Head-to-head reliability
Saturn LS vs FORD F 150
How the Saturn LS 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 LS vs FORD F 150: The Saturn LS has 416 complaints over 3 years (139/yr) with major engine and steering issues, while the Ford F-150 has 11,311 complaints over 10 years (1,131/yr) with transmission and electrical problems. The LS is older and may have rust, but the F-150 has more frequent complaints. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Saturn LS or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Saturn LS
The Saturn LS, a mid-size sedan from the early 2000s, shows a reliability picture dominated by engine and cooling issues, with owners reporting timing chain failures that can lead to sudden power loss and costly repairs. Electrical and exterior lighting problems are also common, including persistent tail light failures. Steering complaints point to serious structural rust in the front subframe, which can make the vehicle unsafe to drive. Overall, the LS demands careful inspection and may require significant maintenance.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150, a full-size pickup, has a high volume of complaints, but this is partly due to its popularity and long production run. The most frequent issues are in the powertrain, particularly the 10-speed automatic transmission, which owners report for hard shifts, jerking, and occasional loss of power. Electrical system problems, including camera and sensor malfunctions, are also common. While the F-150 has many recalls, the overall pattern suggests a vehicle that can be reliable but may have specific model-year quirks.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Saturn LS | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 416 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 16 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 10 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 138.7 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 16 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 LS
- 01ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING143
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM65
- 03EXTERIOR LIGHTING62
- 04STEERING35
- 05STRUCTURE29
Owners report timing chain fractures and slapping noises that can lead to sudden engine failure and stalling while driving. This is a critical issue that can leave you stranded and require expensive engine repairs.
Complaints include tail lights that repeatedly go out and fail to come back on, despite fuse changes. This is a safety concern as it affects visibility to other drivers.
Serious rust in the front subframe/engine cradle can cause the steering to become uncontrollable and the vehicle to make noise. This is a dangerous condition that may require immediate replacement of the subframe.
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2000 SATURN L-SERIES SEDAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE TIMING CHAIN FRACTURED CAUSING DAMAGE TO TH…”
“ENGINE BEGAN HAVING A SLOW KNOCKING NOISE, PRIOR TO THAT I WOULD HEAR A NOISE OF THE CHAIN SLAPPING, WHICH I WAS EXPLAINED TO BY SATURN THAT THIS WAS NORMAL IN MY VEHICLE. DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME THEN WHILE I WAS PARKING, HEARD A LOUD BANG AND WHEN I GOT OUT -…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The 10-speed automatic transmission is a major source of complaints, with owners experiencing hard and delayed shifts, jerking, clunking, and even sudden loss of power. This can be both annoying and a safety risk in traffic.
Many owners report dashboard warnings for front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist not available, which appear every time the truck is started. These issues may require dealer visits and can disable safety features.
Headlight problems are common, with some owners reporting failures that reduce visibility at night. This is a safety concern, especially on dark roads.
“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 LS — 16 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.
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.2L L4 (L61) ENGINES, A FAILURE OF THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE MAY CAUSE DETERIORATION IN IDLE QUALITY, REDUCTION IN OVERALL ENGINE POWER, AND THE VEHICLE MAY BE HARD TO START. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AFTER SUCH AN IGNITION MODULE FAILURE WILL…
The risk: FAILURE OF THE RESONATOR WILL CAUSE INCREASED EXHAUST NOISE. PROLONGED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE FOLLOWING A RESONATOR FAILURE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL (1) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE, (2) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE AND SPARK PLUGS, OR (3) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE, SPARK PLUGS, AND UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE CALIBRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATIO…
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.2L 4-CYLINDER ENGINE, LINKS IN THE ENGINE'S TIMING CHAIN CAN SEPARATE.
The risk: IF A TIMING CHAIN LINK SEPARATES WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, THE ENGINE WILL STALL AND WILL NOT RESTART INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008. 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 LS or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Saturn LS has far fewer complaints per year (about 139) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,131), but the nature of the issues differs. The LS's problems are more likely to be severe, such as engine failure and structural rust, while the F-150's issues are more about transmission and electrical annoyances. In practice, the LS may be cheaper to buy but could require more immediate and costly repairs.
Key differences
- The Saturn LS has a much lower complaint rate per year (139) than the Ford F-150 (1,131), but the LS's complaints often involve critical failures like timing chain breakage and subframe rust.
- The Ford F-150's top issue is the 10-speed transmission, which causes hard shifts and occasional power loss, while the Saturn LS's top issue is engine cooling, with timing chain failures being a common theme.
- Electrical problems are prominent in both, but the LS has tail light failures, while the F-150 has camera and sensor malfunctions.
- The Saturn LS is an older sedan with potential structural rust, while the Ford F-150 is a newer truck with more advanced technology that can malfunction.
- Inspect the engine for any signs of timing chain wear, such as rattling noises on startup, and check maintenance records for timing chain replacement.
- Check the front subframe and undercarriage for rust, especially if you live in areas with road salt, as severe rust can lead to steering failure.
- Test drive the F-150 at various speeds and listen for hard shifts or clunks, especially between 4th and 6th gears, and check for any transmission warning lights.
- Start the truck and see if any dashboard warnings appear for camera or pre-collision systems, as these may indicate electrical issues.
Before you buy
- For the Saturn LS, have a mechanic perform a compression test and inspect the timing chain and tensioner for wear.
- For the Ford F-150, check the transmission fluid condition and look for any service bulletins or recalls related to the 10R80 transmission.
- Ask for service records for both vehicles, especially for engine and transmission repairs.
- Inspect the Saturn LS's tail light wiring and connectors for corrosion or damage.
- For the F-150, verify that all advanced safety features (camera, sensors) are functioning properly during a test drive.
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 LS or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Saturn LS vs FORD F 150
- Saturn LS total complaints
- 416
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Saturn LS total recalls
- 16
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Saturn LS avg complaints/year
- 138.7
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Saturn LS
- Saturn LS top complaint area
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN