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 47.8 complaints per year and has 26 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,131.1 complaints per year and has 145 recalls. The Avalon reports 11 deaths and 48 injuries; the F-150 reports 1 death and 287 injuries. 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 averages about 48 complaints per year over the past decade, with 26 recalls. Owner reports cluster around airbag recalls, electrical glitches like warning lights and moisture issues, and forward collision avoidance problems, including a fatal rollaway. While the overall complaint rate is lower than the F-150's, the presence of 11 deaths and 48 injuries in the data suggests some incidents are severe.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that generates roughly 1,131 complaints per year, far more than the Avalon, along with 145 recalls. The dominant issue is the power train, especially transmission problems like hard shifts and sudden power loss, followed by electrical system faults and exterior lighting failures. With 287 injuries and 328 crash-related complaints, the data indicates a higher volume of safety-related reports.
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 | 478 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 26 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 51 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 47.8 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 48 Better | 287 |
| 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 unresolved airbag recalls, particularly for 2020-2021 models, with complaints about dealership mishandling and long waits for fixes. This matters because an unfixed airbag may not deploy correctly in a crash.
Complaints include all instrument panel lights illuminating, moisture in brakes, and warning lights that return after costly repairs. These glitches can distract the driver and may indicate persistent sensor or wiring faults.
A fatal rollaway incident and braking issues at stop signs are reported, suggesting problems with the automatic braking or collision warning system. Buyers should be aware that these systems may not always perform as expected.
With 52 complaints, owners may experience unintended acceleration or cruise control faults, though specific sample text is not provided. This area warrants a test drive and recall check.
“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…”
“I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY RADIO HANGING UP PHONE CALLS AND SEVERAL OTHER THINGS. AFTER TAKING MY CAR SEVERAL TIME I WAS TOLD IT WILL BE REPLACED. I TOOK MY CAR AND LEFT IT OVER NIGHT MARCH 18TH AND MARCH 19TH. IT HAD A CHARGING LIGHT ON SO THEY SAID…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Owners frequently report hard or delayed shifts, jerking, and sudden loss of power with the 10R80 transmission, sometimes accompanied by loud bangs. These failures can leave a driver stranded or cause loss of control.
Complaints include warning messages like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available,' as well as transmission-related electrical noises. These issues can disable safety aids and are often intermittent.
With 1,164 complaints, headlight failures are common, which can reduce visibility at night. Recalls for headlights confirm this is a recurring safety concern.
Engine-related complaints number 847, though sample text is not provided; recalls include engine issues. Buyers should check for rough running, stalls, or oil leaks.
“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.
Toyota Avalon — 26 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2…
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 assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models wil…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Toyota Avalon and 2020 Avalon Hybrid, RAV4, and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. Breakaway pins within the steering column, designed to absorb energy and reduce injury during a crash, could have been damaged during production, po…
The risk: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not perform as designed can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB17/20TA17.
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Toyota Avalon and 2020 Avalon Hybrid, RAV4, and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. Breakaway pins within the steering column, designed to absorb energy and reduce injury during a crash, could have been damaged during production, po…
The risk: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not perform as designed can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB17/20TA17.
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
Toyota Avalon or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Toyota Avalon has far fewer complaints per year (about 48 vs. 1,131 for the F-150), meaning owners report fewer problems overall. However, the Avalon's data includes 11 deaths and 48 injuries, while the F-150 has 1 death and 287 injuries, so the severity and type of incidents differ. In practice, the Avalon may require less frequent repair visits, but the F-150's higher volume of reports suggests more widespread issues.
Key differences
- The F-150 has over 23 times more complaints per year than the Avalon, with power train issues dominating its reports.
- Avalon complaints often involve airbag recalls and electrical glitches, while F-150 complaints center on transmission failures and lighting problems.
- The Avalon has 11 reported deaths and 48 injuries; the F-150 has 1 death and 287 injuries, indicating different patterns of harm.
- The F-150 has 145 recalls versus 26 for the Avalon, suggesting more frequent safety-related fixes for the truck.
- Check for open airbag recalls (e.g., 23TA15) and confirm they have been remedied, as owners report long delays and unresolved issues.
- Test all electrical functions, including instrument panel lights and driver-assist features, for intermittent warnings or moisture-related faults.
- During a test drive, pay close attention to transmission shifts, especially between 4-5, 5-6, and 7-8 gears, for jerking or delayed engagement.
- Check for dashboard warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' and ensure headlights work properly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and confirm all recalls are closed, especially airbag recalls for the Avalon and lighting/engine recalls for the F-150.
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission on the F-150 for shift quality and any stored codes.
- For the Avalon, test the forward collision avoidance system and check for any electrical gremlins.
- Verify that the F-150's electrical system, including cameras and sensors, functions without error messages.
- Ask for maintenance records and check for repeated repairs in the same area, which may indicate a persistent problem.
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 | 3432 |
| 2021 | 21 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 10 | 33 |
| 2019 | 69 | 36 |
| 2018 | 24 | 56 |
| 2017 | 14 | 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 Toyota Avalon or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Toyota Avalon vs FORD F 150
- Toyota Avalon total complaints
- 478
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Toyota Avalon total recalls
- 26
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Toyota Avalon avg complaints/year
- 47.8
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Avalon
- Toyota Avalon top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN