Head-to-head reliability
Pontiac Pursuit vs FORD F 150
How the Pontiac Pursuit 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
Pontiac Pursuit vs FORD F 150: The Pursuit has 2 complaints and 2 recalls over 2 years, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints and 151 recalls over 10 years. The Pursuit’s main reported issue is a random power steering warning; the F-150’s are transmission limp mode and electrical faults. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Pontiac Pursuit or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Pontiac Pursuit
The Pontiac Pursuit is a compact car with very few owner complaints filed with NHTSA—just 2 over 2 years. The main pattern is a random power steering warning that beeps and flashes on the dash about twice a month, plus a tire-related crash where another driver lost control. Two recalls both involve the ignition switch, which can affect electrical power. For a first-time buyer, this means low reported complaint volume, but any power steering or ignition issue should be taken seriously because it can affect control.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a huge number of owner complaints—11,621 over 10 years—and 151 recalls. The most common problems are power train (transmission and lead frame) and electrical system failures, with many reports of limp mode, stuck gears, and sudden loss of power. There are also 330 crash-related complaints and 1 death reported. For a buyer, this means the F-150 has many reported issues, especially with the transmission and electrical parts, and some can be dangerous.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Pontiac Pursuit | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.0 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 2 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.
Pontiac Pursuit
- 01STEERING1
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
- 03TIRES1
Owners report a persistent power steering warning that beeps four times and shows a message on the dashboard about twice a month. This matters because losing power steering assist can make the car hard to steer, especially at low speeds.
The same owner complaint links the power steering warning to an electrical issue, with random beeping and dashboard messages. Electrical glitches can be hard to diagnose and may affect other systems.
One owner describes a woman blowing a tire, losing control, and hitting their trailer head-on, leading to a jackknife. This is a crash-related complaint, so tire condition and pressure are critical to check.
“I AM ACTUALLY FROM OTTAWA, ONTARIO CANADA. I COULD NOT ENTER THAT BELOW. THIS IS A PERSISTENT ISSUE. IT OCCURS APPROX. TWICE A MONTH. MY CAR AT RANDOM INTERVALS OF TIME WILL BEEP FOUR TIMES AND MY READOUT ON THE DASHBOARD WILL GIVE ME A POWERSTEERING MESSAGE.…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report a never-ending lead frame issue that can cause sudden loss of power or near collisions, and a 2017 V8 with a 6-speed automatic that goes into limp mode and gets stuck in 5th gear almost daily. These failures can leave you stranded or cause an accident.
The lead frame problem also shows up as an electrical complaint, and one owner had a 2017 F-150 enter highway limp mode due to an output speed sensor failure (code P0722) even after a recall software update. Electrical faults can trigger transmission problems and reduce power without warning.
An owner reports a short in the rear window defroster that caused the back window to explode outward and shatter. This is a safety concern because shattered glass can injure occupants.
Although no sample complaint text is given for lighting, the data shows 1,224 complaints in this area. Lighting failures can make you less visible to other drivers, especially at night.
“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.
Pontiac Pursuit — 2 recalls
The defect: UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year…
The risk: If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.
The fix: UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should cont…
The defect: UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year…
The risk: If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.
The fix: UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should cont…
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
Pontiac Pursuit or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Pontiac Pursuit has far fewer issues per year (1.0 complaint/year) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,162.1 complaints/year). In practice, the Pursuit has a much lower reported complaint rate, but the F-150’s high volume means many owners report serious transmission and electrical problems. The difference means you are much more likely to find complaints and recalls with the F-150, while the Pursuit has very few reported issues.
Key differences
- The Pontiac Pursuit has only 2 complaints and 2 recalls, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints and 151 recalls over 10 years.
- Pursuit owners report random power steering warnings and a tire-related crash; F-150 owners report transmission limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures.
- The F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 1 death, while the Pursuit has 1 crash-related complaint and 2 injuries.
- Both have ignition switch recalls (Pursuit) and electrical/transmission recalls (F-150), but the F-150’s issues are far more frequent and varied.
- Check for any power steering warning lights or messages on the dashboard, and test steering at low speeds for stiffness or noise.
- Ask if the ignition switch recall was completed, and test that the car starts reliably and that electrical accessories work.
- Test drive the truck and watch for limp mode, rough shifting, or getting stuck in a gear—especially around 5th gear.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for signs of shorting or overheating, and check for any cracked or shattered glass.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to confirm all recalls are done, especially the ignition switch on the Pursuit and the transmission/electrical recalls on the F-150.
- For the Pursuit, have a mechanic check the power steering system and ignition switch for intermittent faults.
- For the F-150, have a mechanic scan for transmission codes (like P0722) and test the lead frame and output speed sensor.
- On both vehicles, inspect tires for uneven wear or damage, and check the rear window defroster on the F-150.
- Ask for a complete maintenance history and take a long test drive that includes highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic.
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 Pontiac Pursuit or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Pontiac Pursuit vs FORD F 150
- Pontiac Pursuit total complaints
- 2
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Pontiac Pursuit total recalls
- 2
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Pontiac Pursuit avg complaints/year
- 1.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Pontiac Pursuit
- Pontiac Pursuit top complaint area
- STEERING
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN