Vehicle 1

Subaru Forester

2,366 complaints · 13 recalls

VS

Vehicle 2

FORD F 150

10,855 complaints · 83 recalls

📊 Based on NHTSA owner complaint & recall data
Which Should I Buy?

Subaru Forester vs FORD F 150: The Forester has 236.6 complaints per year and 13 recalls, while the F-150 has 1085.5 complaints per year and 83 recalls. Top Forester issues involve visibility/wipers; top F-150 issues involve powertrain. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

Category Wins

Lower numbers are better for complaints, recalls, and crashes.

4
Subaru Forester
wins all 4 categories
0
FORD F 150
no category wins
CategorySubaru ForesterFORD F 150
Total Complaints
All years combined
2,366
✓ lower
10,855
Safety Recalls
Federal campaigns
13
✓ lower
83
Crash Reports
Crash-related complaints
143
✓ lower
369
Avg / Year
Complaints per model year
236.6
✓ lower
1085.5

Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records. Lower is better.

Top Problem Areas

Most frequently reported components across all model years.

Subaru Forester

1. VISIBILITY/WIPER734
2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER426
3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM365
4. AIR BAGS284
5. ENGINE232

FORD F 150

1. POWER TRAIN3,675
2. ENGINE1,872
3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,538
4. UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,329
5. STRUCTURE609
🤖
AI Buyer Analysis
DeepSeek interpretation of NHTSA data · cached result
The Verdict

The Subaru Forester has far fewer complaints per year (236.6 vs 1085.5) and fewer recalls (13 vs 83), suggesting a lower likelihood of encountering issues. However, both vehicles have notable problem areas that buyers should investigate.

💡 Buyer Recommendation

If you prioritize fewer overall complaints and lower recall risk, choose the Subaru Forester. If you need a truck's utility and can accept higher complaint rates, the Ford F-150 may still suit you, but be prepared to check for powertrain and engine issues.

Key Differences
  • Subaru Forester averages 236.6 complaints/year vs Ford F-150's 1085.5/year.
  • Ford F-150 has 83 recalls; Subaru Forester has 13.
  • Top Ford issue is POWER TRAIN (3675 complaints); top Subaru issue is VISIBILITY/WIPER (734).
  • Ford has 369 crash complaints; Subaru has 143.
⚠ Watch on Subaru Forester
  • Check for visibility/wiper problems (734 complaints) and air bag issues (284 complaints).
  • Electrical system complaints (365) may indicate wiring or battery problems.
⚠ Watch on FORD F 150
  • Powertrain issues dominate (3675 complaints) – inspect transmission and drivetrain carefully.
  • Engine complaints (1872) suggest potential for costly repairs.
✓ Before You Buy — Checklist
  • Obtain a vehicle history report to check for open recalls.
  • Have a trusted mechanic inspect the specific vehicle, focusing on top complaint areas.
  • Test drive to assess transmission shifting and engine performance.
  • Check all wipers, lights, and electrical accessories for proper function.
  • Review NHTSA safety ratings and crash test results for the specific model year.

Complaints by Model Year

Years available for both vehicles (lower is better).

Subaru ForesterFORD F 150
2026
10
3
2025
74
301
2024
28
567
2023
69
565
2022
92
1557
2021
204
917
2020
0
2024
2019
831
954
2018
484
1835
2017
574
2132
Subaru Forester vs FORD F 150 — comparison facts
Comparison
Subaru Forester vs FORD F 150
Subaru Forester total complaints
2,366
FORD F 150 total complaints
10,855
Subaru Forester total recalls
13
FORD F 150 total recalls
83
Subaru Forester avg complaints/year
236.6
FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
1085.5
More reliable overall
Subaru Forester
Subaru Forester top complaint area
VISIBILITY/WIPER
FORD F 150 top complaint area
POWER TRAIN
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

Full Reliability Reports

Full Report →

Subaru Forester Reliability & Problems

2,366 complaints · All years · NHTSA data

Full Report →

FORD F 150 Reliability & Problems

10,855 complaints · All years · NHTSA data

Buying a specific Subaru Forester or FORD F 150?

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