Head-to-head reliability
Subaru XV Crosstrek vs FORD F 150
How the Subaru XV Crosstrek 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 XV Crosstrek vs FORD F 150: The Subaru XV Crosstrek had 303 complaints over 4 years (about 76 per year), while the Ford F-150 had 11,621 complaints over 10 years (about 1,162 per year). The F-150 also had 151 recalls and 330 crash-related reports, versus 3 recalls and 21 crash-related reports for the Subaru. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Subaru XV Crosstrek or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Subaru XV Crosstrek
The Subaru XV Crosstrek is a compact crossover that owners often buy for its all-weather capability. Over four years, NHTSA logged 303 complaints, averaging about 76 per year, with 21 crash-related reports and 12 injuries. The most common trouble spots are the power train and engine, where owners describe oil consumption, stalling, and sudden power loss. Electrical gremlins, such as a failed blower fan and random shutdowns, also appear in the complaints.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a huge owner base, and NHTSA recorded 11,621 complaints over ten years—about 1,162 per year. That volume brings 151 recalls, 330 crash-related reports, 297 injuries, and one death. Power train and electrical issues dominate, with many owners reporting transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and rear-window defroster shorts. The sheer number of complaints means certain problems are widespread, not isolated.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Subaru XV Crosstrek | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 303 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 21 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 75.8 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 12 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 XV Crosstrek
- 01POWER TRAIN66
- 02ENGINE66
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER63
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM55
- 05SERVICE BRAKES29
Owners report slow starting, excessive oil use after each 3,000 miles, and the engine bogging or almost stalling when accelerating, often with the air conditioning on. Some also describe the car suddenly slowing on the highway, which could leave you vulnerable to traffic behind you.
Complaints include sudden power loss while driving, such as on a steep hill with cruise control, and a starter that sounds erratic with a flashing oil temperature light. These symptoms can strand you and may point to deeper engine management problems.
A common report is the heater/AC blower fan failing, which fogs windows in rain and forces drivers to wipe the windshield manually. Others describe the entire electrical system cutting out at highway speed, killing the engine and dash displays.
Owners complain they cannot remove the key from the ignition when the car is in park, which they link to a park-range switch issue. Another report describes losing power on the freeway and needing to restart after a long crank.
“I have been working with Subaru of America and Capital Subaru service in San Jose, CA for a 2013 Subaru Crosstrek XV 2.0 CVT automatic engine shortly after we bought it used for multiple faulty known engine problems with this specific make and model. Since we…”
“SLOW STARTING WHEN TURNING OVER FROM STOP/PARK/COLD/HOT. EXCESSIVE OIL USE AFTER EACH 3,000 MILES. NO LIGHT WARNING FOR LOW OIL DISPLAYS. ENGINE BOGS OR ALMOST STALLS WHEN GIVING GAS. USUALLY WHEN AIR CONDITIONING IS RUNNING. THIS STARTED TO OCCUR AFTER I HAD…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Many owners describe a recurring transmission malfunction where the truck goes into limp mode and gets stuck in 5th gear, often daily. The 'lead frame' issue is mentioned repeatedly, with one owner saying it nearly ended their life after a near collision.
The same lead frame problem also appears under electrical complaints, causing transmission symptoms. Another report describes a short in the rear window defroster that caused the back window to explode outward, which is a serious safety concern.
A 2017 F-150 owner reported entering highway limp mode due to an output speed sensor failure, even after a recall software update. This shows that some fixes may not fully resolve the problem.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting is a top category, though specific sample text is not provided. Buyers should still check for lighting malfunctions, as they 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.
Subaru XV Crosstrek — 3 recalls
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Subaru Impreza, 2012-2013 Impreza Stationwagon, 2013 Subaru BRZ, XV Crosstrek and Toyota Scion FR-S vehicles. The engine valve springs in these vehicles may fracture causing an engine malfunction or a possible engine stall.
The risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Subaru will notify their owners. Toyota will notify the FR-S owners. Dealers will replace the valve springs, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614, Toyota ow…
The defect: Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RE…
The risk: The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there i…
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufac…
The risk: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.
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 XV Crosstrek or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Subaru XV Crosstrek has far fewer complaints per year—about 76 versus 1,162 for the Ford F-150. In practice, that means you are less likely to face frequent repair visits with the Subaru, but the F-150's higher count reflects its much larger sales volume. Still, the F-150's complaints include severe issues like transmission limp mode and exploding rear windows, which can be dangerous.
Key differences
- The Subaru XV Crosstrek averages about 76 complaints per year, while the Ford F-150 averages about 1,162 per year, a huge difference in reported problem frequency.
- Subaru owners frequently report engine oil consumption and stalling, whereas Ford F-150 owners describe transmission limp mode and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls over ten years, compared to 3 recalls for the Subaru over four years, meaning the Ford has had far more official safety fixes.
- Electrical issues on the Subaru often involve the blower fan and random shutdowns, while on the F-150 they include rear-window defroster shorts that can shatter the glass.
- Check for excessive oil consumption by asking for maintenance records and inspecting the oil level; owners report using oil every 3,000 miles.
- Test the ignition key removal in park and listen for erratic starter sounds, as owners report key-stuck and slow-start issues.
- Scan for transmission trouble codes like P0722 and test-drive for limp mode or getting stuck in 5th gear, which owners report frequently.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for signs of shorting and ask if the rear window has ever shattered, as one owner reported it exploding outward.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and all available maintenance records for either vehicle.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the transmission for the F-150 and engine oil consumption for the Subaru.
- For the Subaru, test the heater/AC blower fan and check for any electrical gremlins like dash lights flickering.
- For the Ford F-150, verify that all open recalls have been performed and ask specifically about the lead frame and output speed sensor fixes.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any hesitation, stalling, or transmission shuddering, and note any warning lights.
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 XV Crosstrek or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Subaru XV Crosstrek vs FORD F 150
- Subaru XV Crosstrek total complaints
- 303
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Subaru XV Crosstrek total recalls
- 3
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Subaru XV Crosstrek avg complaints/year
- 75.8
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Subaru XV Crosstrek
- Subaru XV Crosstrek top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN