Head-to-head reliability
Toyota Avalon vs FORD F 150
How the Toyota Avalon 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 Avalon vs FORD F 150: The Avalon averages 47.9 complaints per year and has 26 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,162.1 complaints per year and has 151 recalls. The Avalon reports 11 deaths and 48 injuries in crash data, compared to 1 death and 297 injuries for the F-150. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Toyota Avalon or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Toyota Avalon
The Toyota Avalon is a full-size sedan that tends to have a lower complaint volume than trucks, averaging about 48 complaints per year over the past decade. Owners frequently report issues with air bags, electrical glitches, and forward collision avoidance systems that may not respond as expected. While the Avalon has fewer overall complaints, the presence of 11 deaths and 48 injuries in crash-related reports suggests some safety concerns. Buyers should be aware that some problems, like air bag recalls with unavailable parts, can leave owners waiting for repairs.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a popular full-size pickup with a much higher complaint rate, averaging over 1,160 complaints per year. The most common trouble spots are the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting, with many owners reporting transmission problems and lead frame issues. Despite the high complaint count, the F-150 has only 1 death reported in crash data, though there are 297 injuries. The sheer volume of complaints means buyers should expect more frequent visits to the shop for various repairs.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Toyota Avalon | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 479 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 26 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 51 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 47.9 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 48 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 11 | 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.
Toyota Avalon
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER78
- 02AIR BAGS59
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM58
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE54
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL52
Owners report that air bags may not deploy in a crash, as seen in a 2018 Avalon where frontal air bags failed to deploy in a collision. There are also complaints about recall repairs for air bag issues being delayed due to parts unavailability, leaving drivers without a fix.
Complaints include a mismatch between the analog speedometer and digital display, which dealers may say has no fix. Another owner reported the car jumping out of gear, causing grinding noises and requiring a mechanic to diagnose a sensor issue.
Some owners say the pre-collision braking system does not respond when cars ahead brake suddenly, potentially increasing crash risk. This is a concern because the system is meant to prevent or lessen collisions.
There are 52 complaints about vehicle speed control, though specific details are not provided in the sample. This could relate to unintended acceleration or cruise control issues, which are important for safe driving.
“On 11/27/25 around 11:30 am , I went to stop at a stop sign before approaching the main road. I went to stop at the stop sign and hit the brakes as I proceded to turn left on to the main Road there was a car coming on the main road and I hit my brakes to stop…”
“A. DAY DRIVING IMPAIRED VISIBILITY-REAR WINDSHIELD: A REAR WINDSHIELD VISIBILITY PROBLEM EXISTS WITH THE 2018 TOYOTA AVALON ON SUNNY DAYS.. THE COMBINATION OF THE STEEP ANGLE OF THE REAR WINDSHIELD AND THE LIGHT INTERIOR ON THE BACK DECK BEHIND THE REAR SEATS…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Many owners report transmission problems, such as the truck going into limp mode and getting stuck in 5th gear, often on a daily basis. A recurring 'lead frame' issue has been described as never-ending and can cause near collisions, requiring replacement of the part.
The lead frame issue also appears under electrical system complaints, with one owner saying it nearly ended their life. Another owner reported a rear window defroster short that caused the back window to shatter outward, which is a serious safety hazard.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting problems are common, though specific details are not in the sample. This could include failing headlights or brake lights, which affect visibility and safety.
There are 880 engine complaints, but the sample does not provide details. Engine issues can be costly and may lead to breakdowns, so buyers should check for recalls and service history.
“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 Avalon — 26 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the air bags an…
The risk: In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ECU and install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk beginning March 2, 2020.…
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 Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the air bags an…
The risk: In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ECU and install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk beginning March 2, 2020.…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300,…
The risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for…
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 Avalon or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Toyota Avalon has far fewer complaints per year (about 48) compared to the Ford F-150 (over 1,160), meaning Avalon owners report fewer problems overall. However, the Avalon has more reported deaths (11 vs. 1) and injuries (48 vs. 297) in crash data, though these numbers can be influenced by many factors. In practice, the F-150 may require more frequent repairs, while the Avalon's safety-related complaints warrant attention.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has a much higher complaint rate (1,162 per year) than the Toyota Avalon (48 per year), largely due to power train and electrical issues.
- Avalon owners frequently report air bag non-deployment and forward collision avoidance failures, while F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 26 for the Avalon, indicating more frequent recall campaigns for the truck.
- Crash-related complaints are higher for the F-150 (330) than the Avalon (51), but the Avalon has more reported deaths (11 vs. 1) and injuries (48 vs. 297).
- Check if the air bag recall (e.g., NHTSA campaign 20V024000) has been completed; if parts were unavailable, the fix may still be pending.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system and pre-collision braking at low speeds to see if it responds; some owners report it does not work.
- Test drive the truck and watch for transmission shuddering, limp mode, or getting stuck in 5th gear, which are common power train complaints.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster for signs of shattering or electrical shorts, as one owner reported the window exploding outward.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the transmission and electrical system for the F-150, and air bags and collision avoidance for the Avalon.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission services on the F-150 and any software updates for the Avalon.
- During a test drive, specifically test the features mentioned in complaints, such as the pre-collision braking on the Avalon and the transmission shifting on the F-150.
- Verify that any recall repairs have been completed by checking with a dealership, as some owners reported delays or unavailable parts.
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 Avalon | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 8 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 21 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 10 | 44 |
| 2019 | 70 | 52 |
| 2018 | 24 | 79 |
| 2017 | 14 | 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 Avalon or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
No VIN yet? Ask the seller.
A genuine seller should be happy to share it. Send this, then paste the VIN into the box above when it comes back.
Going to see one?
Get the Toyota Avalon inspection checklist by email, so you know what to look for when you're standing next to it.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Toyota Avalon vs FORD F 150
- Toyota Avalon total complaints
- 479
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Toyota Avalon total recalls
- 26
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Toyota Avalon avg complaints/year
- 47.9
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Avalon
- Toyota Avalon top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN