Head-to-head reliability
Saturn Relay vs FORD F 150
How the Saturn Relay 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 Relay vs FORD F 150: The Relay averaged 40.7 complaints per year over 3 years, while the F-150 averaged 1,162.1 per year over 10 years. The Relay had 6 recalls and 4 crash-related complaints; the F-150 had 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Saturn Relay or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Saturn Relay
The Saturn Relay is a minivan that, based on owner complaints, can be a headache to live with. Over three years, it averaged about 41 complaints per year, with brakes and electrical issues dominating. Owners report serious problems like brake fade on downgrades and sliding doors that won't latch or even fall off. With 6 recalls and 4 crash-related complaints, it's a vehicle that demands careful inspection.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume—over 11,600 in ten years, averaging about 1,162 per year. Power train and electrical issues are the most common, with owners describing transmission limp mode and lead frame failures that can cause near-collisions. There are 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints, including one death. While the F-150 is popular, the data shows a pattern of recurring safety defects.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Saturn Relay | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 122 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 6 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 4 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 40.7 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 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 Relay
- 01SERVICE BRAKES46
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM29
- 03HYDRAULIC29
- 04STRUCTURE17
- 05LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES14
Owners report brake cavitation and fade after repeated use, such as on a downgrade, and traction control engaging can knock out stability control. This matters because it can reduce braking effectiveness when you need it most.
Complaints include no-start conditions traced to fuel relay failures and recurring ABS/traction control warning lights. These electrical gremlins can leave you stranded or disable safety aids.
The same brake cavitation and traction control issues appear under hydraulic, indicating problems with the brake hydraulic system. This reinforces that brake performance is a key concern.
Owners report power sliding doors that fail to latch or even fall off, as described in complaints. This is a serious safety risk, especially with children, and can be costly to repair.
“I HAVE A 2006 SATURN RELAY. IT WAS AN EXECUTIVE DRIVEN CAR AND WAS PURCHASED WITH 400 MILES ON IT AND THE WARRANTY TRANSFERRED OVER TO ME. THE TRACTION CONTROL ON THIS VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE. WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGED IT WOULD KNOCK OUT THE STABILITY CO…”
“I WAS TRAVELING ON AZ STATE ROUTE 87 ON A 6 PERCENT DOWNGRADE. I HAD APPLIED THE BRAKES A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES FOR NO MORE THAN 3 TO 5 SECONDS AT A TIME, THIS OCCURRED OVER A 5 MINUTE TIME FRAME. ON THE THIRD APPLICATION THE BRAKES BEGAN TO CAVITATE VERY BADLY. T…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners describe transmission limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power. These issues can lead to dangerous situations on the road.
The lead frame issue also appears here, along with output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. Electrical faults can disable the truck unexpectedly.
One owner reported the rear window shattering after using the defroster, suggesting a possible short. This is a surprising and hazardous failure.
Although not detailed in the sample, exterior lighting is a top complaint category, meaning owners frequently report lighting failures. This affects visibility and safety.
“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 Relay — 6 recalls
The defect: DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN…
The risk: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-24…
The defect: DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN…
The risk: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-24…
The defect: CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITH TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABELS LISTING AN INACCCURATE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT.
The risk: A MISPRINTED LABEL COULD LEAD TO IMPROPER VEHICLE LOADING SPECIFICATIONS OR TIRE INFLATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECTED LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. AT THE CUSTOMER'S OPTION, A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-8…
The defect: ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE OUTBOARD RELEASE HANDLE ON THE IMPACT-SIDE SECOND-ROW BUCKET SEAT MAY BE ACTUATED AND THE REAR LATCHES MAY UNLATCH EARLY IN A SIDE IMPACT CRASH. THIS WAS DISCOVERED IN A SIDE IMPACT TEST RUN BY GM, UNDER CONDITIONS SIMILAR TO NHTSA'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) SIDE I…
The risk: IF THE REAR LATCHES OF THE SEAT RELEASE EARLY IN A SEVERE SIDE IMPACT, THE FRONT OUTBOARD LATCH MAY DISENGAGE AND INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT OF THE SEAT.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE SEAT LATCH RELEASE HANDLE AND INSTALL A BLACK PLASTIC CAP OVER THE EXPOSED METAL STUD TO ELIMINATE THE SIDE IMPACT SAFETY CONCERN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800…
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 Relay or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Saturn Relay has far fewer complaints per year (about 41) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,162), but the Relay's issues are concentrated in critical areas like brakes and doors. The F-150's higher volume means more overall problems, but many are recurring power train defects. In practice, the Relay may have fewer total issues, but the F-150's issues are more widespread and potentially more dangerous at speed.
Key differences
- The Saturn Relay has 122 complaints over 3 years, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621 over 10 years—far more per year.
- Relay complaints center on brakes and sliding doors; F-150 complaints focus on power train and electrical issues like limp mode.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints; the Relay has 6 recalls and 4 crash-related complaints.
- Owner reports for the Relay include brake cavitation and doors falling off; for the F-150, lead frame failures and transmission limp mode are common.
- Test the brakes on a downgrade or after repeated stops to check for cavitation or fade, as owners report.
- Inspect both power sliding doors for proper latching and operation, and look for any signs of misalignment or previous repairs.
- Scan for transmission codes and test drive to see if it goes into limp mode or gets stuck in gear, especially the 6-speed automatic.
- Check for any signs of electrical issues, such as warning lights or infotainment glitches, and confirm all recalls are addressed.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the known problem areas for each model.
- For the Saturn Relay, specifically test the brakes and sliding doors during the test drive.
- For the Ford F-150, test the transmission at various speeds and check for any stored trouble codes.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any repairs related to brakes, transmission, or electrical systems.
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 Relay or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Saturn Relay vs FORD F 150
- Saturn Relay total complaints
- 122
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Saturn Relay total recalls
- 6
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Saturn Relay avg complaints/year
- 40.7
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Saturn Relay
- Saturn Relay top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN