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 averages 278 complaints per year with 13 recalls, while the F 150 averages 1,162 complaints per year with 151 recalls. The CX 90's main issue is steering lock, and the F 150's is power train failure. 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 only three years of complaint history, averaging about 278 complaints per year. The most common owner-reported problem is steering that becomes stiff or locks, often accompanied by warning lights and an inability to shift out of Park. Other reports include engine and electrical glitches, such as safety cameras failing and screens going blank, plus water leaks and chemical fumes. With 13 recalls and 24 crash-related complaints, it's a vehicle where early build quality issues seem to be the main ownership headache.
FORD F 150
The Ford F 150 is a long-running full-size pickup with a decade of complaint data, averaging over 1,160 complaints per year. Power train problems dominate, especially transmission issues like limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden downshifts or near-collisions. Electrical system complaints are also frequent, often tied to the same lead frame or sensor failures. With 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints, this is a truck with a well-documented history of recurring safety defects.
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 | 835 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 13 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 24 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 278.3 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 26 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.
Mazda CX 90
- 01STEERING375
- 02ENGINE138
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM123
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER98
- 05FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE92
Owners report the steering wheel becoming stiff or locking while driving or at start-up, often with multiple dashboard warning lights and the vehicle refusing to shift from Park to Drive. This can leave you unable to steer or move the car, which is a serious safety concern.
Some owners describe the safety camera system and touch screen failing shortly after driving, with warning lights indicating the systems aren't working. This can affect visibility and driver assistance features, making the car less predictable.
The same reports of camera and screen failures fall under electrical problems, and owners also mention water pouring into the cabin from the overhead console after heavy rain. Water intrusion can damage electronics and lead to mold or further failures.
Owners have reported strong chemical fumes entering the cabin during normal operation, sometimes noticed right after purchase. This can be a health concern and may indicate a leak or off-gassing issue that's hard to diagnose.
“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…”
“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 TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners frequently report transmission problems, including limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden downshifts or loss of power. One owner said a lead frame issue nearly ended their life, highlighting the safety risk.
The lead frame issue also appears under electrical complaints, along with output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. These electrical faults can leave you stranded or cause unpredictable shifting on the highway.
A reported short in the rear window defroster caused the back window to explode outward and shatter, with no external impact. This is a rare but dangerous defect that could happen without warning.
While not detailed in the sample complaints, exterior lighting is a top complaint category, suggesting owners often deal with lights that fail or malfunction. This can affect visibility and safety, especially at night.
“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.
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 — 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
Mazda CX 90 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Mazda CX 90 has far fewer complaints per year (about 278) compared to the Ford F 150 (over 1,160), but the CX 90's steering lock issue is a serious early-life defect. The F 150's much longer history shows persistent power train and electrical problems that have been reported for over a decade. In practice, the CX 90 may have fewer overall problems, but the F 150's issues are more widespread and recurring.
Key differences
- The Mazda CX 90's most common complaint is steering that locks or becomes stiff, while the Ford F 150's top issue is power train problems like limp mode and lead frame failures.
- The F 150 has 151 recalls over 10 years versus 13 for the CX 90 over 3 years, indicating a much longer history of safety fixes.
- The CX 90 has 24 crash-related complaints and 26 injuries in 3 years; the F 150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries in 10 years, showing a higher volume of serious incidents.
- Electrical issues are prominent in both, but the F 150's are often tied to transmission sensors, while the CX 90's involve cameras, screens, and water leaks.
- Test the steering at low speeds and during start-up for any stiffness or locking, and check that the vehicle shifts out of Park smoothly.
- Look for signs of water leaks around the overhead console and sunroof switches, and smell for chemical fumes inside the cabin.
- During a test drive, watch for transmission shuddering, delayed engagement, or sudden downshifts that could indicate lead frame or sensor issues.
- Check the rear window defroster operation and inspect the glass for any cracks or signs of stress that could lead to shattering.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed, especially for the CX 90's steering and electrical software, and the F 150's power train and air bag recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the steering system on the CX 90 for any binding or warning lights, and check for water intrusion in the cabin.
- For the F 150, have a transmission specialist scan for stored codes and test-drive extensively to check for limp mode or harsh shifting.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and specifically inquire about any prior repairs related to the top complaint areas.
- Take a long test drive that includes highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic to replicate conditions that trigger the reported issues.
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 | 20 | 35 |
| 2025 | 30 | 345 |
| 2024 | 785 | 638 |
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.
No VIN yet? Ask the seller.
A genuine seller should be happy to share it. Send this, then paste the VIN into the box above when it comes back.
Going to see one?
Get the Mazda CX 90 inspection checklist by email, so you know what to look for when you're standing next to it.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mazda CX 90 vs FORD F 150
- Mazda CX 90 total complaints
- 835
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Mazda CX 90 total recalls
- 13
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Mazda CX 90 avg complaints/year
- 278.3
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Mazda CX 90
- Mazda CX 90 top complaint area
- STEERING
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN