Head-to-head reliability
Saturn SKY vs FORD F 150
How the Saturn SKY 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 SKY vs FORD F 150: The SKY averages 129 complaints per year with 18 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,131 complaints per year with 145 recalls. The SKY's complaints center on air bags and brakes; the F-150's on power train and electrical issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Saturn SKY or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Saturn SKY
The Saturn SKY is a two-seat convertible that generates a relatively low 129 complaints per year, but the pattern is concentrated in safety-critical areas. Air bag complaints dominate, often tied to a failed passenger weight sensor that forces an expensive seat replacement. Brake and hydraulic issues also appear, with warning lights and electronic brake module failures reported. Recalls cover air bag sensors and ignition switches, so living with a SKY means staying on top of open recalls.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume—about 1,131 per year—but it is also far more common on the road. Power train complaints lead by a wide margin, with owners describing hard shifts, delayed engagement, and sudden loss of power from the 10-speed automatic. Electrical problems, including camera and pre-collision warnings, are also frequently reported. Recalls address headlights, battery cables, engine issues, and seat recliners.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Saturn SKY | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 516 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 18 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 18 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 129.0 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 19 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 SKY
- 01AIR BAGS366
- 02SERVICE BRAKES83
- 03HYDRAULIC62
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM53
- 05SEATS30
Owners report the passenger air bag light coming on because the occupant weight sensor in the seat fails. The fix often requires replacing the entire seat at a cost near $948, and the air bag may not deploy correctly in a crash.
Complaints describe the electronic brake control module (EBCM) failing, which triggers warning lights and can affect braking performance. One owner reported a $1,300 repair, and the issue sometimes appears after an ignition recall fix.
Hydraulic-related complaints often overlap with brake and air bag warnings, pointing to the EBCM or related hydraulic control unit. This can leave the driver unsure whether the brakes are working normally.
Owners report the ignition key refusing to turn, making it impossible to shut the car off without opening the hood. This is tied to ignition switch recalls and can strand a driver or drain the battery.
“FIRST INCIDENT HAPPEN WHEN I ARRIVED AT WORK. I GOT INTO A PARKING PLACE AND SHIFTED THE CAR INTO PARK. THEN WENT TO SHUT OFF THE CAR BY TURNING THE KEY. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN AND SO I COULD NOT TURN MY CAR OFF. I HAD TO CUT THE CAR OFF BY OPENING THE HOOD A…”
“SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE ASSESSMENT WAS THAT THE PASSENGER WEIGHT SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE REPAIR IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT AT A COST OF $948. THE FAILURE IS TO THE SENSOR TAPE AFFIXED TO THE BOTTOM…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The 10-speed automatic transmission is the most common complaint source. Owners describe hard or delayed shifts between gears, jerking, clunking, and in some cases a sudden loss of power while driving.
Frequent warnings include 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' appearing at every start. These can disable driver-assist features and require dealer diagnostics.
Headlight problems are common enough to be a top complaint category and are also covered by a recall. Dim or failing headlights reduce nighttime visibility and can be a safety concern.
Engine complaints appear alongside power train issues, with some owners reporting rough running or stalling. Recalls for engine-related defects suggest certain model years need extra scrutiny.
“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 SKY — 18 recalls
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. The Passenger Air Bag Suppression System (PPS) sensor may become bent or damaged within the front passenger seat, possibly disabling the front passenger air bag.
The risk: In the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag does not deploy as intended, the front passenger has an increased risk of injury.
The fix: The remedy for this recall is still under development. A permanent remedy is currently under development. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn customer service at 1-800…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignitio…
The risk: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission…
The fix: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cu…
The defect: This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency o…
The risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later v…
The defect: UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year…
The risk: If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.
The fix: UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should cont…
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 SKY or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Saturn SKY has far fewer complaints per year—about 129 versus 1,131 for the Ford F-150—but the SKY's issues cluster around air bags, brakes, and ignition, which are immediate safety systems. The F-150's higher volume reflects its much larger sales base, yet its power train and electrical problems can be costly and disruptive. In practice, the SKY demands fewer visits but each one may be more urgent, while the F-150 may need more frequent attention.
Key differences
- The Saturn SKY's top complaint is air bags (366 complaints), often from a failed passenger weight sensor that requires a full seat replacement; the Ford F-150's top complaint is power train (3,553), mostly transmission shifting and power loss.
- The SKY has 18 recalls over 4 years, including ignition switch and air bag sensor recalls; the F-150 has 145 recalls over 10 years, covering headlights, battery cables, engine, and seat recliners.
- The SKY reports 19 injuries and 0 deaths; the F-150 reports 287 injuries and 1 death, though the F-150's much larger fleet size means rates are not directly comparable.
- SKY owners describe key-turn and brake module failures that can strand them; F-150 owners describe hard shifts and camera warnings that may not strand them but can affect drivability and driver-assist features.
- Check for a 'Service Air Bag' light and ask whether the passenger seat weight sensor has been replaced—this is a known failure that can cost nearly $1,000.
- Test the ignition key through several on-off cycles and confirm all ignition switch recalls are completed, as some owners report the key refusing to turn.
- During a test drive, pay attention to transmission shifts between 4-5, 5-6, and 7-8 gears for jerking, clunking, or delayed engagement.
- Start the truck and watch for 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' warnings, which indicate electrical or camera issues.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to confirm all open recalls for the specific vehicle are addressed before purchase.
- For the Saturn SKY, have a mechanic inspect the air bag system, seat sensors, and electronic brake control module.
- For the Ford F-150, test-drive at highway speeds and in stop-and-go traffic to feel for transmission harshness or power loss.
- Ask for service records showing any transmission repairs, software updates, or electrical fixes on the F-150.
- On either vehicle, check that warning lights illuminate briefly at startup and then go out—any persistent light is a red flag.
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 SKY or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Saturn SKY vs FORD F 150
- Saturn SKY total complaints
- 516
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Saturn SKY total recalls
- 18
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Saturn SKY avg complaints/year
- 129.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Saturn SKY
- Saturn SKY top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN