Head-to-head reliability
Mazda MPV vs FORD F 150
How the Mazda MPV 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 MPV vs FORD F 150: The MPV averaged 88 complaints per year over 7 years, while the F-150 averaged 1,162 per year over 10 years. The MPV had 26 recalls and 84 injuries; the F-150 had 151 recalls and 297 injuries. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mazda MPV or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mazda MPV
The Mazda MPV is a minivan that averaged about 88 complaints per year over seven years, with 26 recalls and 84 injuries reported. Owners frequently describe transmission jerking at low speeds, engine misfires from failing ignition coils, and stalling that can cut power steering and brakes. Airbag inflator recalls also appear, including a 'do not drive' notice for certain 2005 models due to humidity-related risks.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that averaged roughly 1,162 complaints per year over ten years, with 151 recalls and 297 injuries. Common owner reports include transmission limp mode, lead frame electrical failures, and rear window defroster shorts that can shatter the glass. The volume of complaints and recalls is much higher, but it is also a far more popular vehicle.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mazda MPV | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 617 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 26 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 53 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 88.1 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 84 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 MPV
- 01POWER TRAIN134
- 02ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING127
- 03AIR BAGS69
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM64
- 05STRUCTURE44
Owners report severe transmission jerking at 20–40 mph, sometimes violent enough that the headrest hits the driver's head. This can make the van feel like it is being rear-ended and may indicate internal transmission wear.
Complaints describe engine misfires caused by failing ignition coils, leading to shaking, jerking, and power loss. One owner also reported the engine shutting off unexpectedly, which can disable power steering and brakes.
Multiple recalls involve passenger-side frontal airbag inflator modules, with at least one notice warning owners not to drive due to humidity-related rupture risk. Some owners report confusion about whether their vehicle is covered.
A flawed idle air control valve is reported to cause stalling, sometimes at speed, and can leave the engine unable to restart. This can eliminate power braking and steering, creating a serious hazard.
“AT LOW SPEED, 20 TO 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION JERKS SO MUCH THAT THE HEADREST HITS MY HEAD BADLY. IT IS ALMOST LIKE THE VEHICLE IS REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY HEAD IS STILL DIZZY AFTER A DAY. THIS JERKING FREQUENCY IS ABOUT TWICE IN THE PAST 4 WEEKS.”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners describe a recurring lead frame issue that can cause sudden limp mode or getting stuck in 5th gear, sometimes nearly causing collisions. Transmission malfunctions are reported almost daily by some owners.
The same lead frame problem is often filed under electrical system complaints, and some 2017 models experience highway limp mode due to output speed sensor failure. These faults can appear even after software updates.
A short in the rear window defroster has been reported to cause the back window to explode outward and shatter, with no external impact. This is a surprising and potentially dangerous failure.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting issues are common, though specific failure details are not provided in the sample. Buyers should check all lights and related wiring for intermittent problems.
“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 MPV — 26 recalls
The defect: Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Mazda MPV vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dako…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018 for MPV vehicles. The recall began July 9, 2019 for RX-8 vehicles. Owners may…
The defect: Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide. Mazda is also recalling 2005-2006 MPV vehicles in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Ind…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018…
The defect: Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Mazda MPV vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dako…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018 for MPV vehicles. The recall began July 9, 2019 for RX-8 vehicles. Owners may…
The defect: Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide. Mazda is also recalling 2005-2006 MPV vehicles in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Ind…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018…
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 MPV or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Mazda MPV has far fewer issues per year (about 88 complaints annually) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,162 annually). In practice, the MPV may be easier to manage for a buyer seeking lower reported complaint volume, but the F-150's higher numbers partly reflect its much larger sales volume. Both have serious safety-related complaints, so condition and maintenance history matter more than brand alone.
Key differences
- The Mazda MPV averages about 88 complaints per year, while the Ford F-150 averages about 1,162 per year, though the F-150 is far more common on the road.
- Mazda MPV owners frequently report transmission jerking and engine misfires from ignition coils, while Ford F-150 owners report lead frame failures causing limp mode and stuck gears.
- The Mazda MPV has airbag inflator recalls with a 'do not drive' warning for some 2005 models, while the Ford F-150 has a rear window defroster short that can shatter the back glass.
- Both vehicles have electrical system complaints, but the MPV's idle air control valve stalling and the F-150's lead frame issue are the most safety-critical patterns to check.
- During a test drive, accelerate gently from 20 to 40 mph and feel for any jerking or head-snapping transmission behavior.
- Ask for proof that the passenger-side airbag inflator recall was completed, especially on 2005 models, and check for any open 'do not drive' notices.
- Test the transmission for limp mode or getting stuck in 5th gear by driving at highway speeds and under light acceleration.
- Turn on the rear window defroster for a few minutes and inspect the glass for cracks or signs of overheating, as shorts have been reported to shatter the window.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls have been repaired by a dealer.
- Have a trusted mechanic scan for stored trouble codes, especially transmission and engine misfire codes.
- Test drive at various speeds, including 20–40 mph for the MPV and highway speeds for the F-150, to feel for shifting problems.
- Inspect the airbag system on the MPV and the rear window defroster on the F-150 for signs of the reported defects.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records showing regular transmission and ignition system service.
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 MPV or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mazda MPV vs FORD F 150
- Mazda MPV total complaints
- 617
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Mazda MPV total recalls
- 26
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Mazda MPV avg complaints/year
- 88.1
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Mazda MPV
- Mazda MPV top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN