Head-to-head reliability
Mazda Mazda5 vs FORD F 150
How the Mazda Mazda5 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 Mazda5 vs FORD F 150: The Mazda5 has 410 complaints over 10 years (41/year) and 15 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints (1,162/year) and 151 recalls. The F-150 also reports 1 death and 297 injuries versus 0 deaths and 28 injuries for the Mazda5. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mazda Mazda5 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mazda Mazda5
The Mazda Mazda5 is a compact minivan that owners report living with as a practical but aging vehicle. Over 10 years, it has 410 complaints (41 per year) and 15 recalls, with steering, tires, and suspension being the most common trouble spots. Owners describe recurring power steering warning lights, tire blowouts, and uneven tire wear. While it has 29 crash-related complaints and 28 injuries, there are no reported deaths in the data.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume: 11,621 over 10 years (1,162 per year) and 151 recalls. The most frequent issues involve the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting. Owners report serious problems like transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and rear window shattering. There are 330 crash-related complaints, 297 injuries, and 1 death reported.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mazda Mazda5 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 410 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 15 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 29 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 41.0 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 28 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 Mazda5
- 01STEERING101
- 02TIRES59
- 03SUSPENSION57
- 04STRUCTURE36
- 05SERVICE BRAKES34
Owners report the power steering light coming on and staying on, sometimes while driving, and violent shaking at highway speeds. One complaint also mentions a bent rear tire rim. These issues can affect control and are worth checking before purchase.
A reported tire blowout led to loss of control, curb impact, and damage to the engine, transmission pan, and steering gear. This shows that tire failures on this vehicle can have costly consequences.
Owners describe consistent edge wear or cupping on inner edges of both front and rear tires, requiring replacement around 23,000 to 25,000 miles. Another complaint notes the transmission control module (TCM) fails due to heat and warping, leading to expensive repairs.
The driver door handle can stop working on low-mileage vehicles because a small groove in the internal mechanism breaks. There is also a recall for the hatchback/liftgate structure, and some owners report difficulty getting recall repairs done.
“I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMING ON IN MY CAR. THERE WERE TIMES THAT I HAVE HAD MY CAR PARKED OVERNIGHT, GOT UP THE NEXT MORNING TO LEAVE FOR WORK, THE LIGHT WAS STILL ON FROM THE PREVIOUS AFTERNOON. THE LIGHT HAS COME ON WHILE…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA MAZDA5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE REAR TIRE RIM WAS BENT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT IN ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MP…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report a recurring lead frame issue that can cause near collisions, and transmission malfunctions where the truck goes into limp mode and gets stuck in 5th gear. These problems can happen daily and affect drivability and safety.
The lead frame issue also appears under electrical complaints, with one owner saying it nearly ended their life. Another owner reported highway limp mode due to an output speed sensor failure after a recall software update. These electrical faults can leave the truck underpowered.
A short in the rear window defroster caused the back window to explode outward and shatter within minutes of turning off the defroster. This is a sudden and dangerous failure that owners should be aware of.
Exterior lighting is a top complaint area, though specific owner text is not provided. Given the high number of complaints, buyers should check all lights and related wiring for faults.
“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 Mazda5 — 15 recalls
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26,…
The risk: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is…
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26,…
The risk: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is…
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26,…
The risk: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is…
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26,…
The risk: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is…
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 Mazda5 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Mazda Mazda5 has far fewer issues per year (41 complaints) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,162 complaints). In practice, this means the Mazda5 owner may face fewer trips to the shop, but the Ford F-150's problems are more frequently reported and can include serious transmission and electrical failures. The difference is not just volume; the F-150's issues often involve limp mode and safety risks.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has about 28 times more complaints per year than the Mazda Mazda5 (1,162 vs 41).
- Mazda5 owners report steering, tire, and suspension problems, while F-150 owners report power train and electrical failures like limp mode and lead frame issues.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 15 for the Mazda5, and the F-150 has 1 death and 297 injuries reported compared to 0 deaths and 28 injuries for the Mazda5.
- Mazda5 complaints include tire blowouts and uneven tire wear, while F-150 complaints include rear window shattering and transmission stuck in gear.
- Check for power steering warning lights that stay on or come on while driving, and test drive at highway speeds for violent shaking.
- Inspect tire wear for cupping or edge wear on inner edges, and ask about transmission control module (TCM) repairs or overheating symptoms.
- Test drive and watch for transmission limp mode, stuck gears, or delayed shifting, which owners link to lead frame and output speed sensor failures.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for signs of shorting, and check if the rear window has been replaced due to shattering.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to see all open recalls for the specific vehicle and confirm they have been repaired.
- For the Mazda5, test drive at highway speeds and check for steering vibration, warning lights, and uneven tire wear.
- For the Ford F-150, scan for transmission trouble codes and test drive in stop-and-go traffic to feel for limp mode or harsh shifting.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes on the F-150 and tire rotations on the Mazda5.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the known problem areas for each model.
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 Mazda5 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mazda Mazda5 vs FORD F 150
- Mazda Mazda5 total complaints
- 410
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Mazda Mazda5 total recalls
- 15
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Mazda Mazda5 avg complaints/year
- 41.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Mazda Mazda5
- Mazda Mazda5 top complaint area
- STEERING
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN