Head-to-head reliability
Mazda CX 90 vs FORD F 150
How the Mazda CX 90 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
Mazda CX 90 vs FORD F 150: The CX-90 has 802 complaints over 3 years (267/year) and 13 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,311 complaints over 10 years (1,131/year) and 145 recalls. The CX-90's main issue is steering, while the F-150's is power train. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mazda CX 90 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mazda CX 90
The Mazda CX-90 is a newer three-row SUV with a relatively short 3-year complaint history. Owners report serious steering problems, including stiffness or locking, and hybrid-related power loss that can reduce acceleration. With 802 complaints and 13 recalls, it has a lower yearly complaint rate than the Ford F-150, but the issues that do appear are often safety-critical.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a long-running full-size pickup with a massive 10-year complaint record. The most common trouble spots are the transmission and electrical system, with many owners describing hard shifts, sudden power loss, and camera or sensor failures. With 11,311 complaints and 145 recalls, it has a much higher yearly complaint rate, though the larger sales volume means more vehicles on the road.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mazda CX 90 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 802 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 13 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 24 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 267.3 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 26 Better | 287 |
| 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.
Mazda CX 90
- 01STEERING359
- 02ENGINE134
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM119
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER95
- 05FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE92
Owners report the steering wheel becoming stiff or locked while driving or at start-up, sometimes with multiple warning lights and an inability to shift out of Park. This is a serious safety concern because it can happen without warning and may leave you unable to steer or move the vehicle.
Complaints describe warnings like 'Acceleration Limited Due to Low Fuel and/or Battery Condition' and 'Hybrid System Malfunction,' leading to reduced acceleration and loss of power while driving. For a buyer, this means the SUV may unexpectedly enter a limp mode, which is dangerous in traffic.
Owners report hybrid battery failures, sometimes after a recall repair, causing complete vehicle shutdown and burning of other systems. There are also reports of water pouring into the cabin from the overhead console after heavy rain, which can damage electronics.
This system has 92 complaints and is also the subject of a recall for external/pedestrian alert warnings. Owners may experience false warnings or a system that fails to alert, which could reduce confidence in the safety features.
“I am filing this complaint regarding a serious steering safety issue with my 2024 Mazda CX-90, which I purchased on March 24, 2026, with approximately 40,000 miles. The vehicle previously underwent Mazda Safety Recall 6524A involving the steering system and i…”
“On multiple occasions, the steering wheel became stiff or locked while driving or during start-up, multiple dashboard warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle could not be shifted from Park to Drive. This occurred repeatedly since the vehicle was purchased…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The most common complaint area, with owners reporting hard or delayed shifts, jerking, clunking, and sudden loss of power, often involving the 10-speed automatic transmission. These issues can leave you stranded or cause a crash if power is lost in traffic.
Owners report warnings such as 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available,' as well as loud bangs from the transmission area. Electrical gremlins can disable driver-assist features and are frustrating to diagnose.
With 1,164 complaints, headlight problems are common, and there is a recall for headlights. Poor lighting affects nighttime visibility and safety, so buyers should check for recalls and test the lights.
Engine complaints total 847, and there are multiple engine-related recalls. Owners may face issues like rough running or stalling, which can be costly and dangerous.
“I started noticing hard and delayed shifts from 7th into 8th gear. My RPM's were not increasing when this happened, and then on a very crowded major road I lost all power, vehicle shut off and drifted, then started up and jerked again very hard. This failure…”
“I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission shifts hard (ie: jerks, clunks) between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and has on occasion…”
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.
Mazda CX 90 — 13 recalls
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024-2025 CX-90 and 2025 CX-70 vehicles equipped with a Dash Electrical Supply Unit (ESU). During vehicle startup, the defroster, seat belt warning, 360° view monitor functions, and the PHEV high-voltage battery cooling system may not fun…
The risk: An ESU that does not function properly, increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the Dash ESU with improved software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2024. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 7…
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024-2025 CX-90 and 2025 CX-70 mild hybrid electric vehicles (MHEV). The fuel gauge in the instrument cluster may display an inaccurate fuel reading.
The risk: An inaccurate fuel gauge may result in the vehicle unexpectedly running out of fuel and stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the body control module (BCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 24, 2025. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 6. The manufacturer's number for this r…
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024 CX-90 vehicles. Some steering and suspension bolts may be missing or improperly tightened, which can cause the steering intermediate shaft, the front anti-lock brake system wheel speed sensor harnesses, or the front upper control arm…
The risk: A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten or replace the steering and suspension bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 14, 2023. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 6. Mazda'…
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024 CX-90 vehicles. Software in the Approaching Vehicle Audible System (AVAS) Information Sound Box (ISB) amplifier may be missing, which can cause inaccurate, external pedestrian warning sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply wi…
The risk: Inaccurate external warning sounds may confuse pedestrians about the direction of an approaching vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the AVAS ISB amplifier software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 18, 2023. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 6123H.
FORD F 150 — 145 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from…
The risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and br…
The risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The re…
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 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also…
The risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's num…
Buyer analysis
Mazda CX 90 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Mazda CX-90 has far fewer complaints per year (about 267) than the Ford F-150 (about 1,131), but the CX-90's issues often involve steering and power loss that can be immediately dangerous. The F-150's higher volume means more overall problems, but many are transmission and electrical annoyances that may be covered by recalls. In practice, the CX-90 may need fewer repair visits, but the failures it does have can be more severe.
Key differences
- The Mazda CX-90 has 802 complaints over 3 years, while the Ford F-150 has 11,311 over 10 years, but the CX-90's top issue is steering (359 complaints) which can cause loss of control.
- The Ford F-150's top issue is power train (3,553 complaints), with owners reporting hard shifts and sudden power loss, a different but also serious driving risk.
- The CX-90 has 13 recalls, including steering and electrical software, while the F-150 has 145 recalls covering lighting, battery cables, and engines.
- The CX-90 has 0 deaths and 26 injuries in its complaint data, while the F-150 has 1 death and 287 injuries, though these numbers are not adjusted for sales volume.
- During a test drive, check for any stiffness or locking in the steering wheel, especially at low speeds or when starting the car, and ask if the steering recall (6524A) was performed.
- Look for warning messages about hybrid system malfunction or reduced acceleration, and check for water stains around the overhead console that could indicate a leak.
- Test the transmission for hard shifts, jerking, or delayed engagement, especially between 4th and 5th or 7th and 8th gears, and listen for loud bangs.
- Check that the front camera and pre-collision assist systems are working without error messages, and verify that any recalls for headlights or battery cables have been completed.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls have been repaired by a dealer.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the steering system (CX-90) or transmission (F-150) for the specific symptoms described in complaints.
- Test drive on both city streets and highways, paying attention to steering feel, transmission shifting, and any warning lights.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for hybrid battery repairs (CX-90) or transmission fluid changes (F-150).
- Check the NHTSA website for any new recalls or investigations using the VIN before purchase.
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 | Mazda CX 90 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 14 | 24 |
| 2025 | 27 | 329 |
| 2024 | 761 | 617 |
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 Mazda CX 90 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mazda CX 90 vs FORD F 150
- Mazda CX 90 total complaints
- 802
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Mazda CX 90 total recalls
- 13
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Mazda CX 90 avg complaints/year
- 267.3
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Mazda CX 90
- Mazda CX 90 top complaint area
- STEERING
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN