialist attention, while the F-150 has widespread, known problems.
Key differences
- The Evora has 12 complaints over 10 years; the F-150 has 11,621, but the Evora's issues include sudden power loss and suspension cracks.
- The F-150's most common complaint is power train (3,648), often limp mode and lead frame failures; the Evora's top complaint is engine (7), tied to IPS wiring harness faults.
- The Evora has 1 crash-related complaint and 0 injuries; the F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls covering engines, seat belts, and air bags; the Evora has 4 recalls for structure, labels, and steering.
- Check the IPS wiring harness for signs of wear or repair, especially on automatic transmission models, as it can cause sudden power loss.
- Inspect the rear upper control arm (wishbone) for cracks or play in the spherical joint, which can lead to handling instability.
- Test drive and scan for transmission codes, especially lead frame or output speed sensor issues that cause limp mode or stuck gears.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for shorts or damage, as a short can cause the window to shatter.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- For the Evora, have a Lotus specialist inspect the IPS wiring harness and rear suspension.
- For the F-150, scan the transmission computer for stored codes and test drive at highway speeds.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes and electrical repairs.
- Budget for potential repairs: Evora parts are scarce and expensive; F-150 repairs are common but can be costly.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Lotus Evora | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 0 | 44 |
| 2019 | 0 | 52 |
| 2018 | 1 | 79 |
| 2017 | 3 | 59 |
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 Lotus Evora or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lotus Evora vs FORD F 150
- Lotus Evora total complaints
- 12
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Lotus Evora total recalls
- 4
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Lotus Evora avg complaints/year
- 1.2
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Lotus Evora
- Lotus Evora top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN