Head-to-head reliability
Mazda Millenia vs FORD F 150
How the Mazda Millenia 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 Millenia vs FORD F 150: The Millenia averages 24 complaints per year with 0 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,162 per year with 151 recalls. The F-150 also has 330 crash-related complaints versus 6 for the Millenia. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mazda Millenia or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mazda Millenia
The Mazda Millenia is a used sedan that averages 24 owner complaints per year, with no recalls on record. The most common complaints involve engine and cooling problems, such as blue smoke at startup and failing ignition coils, plus power train issues like unintended reverse movement. Air bag and electrical gremlins also appear, including air bag lights that resist repair and keys jamming in the ignition. For a buyer, this suggests a car that may need frequent attention to engine and electrical systems, though the overall complaint volume is relatively low.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint rate: about 1,162 per year over 10 years, plus 151 recalls. Power train complaints dominate, often describing transmissions stuck in limp mode or lead frame failures that can cause near-collisions. Electrical issues, including rear window defroster shorts that shatter glass, are also reported. With 330 crash-related complaints and 1 death, the data shows a pattern of serious, recurring problems that owners say persist even after repairs.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mazda Millenia | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 72 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 6 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 24.0 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 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 Millenia
- 01ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING19
- 02POWER TRAIN13
- 03AIR BAGS8
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7
- 05SUSPENSION6
Owners report blue smoke from the exhaust at startup lasting 15-30 seconds, often linked to the supercharger, and ignition coils failing one after another due to engine heat. These issues can lead to misfires, check engine lights, and costly repairs.
Complaints include the car continuing to move in reverse after being shifted into drive, and keys jamming in the ignition with the shifter able to move out of park without stepping on the brake. These are safety concerns that could cause a crash or leave you stranded.
The air bag light may come on repeatedly, and dealers have replaced the air bag, cable harness, and control module without a lasting fix. This means the air bag may not deploy when needed, and repairs can be frustrating.
Ignition coil failures for specific cylinders are reported, causing misfires and check engine lights, sometimes at low mileage. Electrical gremlins like these can be intermittent and hard to diagnose.
“I OWN A 2000 MAZDA MILLENIA S MODEL. MY MILLENIA HAS THE LYSHOLM SUPERCHARGER (S/C). RECENTLY, THE CAR HAS BEGUN TO BLOW BLUE SMOKE OUT THE EXHAUST PIPE AT STARTUP. THE SMOKE AT STARTUP LAST FOR ABOUT 15-30 SECONDS. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE LOCAL MAZDA DEALER.…”
“THE IGNITION COILS IN MY CAR ARE GOING BAD. ONE RIGHT AFTER THE OTHER. MAZDA TOLD ME THAT THE HEAT OF THE ENGINE (MILLER CYCLE) IS CAUSING THIS. I THINK THE ENGINE WAS POORLY DESIGNED. THERE ARE 6 COILS & I HAVE REPLACED 3 SO FAR, 1 IN 12/04 & 2 IN 4/06 ALONG…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners describe transmissions that go into limp mode and get stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that cause near-collisions. These problems can happen suddenly while driving, making the truck unsafe to operate.
The lead frame issue also appears here, along with output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. A short in the rear window defroster has been reported to shatter the back window. Electrical faults can disable safety features and lead to expensive repairs.
One owner reported the rear window exploding outward after using the defroster, with no external cause. This is a severe safety hazard that could injure passengers.
Although not detailed in the sample complaints, this is a top component with 1,224 complaints. Lighting failures can reduce visibility and increase crash risk, so check all lights carefully.
“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 Millenia
No recalls on record.
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 Millenia or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Mazda Millenia has far fewer complaints per year (24 vs. 1,162) and no recalls, while the Ford F-150 has 151 recalls and many more crash-related reports. In practice, the Millenia may be easier to live with day-to-day, but the F-150's issues are more severe and frequent, often involving sudden transmission failures.
Key differences
- The Mazda Millenia averages 24 complaints per year with 0 recalls, while the Ford F-150 averages 1,162 per year with 151 recalls.
- Ford F-150 owners report dangerous transmission limp mode and lead frame failures; Millenia owners report engine smoke and air bag light issues.
- The F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 1 death; the Millenia has 6 crash-related complaints and 0 deaths.
- Millenia problems often involve ignition coils and power train shifter defects; F-150 problems include rear window shattering and output speed sensor failures.
- Check for blue smoke from the exhaust at startup, which can indicate supercharger or engine wear.
- Test the shifter: ensure the car does not move in reverse when in drive, and that the key does not jam in the ignition.
- Scan for transmission codes and test drive for limp mode or getting stuck in 5th gear.
- Inspect the rear window for cracks or signs of shattering, and test the defroster carefully.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls, especially on the Ford F-150.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on engine, transmission, and electrical systems.
- For the Millenia, ask about ignition coil replacement history and air bag light repairs.
- For the F-150, test drive at highway speeds to check for transmission shudder or limp mode, and verify lead frame replacement.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been addressed by a dealer, and get documentation.
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 Millenia or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mazda Millenia vs FORD F 150
- Mazda Millenia total complaints
- 72
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Mazda Millenia total recalls
- 0
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Mazda Millenia avg complaints/year
- 24.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Mazda Millenia
- Mazda Millenia top complaint area
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN