Head-to-head reliability
Tesla Model S vs FORD F 150
How the Tesla Model S 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 Model S vs FORD F 150: The Model S has 579 complaints over 10 years (57.9/yr) versus 11,311 for the F-150 (1,131.1/yr). Tesla's issues center on ADAS and steering, while Ford's are dominated by transmission problems. Both have recalls, but Tesla's are software-related, Ford's include lighting and engine. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Tesla Model S or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Tesla Model S
The Tesla Model S, as a used EV, shows a reliability pattern centered on advanced driver-assist systems, steering controls, and suspension. Owners report phantom braking and unintended stops from the forward collision avoidance system, as well as steering wheel button issues and suspension vibrations. Electrical system complaints and recalls related to software and self-driving features suggest a vehicle that is technologically advanced but prone to software-related glitches.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150, a traditional pickup, has a much higher complaint volume, dominated by powertrain issues, especially the 10-speed automatic transmission. Owners describe hard shifts, jerking, and even loss of power. Electrical system problems, including camera malfunctions, and exterior lighting recalls also feature prominently. This pattern indicates a vehicle with significant mechanical and electronic reliability concerns, particularly in the transmission.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Tesla Model S | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 579 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 106 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 60 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 57.9 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 18 Better | 287 |
| 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.
Tesla Model S
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER160
- 02FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE115
- 03STEERING85
- 04SUSPENSION77
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM70
Owners report the system suddenly beeping and stopping the car on clear highways, and incorrect speed limit readings in FSD, which can cause unexpected braking or acceleration. This can be alarming and potentially dangerous in traffic.
The switch to button-based turn signals on the steering wheel is criticized for being hard to use in emergencies, and lane departure warnings can override steering inputs even when turned off, causing unintended steering corrections.
There are reports of vibrations from the front suspension half shafts or CV joints at 25-40 mph during cold starts, and repeated rear tire wear possibly linked to alignment or suspension defects, leading to frequent tire replacements.
“On [XXX] at approximately 1230 pm my husband loaded my [XXX] child into the car. He shut the door then tried to open the driver site door. At that time the inside the car was 93 degrees. The car shut off. Telsa customer support was contacted multiple times. M…”
“2024 Tesla Model S. Repeated rear tire and rear wheel failures with abnormal wear and possible rear alignment or suspension-related defect. Tesla service history shows repeated rear tire replacements beginning at about 5,165 miles, a later four-wheel alignmen…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The 10R80 automatic transmission is a major source of complaints, with hard shifts, jerks, clunks between gears, and even sudden loss of power and shutdown. This can be a safety hazard and indicates a serious mechanical issue.
Owners report warnings for front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist not available, which appear every time the truck starts. This suggests a persistent electronic issue that disables safety features.
Recalls related to headlights indicate potential problems with visibility, which is critical for safe driving at night. While not detailed in complaints, the recall suggests a known defect.
“I started noticing hard and delayed shifts from 7th into 8th gear. My RPM's were not increasing when this happened, and then on a very crowded major road I lost all power, vehicle shut off and drifted, then started up and jerked again very hard. This failure…”
“I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission shifts hard (ie: jerks, clunks) between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and has on occasion…”
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 Model S — 106 recalls
The defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first c…
The risk: Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Te…
The defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope…
The risk: In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there ma…
The fix: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.
The defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model S and Model X vehicles. An incorrect air bag may have been installed when the steering yoke or round steering wheel was replaced with a different style of yoke or steering wheel.
The risk: An air bag that is not designed to function with the replacement steering yoke or wheel may deploy incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Tesla Service will inspect and replace the driver air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is…
The defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y, Model X, Model S, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehi…
The risk: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, including Summon and Smart Summon, free of charge. Owner notification letters wer…
FORD F 150 — 145 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from…
The risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and br…
The risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The re…
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 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also…
The risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's num…
Buyer analysis
Tesla Model S or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Tesla Model S has far fewer complaints per year (57.9) compared to the Ford F-150 (1131.1), indicating a lower rate of reported issues. However, the nature of Tesla's problems—such as phantom braking and steering overrides—can be more safety-critical. The F-150's transmission issues are also serious but more mechanical in nature.
Key differences
- Tesla Model S has a much lower complaint rate (57.9/yr) than the F-150 (1131.1/yr), but its issues are concentrated in ADAS and steering, which can cause sudden stops or unintended steering.
- The F-150's top problem is the 10-speed transmission, with hard shifts and loss of power, which is a mechanical issue that may require costly repairs.
- Tesla's recalls focus on software and ADAS, while F-150 recalls include exterior lighting and engine components, indicating different areas of concern.
- Tesla owners report suspension vibrations and tire wear, while F-150 owners report electrical system malfunctions affecting safety features.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system in a safe area to ensure it doesn't trigger falsely, and check for any pending software updates.
- Inspect the steering wheel buttons for turn signals and ensure they are responsive, and check for any suspension vibrations during a cold start test drive.
- During a test drive, pay close attention to transmission shifts, especially between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, for any hard shifts or jerks.
- Check if the dashboard shows any warnings for front camera malfunction or pre-collision assist not available, as these may indicate electrical issues.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full service history and check for any open recalls on both vehicles.
- For the Tesla Model S, verify that all software is up to date and ask about any known ADAS issues.
- For the Ford F-150, have a trusted mechanic inspect the transmission and check for any TSBs or software updates.
- Test drive both vehicles in conditions that might trigger their known issues (e.g., highway speeds for Tesla's phantom braking, stop-and-go traffic for F-150's shifting).
- Consider purchasing an extended warranty that covers electrical and powertrain components.
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 Model S | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 24 |
| 2025 | 6 | 329 |
| 2024 | 38 | 617 |
| 2023 | 116 | 1507 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3432 |
| 2021 | 176 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 80 | 33 |
| 2019 | 160 | 36 |
| 2018 | 0 | 56 |
| 2017 | 0 | 43 |
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 Model S or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Tesla Model S vs FORD F 150
- Tesla Model S total complaints
- 579
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Tesla Model S total recalls
- 106
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Tesla Model S avg complaints/year
- 57.9
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Tesla Model S
- Tesla Model S top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN