Head-to-head reliability
Tesla Cybertruck vs FORD F 150
How the Tesla Cybertruck 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
Tesla Cybertruck vs FORD F 150: The Cybertruck has 206 complaints over 3 years (about 69 per year) and 16 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years (about 1,162 per year) and 151 recalls. The F-150's higher volume means more reported issues, but the Cybertruck's electrical and structural problems are notable. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Tesla Cybertruck or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Tesla Cybertruck
The Tesla Cybertruck is a new electric pickup with only three years of complaint history, averaging about 69 complaints per year. Owners frequently report electrical glitches, structural pieces detaching, and driver-assist systems failing unexpectedly. With 16 recalls and 27 crash-related complaints, it's a complex vehicle where software and hardware issues can overlap.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a long-running, high-volume pickup with over 11,600 complaints across ten years, averaging about 1,162 per year. The most common trouble spots are the powertrain, electrical system, and lighting, with many reports of transmission limp mode and lead frame failures. It has 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints, showing that even a popular truck can have persistent, serious problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Tesla Cybertruck | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 206 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 16 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 27 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 68.7 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 21 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 6 | 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.
Tesla Cybertruck
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM63
- 02STRUCTURE40
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER35
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE26
- 05STEERING22
Owners describe loud pops from the front, alerts, and unexpected behavior while using Full Self-Driving, sometimes requiring manual override. These electrical faults can affect basic driving functions and are hard to diagnose.
Reports include exterior trim pieces like the sail applique coming loose or detaching at speed, and in one case, cracks in the rear structural casting after an impact. Loose body parts are a safety risk to other drivers, and casting damage can be expensive to repair.
Owners report frequent warnings that Automatic Emergency Braking and adaptive ride control are unavailable, sometimes multiple times per month. This means key safety features may not work when needed, undermining confidence in the system.
Complaints mention that when taking over from Full Self-Driving, the vehicle did not respond as expected to steering input. This delay or failure to disengage properly could lead to loss of control in an emergency.
“On XXX at approximately 5:15 AM, I was driving my 2024 Tesla Cybertruck (VIN [XXX], ~47,300 miles) on an interstate trip to [XXX] with Full Self-Driving (Supervised) engaged. I heard a loud pop from the front of the vehicle, immediately followed by an alert s…”
“While driving on a highway with Full Self-Driving engaged, I approached an exit and applied steering input to take control. I expected the system to disengage and the Cybertruck to follow my steering input. The vehicle did not respond in the manner I expected…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Many owners report transmission problems, including limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power. These issues often recur even after repairs, leading to dangerous driving situations.
The same lead frame defect appears in electrical complaints, along with output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. These electrical faults can strand drivers and are sometimes addressed only by software updates that may not fully fix the problem.
While specific complaint text isn't provided, exterior lighting is a top component with over 1,200 complaints. Lighting failures can reduce visibility and increase crash risk, especially at night.
Engine-related complaints are common, though sample texts focus on transmission and electrical issues. Engine problems can range from performance loss to stalling, requiring costly repairs.
“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.
Tesla Cybertruck — 16 recalls
The defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Cybertruck vehicles. The light bar can delaminate and detach from the vehicle.
The risk: A detached light bar can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Tesla service will replace the cant rail assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 19, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-10-001.
The defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Cybertruck vehicles operating software prior to 2025.38.3. The vehicle controller software may cause the front parking lights to be too bright and exceed the maximum light output, adversely affecting the vision of other drivers. As such, these vehi…
The risk: Parking lights that are too bright can reduce visibility of oncoming drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-00-008.
The defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Cybertruck vehicles equipped with 18-inch steel wheels. The brake rotor stud holes may crack and allow the stud to separate from the wheel hub.
The risk: Wheel stud separation can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Tesla Service will replace the front and rear brake rotors, hubs, and lug nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this reca…
The defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Cybertruck vehicles operating software prior to 2025.38.3. The vehicle controller software may cause the front parking lights to be too bright and exceed the maximum light output, adversely affecting the vision of other drivers. As such, these vehi…
The risk: Parking lights that are too bright can reduce visibility of oncoming drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-00-008.
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
Tesla Cybertruck or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Tesla Cybertruck has far fewer complaints per year (about 69) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,162), but the Cybertruck is much newer and has a smaller owner base. In practice, the F-150's higher volume means more reported problems, but the Cybertruck's issues often involve cutting-edge systems that may be harder to fix. Neither is problem-free; the difference is in the type and frequency of failures.
Key differences
- The Cybertruck has 206 complaints over 3 years, while the F-150 has 11,621 over 10 years, but the F-150's annual rate is much higher.
- Cybertruck owners report electrical pops and driver-assist failures; F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures.
- The Cybertruck has 16 recalls and 27 crash-related complaints; the F-150 has 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints.
- Structural issues on the Cybertruck include trim detaching and casting cracks; F-150 structural complaints are less prominent, with powertrain and electrical dominating.
- Inspect all exterior trim, especially the sail applique and rear casting, for looseness or cracks.
- Test the Full Self-Driving and forward collision avoidance systems thoroughly, looking for error messages or unresponsive steering.
- Check for transmission shudder, delayed engagement, or limp mode during a test drive, especially in 2017 models with the 6-speed automatic.
- Ask for service records related to the lead frame and output speed sensor; if not replaced, budget for potential repair.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the Cybertruck's electrical system and structural components, and the F-150's transmission and lead frame.
- Test drive extensively, including highway speeds and engaging driver-assist features on the Cybertruck.
- For the F-150, scan for stored trouble codes related to the transmission and output speed sensor.
- Verify that any recall repairs have been completed and ask for documentation.
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 | Tesla Cybertruck | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 35 |
| 2025 | 24 | 345 |
| 2024 | 174 | 638 |
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 Tesla Cybertruck or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Tesla Cybertruck vs FORD F 150
- Tesla Cybertruck total complaints
- 206
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Tesla Cybertruck total recalls
- 16
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Tesla Cybertruck avg complaints/year
- 68.7
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Tesla Cybertruck
- Tesla Cybertruck top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN