Head-to-head reliability
Mitsubishi Raider vs FORD F 150
How the Mitsubishi Raider 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
Mitsubishi Raider vs FORD F 150: The Raider averaged 14.2 complaints per year over 10 years, while the F-150 averaged 1,131.1 per year. The F-150 also had 145 recalls versus 11 for the Raider. Both have safety-related issues, but the F-150's higher volume means more reported problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mitsubishi Raider or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mitsubishi Raider
The Mitsubishi Raider is a mid-size pickup that, based on owner complaints, can be a headache to live with. Over 10 years, it averaged about 14 complaints per year, with air bag issues dominating. Many owners report frustration with recall repairs, especially for Takata air bags, and electrical gremlins that cause dash lights and gauges to fail. While it has fewer total complaints than the Ford F-150, the rate of problems per vehicle may still be concerning for a first-time buyer.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a massive number of owner complaints—over 11,000 in 10 years, averaging more than 1,100 per year. The most common trouble spots are the power train (especially transmission shifting problems) and electrical system glitches. Recalls are frequent, covering engines, lights, and batteries. Despite its popularity, the volume of complaints suggests that some owners face repeated repairs, particularly with newer models.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mitsubishi Raider | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 142 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 11 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 12 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 14.2 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 8 Better | 287 |
| 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.
Mitsubishi Raider
- 01AIR BAGS83
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM19
- 03SERVICE BRAKES16
- 04POWER TRAIN14
- 05HYDRAULIC8
Owners report Takata air bag recalls and difficulty getting repairs done, with some saying appointments were cancelled because replacement parts were also under recall. This matters because a faulty air bag may not deploy correctly in a crash.
Complaints describe dash lights and gauges cutting out, speedometer failure, and radio shutting off, sometimes leaving the truck unable to start. These issues can be intermittent and hard to diagnose, leading to repeated dealer visits.
Drivers report a pulsating sensation when braking, even at low speeds, which can feel like the ABS is engaging unnecessarily. This may indicate warped rotors or brake system problems that affect stopping confidence.
Some owners link power train complaints to electrical faults, such as the truck not cranking or stalling. These issues can leave you stranded and are often tied to the same electrical gremlins.
“THESE PARTS WERE ON RECALL, I SET UP MY APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALERSHIP. CALLED TO VERIFY APPOINTMENT AND WAS TOLD IT WAS CANCELLED, THE RECALLED AIR BAG PARTS ARE ALSO ON RECALL. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE, I HAVE CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN THAT RIDE IN MY TRUCK.…”
“"TAKATA RECALL" I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL, JULY OF 2016, FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG (MITSUBISHI HAD ALREADY REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG OVER A YEAR AGO. I CALLED OUR MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIP @ 1-850-785-1591, TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT T…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Many owners of 2020 F-150s with the 10R80 transmission report hard or delayed shifts, jerking, and even sudden loss of power. This is a safety concern because it can happen while driving in traffic.
Complaints include warning messages like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available,' as well as loud bangs from the transmission area. These electrical glitches can disable driver-assist features and be costly to fix.
Headlight issues are common enough to be a top complaint category, with recalls for headlights. Poor lighting can reduce visibility and increase crash risk, especially at night.
Engine problems appear in complaints and recalls, though specific symptoms vary. Buyers should be aware that engine repairs on a full-size truck can be expensive.
“I started noticing hard and delayed shifts from 7th into 8th gear. My RPM's were not increasing when this happened, and then on a very crowded major road I lost all power, vehicle shut off and drifted, then started up and jerked again very hard. This failure…”
“I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission shifts hard (ie: jerks, clunks) between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and has on occasion…”
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.
Mitsubishi Raider — 11 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2…
The risk: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occur…
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger front…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal…
The defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, Dakota, and 2006 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles manufactured July 1, 2005, to July 31, 2006 with manual transmissions. The return springs in the clutch ignition interlock switch may break.
The risk: Broken springs can result in a no-start condition, or cause unintended movement when the ignition is cranked, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clutch ignition interlock switch, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this reca…
The defect: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A STATIC ELECTRICITY SPARK BETWEEN THE OPERATOR AND THE VEHICLE CAN CAUSE THE TURN SIGNAL, HEADLAMPS OR WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO MALFUNCTION WITHOUT WARNING.
The risk: THIS CAN IMPAIR THE DRIVER'S VISION AND RESULT IN A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL RE-FLASH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
FORD F 150 — 145 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from…
The risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and br…
The risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The re…
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 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also…
The risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's num…
Buyer analysis
Mitsubishi Raider or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Mitsubishi Raider has far fewer complaints per year (about 14) compared to the Ford F-150 (over 1,100), but the Raider's complaints often involve safety-critical air bags and electrical faults. The F-150's higher volume means more reported issues overall, but many are concentrated in transmission and electrical systems. In practice, the Raider may have fewer total problems, but the F-150's issues are more widely documented and may have more available fixes.
Key differences
- The Mitsubishi Raider's top complaint is air bags (83 complaints), often tied to Takata recalls, while the Ford F-150's top complaint is power train (3,553 complaints), mainly transmission shifting issues.
- The F-150 has 145 recalls over 10 years versus 11 for the Raider, meaning more frequent safety campaigns for the Ford.
- Raider owners report electrical gremlins like dash lights cutting out, while F-150 owners report transmission jerking and loss of power.
- The F-150 has 1 death and 287 injuries reported in crashes, while the Raider has 0 deaths and 8 injuries, though these numbers depend on many factors and should not be used to compare safety directly.
- Check for open Takata air bag recalls and confirm that both driver and passenger air bags have been replaced; ask for documentation.
- Test all electrical functions, including dash lights, gauges, speedometer, and radio, and look for intermittent failures during a test drive.
- Test drive the truck at various speeds and watch for hard or delayed shifts, jerking, or clunking from the transmission, especially in 2020 models with the 10R80.
- Check for warning messages like 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' on the dashboard and ensure all driver-assist features work.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model, focusing on transmission (F-150) or electrical and air bag systems (Raider).
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes (F-150) or electrical repairs (Raider).
- During a test drive, listen for unusual noises, feel for transmission jerks, and test all electronics and lights.
- Confirm that any recall repairs have been completed and get written proof from a dealership.
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 Mitsubishi Raider or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mitsubishi Raider vs FORD F 150
- Mitsubishi Raider total complaints
- 142
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Mitsubishi Raider total recalls
- 11
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Mitsubishi Raider avg complaints/year
- 14.2
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Mitsubishi Raider
- Mitsubishi Raider top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN