Head-to-head reliability
Oldsmobile Bravada vs FORD F 150
How the Oldsmobile Bravada 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
Oldsmobile Bravada vs FORD F 150: The Bravada averages 81 complaints per year over 5 years, while the F-150 averages 1,131 per year over 10 years. The Bravada has 23 recalls, the F-150 has 145. Owners report sudden shutdowns and brake failures in the Bravada, and transmission issues in the F-150. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Oldsmobile Bravada or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Oldsmobile Bravada
The Oldsmobile Bravada is an aging SUV that, based on NHTSA data, shows a pattern of powertrain and electrical gremlins. Owners report sudden shutdowns, engine failures, and brake issues, suggesting that reliability can be a concern. With 407 complaints over five years, it averages about 81 per year, indicating a moderate but persistent level of owner-reported problems.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a popular full-size pickup with a much higher volume of complaints, averaging over 1,100 per year over a decade. The data reveals widespread transmission issues, particularly hard shifting and loss of power, along with electrical problems like camera malfunctions. While the F-150 has more complaints overall, it also has a larger owner base, so the per-vehicle rate may be lower, but the nature of the issues is serious.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Oldsmobile Bravada | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 407 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 23 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 31 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 81.4 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 36 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.
Oldsmobile Bravada
- 01POWER TRAIN86
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM79
- 03ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING69
- 04SUSPENSION37
- 05VISIBILITY33
Owners report fuel system problems, including a defective fuel filter installation that damaged the fuel line, and brake pulsation due to improper rotor service. These issues can lead to fuel leaks or brake failure, posing safety risks.
Sudden complete shutdowns while driving are reported, where the vehicle loses all power as if the ignition was turned off. This can leave the driver without control and is a serious safety hazard.
Complete engine failures have occurred multiple times in a short period, with the vehicle not starting for about 15 minutes. Owners are told nothing is wrong, but the failures persist, indicating a chronic issue.
Brake system malfunctions are reported, with the brake pedal going to the floor and a warning light staying on even after new brakes are installed. This can lead to a loss of braking ability and crashes.
“SUBJECT: GROSS MECHANIC ERROR , POSSIBLE FIRE / EXPLOSIVE SITUATION WHILE IN PALM BAY FL, I HAD MY FUEL FILTER CHANGED AT TIRE KINGDOM FOR ABOUT $90. THEIR MECHANIC INSTALLED A FUEL FILTER THAT RATTLED / DEFECTIVE AND HE DESTROYER THE FUEL LINE IT MOUNTED TO.…”
“I THEN NOTICED A PULSATION OF THE BRAKES. THE PAPERWORK SHOWED THAT NEW BRAKES WERE PUT ON THE CAR, BUT UPON INSPECTION THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAD NEGLECTED TO TURN THE ROTORS, WHICH IS CONSIDERED AN IMPORTANT STEP IN RESPONSIBLE BRAKE SERVICE. I WAS TOLD I W…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The 10R80 automatic transmission is a major source of complaints, with hard and delayed shifts, jerking, clunking, and occasional loss of power. Some owners report the vehicle shutting off and then restarting with a jerk, which is alarming and potentially dangerous.
Electrical issues manifest as warning messages for front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist not available, appearing every time the truck is started. These failures can disable safety features, reducing driver assistance.
While specific complaints are not detailed here, the high number of exterior lighting complaints suggests problems with headlights or other lights, which can impair visibility and make the vehicle less visible to others.
Engine-related complaints are numerous, but without specific examples, it's clear that owners have reported issues that may affect performance and 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.
Oldsmobile Bravada — 23 recalls
The defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DRIVER WISHING TO SIGNAL A TURN BY MOVING THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL LEVER, (UP OR DOWN) MAY CAUSE THE FRONT MARKER/TURN LIGHTS AND REAR TURN LIGHTS TO FLASH IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO HAZARD WARNING, RATHER THAN FLASHING ON THE DESIRED SIDE ONLY.
The risk: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CLEARLY SIGNAL THEIR INTENTIONS TO TURN, CHANGE TRAVEL LANES, OR POTENTIALLY WARN OTHERS OF AN IMPAIRED VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT FLASHER MODULES WITH A NEW FLASHER MODULE DESIGNED WITH SEALED RELAYS AND MORE DURABLE CONTACT MATERIAL INSIDE OF THE RELAYS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2005. ISUZU BEGAN MAILING OWNER LET…
The defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DRIVER WISHING TO SIGNAL A TURN BY MOVING THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL LEVER, (UP OR DOWN) MAY CAUSE THE FRONT MARKER/TURN LIGHTS AND REAR TURN LIGHTS TO FLASH IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO HAZARD WARNING, RATHER THAN FLASHING ON THE DESIRED SIDE ONLY.
The risk: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CLEARLY SIGNAL THEIR INTENTIONS TO TURN, CHANGE TRAVEL LANES, OR POTENTIALLY WARN OTHERS OF AN IMPAIRED VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT FLASHER MODULES WITH A NEW FLASHER MODULE DESIGNED WITH SEALED RELAYS AND MORE DURABLE CONTACT MATERIAL INSIDE OF THE RELAYS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2005. ISUZU BEGAN MAILING OWNER LET…
The defect: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEMS THAT WILL NOT TURN ON, CEASE OPERATION WHILE IN USE, FAIL TO TURN OFF/ON BY THEMSELVES (MOISTURE SENSITIVE WIPER SYSTEM), OR HAVE CONTINUOUS WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP OPERATION BECAUSE THE PRESENCE OF WATER WITHIN THE WIPER MODULES CAN EITHE…
The risk: DEPENDING ON THE OCCURRENCE AND WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL COVER THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE VENT HOLE WITH A PATCH. ALSO, THE WIPER MOTOR, CIRCUIT BOARD, AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WILL BE INSPECTED TO SIGNS OF WATER INTRUSION AND/OR CORROSION AND BE REPLACED AS REQUIRED. THE RECALL BE…
The defect: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEMS THAT WILL NOT TURN ON, CEASE OPERATION WHILE IN USE, FAIL TO TURN OFF/ON BY THEMSELVES (MOISTURE SENSITIVE WIPER SYSTEM), OR HAVE CONTINUOUS WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP OPERATION BECAUSE THE PRESENCE OF WATER WITHIN THE WIPER MODULES CAN EITHE…
The risk: DEPENDING ON THE OCCURRENCE AND WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL COVER THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE VENT HOLE WITH A PATCH. ALSO, THE WIPER MOTOR, CIRCUIT BOARD, AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WILL BE INSPECTED TO SIGNS OF WATER INTRUSION AND/OR CORROSION AND BE REPLACED AS REQUIRED. THE RECALL BE…
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
Oldsmobile Bravada or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Oldsmobile Bravada has fewer complaints per year (81) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,131), but the Bravada's issues are more severe relative to its age, including sudden shutdowns and engine failures. The F-150's transmission problems are widespread and can be costly to repair, but the vehicle is newer and more common, so parts and service are more accessible.
Key differences
- The Bravada has a higher rate of sudden engine shutdowns and electrical failures, which can be life-threatening.
- The F-150's transmission problems are more predictable (hard shifts, jerks) but can lead to loss of power.
- The Bravada's brake system failures are critical, while the F-150's issues are more about driver assistance features.
- The F-150 has a much larger sample size, so its complaint rate per vehicle is likely lower than the Bravada's.
- Inspect the fuel system for any signs of leaks or recent repairs, as improper filter changes can damage lines.
- Check the brake system thoroughly, including rotors and brake lines, for pulsation or pedal feel issues.
- Test drive the F-150 and pay close attention to transmission shifts, especially between 4th-5th and 5th-6th gears, for any hard or delayed shifts.
- Check for any warning lights related to front camera or pre-collision assist, as these are common electrical issues.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on both vehicles.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the transmission and electrical systems.
- Test drive at highway speeds to experience any shifting or shutdown issues.
- Check the brake system for pulsation or soft pedal feel.
- Verify that all safety features (cameras, sensors) are functioning properly.
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 Oldsmobile Bravada or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Oldsmobile Bravada vs FORD F 150
- Oldsmobile Bravada total complaints
- 407
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Oldsmobile Bravada total recalls
- 23
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Oldsmobile Bravada avg complaints/year
- 81.4
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Oldsmobile Bravada
- Oldsmobile Bravada top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN