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 (4.0/year) and 1 recall, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years (1,162.1/year) and 151 recalls. The F-150 also reports 330 crash-related incidents and 1 death, versus 2 crashes and 0 deaths for the Corolla IM. 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 with a very small complaint footprint: just 8 complaints over 2 years, averaging 4 per year. Owners report issues with forward collision avoidance, steering, and power train, but the low volume means these are isolated rather than widespread. With only 1 recall and no deaths reported, it appears to be a lower-risk used choice, though any single failure can still be serious.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a massive complaint history: 11,621 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 1,162 per year. Power train and electrical problems dominate, with many owners describing recurring transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and electrical glitches. With 151 recalls, 330 crash-related reports, and 1 death, it has a much higher reported rate of serious 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 | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 1 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 2 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 4.0 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 Corolla IM
- 01FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE2
- 02STEERING2
- 03POWER TRAIN2
- 04TIRES1
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
Owners report the forward collision system not working, with steering wheel lock during a left turn and lane departure failure leading to a crash. Another owner saw 'Precollition system malfunction' and 'Headlight system malfunction' messages with codes B124C and C1AAO. These failures could reduce driver assistance when needed most.
One owner described a steering wheel lock during a left turn, which contributed to hitting a curb. This suggests a potential loss of steering control that could be dangerous at any speed.
An owner reported that while driving at 65 mph, the RPM dropped to near zero, the car lost speed, brakes became hard to press, and the transmission blew out. This indicates a sudden loss of power and braking assist, which is a serious safety concern.
A owner had a rear left tire blowout, and Goodyear determined all four tires had defective belts from the manufacturer. This points to a possible batch defect that could lead to blowouts if not addressed.
“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 TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners repeatedly mention lead frame issues that have gone unresolved for over a decade, with one saying it nearly ended their life. Another owner described a 2017 F-150 V8 with a 6-speed automatic that went into limp mode and stuck in 5th gear almost daily. These transmission problems can cause sudden loss of speed and control.
The same lead frame issue also appears under electrical complaints, and one owner reported a 2017 F-150 entering highway limp mode due to an output speed sensor failure (code P0722) even after a recall software update. Another owner had a rear window defroster short that caused the back window to explode outward. Electrical faults can disable safety features and cause unexpected failures.
A owner reported that after using the rear window defroster for 2 minutes, the back window exploded outward and shattered with no external cause. This suggests a possible defect in the defroster or glass that could cause injury.
Although no specific complaint text is provided for exterior lighting, it is a top component with 1,224 complaints. Buyers should be aware that lighting failures could affect visibility and safety, and may be a recurring issue.
“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 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 — 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 Corolla IM or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Toyota Corolla IM has far fewer issues per year (4.0 vs. 1,162.1 for the Ford F-150), meaning a buyer is much less likely to encounter frequent or severe problems. In practice, the F-150's high complaint volume suggests a higher risk of recurring power train and electrical failures that could lead to costly repairs or safety incidents.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years versus only 8 for the Toyota Corolla IM over 2 years, a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- Ford F-150 owners frequently report transmission limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures, while Corolla IM owners report forward collision and steering malfunctions.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls and 330 crash-related reports, compared to 1 recall and 2 crash-related reports for the Corolla IM.
- Electrical system complaints are a top category for the F-150 (2,100 complaints), including a rear window explosion, while the Corolla IM has only 1 electrical complaint.
- Check for any stored codes or warning messages related to forward collision avoidance (e.g., B124C, C1AAO) and test the system if possible.
- Inspect tires for uneven wear or belt defects, especially if they are the original set, and verify the spare tire recall was addressed.
- Test drive and scan for transmission codes like P0722, and feel for harsh shifting, limp mode, or getting stuck in gear.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster for any signs of cracking or previous replacement, and check for electrical gremlins like flickering lights or sensor faults.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models using the NHTSA VIN lookup.
- For the Corolla IM, ask for proof that the spare tire recall was completed and have a mechanic scan for collision avoidance and steering codes.
- For the F-150, have a mechanic inspect the transmission and lead frame, and scan for any stored powertrain or electrical codes.
- Test drive both vehicles extensively, including highway speeds, to check for transmission slipping, limp mode, or steering issues.
- Review the NHTSA complaint database for specific model years to see if reported issues apply to the exact vehicle you are considering.
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 | 79 |
| 2017 | 0 | 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 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
- 11,621
- Toyota Corolla IM total recalls
- 1
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Toyota Corolla IM avg complaints/year
- 4.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Corolla IM
- Toyota Corolla IM top complaint area
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN