Head-to-head reliability
Subaru BRZ vs FORD F 150
How the Subaru BRZ 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
Subaru BRZ vs FORD F 150: The BRZ averages 2.5 complaints per year with 4 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,162 complaints per year with 151 recalls. The BRZ's main reported issues are engine sealant clogging and fuel-system stalling; the F-150's are transmission limp mode and electrical sensor failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Subaru BRZ or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Subaru BRZ
The Subaru BRZ is a low-volume sports coupe, averaging just 2.5 complaints per year over the past decade. The complaint pattern centers on engine and fuel-system issues, including a known sealant problem that can clog the oil pickup, plus lighting glitches. With only 4 recalls and no reported injuries or deaths in the data, it appears to be a simpler, lower-risk vehicle to own, though the engine concerns are serious when they occur.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume pickup with an average of 1,162 complaints per year, reflecting its huge population and complex systems. Owners frequently report power-train and electrical failures, especially transmission limp mode and lead-frame sensor issues, along with rear-window shattering. The data shows 151 recalls, 330 crash-related complaints, and 297 injuries, indicating a much higher volume of reported problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Subaru BRZ | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 25 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.5 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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.
Subaru BRZ
- 01ENGINE11
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING3
- 05POWER TRAIN2
Owners report sudden warning lights and loss of power at very low mileage, as well as excess sealant from the oil pan and timing cover clogging the oil pickup tube. This can lead to engine damage if not caught early, so a pre-purchase inspection should check for oil pressure issues and service history.
Complaints include stalling on the freeway with a check-engine light and white smoke from a valve spring issue. These are intermittent but potentially dangerous, so a test drive should include highway speeds and a scan for stored codes.
Owners describe rear turn signals that fail to activate when the sun hits the rear of the car, causing rapid flashing. This is a visibility and safety concern, so check that all turn signals work in bright sunlight during the test drive.
Reports include Bluetooth audio cutting out and one crash where the vehicle was struck while crossing an intersection. The Bluetooth issue is a minor annoyance, but the crash complaint is a reminder to review the vehicle's accident history.
“This is a new car. There’s was only 31 miles when I purchased. One day, there’s some sound when I driving the vehicle. Once I parked, all the warning lamps was on, then my car wasn’t able to move. When the incident happened, it was only 4 months of using it a…”
“These particular vehicles (and their Toyota counterpart, the GR86) have been experiencing issues with excess RTV sealant used on the oil pan and timing cover getting into the oil. Once this RTV sealant is in the oil, it clogs the oil pickup tube filter. As th…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report recurring transmission problems, including limp mode stuck in 5th gear and lead-frame sensor failures that can cause sudden loss of power. These issues can leave you stranded or cause a near-collision, so a thorough transmission scan and test drive are essential.
The same lead-frame issue appears under electrical complaints, along with output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. Because these faults can be intermittent, ask for a full diagnostic history and check for any open recalls related to the transmission.
One owner reported the rear window shattering outward after using the defroster, attributed to a short in the defroster circuit. This is a rare but alarming failure, so inspect the rear window and defroster operation carefully.
Although not detailed in the sample complaints, exterior lighting is a top complaint category with 1,224 reports. Buyers should test all lights, including turn signals and brake lights, and check for any related recalls.
“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.
Subaru BRZ — 4 recalls
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Legacy, Outback, and BRZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, a software issue may cause the audio display system to not initialize, resulting in the camera display remaining blank. If this occurs, the rearview image will not display while b…
The risk: Failure to display the rearview image while backing up increases the risk of crash.
The fix: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the audio system display software, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall i…
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 BRZ and Toyota GR86 vehicles. The rear turn signals may intermittently become inoperative.
The risk: Inoperative rear turn signals may not notify other drivers of a turning vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace both rear combination lamp assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Subaru owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Toyota owners may contact Toyota cus…
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
Subaru BRZ or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Subaru BRZ has far fewer issues per year (2.5 vs. 1,162 complaints), but the F-150's volume reflects its much larger production. In practice, the BRZ's problems are less frequent but can still be serious, while the F-150's higher complaint rate means a used buyer should expect more potential repairs and a greater need for careful inspection.
Key differences
- The BRZ averages 2.5 complaints per year versus 1,162 for the F-150, a huge difference in reported problem frequency.
- BRZ complaints cluster around engine sealant clogging the oil pickup and fuel-system stalling, while F-150 complaints center on transmission limp mode and lead-frame sensor failures.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls and 297 reported injuries in the data, compared with 4 recalls and 0 injuries for the BRZ.
- Both have exterior lighting complaints, but the BRZ issue is a specific rear-turn-signal failure in sunlight, while the F-150's lighting complaints are more numerous but less detailed in the sample.
- Check for oil pressure warning lights or engine noise that could indicate sealant clogging the oil pickup tube; ask for oil change records and consider an oil analysis.
- Test the rear turn signals in direct sunlight to see if they fail to activate or hyperflash, a reported safety issue.
- Scan the transmission for stored codes and test drive at highway speeds to check for limp mode or harsh shifting, especially on 2017 V8 models with the 6-speed automatic.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster operation for signs of overheating or shattering, and confirm any open recalls on the lead frame and output speed sensor have been performed.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls have been completed, especially fuel-pump and lighting recalls on the BRZ and transmission/electrical recalls on the F-150.
- For the BRZ, have a mechanic check oil pressure and inspect for excess sealant around the oil pan and timing cover.
- For the F-150, request a transmission diagnostic scan and test drive in stop-and-go and highway conditions to check for limp mode.
- Test all exterior lights, including turn signals in bright sun, and the rear defroster on the F-150.
- Ask for maintenance records and have a pre-purchase inspection performed by a shop familiar with the specific model.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Subaru BRZ | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 | 0 | 345 |
| 2024 | 3 | 638 |
| 2023 | 1 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 10 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 0 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 2 | 44 |
| 2019 | 1 | 52 |
| 2018 | 1 | 79 |
| 2017 | 7 | 59 |
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 Subaru BRZ or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Subaru BRZ vs FORD F 150
- Subaru BRZ total complaints
- 25
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Subaru BRZ total recalls
- 4
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Subaru BRZ avg complaints/year
- 2.5
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Subaru BRZ
- Subaru BRZ top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN