Head-to-head reliability
Saturn L300 vs FORD F 150
How the Saturn L300 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
Saturn L300 vs FORD F 150: The L300 has 0 complaints over 3 years and 2 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years, 151 recalls, and 330 crash-related reports. The F-150 also shows 297 injuries and 1 death in the data. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Saturn L300 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Saturn L300
The Saturn L300 is a mid-size sedan from a discontinued brand, so parts and service can be harder to find. Over three years, it has zero owner complaints on file, which suggests either very low ownership or that problems are not being reported. It has two recalls for brake lights and seat belts, but no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths in the data. For a buyer, the main concern is long-term parts availability, not a documented pattern of failures.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a huge owner base, and that shows in the data: over 11,000 complaints across ten years, about 1,162 per year. The most common trouble spots are the power train, electrical system, and engine, with many owners describing transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and sudden electrical glitches. There are also 330 crash-related complaints, 297 injuries, and one death reported. Recalls cover engines, seat belts, door latches, and air bag inflators.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Saturn L300 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 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.
Saturn L300
No component data available.
A recall covers the brake light system, which means some L300s may have had brake lights that did not work properly. A buyer should confirm the recall was performed, because non-working brake lights make the car harder for others to see.
A separate recall addresses seat belts, so there may have been a problem with how they latch or protect occupants. Checking that this recall was completed is important for anyone who plans to carry passengers.
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report repeated transmission problems, including going into limp mode and getting stuck in 5th gear, often tied to a lead frame issue. One owner said the lead frame problem nearly ended their life, and another described daily limp mode on a 2017 V8 with the 6-speed automatic.
Electrical complaints include the same lead frame issue and a rear window defroster short that caused the back window to shatter outward. Another owner reported an output speed sensor failure that triggered highway limp mode and a code P0722.
Engine-related complaints are less common than power train and electrical, but recalls cover engine issues. Buyers should check for rough running, warning lights, and whether engine-related recalls were done.
Exterior lighting is a top complaint area, though the sample texts do not describe specific lighting failures. It still matters because lighting problems can affect visibility and safety, and recalls may not cover every case.
“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.
Saturn L300 — 2 recalls
The defect: ON CERTAIN SEDANS AND WAGONS, THE PLASTIC HOUSING IN THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME DISTORTED IF THE BRAKE LAMPS REMAIN ON FOR AN EXTENDED TIME.
The risk: THIS CAN CAUSE (1) AN INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB OR (2) A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT OPENS A FUSE CAUSING INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMPS (INCLUDING THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP) OR TAIL LAMPS. A FOLLOWING DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHE…
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL TWO NEW TAIL LAMP REINFORCING SOCKET ADAPTERS AND SOCKETS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.
The defect: CERTAIN WAGONS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE HOLDING THE REQUIRED TEST LOAD FOR THE REQUIRED TIME.
The risk: IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED IN CRASH, THE RIGHT AND CENTER REAR SEAT OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REAR SEAT CENTER BELT ANCHOR REINFORCEMENT PLATE TO THE FLOOR PAN OF THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 25, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.
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
Saturn L300 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Saturn L300 has far fewer issues per year: 0 complaints per year versus about 1,162 per year for the Ford F-150. In practice, that means an L300 buyer is unlikely to face a steady stream of reported problems, while an F-150 buyer should expect to deal with transmission, electrical, and engine complaints that owners describe as recurring. The difference is not just numbers; the F-150 has documented crash, injury, and death reports, while the L300 has none in this data.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years, while the Saturn L300 has 0 complaints over 3 years, so the F-150 has a much larger reported problem volume.
- F-150 owners describe specific recurring failures like transmission limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, lead frame issues, and a rear window shattering from a defroster short; the L300 has no complaint text on record.
- The F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints, 297 injuries, and 1 death in the data, while the L300 has 0 in each category.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls covering engines, seat belts, door latches, and air bag inflators; the L300 has 2 recalls for brake lights and seat belts.
- Confirm both recalls were completed: the brake light recall and the seat belt recall. Ask for paperwork or check the VIN with a dealer.
- Since there are no owner complaints to guide you, inspect basic safety items like brake lights, seat belts, and tires carefully, and expect that parts may be hard to find.
- Test drive at highway speed and watch for limp mode, rough shifting, or getting stuck in 5th gear, which owners report with the transmission and lead frame.
- Check the rear window and defroster for cracks or signs of shattering, and ask if the output speed sensor or recall 26S28 software update was performed.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on both vehicles to see all open recalls and whether they were repaired.
- For the Ford F-150, scan for transmission codes like P0722 and test drive long enough to trigger limp mode.
- For the Saturn L300, verify brake lights and seat belts work, and ask about parts availability for common wear items.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially transmission service on the F-150 and any recall work on either vehicle.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the specific systems named in complaints: power train and electrical on the F-150, brake lights and seat belts on the L300.
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 Saturn L300 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Saturn L300 vs FORD F 150
- Saturn L300 total complaints
- 0
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Saturn L300 total recalls
- 2
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Saturn L300 avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Saturn L300
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN