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 11,311 complaints over 10 years, 145 recalls, and 328 crash-related reports. The F-150's most common issues are power train and electrical. 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 with no owner complaints filed with NHTSA over the three years of data provided. It has two recalls, one for brake lights and one for seat belts, but no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths. In ownership terms, this suggests a car with very little documented trouble, though the absence of complaints may also reflect a smaller owner base or less reporting. Buyers should still verify that both recalls were repaired.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with 11,311 complaints over ten years, averaging about 1,131 per year. The most common trouble spots are the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting, with 328 crash-related reports, 287 injuries, and one death. Owner complaints describe hard or delayed transmission shifts, sudden loss of power, and electrical glitches such as camera and pre-collision warnings. This is a high-volume vehicle with a wide range of reported issues, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is important.
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 | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 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.
Saturn L300
No component data available.
A recall covers the brake lights. If not repaired, the brake lights may not work, which can make it harder for other drivers to see when you are stopping. Buyers should confirm this recall was completed.
A recall covers the seat belts. A faulty seat belt may not restrain you properly in a crash. Buyers should check that this recall was fixed.
No owner complaints are on record for the L300, so there is no reported pattern of failures. That said, a lack of complaints does not guarantee a trouble-free car, especially on an older vehicle.
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Owners report hard or delayed shifts, jerking, clunking, and sometimes a sudden loss of power while driving. These transmission problems can leave you stranded or cause a crash if power cuts out in traffic.
Complaints include warning messages like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available,' as well as loud bangs or popping sounds from the transmission area. Electrical glitches can disable safety features and are often hard to diagnose.
There are many complaints about exterior lighting, and a recall covers headlights. Faulty headlights can reduce your ability to see the road and be seen by others.
Engine-related complaints are also common, though the sample text does not describe a specific engine failure. Engine problems can be costly and may affect the truck's ability to run reliably.
“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.
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 — 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
Saturn L300 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Saturn L300 has far fewer issues per year, with 0 complaints on record versus about 1,131 per year for the Ford F-150. In practice, that means the L300 has almost no documented owner-reported problems, while the F-150 has a steady stream of complaints about transmissions, electrical systems, and lighting. However, the F-150's numbers reflect a much larger number of vehicles on the road, so the comparison is not perfectly even.
Key differences
- The Saturn L300 has 0 complaints over 3 years, while the Ford F-150 has 11,311 complaints over 10 years, about 1,131 per year.
- The F-150 has 328 crash-related complaints, 287 injuries, and 1 death; the L300 has none of these reported.
- The F-150's top complaint areas are power train (3,553), electrical system (2,071), and exterior lighting (1,164); the L300 has no top components listed.
- Both have recalls, but the L300's recalls are for brake lights and seat belts, while the F-150's recalls include headlights, battery cables, engine, and seat recliners.
- Check that the brake light recall was performed; if not, the brake lights may not work.
- Check that the seat belt recall was performed; a faulty seat belt may not protect you in a crash.
- Test drive at highway speeds and watch for hard or delayed shifts, jerking, or clunking from the transmission, especially between 4-5, 5-6, and 7-8 gears.
- Check for warning messages like 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' on the dashboard, and listen for loud bangs or popping sounds from the transmission or rear suspension.
Before you buy
- Ask for proof that all open recalls were repaired on either vehicle, especially the brake light and seat belt recalls on the L300 and the headlight, battery cable, engine, and seat recliner recalls on the F-150.
- For the F-150, have a mechanic scan for transmission codes and check for updated software or rebuilt transmission parts.
- For the F-150, test all electrical features, including cameras, pre-collision assist, and lights, and note any warning messages.
- For the L300, verify that the brake lights and seat belts work properly and that no recall repairs are outstanding.
- Obtain a vehicle history report and a pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic before buying either vehicle.
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
- 11,311
- Saturn L300 total recalls
- 2
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Saturn L300 avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Saturn L300
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN