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 1,162 complaints per year with 151 recalls. The SKY's top issue is air bag sensors; the F-150's is power train. 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 sports car with a relatively low annual complaint rate of about 129 per year over four years. The most common owner-reported problem is the air bag system, specifically the passenger weight sensor failing and triggering a warning light. Brake and hydraulic issues also appear, often tied to the electronic brake control module. Electrical problems, such as the ignition key not turning, are also reported.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup truck with a much higher annual complaint rate of about 1,162 per year over ten years. Power train complaints dominate, with many owners reporting transmission problems like limp mode and stuck gears. Electrical system issues, including lead frame failures, are also frequent. Other reported problems include rear window defroster shorts and engine concerns.
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 | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 18 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 18 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 129.0 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 19 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 SKY
- 01AIR BAGS366
- 02SERVICE BRAKES83
- 03HYDRAULIC62
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM53
- 05SEATS30
Owners report the passenger weight sensor failing, which turns on the air bag warning light and can disable the passenger air bag. The fix often requires replacing the entire seat at significant cost.
Complaints describe the electronic brake control module (EBCM) failing, which can illuminate warning lights and affect braking. This can be expensive to repair and may compromise brake performance.
Hydraulic issues are often linked to the same EBCM failure, causing warning lights and potential brake problems. Owners may face costly repairs to restore proper brake function.
Some owners report the ignition key not turning, preventing the car from being shut off normally. This can require cutting power under the hood and may be related to ignition switch recalls.
“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 TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Many owners report transmission problems such as limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures. These issues can cause sudden loss of power and near-collisions, requiring costly repairs.
Lead frame issues are frequently mentioned, causing transmission problems and warning lights. Some owners also report rear window defroster shorts that can lead to the rear window shattering.
Complaints include rear window defroster shorts causing the back window to explode outward. This is a safety hazard and can be expensive to fix.
Engine-related complaints appear, though less frequently than power train issues. Specific problems are not detailed in the sample, but engine concerns can lead to performance and reliability issues.
“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 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 — 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 SKY or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Saturn SKY has far fewer complaints per year (129 vs. 1,162 for the Ford F-150), suggesting fewer reported problems overall. However, the F-150's higher volume and longer production period mean more total complaints. In practice, the SKY may have fewer issues, but the F-150's problems can be more severe, such as transmission failures.
Key differences
- The Saturn SKY's top complaint is air bag sensor failure, while the Ford F-150's top complaint is power train issues like transmission limp mode.
- The SKY has 18 recalls over 4 years, while the F-150 has 151 recalls over 10 years, indicating more widespread issues in the F-150.
- The F-150 has a much higher complaint rate per year (1,162 vs. 129), but the SKY's air bag issues can be costly and safety-related.
- The F-150 has 1 death reported, while the SKY has 0 deaths, though both have injuries reported.
- Check for air bag warning light and test the passenger seat sensor; a failed sensor may require a full seat replacement.
- Test the ignition key to ensure it turns freely and can shut off the car; some owners report the key not turning.
- Test drive and check for transmission shuddering, limp mode, or getting stuck in gear; lead frame issues are common.
- Inspect the rear window defroster and look for any cracks or signs of shattering; shorts have been reported.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a mechanic inspect the air bag system and seat sensors on the Saturn SKY.
- For the Ford F-150, have a mechanic check the transmission and lead frame, and test the rear defroster.
- Test drive both vehicles extensively, including highway speeds, to detect transmission or ignition issues.
- Verify that any recall repairs have been completed, especially for ignition and air bag recalls.
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
- 11,621
- Saturn SKY total recalls
- 18
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Saturn SKY avg complaints/year
- 129.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Saturn SKY
- Saturn SKY top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN