Head-to-head reliability
Nissan Altra EV vs FORD F 150
How the Nissan Altra EV 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
Nissan Altra EV vs FORD F 150: The Altra EV has 16 complaints over 4 years (4.0/year) and 0 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,311 complaints over 10 years (1,131.1/year) and 145 recalls. The F-150 also has 328 crash-related complaints and 287 injuries, versus 1 and 1 for the Altra EV. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Nissan Altra EV or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Nissan Altra EV
The Nissan Altra EV is an early electric vehicle with a very small complaint footprint: 16 complaints over 4 years, averaging 4 per year, and no recalls on record. Owners report stalling or cutting off during driving, brake noise and failure, and airbag warning lights. With only one crash-related complaint and one injury reported, the data suggests that while problems exist, they are not widespread.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a massive complaint volume: 11,311 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 1,131 per year, plus 145 recalls. The most common trouble spots are the powertrain, electrical system, and exterior lighting, with owners describing hard transmission shifts, sudden power loss, and various electrical glitches. There are also 328 crash-related complaints, 287 injuries, and 1 death reported, indicating that some issues can have serious consequences.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Nissan Altra EV | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 16 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 4.0 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 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.
Nissan Altra EV
- 01ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING5
- 02SERVICE BRAKES4
- 03HYDRAULIC4
- 04AIR BAGS3
- 05EXTERIOR LIGHTING3
Owners report the vehicle cutting off unexpectedly during operation, whether in a driveway or on an expressway. This can leave a driver without power in traffic, which is a serious safety concern.
Complaints include grinding noises and, in at least one case, brakes that went to the floor without stopping the car, contributing to a crash. A buyer should have the brake system thoroughly inspected.
Hydraulic issues appear alongside brake complaints, with reports of brake noise and complete brake failure. These are often the same incidents counted under different component categories, but they point to potential brake hydraulic problems.
Owners report the airbag warning light coming on without notice, and in one case a dealer said a recall covered the defect. Since there are no recalls on record for this vehicle, any airbag light should be diagnosed carefully.
“MY NEW CAR WAS PERFORMING AS IT WAS SUPPOSED TO AND MAINTENANCE WAS BEING COMPLETED ON A REGULAR SCHEDULE. MY VEHICLE STARTED TO CUT OFF DURING OPERATION IN 2004/5. IT WOULD HAPPEN IN THE DRIVEWAY, EXPRESSWAYS, ETC. IT DIDN'T MATTER. I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN D…”
“I HAVE A NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 88.000 MILES ON IT THIS CAR IT SHOULD BE JUST GETTING BROKEN IN JUST GOT DONE PAYING THIS CAR OFF IT COST ME AROUND 18,000 DOLLARS IN 2004 PAID IT OFF IN JUNE 2009 THINKING I COULD GET BACK ON MY FEET AGAIN BUT I SEE THAT WONT HAPP…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Owners describe hard or delayed shifts, jerking, clunking, and even sudden loss of power while driving. These transmission problems can strand a driver or cause a crash, and they are the most frequently reported issue.
Complaints include loud bangs from the transmission area, popping sounds from the rear suspension, and warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available.' Electrical gremlins can be frustrating and expensive to trace.
Exterior lighting is a top complaint category, and there is at least one recall for headlights. Faulty lights reduce visibility and can lead to accidents or tickets.
Engine issues are reported, and there are multiple engine-related recalls. While not as frequent as transmission complaints, engine problems can be costly and may affect reliability.
“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.
Nissan Altra EV
No recalls on record.
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
Nissan Altra EV or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Nissan Altra EV has far fewer complaints per year (4.0) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,131.1), but this comparison is limited because the Altra EV is a low-volume electric vehicle with only 16 total complaints. The F-150's much higher volume and longer production run mean more reported problems, but also more data to identify patterns. In practice, the Altra EV may have fewer reported issues simply because fewer were sold, while the F-150's issues are well-documented and widespread.
Key differences
- The Nissan Altra EV has 0 recalls and 16 complaints total, while the Ford F-150 has 145 recalls and 11,311 complaints, reflecting vastly different production volumes and market presence.
- Nissan Altra EV owners report stalling and brake failure, whereas Ford F-150 owners most often report transmission jerking, hard shifts, and sudden power loss.
- The Ford F-150 has 328 crash-related complaints and 287 injuries, compared to 1 crash-related complaint and 1 injury for the Nissan Altra EV, though these numbers are not adjusted for the number of vehicles on the road.
- Electrical system complaints are prominent for the Ford F-150 (2,071) but not listed as a top component for the Nissan Altra EV, which instead shows hydraulic and airbag issues.
- Check for any history of the engine cutting off during driving; test drive at various speeds and ask if the vehicle has ever stalled.
- Inspect the brakes for grinding noises or a spongy pedal, and verify that the brake fluid is clean and at the correct level.
- Test the transmission for hard shifts, jerking, or delayed engagement, especially between 4th and 5th or 7th and 8th gears.
- Check all electrical functions, including cameras, collision warning systems, and exterior lights, for malfunctions or warning messages.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls, especially for the Ford F-150.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the brakes and hydraulic system on the Nissan Altra EV, and the transmission and electrical system on the Ford F-150.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any unusual noises, warning lights, or shifting behavior.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and confirm that all recall work has been completed on the Ford F-150.
- For the Nissan Altra EV, verify the age and condition of the battery and charging system, as these are critical for an electric vehicle.
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 Nissan Altra EV or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Nissan Altra EV vs FORD F 150
- Nissan Altra EV total complaints
- 16
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Nissan Altra EV total recalls
- 0
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Nissan Altra EV avg complaints/year
- 4.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Nissan Altra EV
- Nissan Altra EV top complaint area
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN