Head-to-head reliability
Polestar Polestar 3 vs FORD F 150
How the Polestar Polestar 3 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
Polestar Polestar 3 vs FORD F 150: The Polestar 3 has 39 complaints per year, while the F-150 has 1,131. Polestar issues often involve loss of propulsion and electrical failures, whereas F-150 problems center on transmission harshness. Both have safety implications, but the Polestar's lower frequency may appeal to some buyers. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Polestar Polestar 3 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Polestar Polestar 3
The Polestar Polestar 3 is a relatively new electric SUV, and its complaint history over just two years shows a pattern of electrical and software-related issues that can leave owners stranded or without essential functions. Owners report repeated failures of the air conditioning, software glitches that immobilize the vehicle, and problems with the high-voltage charging system. These issues suggest that while the vehicle may offer a premium driving experience, its reliability in the first years of ownership is a significant concern.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a long-standing, popular pickup truck with a decade of complaints, reflecting its widespread use. The dominant issue is with the powertrain, particularly the 10-speed automatic transmission, which owners describe as shifting hard, jerking, or even causing a loss of power. Electrical problems, including camera and pre-collision assist malfunctions, are also common. With over 11,000 complaints and 145 recalls, the F-150 shows a pattern of transmission and electronic gremlins that can affect daily drivability.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Polestar Polestar 3 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 78 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 6 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 4 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 39.0 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.
Polestar Polestar 3
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM49
- 02FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE10
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM10
- 04BACK OVER PREVENTION8
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
Owners report repeated software and firmware failures that cause loss of essential functions and even vehicle immobilization. The air conditioning system also fails, which can be a comfort and safety issue in extreme weather.
There are reports of sudden unintended acceleration at low speeds and loss of propulsion at highway speeds, both of which are critical safety concerns. These incidents often involve multiple safety system failures.
The high-voltage charging system has failed repeatedly, preventing normal charging. Some owners experienced a propulsion failure that limited speed to 6 mph, making it unsafe on hills or highways.
The vehicle frequently displays error messages indicating that safety systems are unavailable, including those for backing up. This suggests a broader issue with sensor or software reliability.
“To Whom It May Concern, I am filing this complaint to formally alert the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to what I believe is a recurring and potentially dangerous defect in the Polestar 3 — specifically, a failure of the air conditioning syste…”
“My vehicle has experienced repeated and unresolved software/firmware failures that cause loss of essential vehicle functionality and repeated vehicle immobilization. Since purchase, the vehicle has been taken out of service multiple times for software-related…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The most common issue is with the 10-speed automatic transmission, which owners describe as hard shifting, jerking, or clunking between gears. Some report a complete loss of power while driving, which is a serious safety hazard.
Electrical complaints often involve warning messages for front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist being unavailable. These issues can disable safety features and are persistent for some owners.
Headlight problems are frequent, which can reduce visibility at night and increase the risk of accidents. Owners may need to replace bulbs or entire assemblies repeatedly.
Engine-related complaints include various performance issues, though the specific symptoms are less detailed in the sample. Given the high number of complaints, engine reliability is a concern for some owners.
“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.
Polestar Polestar 3 — 6 recalls
The defect: Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2025 Polestar 3 hybrid electric vehicles. Fluctuations in the 12-volt system may have damaged the High to Low Voltage Converter Module (HLCM).
The risk: A damaged HLCM reduces the system's ability to convert energy, causing a sudden loss in drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the High to Low Voltage Converter Module (HLCM), free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2025. Owners may contact Polestar customer service at 1-800-806-2504. Polestar's number for this recal…
The defect: Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain Polestar 3 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk: A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 24, 2025. Owners may contact Polestar's customer service at 1-800-806-2504. Polesta…
The defect: Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2025 Polestar 3 vehicles. The panoramic glass sunroof may not be properly secured and can detach.
The risk: A detached glass sunroof can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Polestar will replace the panoramic glass sunroof, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 28, 2025. Owners may contact Polestar's customer service at 1-800-806-2504. Polestar's number for this recall is RP1060.
The defect: Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2025 Polestar 3 vehicles. Water may damage the electrical connectors between the engine bay and front bumper cable harnesses.
The risk: Damage to harnesses can cause various electrical malfunctions, such as a loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Polestar will replace the bumper harness and the inline front bumper/engine bay connector on the engine bay harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 31, 2025. Owners may contact Polestar's customer service at 1-…
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
Polestar Polestar 3 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Polestar Polestar 3 has far fewer complaints per year (39) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,131), but its issues are concentrated in critical areas like propulsion and electrical systems, which can be dangerous. The F-150's higher volume reflects its popularity, but the transmission problems are widespread and can also be safety-related. In practice, the Polestar may have a lower frequency of issues, but the severity of its failures could be more alarming for owners.
Key differences
- The Polestar 3 has a much lower complaint rate per year (39) than the F-150 (1,131), but its issues often involve loss of propulsion or charging failures, which can leave you stranded.
- The F-150's most common problem is transmission harshness and failure, which can be annoying and potentially dangerous, but it is a known issue with aftermarket fixes.
- The Polestar 3's electrical system failures are frequent and can disable multiple safety systems, while the F-150's electrical issues are more about warning lights and camera malfunctions.
- The F-150 has been on the market longer, so there is more data and community knowledge about common problems, whereas the Polestar 3 is newer with less long-term data.
- Check for any history of software updates or immobilization issues; ask the seller about recurring error messages or visits to the dealer for electrical problems.
- Inspect the charging system thoroughly, including the port and cables, and ask about any previous charging failures.
- Test drive the F-150 at various speeds and listen for hard shifts or clunks, especially between 4th and 6th gears; ask about transmission service history.
- Check if the front camera and pre-collision assist warnings appear on startup; these are common electrical issues.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report for both to check for recalls and previous complaints.
- For the Polestar, have a mechanic inspect the high-voltage charging system and software version.
- For the F-150, perform a thorough test drive including highway speeds to assess transmission behavior.
- Ask for service records related to the specific problem areas (electrical for Polestar, transmission for F-150).
- Check for open recalls and ensure they have been addressed.
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 | Polestar Polestar 3 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 24 |
| 2025 | 78 | 329 |
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 Polestar Polestar 3 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Polestar Polestar 3 vs FORD F 150
- Polestar Polestar 3 total complaints
- 78
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Polestar Polestar 3 total recalls
- 6
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Polestar Polestar 3 avg complaints/year
- 39.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Polestar Polestar 3
- Polestar Polestar 3 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN