Head-to-head reliability
Toyota Corolla IM vs FORD F 150
How the Toyota Corolla IM 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 Corolla IM vs FORD F 150: The Corolla IM has 8 complaints over 2 years (4/yr) and 1 recall, while the F-150 has 11,311 complaints over 10 years (1,131/yr) and 145 recalls. The Corolla IM's issues include steering lock-ups and transmission failure, whereas the F-150's main problems are transmission harshness and electrical glitches. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Toyota Corolla IM or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Toyota Corolla IM
The Toyota Corolla IM is a compact hatchback that, in ownership terms, presents a mixed reliability picture. With only 8 complaints over two years, it appears relatively low-maintenance, but the issues reported are concerning: forward collision avoidance systems that fail to engage, steering lock-ups, and a transmission that can fail at highway speeds. These are not just annoyances; they point to potential safety-critical failures that could leave a driver stranded or in a dangerous situation.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume—over 11,000 in ten years—reflecting its popularity and the complexity of modern trucks. The dominant issues are in the powertrain, particularly the 10-speed automatic transmission, which owners describe as jerky, hard-shifting, and prone to sudden power loss. Electrical gremlins also surface, including camera and pre-collision system malfunctions. While the F-150 is a workhorse, these reports suggest that buyers should be prepared for potential transmission and electronic issues.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Toyota Corolla IM | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 8 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 1 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 2 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 4.0 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 Better | 287 |
| 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 Corolla IM
- 01FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE2
- 02STEERING2
- 03POWER TRAIN2
- 04TIRES1
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
Owners report that the forward collision warning and lane departure systems can malfunction or fail to activate, with error messages like 'Precollition system malfunction' and 'Headlight system malfunction' appearing. This means the safety tech may not work when needed, increasing collision risk.
There are reports of the steering wheel locking up during turns, which can cause loss of control and lead to crashes. This is a critical safety issue that could leave the driver unable to steer.
The transmission can suddenly lose power at highway speeds, with RPMs dropping to zero and the vehicle slowing down. This can be extremely dangerous, especially in traffic, and may require immediate towing and major repairs.
“ok so what had happen is the cars so call foward collision of the speific car did nit work steering wheel lock when i made a left turn and i hit a curve lane departure did not work or anything i just hit the curve and not too long ago on sept 2021 i had a fen…”
“"Precollition system malfunction" "visit your dealler". "Headlight system malfunction" " visit your dealer". Codes: B124C, C1AAO.”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The 10-speed automatic transmission is a major source of complaints, with owners experiencing hard shifts, clunks, jerks, and even sudden loss of power while driving. These issues can be unpredictable and may lead to accidents or breakdowns.
Many owners report electrical problems, including warning messages for front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist not available. These issues can disable safety features and may require repeated dealer visits to fix.
Headlight issues are common enough to have prompted recalls. Owners may experience dim or failing headlights, reducing visibility at night and increasing the risk of accidents.
“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 Corolla IM — 1 recall
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…
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 Corolla IM or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Toyota Corolla IM has far fewer complaints per year (4.0) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,131.1), indicating a lower frequency of reported issues. However, the Corolla IM's problems, such as steering lock-ups and transmission failure, are serious safety concerns. In practice, the F-150's higher volume reflects its widespread use, but the nature of its transmission and electrical issues means buyers should be prepared for potential repairs.
Key differences
- The Corolla IM has a much lower complaint rate (4 per year) than the F-150 (1,131 per year), but its issues include steering lock-ups and transmission failure, which are safety-critical.
- The F-150's most common problems are transmission harshness and electrical malfunctions, which are more frequent but often less immediately dangerous.
- The Corolla IM has only 1 recall, while the F-150 has 145, indicating a higher number of factory-identified defects in the truck.
- The F-150 has a higher number of crash-related complaints (328) and injuries (287) compared to the Corolla IM (2 and 3), but this is partly due to the F-150's larger sales volume.
- Inspect the steering system for any signs of binding or locking, and test the forward collision warning and lane departure systems to ensure they activate properly.
- Check the transmission for any signs of slipping or unusual behavior, especially during highway driving, and review maintenance records for any transmission work.
- Test drive the F-150 at various speeds and listen for hard shifts or clunks from the transmission, especially between 4th and 6th gears.
- Check for any warning lights related to the front camera or pre-collision system, and have the electrical system inspected for potential issues.
Before you buy
- For the Corolla IM: Have a mechanic inspect the steering column and forward collision sensors for any signs of malfunction.
- For the Corolla IM: Ask for service records related to the transmission and any recalls performed.
- For the F-150: Take the truck for an extended test drive that includes stop-and-go traffic and highway speeds to feel for transmission issues.
- For the F-150: Check the vehicle's recall status and ensure all recalls have been addressed, especially those related to lighting and electrical systems.
- For both: Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a certified mechanic who can check for common issues and provide a condition report.
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 Corolla IM | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 8 | 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 Toyota Corolla IM or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Toyota Corolla IM vs FORD F 150
- Toyota Corolla IM total complaints
- 8
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Toyota Corolla IM total recalls
- 1
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Toyota Corolla IM avg complaints/year
- 4.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Corolla IM
- Toyota Corolla IM top complaint area
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN