Head-to-head reliability
Toyota GR86 vs FORD F 150
How the Toyota GR86 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 GR86 vs FORD F 150: The GR86 has 46 complaints over 5 years (9.2/year) and 3 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years (1,162.1/year) and 151 recalls. The GR86's main issue is engine failure; the F-150's is power train problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Toyota GR86 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Toyota GR86
The Toyota GR86 is a sports coupe with a relatively low complaint volume: 46 complaints over 5 years, averaging 9.2 per year. The most common issue is engine failure, often linked to oil starvation, with owners reporting catastrophic damage. There are also fuel line rubbing concerns and minor lighting problems. Overall, it appears to have fewer reported problems per year than the Ford F-150, but the engine issues can be severe and expensive.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a very high complaint volume: 11,621 complaints over 10 years, averaging 1,162.1 per year. The most frequent problems involve the power train, electrical system, and engine, with many owners reporting transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and sudden electrical glitches. There are also reports of rear window shattering and other safety-related defects. This suggests a higher likelihood of encountering issues, some of which can be dangerous.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Toyota GR86 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 46 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 9.2 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 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 GR86
- 01ENGINE24
- 02FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM8
- 03EXTERIOR LIGHTING6
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
- 05POWER TRAIN3
Owners report catastrophic engine failure due to oil starvation, often with the oil light coming on shortly before failure. Some mention excessive oil consumption without warning and a defect where excess sealant (RTV) can block the oil pickup tube. This can lead to sudden, total engine failure and costly repairs.
Several owners found fuel lines rubbing against the hood or other components, wearing away the line's surface and risking a fuel leak or burst. This is a serious fire hazard if not addressed.
Complaints include license plate lights dangling or falling out, and rear turn signals failing to work properly in certain sunlight angles, causing hyperflash. These are minor but can affect visibility and safety.
Some owners report structural suspension issues, such as a 'cross-caster defect' after a tire blowout, and concerns about the RTV sealant issue causing engine oil starvation. These are less frequent but potentially serious.
“1. On [XXX] exactly 1 year after purchasing a 2022 Toyota GR 86 from Toyota of Catonsville the Vehicle's engine failed. Shortly before the failure, the oil light came on, indicating a potential issue with oil circulation. 2. The engine then failed catastrophi…”
“COMPONENT/SYSTEM FAILURE: Engine - Catastrophic engine failure due to oil starvation on August 4, 2025. FA24 engine consumed excessive oil without triggering oil pressure warning light or low oil level indicator. Oil was changed at 500 miles after purchase an…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Many owners experience transmission problems, including limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power. These issues can happen while driving and increase crash risk.
The lead frame issue also affects the electrical system, causing intermittent failures and limp mode. Additionally, some report rear window defroster shorts leading to shattered rear windows. These electrical gremlins can be unpredictable and dangerous.
Owners report rear window shattering outward, possibly due to defroster short circuits. This can happen without warning and poses a safety risk to occupants and other drivers.
While not detailed in the sample complaints, exterior lighting is a top component with 1,224 complaints. This suggests frequent issues with lights, which can affect visibility and safety.
“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 GR86 — 3 recalls
The defect: Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain Toyota 2023 GR Supra, 2024 4 Runner, Corolla, Grand Highlander, Grand Highlander Hybrid, Land Cruiser Hybrid, Tacoma, Tacoma Hybrid, 2023-2024 BZ4X, Corolla Cross Hybrid, GR Corolla, GR86, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius Prime, Sequoia…
The risk: A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: GST will mail new labels to owners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2024. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 24R2.
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 BRZ and Toyota GR86 vehicles. The rear turn signals may intermittently become inoperative.
The risk: Inoperative rear turn signals may not notify other drivers of a turning vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace both rear combination lamp assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Subaru owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Toyota owners may contact Toyota cus…
The defect: Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain Toyota 2023 GR Supra, 2024 4 Runner, Corolla, Grand Highlander, Grand Highlander Hybrid, Land Cruiser Hybrid, Tacoma, Tacoma Hybrid, 2023-2024 BZ4X, Corolla Cross Hybrid, GR Corolla, GR86, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius Prime, Sequoia…
The risk: A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: GST will mail new labels to owners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2024. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 24R2.
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 GR86 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Toyota GR86 has far fewer complaints per year (9.2 vs. 1,162.1), indicating a lower overall reported problem rate. However, the GR86's engine failures can be catastrophic, while the F-150's issues are more varied and include many safety-related defects. In practice, the GR86 may require less frequent repairs, but when problems occur they can be severe; the F-150 may have more numerous issues, some of which can be dangerous.
Key differences
- The Toyota GR86 averages 9.2 complaints per year, while the Ford F-150 averages 1,162.1 per year, a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- The GR86's most common complaint is engine failure due to oil starvation, which can be catastrophic; the F-150's top complaint is power train issues, including transmission limp mode and lead frame failures.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints, compared to the GR86's 3 recalls and 1 crash-related complaint, indicating more safety-related actions for the truck.
- Owners of the GR86 report fuel line rubbing that could lead to leaks, while F-150 owners report electrical shorts causing rear window shattering, both serious but different in nature.
- Check for any signs of oil consumption or low oil pressure warnings; listen for engine knocking or ticking that could indicate oil starvation.
- Inspect fuel lines in the engine bay for rubbing or wear marks, especially near the hood and injector rails.
- Test drive and watch for transmission shuddering, delayed engagement, or limp mode; check for stored codes related to the lead frame or output speed sensor.
- Inspect the rear window for cracks or signs of stress, and test the rear defroster for proper operation to avoid potential shattering.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection performed by a mechanic who specializes in the model, focusing on the common issues listed.
- For the GR86, ask the seller about oil change history and whether the RTV sealant issue has been addressed; for the F-150, ask about transmission service and lead frame replacement.
- During the test drive, pay attention to any warning lights, unusual noises, or transmission behavior.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been completed, especially for the F-150, which has many recalls.
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 GR86 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 | 4 | 345 |
| 2024 | 3 | 638 |
| 2023 | 18 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 21 | 3493 |
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 GR86 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Toyota GR86 vs FORD F 150
- Toyota GR86 total complaints
- 46
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Toyota GR86 total recalls
- 3
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Toyota GR86 avg complaints/year
- 9.2
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Toyota GR86
- Toyota GR86 top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN