Head-to-head reliability
Mclaren GT vs FORD F 150
How the Mclaren GT 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
Mclaren GT vs FORD F 150: the McLaren logged 1 complaint over 7 years (about 0.1 per year) and 13 recalls, while the F-150 logged 11,621 complaints over 10 years (about 1,162 per year) and 151 recalls, including 330 crash-related reports. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mclaren GT or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mclaren GT
The Mclaren GT is a low-volume exotic, so its ownership record is thin: just 1 owner complaint over 7 years, about 0.1 per year, alongside 13 recalls. The single reported problem is a cracked passenger-side door hinge that misaligns the door, with the owner worried it could fail entirely; the service center confirmed the crack and McLaren reportedly redesigned the hinge. With no crash-related complaints, injuries, or deaths in this data, the picture is of a rarely driven car where the few reports are structural hardware issues rather than everyday breakdowns. Buyers should treat the recall list, not the complaint count, as the main reliability signal here.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a mass-market pickup with a very large ownership record: 11,621 complaints over 10 years, roughly 1,162 per year, plus 151 recalls, 330 crash-related complaints, 297 injuries, and 1 death. Complaints cluster on the power train (3,648) and electrical system (2,100), with owners describing repeated transmission limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures that can cut power. Others report a rear-window defroster short that shattered the back glass. This is a high-volume truck with well-documented, recurring drivetrain and electrical faults rather than isolated one-offs.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mclaren GT | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 13 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.1 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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.
Mclaren GT
- 01STRUCTURE1
The one logged complaint describes a crack in the passenger-side door hinge that misaligns the door, with the owner fearing the door could fall off. The service center confirmed the crack and McLaren reportedly redesigned the hinge, so a buyer should verify whether a given car has the updated part.
“There is a crack in the passenger side door hinge that causes the door to misalign. I fear the door will fall off and cause safety risks. My independent service center confirmed the crack. McLaren has acknowledged the problem and has redesigned the hinge, but…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report recurring transmission trouble, including limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures; one owner said a lead frame issue nearly caused a collision. These faults can leave the truck in a reduced-power state while driving, which matters greatly to a buyer.
The same lead frame problem shows up under electrical complaints, and one owner describes an output speed sensor failure (code P0722) that triggered highway limp mode even after a recall software update. Electrical gremlins here can strand or slow the truck.
One owner reports a short in the rear-window defroster that caused the back window to shatter outward shortly after the defroster was turned off. A buyer should check rear glass and defroster operation.
Exterior lighting is among the top complaint components (1,224), indicating owners frequently report lighting faults. Specific failure text is not provided, so treat this as an area to inspect rather than a confirmed pattern.
“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.
Mclaren GT — 13 recalls
The defect: McLaren Automotive Incorporated (McLaren) is recalling certain 2020 570S, GT, 2019 600LT, and 2019-2020 720S vehicles. The brake assembly banjo bolt may be missing the holes that supply brake fluid to the caliper, which would cause the brakes to fail on one corner of the vehicle.
The risk: Brake failure in one corner can cause the vehicle to pull to one side during braking, and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the banjo bolt, as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 1, 2021. Owners may contact McLaren customer service at 1-646-429-8916. McLaren's number for this recall is SRC 00 C 001.
The defect: McLaren Automotive Incorporated (McLaren) is recalling certain 2016-2020 720S, 2019 Senna, 2020 GT, and 2017-2019 570GT vehicles. The Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) foam pad underneath the fuel tank may retain moisture and corrode the fuel tank, potentially causing a fuel leak.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: McLaren will notify owners, and dealers will remove the NVH foam pad from the vehicle and inspect the fuel tank. If the fuel tank is found to have corrosion, it will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began J…
The defect: McLaren Automotive Incorporated (McLaren) is recalling certain 2019-2021 McLaren GT vehicles. The driver's air bag and the occupant restraint controller may be improperly connected, which can result in a deactivated driver's air bag that will not deploy in a crash.
The risk: A driver's air bag that does not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the driver's air bag connection, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a schedule for recall notification. Owners may contact McLaren customer service at 1-646-429-8916.
The defect: McLaren Automotive Incorporated (McClaren) is recalling certain 2020-2025 600LT, 720S, Artura, GT, and GTS vehicles. The brake lines may be routed incorrectly and cause the brakes on the incorrect side to activate, possibly resulting in one of the rear wheels locking up.
The risk: A rear wheel locking condition may cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and correct the brake line connections as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 21, 2025. Owners may contact McClaren customer service at 1-646-429-8916.
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
Mclaren GT or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Mclaren GT has far fewer issues per year, about 0.1 complaint versus roughly 1,162 for the F-150, but that gap mostly reflects how few of these exotics are on the road. In practice, the F-150's complaints describe repeated drivetrain and electrical failures that affect daily driving, while the McLaren's single report is a structural hinge crack. Fewer complaints does not automatically mean fewer problems for a given car.
Key differences
- Complaint volume: 1 over 7 years for the Mclaren GT versus 11,621 over 10 years for the F-150, a difference driven largely by production volume.
- Failure type: the McLaren's lone report is a cracked door hinge causing door misalignment; the F-150's reports center on transmission limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures.
- Safety outcomes in the data: the F-150 shows 330 crash-related complaints, 297 injuries, and 1 death; the McLaren shows none of these.
- Recall load: 13 recalls for the McLaren versus 151 for the F-150, including brake hose, fuel tank, air bag, and ABS control unit subjects on the McLaren.
- Inspect the passenger-side door hinge for cracks or misalignment, and ask whether the redesigned hinge has been fitted.
- Check recall completion for the brake hose, fuel tank, air bag, and ABS control unit campaigns before buying.
- Test drive enough to feel for transmission limp mode, harsh or stuck shifts, and confirm any lead frame or output speed sensor recall work was actually performed.
- Check the rear window and defroster for signs of overheating or a prior shatter, and verify exterior lighting works.
Before you buy
- Pull the full recall history by VIN for the specific car and confirm which campaigns were completed.
- For the F-150, have a mechanic scan for transmission codes and check lead frame and output speed sensor service records.
- For the Mclaren GT, have the door hinges and latch alignment inspected by a marque specialist.
- Ask for service records showing whether the reported hinge redesign or transmission remedies were applied.
- Test drive in conditions that would reveal limp mode, lighting faults, and defroster operation before committing.
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 | Mclaren GT | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 0 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 0 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 1 | 44 |
| 2019 | 0 | 52 |
| 2018 | 0 | 79 |
| 2017 | 0 | 59 |
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 Mclaren GT or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mclaren GT vs FORD F 150
- Mclaren GT total complaints
- 1
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Mclaren GT total recalls
- 13
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Mclaren GT avg complaints/year
- 0.1
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Mclaren GT
- Mclaren GT top complaint area
- STRUCTURE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN