Head-to-head reliability
Toyota 86 vs FORD F 150
How the Toyota 86 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
Toyota 86 vs FORD F 150: the 86 has 14 complaints over 4 years (about 3.5 per year) and 4 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years (about 1,162 per year) and 151 recalls. The 86's pattern is engine and fuel pump failures; the F-150's is transmission and electrical faults. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Toyota 86 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Toyota 86
The Toyota 86 is a low-volume sports coupe, and its complaint volume reflects that: only 14 complaints over four years, about 3.5 per year. The pattern is concentrated in the engine and fuel system, with owners describing sudden power loss and fuel pump problems. Recalls cover the fuel pump twice, plus spare tire and ignition issues, so a buyer should verify recall work was completed.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume pickup with 11,621 complaints over ten years, averaging about 1,162 per year. Complaints cluster around the power train and electrical system, with owners reporting transmission limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures. Recalls include engine, seat belt pretensioner, door latch, and air bag inflator subjects, so checking recall history is essential.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Toyota 86 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 14 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 2 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 3.5 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 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.
Toyota 86
- 01ENGINE5
- 02FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
- 04STRUCTURE2
- 05STEERING1
Owners report sudden engine failure while driving, causing loss of power and the vehicle becoming undrivable; one complaint notes the engine is a Subaru Boxer 4. This matters because a breakdown can strand you and lead to costly diagnosis.
Complaints describe a defective fuel pump that can make the vehicle unsafe to drive, and one owner notes pressing the brake harder helped keep the car from stalling. Two fuel pump recalls exist, so confirm the fix was applied.
One complaint describes a large metal object on the road with no opportunity to move over, and another questions whether Toyota Safety Sense P was actually included as claimed. These are less about a single part and more about expectations versus reality.
The structure complaint repeats the road-object incident, suggesting body damage from an impact rather than a manufacturing defect. For a buyer, this is a reminder to check for prior collision repairs.
“On [XXX], my 2019 Toyota 86 experienced a sudden engine failure while I was driving, causing the vehicle to lose power and become undrivable. The vehicle was towed to Camelback Toyota in Phoenix, AZ. The dealership initially diagnosed the failure as being cau…”
“Note: even though this is a Toyota vehicle, it has a Subaru Boxer 4 engine. This issue has happened twice this year, once at a stoplight back on May 20 and again Oct. 16 while in line at a Chic Filet. In both cases pressing the brake harder helped keep me fro…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report a recurring transmission malfunction where the truck goes into limp mode and gets stuck in 5th gear, and a lead frame issue that one owner says nearly ended their life. These failures can leave you without power on the road.
The lead frame problem also appears under electrical, and one owner describes a rear window defroster short that caused the back window to explode outward. Electrical faults here can affect both drivability and safety.
The rear window shattering complaint is filed here, with the owner noting no rocks or other vehicles were involved. This suggests a possible defect rather than road damage, so inspect the defroster and rear glass.
This is a top complaint category by count, though the sample text does not detail specific lighting failures. A buyer should still test all exterior lights and check for 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.
Toyota 86 — 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 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: Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2017 4Runner , 86, Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Corolla iM, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius C, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Sienna and Yaris vehicles. The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated…
The risk: A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the spare tires, adjusting their pressure as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2017. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074. Toyota's nu…
The defect: Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2017 Toyota 86 vehicles manufactured July 1, 2016 through August 11, 2016 equipped with an automatic transmission and ignition key. Vehicles with a push-to-start button or manual transmission are not affected. In the affected vehicles, i…
The risk: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the transmission is not in the "Park" position, the vehicle could roll away increasing the risk of a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition key/transmission interlock wiring connections, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in January 31, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service…
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
Toyota 86 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Toyota 86 has far fewer complaints per year (about 3.5) than the Ford F-150 (about 1,162), but the 86's small sample still shows serious engine and fuel pump failures. The F-150's much larger volume means more reported problems overall, especially transmission and electrical issues. In practice, the 86 is a simpler, lower-volume car, while the F-150 demands more vigilance on power train and electrical checks.
Key differences
- The Toyota 86's complaints center on engine failure and fuel pump defects, with two fuel pump recalls; the Ford F-150's center on transmission limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls over ten years versus 4 for the 86, so recall paperwork is a bigger part of F-150 ownership.
- The 86 has 3 injuries and 0 deaths in its data; the F-150 has 297 injuries and 1 death, reflecting both volume and crash exposure.
- Electrical complaints on the F-150 include a rear window defroster short that shattered the glass, while the 86's electrical sample is limited to an ignition recall subject.
- Ask for proof that both fuel pump recalls were performed, and listen for stalling or hesitation at idle or low speed.
- Check for any signs of engine replacement or major engine repair, and test drive for sudden power loss or unusual noises.
- Test the transmission for limp mode, delayed engagement, or sticking in a single gear, especially during repeated stop-and-go driving.
- Inspect the rear window defroster operation and look for cracks or prior glass replacement, given the reported shattering complaint.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN through NHTSA to confirm all recalls are closed, especially fuel pump recalls on the 86 and engine/air bag recalls on the F-150.
- On the 86, have a mechanic check fuel pressure and scan for engine fault codes before purchase.
- On the F-150, scan for transmission codes and test drive enough to trigger limp mode or harsh shifting.
- Inspect the F-150's rear glass and defroster, and check for water leaks or prior bodywork.
- Obtain a vehicle history report and a pre-purchase inspection focused on the complaint areas listed here.
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 | Toyota 86 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 44 |
| 2019 | 10 | 52 |
| 2018 | 1 | 79 |
| 2017 | 2 | 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 Toyota 86 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Toyota 86 vs FORD F 150
- Toyota 86 total complaints
- 14
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Toyota 86 total recalls
- 4
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Toyota 86 avg complaints/year
- 3.5
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Toyota 86
- Toyota 86 top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN