Head-to-head reliability
Saturn SL vs FORD F 150
How the Saturn SL 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 SL vs FORD F 150: The Saturn SL averages 152 complaints per year over 3 years, while the Ford F-150 averages 1,131 per year over 10 years. Both have serious issues: Saturn owners report brake failure and transmission slamming; F-150 owners report harsh shifts and electrical warnings. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Saturn SL or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Saturn SL
The Saturn SL is a compact car with a relatively low complaint volume—about 152 per year over three years—but the pattern shows recurring electrical, transmission, and engine cooling problems. Owners report issues like unreliable horns, ignition key difficulties, hard transmission shifts, and timing chain failures. With 12 recalls and 52 crash-related complaints, it's a vehicle that demands careful inspection of key systems before purchase.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint rate—over 1,100 per year across ten years—and a wide range of reported issues, especially with the power train and electrical system. Common owner complaints include harsh transmission shifts, loss of power, and electrical glitches like camera malfunctions. With 145 recalls and 328 crash-related complaints, it's a complex vehicle where many systems can require attention.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Saturn SL | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 457 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 12 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 52 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 152.3 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 43 Better | 287 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 2 | 1 Better |
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 SL
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM108
- 02POWER TRAIN89
- 03ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING75
- 04SERVICE BRAKES44
- 05HYDRAULIC37
Owners frequently report horn failure, which can prevent alerting others in emergencies, and ignition key problems that make starting difficult or allow key removal while running. These issues can leave you stranded or unable to warn other drivers.
Automatic transmissions often develop severe bucking or slamming during gear changes, especially in reverse, sometimes causing collateral damage like a broken muffler. This can lead to expensive repairs and unsafe driving conditions.
Timing chain failures are reported, which can cause sudden engine shutdown and require major repairs. Some owners also experience engine failure at low speeds without warning, leading to towing and costly fixes.
There are complaints of brake fluid smell and complete brake failure, where the pedal goes to the floor and emergency braking is needed. This is a critical safety concern that should be checked immediately.
“FOR SOME TIME NOW MY HORN IS UNRELIABLE. I WAS BEHIND A CAR THAT WAS ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE AND WAS TRYING TO ALERT THEM OF MY PRESENCE AND MY HORN WOULD NOT WORK. I REPEATEDLY KEPT PRESSING THE HORN ICON ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I WAS LUCKY…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TOWARDS THE ON POSITION, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN THE KEY AND IT TOOK NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS REMOVED WITHOUT THE I…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Many owners report hard or delayed shifts, especially with the 10-speed automatic transmission, and some experience sudden loss of power or violent jerking. These issues can occur at highway speeds and may lead to dangerous situations.
Common 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. These electrical glitches can disable safety features and indicate deeper problems.
Headlight issues are frequently reported, which can reduce visibility and increase accident risk. Recalls for exterior lighting suggest this is a known problem area.
Engine-related complaints and recalls are present, though specific failure patterns are less detailed in the sample. Buyers should be aware that engine problems can be costly and may affect reliability.
“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 SL — 12 recalls
The defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES…
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
The defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES…
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY. IF IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED, IT IS POSSIBLE…
The risk: THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING FROM THE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT OF PARKED VEHICLES.
The fix: SATURN IS ASKING OWNERS AND RETAILERS TO PERFORM A FUNCTIONAL CHECK OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY OPERATION, AND IF NECESSARY, TO HAVE THE CABLE ADJUSTED. IF OWNERS ARE NOT COMFORTABLE PERFORMING THE FUNCTIONAL CHECK…
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN INADEQUATE VENT VALVE WELD ON THE TOP PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK.
The risk: FUEL SPILLAGE COULD OCCUR DURING REFUELING OR IF THE VEHICLE WERE INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO ENSURE THE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE IS PROPERLY WELDED. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY.
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 SL or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Saturn SL has far fewer complaints per year (about 152 vs. 1,131 for the Ford F-150), but both have serious reported issues. In practice, the F-150's higher volume means more potential problems, but its issues are spread across many systems, while the Saturn's lower numbers still include critical safety failures.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has over seven times the annual complaint rate of the Saturn SL, but it's a larger, more complex vehicle with many more recalls.
- Saturn SL owners report specific safety failures like brake loss and horn failure, while F-150 owners report transmission jerking and electrical warnings that can disable safety features.
- The Saturn SL has 2 deaths and 43 injuries in complaints, while the F-150 has 1 death and 287 injuries, indicating different crash patterns.
- Both vehicles have power train complaints, but the F-150's are often tied to its 10-speed automatic, while the Saturn's involve older automatic transmissions with harsh shifting.
- Test the horn multiple times and check for any delay or failure, as owners report it becoming unreliable.
- During a test drive, pay close attention to transmission shifts, especially when cold and in reverse, for any slamming or hesitation.
- Check for any warning messages on the dashboard, such as 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available,' which owners report appearing frequently.
- Test drive at various speeds to feel for hard or delayed shifts, particularly between 4th and 5th or 7th and 8th gears, and listen for loud bangs from the transmission.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models using the NHTSA VIN lookup.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the transmission, brakes, and electrical system, focusing on the specific complaints reported for each vehicle.
- For the Saturn SL, verify the timing chain service history and check for any signs of brake fluid leaks or soft pedal feel.
- For the Ford F-150, scan for stored error codes related to the transmission and camera systems, and test all electronic safety features.
- During the test drive, simulate stop-and-go traffic and highway merging to replicate conditions where owners report failures.
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 SL or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Saturn SL vs FORD F 150
- Saturn SL total complaints
- 457
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Saturn SL total recalls
- 12
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Saturn SL avg complaints/year
- 152.3
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Saturn SL
- Saturn SL top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN