Head-to-head reliability
Saturn VUE vs FORD F 150
How the Saturn VUE 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 VUE vs FORD F 150: The VUE averaged 267 complaints per year over 9 years, while the F-150 averaged 1,162 per year over 10 years. Both have 1 death, but the F-150 has 151 recalls vs. 10 for the VUE. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Saturn VUE or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Saturn VUE
The Saturn VUE is a compact SUV that, based on owner complaints, can be a headache to live with due to frequent electrical and power train issues. Over 9 years, it averaged about 267 complaints per year, with many reports of warning lights, loss of power, and transmission failure. Steering and air bag problems also appear, including a recall for power steering hose and linkage issues. While not the highest volume of complaints, the pattern suggests owners often face recurring, sometimes safety-related, repairs.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume—about 1,162 per year over 10 years—but it's also far more common on the road. Owners frequently report power train problems, especially transmission limp mode and lead frame failures, as well as electrical glitches. Recalls are numerous (151), covering engines, seat belts, door latches, and air bag inflators. The data shows a truck that can be reliable but has known, sometimes serious, failure points that buyers should check.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Saturn VUE | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,407 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 10 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 135 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 267.4 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 108 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 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 VUE
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM707
- 02POWER TRAIN661
- 03AIR BAGS319
- 04STEERING288
- 05ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING151
Owners report intermittent 'Stabilitrak' warning lights, loss of power, and unpredictable electrical glitches that are hard to replicate. These can leave you stranded or cause sudden loss of control, making diagnosis and repair frustrating.
Complaints include transmission losing reverse, limited speed (10-40 mph), and hesitation. One owner said the car became 'a danger and not driveable' at only 68,329 miles, indicating potential early transmission failure.
Reports include side curtain air bags deploying without warning, sometimes after a tire blowout. This unexpected deployment can startle the driver and may indicate sensor or deployment issues.
Owners describe a 'tug' feeling in the steering wheel and power steering difficulties, often requiring dealership diagnosis. Recalls for steering linkage and power steering hose suggest a known pattern of steering problems.
“THE FIRST PROBLEM OCCURRED ABOUT A YEAR AGO, WHEN A MESSAGE STATING "STABILITRACK OFF" APPEARED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. I CONTINUED DRIVING WITH THE MESSAGE AND PARKED AS NORMAL.THE NEXT TIME I STARTED THE CAR THE MESSAGE WAS GONE. SEVERAL MONTHS LAT…”
“WHILE I AM DRIVING I HAVE HAD INTERMITTENT INCIDENTS THAT CANNOT BE REPLICATED. "STABILITRAK" WARNING LIGHT HAS NOT TURNED OFF. I HAVE LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING TWICE BUT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AFTER A FEW SECONDS. THE VEHICLE WILL LOSE POWER TO…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Frequent reports of transmission limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power. One owner said a lead frame issue 'nearly ended my life,' highlighting the safety risk.
Lead frame issues also appear under electrical, along with output speed sensor failures triggering limp mode. These electrical faults can disable the truck unexpectedly, requiring costly repairs.
A reported short in the rear window defroster caused the back window to explode outward. While rare, this shows potential for unexpected and dangerous electrical-related failures.
With 1,224 complaints, lighting problems are common, though specific details aren't in the sample. Buyers should check all lights for function and moisture, as failures can affect 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 VUE — 10 recalls
The defect: GM IS RECALLING 2,149 MY 2009 SATURN VUE VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECT RIGHT AND/OR LEFT FRONT STEERING KNUCKLE. AS A RESULT OF THE INCORRECT KNUCKLE AND RESULTING INADEQUATE CLEARANCE, THE TIE ROD BALL STUD COULD PULL OUT OF, OR FRACTURE, THE TIE ROD HOUSIN…
The risk: ALTHOUGH STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE MAINTAINED AFTER A TIE ROD SEPARATION BY THE UNAFFECTED WHEEL ON SMOOTH ROADS OR DURING LIGHT BRAKING, WITH MORE SIGNIFICANT SUSPENSION OR BRAKING INPUTS, THE AFFECTED WHEEL COULD TURN OUT…
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING KNUCKLES AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE STEERING KNUCKLE(S) AND TIE ROD(S). THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 8, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.…
The defect: GM IS RECALLING 42,408 MY 2008-2009 SATURN VUE VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE NUT SECURING THE POWER STEERING LINE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY LOOSEN. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THERE MAY BE A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK.
The risk: THE FLUID COULD CONTACT HOT EXHAUST COMPONENTS RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE NUT SECURING THE POWER STEERING LINE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. IF THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF A FLUID LEAK, DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE NUT. IF A FLUID LEAK IS PRESENT, DEALER WILL TIGHTEN THE NUT AND CHECK THE FLUID LEVE…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2002-2004 Saturn Vue vehicles manufactured September 11, 2001, to April 6, 2004. In the affected vehicles, it may be possible for the key to be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
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: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle to see if the key can be pulled out when the ignition is off. If it can, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and keys, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Own…
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." SOME VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH REAR OUTER SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS THAT WERE INCORRECTLY INSTALLED.
The risk: IF THESE BOLTS WERE INCORRECTLY INSTALLED, THEY WOULD NOT WITHSTAND THE LOAD REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD. IF AN ANCHORAGE FAILED IN A CRASH, THE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND COULD HAVE AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 19, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASON…
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 VUE or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Saturn VUE has far fewer complaints per year (about 267 vs. 1,162 for the F-150), but both have serious power train and electrical issues. In practice, the VUE may have fewer overall problems, but the F-150's higher volume means more reported incidents simply because more are on the road. Neither is trouble-free; the VUE's issues seem more concentrated in electrical and transmission, while the F-150's are spread across power train, electrical, and lighting.
Key differences
- The Saturn VUE averages about 267 complaints per year, while the Ford F-150 averages about 1,162 per year, but the F-150 is far more numerous on the road.
- VUE owners frequently report 'Stabilitrak' warnings and transmission loss of reverse, while F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures.
- The VUE has 10 recalls, including steering and ignition, while the F-150 has 151 recalls covering engines, seat belts, door latches, and air bag inflators.
- Both have 1 reported death, but the F-150 has more crash-related complaints (330 vs. 135) and injuries (297 vs. 108), though these numbers don't account for vehicle population.
- Check for any 'Stabilitrak' or warning lights on the dash, and test drive at highway speeds to see if power loss or steering tug occurs.
- Test the transmission thoroughly: ensure reverse works, check for hesitation, and verify it can reach highway speeds without getting stuck in low gears.
- During test drive, watch for transmission limp mode, rough shifting, or getting stuck in 5th gear; ask if the lead frame or output speed sensor has been replaced.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster for cracks or signs of overheating, and check all exterior lights for function.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission, electrical system, and steering components specific to the model you're considering.
- Test drive for at least 20 minutes, including highway speeds, to replicate intermittent issues like limp mode or warning lights.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any transmission or electrical repairs.
- Check that all safety recalls have been performed, particularly for the VUE's steering and ignition, and the F-150's air bags and seat belts.
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 VUE or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Saturn VUE vs FORD F 150
- Saturn VUE total complaints
- 2,407
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Saturn VUE total recalls
- 10
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Saturn VUE avg complaints/year
- 267.4
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Saturn VUE
- Saturn VUE top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN