Head-to-head reliability
Porsche 718 Boxster vs FORD F 150
How the Porsche 718 Boxster 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
Porsche 718 Boxster vs FORD F 150: The Boxster averages 0.8 complaints per year over 9 years, while the F-150 averages 1,162.1 per year over 10 years. The F-150 also has 151 recalls and 297 injuries reported, versus 9 recalls and 0 injuries for the Boxster. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Porsche 718 Boxster or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Porsche 718 Boxster
The Porsche 718 Boxster is a low-volume sports car, averaging just 0.8 complaints per year over nine years. Owners report a handful of serious-sounding issues, like brakes and engine shutoff, but the overall complaint count is tiny. With nine recalls, it's worth checking for open campaigns, but the day-to-day reliability picture is relatively quiet.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a mass-market pickup with a massive complaint volume: over 11,600 complaints in ten years, averaging 1,162 per year. The dominant theme is powertrain trouble, especially transmission limp mode and lead frame failures, plus electrical gremlins. With 151 recalls and 297 injuries reported, it's a vehicle where you must be diligent about recall history and pre-purchase inspection.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Porsche 718 Boxster | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 7 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 9 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.8 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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.
Porsche 718 Boxster
- 01SERVICE BRAKES2
- 02POWER TRAIN1
- 03VISIBILITY/WIPER1
- 04WHEELS1
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
Owners report the engine shutting off while driving and not restarting, which can kill power assist for brakes and steering. Another complaint describes a brake-related incident on the highway. For a buyer, this means any stalling or hard-pedal feel should be taken seriously.
A 2017 Boxster with PDK reportedly started in 2nd gear on three occasions, making low-speed merging dangerously slow. This suggests a transmission control issue that could affect drivability and safety in traffic.
One owner heard a loud bang and found the passenger-side mirror destroyed while driving at night. This points to a possible mirror or glass failure that could impair visibility and create a hazard.
Rear tires were completely bald after only 5,000 miles, even though alignment checked out and the dealer found no signs of aggressive driving. This suggests a potential suspension or tire wear issue that could cost you new tires frequently.
“I was traveling North on the 127 expressway in Michigan on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 in my brand new Porsche Boxster. It is a manual transmission. There was not a lot of traffic. It was maybe around 4:00 pm and the weather was fine. In the distance I could see…”
“Engine shuts off while the car is being driven and will not restart.”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners repeatedly describe transmission limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause near-collisions. A 2017 V8 with the 6-speed automatic is specifically called out for daily limp mode and failed shifts. This is the single biggest reliability concern.
The same lead frame issue also appears under electrical complaints, with one owner saying it nearly ended their life. Another 2017 F-150 entered highway limp mode due to an output speed sensor failure (code P0722) after a recall software update. Electrical faults can strand you or trigger sudden power loss.
A rear window defroster short caused the back window to explode outward shortly after use. This is a rare but frightening failure that could injure occupants or cause a crash from sudden noise and shattered glass.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting is a top component. While sample text isn't provided, the volume suggests owners frequently report lighting failures that could affect visibility and signaling.
“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.
Porsche 718 Boxster — 9 recalls
The defect: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2017-2019 718 Boxster, 718 Boxster S, 718 Cayman and 718 Cayman S vehicles and 2018-2019 718 Boxster GTS and 2018-2019 718 Cayman GTS vehicles. In the event of a crash, a crossmember may detach from the luggage compartment bracket, pos…
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of fire.
The fix: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will secure the crossmember with additional rivets, free of charge. The recall began April 19, 2019. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is…
The defect: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2017 911 Carrera, 911 Carrera S, 911 Carrera 4, 911 Carrera 4S, 911 Targa 4, 911 Targa 4S + GTS, 911 Carrera Cabriolet, 911 Carrera S Cabriolet, 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet, 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet, 718 Boxster, 718 Boxster S, 718 Cayman,…
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will install improved fastening screws, free of charge. The recall began March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AH01.
The defect: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain model year 2017 718 Boxster, 718 Boxster S, 718 Cayman, 718 Cayman S, 911 Carrera, 911 Carrera S, 911 Carrera S Cabriolet, 911 Carrera 4S, 911 Turbo, 911 Turbo S, 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet, and 911 Turbo Cabriolet vehicles. The seat mou…
The risk: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the side air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AG10.
The defect: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2017 911 Carrera Cabriolet, 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet, 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet, 911 Carrera S Cabriolet, 911 Targa S, 911 Targa 4S, 911 Turbo Cabriolet, 718 Boxter and 718 Boxter S vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not…
The risk: In the event of a crash, if the windshield separates from the vehicle, it can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will rebond the windshield, free of charge. The recall began on May 12, 2016. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for the recall is AH04.
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
Porsche 718 Boxster or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Porsche 718 Boxster has far fewer issues per year (0.8 vs. 1,162.1 for the Ford F-150). In practice, that means you're much less likely to face frequent repair visits with the Boxster, but when problems do occur they can be serious. The F-150's huge complaint volume reflects widespread, recurring powertrain and electrical faults that owners deal with regularly.
Key differences
- Complaint rate: Boxster averages 0.8 per year; F-150 averages 1,162.1 per year, a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- Crash and injury reports: F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries; Boxster has 1 crash-related and 0 injuries, though both are self-reported.
- Recalls: F-150 has 151 recalls versus 9 for the Boxster, meaning more campaigns to track and remedy.
- Dominant failure pattern: F-150 owners repeatedly report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures; Boxster owners report isolated brake, PDK, mirror, and tire wear issues.
- Any history of engine stalling or shutting off while driving, which owners link to brake and power-assist loss.
- PDK transmission that starts in 2nd gear or hesitates when shifting from park to drive, especially in sport mode.
- Transmission that goes into limp mode, sticks in 5th gear, or shows output speed sensor codes like P0722.
- Evidence of lead frame replacement or recurring electrical faults, especially on 2017 models with the 6-speed automatic.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN for open recalls on both vehicles, and confirm the F-150's 26S28 software update was performed.
- Test-drive the F-150 at highway speed and in stop-and-go traffic to check for limp mode or harsh shifting.
- On the Boxster, test brakes firmly and listen for any engine stumble or stall when coming to a stop.
- Inspect the Boxster's rear tires for uneven or rapid wear, and ask for alignment records.
- For the F-150, check the rear window defroster operation and look for any signs of shattered glass or electrical shorts.
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 | Porsche 718 Boxster | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 345 |
| 2024 | 1 | 638 |
| 2023 | 1 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 2 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 0 | 44 |
| 2019 | 0 | 52 |
| 2018 | 0 | 79 |
| 2017 | 3 | 59 |
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 Porsche 718 Boxster or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Porsche 718 Boxster vs FORD F 150
- Porsche 718 Boxster total complaints
- 7
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Porsche 718 Boxster total recalls
- 9
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Porsche 718 Boxster avg complaints/year
- 0.8
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Porsche 718 Boxster
- Porsche 718 Boxster top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN