Head-to-head reliability
Rolls Royce Spectre vs FORD F 150
How the Rolls Royce Spectre 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
Rolls Royce Spectre vs FORD F 150: The Spectre has 0 complaints over 3 years and 5 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,311 complaints over 10 years, 145 recalls, and 328 crash-related reports. The F-150's most common complaint area is power train, with reports of hard shifts and power loss. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Rolls Royce Spectre or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Rolls Royce Spectre
The Rolls Royce Spectre is a low-volume electric luxury coupe, and over three years it has zero owner complaints filed with NHTSA. That clean complaint record suggests owners have not reported recurring day-to-day failures, but it does not prove the car is trouble-free. Five recalls have been issued, covering electronic stability control, propulsion system electrical issues, and electric brake power assist, so buyers should verify those fixes were completed.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume pickup with 11,311 complaints over ten years, averaging about 1,131 per year. Owners most often report power train problems, especially hard or delayed shifts and sudden loss of power, along with electrical glitches such as camera and pre-collision warnings. There are also 328 crash-related complaints, 287 injuries, and one death in the data, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is essential.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Rolls Royce Spectre | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 5 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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.
Rolls Royce Spectre
No component data available.
Recalls have addressed ESC and ESC control module issues. A buyer should confirm these recalls were repaired, because stability control problems can affect how the car behaves in emergency maneuvers.
A recall covers the electrical propulsion system. Since the Spectre is electric, any propulsion-related fault could affect power delivery, so buyers should ask for proof the recall work was done.
A recall involves the electric brake power assist control module. Brake assist issues can change pedal feel or braking effort, so this recall should be verified as completed.
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Owners report hard, delayed, or jerky shifts, especially in the 10R80 automatic transmission, and some describe losing all power while driving. These symptoms can be dangerous in traffic and often point to transmission or control issues.
Complaints include warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available,' plus loud bangs or popping sounds during downshifts. Electrical faults can disable driver-assist features and may be intermittent.
Exterior lighting is a top complaint area, and a recall covers headlights. Lighting failures matter because they affect visibility and can make the truck non-compliant with safety standards.
Engine complaints are common, and recalls have addressed engine issues. Buyers should check for rough running, warning lights, or incomplete recall repairs before purchase.
“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.
Rolls Royce Spectre — 5 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2024 Rolls Royce Spectre electric vehicles. The ground connection cable between the front electric motor and the vehicle chassis may contain adhesive residue which can increase electrical resistance and cause an insufficient ground.
The risk: An insufficient electrical ground can increase the risk of electric shock during service work, and also increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the ground cable connection and remove any residue as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 29, 2024. Owners may contact Rolls Royce customer service at 1-877-877-3735.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2025 BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The integrated brake (IB) system may malfunction and result in a loss of power brake assist or cause the Antilock Brake (A…
The risk: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle. Additionally, malfunctioning ABS and/or DSC systems can cause a loss of vehicle control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between June and December 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls Royce customer service at 1-877-877…
The defect: BMW of North America (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 X1, 2024-2025 X5, 2025 X6, 2023-2025 X7, 740i, 760i, 2024 XM, 530i, 540i, i7, 750e, X2, 2024-2025 i5, 2024 Rolls Royce Spectre, 2025 MINI Countryman S ALL4, JCW Countryman ALL4, and 2025 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, Cooper S) vehicles. Pleas…
The risk: A loss of brake power assist or rear brake function can result in extended stopping distance. A loss of ABS or DSC can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 13, 2024. Owners can contact BMW Customer Service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 Mini Cooper S, Mini Countryman S All4, X2, 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre, 2023-2025 i7, 7 Series, X7, 2024-2025 i5, 5 Series, 2023-2024 XM, X1, 2024-2025 X6, and X5 vehicles. The integrated brake (IB) system may malfunction and result in a loss o…
The risk: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle. Additionally, malfunctioning ABS and/or DSC systems can cause a loss of vehicle control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: The Integrated brake system will be inspected and, if necessary, replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 21, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce custo…
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
Rolls Royce Spectre or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Rolls Royce Spectre has far fewer issues per year, with 0 complaints per year versus about 1,131 per year for the Ford F-150. In practice, that means the Spectre owner is much less likely to report a recurring problem, while the F-150 buyer faces a higher chance of transmission, electrical, or engine complaints. However, the Spectre still has five recalls, so a clean complaint record does not mean no safety actions.
Key differences
- The Spectre has 0 complaints over 3 years, while the F-150 has 11,311 complaints over 10 years, with power train issues being the most common.
- F-150 owners report hard shifts, delayed engagement, and sudden loss of power, often tied to the 10R80 transmission, while the Spectre has no owner complaint text on record.
- The F-150 has 328 crash-related complaints, 287 injuries, and 1 death in the data, while the Spectre has 0 in each of those categories.
- Both vehicles have recalls: the Spectre has 5 (ESC, propulsion, brake assist), and the F-150 has 145 (including headlights, battery cables, engine, and seat recliner).
- Check for open recalls on the electronic stability control and ESC control module, and confirm the fix was performed.
- Verify the electric brake power assist control module recall was completed, and test the brake pedal feel during a test drive.
- Test the transmission for hard, delayed, or jerky shifts, especially between 4-5, 5-6, and 7-8 gears, and listen for clunks or bangs.
- Check for recurring dashboard warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available,' and confirm headlight and engine recalls were addressed.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm all open recalls are closed for the specific vehicle.
- For the F-150, take a long test drive that includes highway merging and stop-and-go traffic to feel for transmission hesitation or loss of power.
- For the Spectre, ask for service records showing the ESC, propulsion, and brake assist recalls were completed.
- Have a independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on the F-150's transmission and electrical system, and the Spectre's brake and stability systems.
- Ask the seller for any repair invoices or diagnostic reports related to the symptoms described in owner complaints.
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 | Rolls Royce Spectre | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 24 |
| 2025 | 0 | 329 |
| 2024 | 0 | 617 |
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 Rolls Royce Spectre or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Rolls Royce Spectre vs FORD F 150
- Rolls Royce Spectre total complaints
- 0
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Rolls Royce Spectre total recalls
- 5
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Rolls Royce Spectre avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Rolls Royce Spectre
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN