Head-to-head reliability
Toyota Mirai vs FORD F 150
How the Toyota Mirai 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 Mirai vs FORD F 150: the Mirai logged 28 complaints over 10 years (about 2.8 per year) and 7 recalls, while the F-150 logged 11,621 complaints (about 1,162 per year) and 151 recalls. Mirai reports center on sudden power loss and fuel faults; F-150 reports center on transmission limp mode and lead-frame failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Toyota Mirai or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Toyota Mirai
The Toyota Mirai is a hydrogen fuel-cell sedan, so ownership already depends on finding fuel and service for a niche powertrain. Its complaint volume is low at about 2.8 per year over ten years, but the pattern is concerning: owners describe sudden loss of motive power, cascading dashboard warnings, and fuel-system trouble. With 7 recalls and 4 crash-related complaints, a buyer should treat this as a vehicle that needs careful history checks rather than a simple commuter.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume pickup with a correspondingly huge complaint count, about 1,162 per year over ten years, plus 151 recalls. The dominant theme is the powertrain: owners report transmissions stuck in limp mode or a single gear, and repeated lead-frame failures that some describe as nearly causing collisions. Electrical problems and a rear-window defroster that can shatter are also reported, so a used F-150 needs a thorough transmission and electrical inspection.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Toyota Mirai | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 28 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 7 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 4 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.8 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 2 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 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 Mirai
- 01FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE10
- 02FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM9
- 03VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
Owners report sudden total loss of motive power with multiple cascading warnings, and complaints about the Teammate Advanced Drive package malfunctioning. For a buyer, this means the driver-assist and warning systems can be tied to the car becoming unresponsive, not just a nuisance light.
Owners describe loss of power from contaminated hydrogen fuel that left the vehicle undrivable. Because it is a fuel-cell car, fuel quality and system faults can strand you, and repair options are limited compared with a gasoline vehicle.
Complaints include brakes pressed hard while the car kept accelerating on an exit ramp, and a slow reverse that suddenly accelerated into a wall. These are serious control complaints a buyer should weigh heavily.
Owners report losing motive power at low speed entering traffic and decelerating at highway speed despite pressing the accelerator. Electrical faults that cut power while moving are the kind of issue that matters most in daily driving.
“While driving in traffic, my 2023 Toyota Mirai suffered a sudden and total loss of motive power. The vehicle became completely unresponsive while in 'Drive', presenting a severe safety hazard. The dashboard displayed multiple cascading warnings, including 'FC…”
“I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to express my deep disappointment and frustration regarding the malfunction of the Teammate Advanced Drive package in my recent purchase of a 2022 Mirai Limited edition, with the Vehicle Identification Number (V…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners repeatedly cite lead-frame failures and a 2017 V8 with the 6-speed automatic going into limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, almost daily. Transmission and sensor faults that trigger limp mode can leave you with reduced power in traffic.
The same lead-frame problem appears under electrical complaints, and one owner reported highway limp mode from an output speed sensor failure after a recall software update. Electrical faults here can directly disable or degrade driving.
One owner reported the rear window defroster shorting and the back window exploding outward minutes after use. A shattered rear window is a safety and water-intrusion concern worth checking.
Exterior lighting is among the top complaint areas, though the sample text does not detail the specific failures. Buyers should still verify all lights, including trailer and bed lighting, work correctly.
“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 Mirai — 7 recalls
The defect: Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus LX 600, Lexus NX 350h, Lexus NX 450h+, Toytoa RAV4 Hybrid, 2021-2022 Lexus LS 500h, Toyota Mirai, RAV4 PRIME, Sienna, Venza, and 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The Skid Control ECU software may not turn on the…
The risk: Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the Skid Control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA03. Lexus' number…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Mirai, Lexus LS500, LS500H, 2023-2024 Lexus ES250, ES300H, ES350, 2024 Lexus LC500, and LC500H vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Due to incorrect programming of the parking-assist electronic cont…
The risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the parking assist ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TA01 and 24LA0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or d…
The risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's nu…
The defect: Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus LX 600, Lexus NX 350h, Lexus NX 450h+, Toytoa RAV4 Hybrid, 2021-2022 Lexus LS 500h, Toyota Mirai, RAV4 PRIME, Sienna, Venza, and 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The Skid Control ECU software may not turn on the…
The risk: Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the Skid Control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA03. Lexus' number…
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 Mirai or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Mirai has far fewer complaints per year, about 2.8 versus about 1,162 for the F-150, but its complaints involve sudden power loss and fuel-system faults on a niche hydrogen car. The F-150's much larger volume includes many transmission and electrical complaints, so in practice the Ford is easier to service but more likely to need powertrain attention.
Key differences
- Complaint volume is vastly different: about 2.8 per year for the Mirai versus about 1,162 per year for the F-150.
- The Mirai's complaints center on sudden loss of motive power, forward collision avoidance warnings, and contaminated hydrogen fuel.
- The F-150's complaints center on lead-frame and transmission limp-mode failures, including a 2017 V8 stuck in 5th gear.
- The F-150 also has a reported rear-window defroster short that shattered the back glass, while the Mirai's sample text focuses on power and fuel faults.
- Ask for the full service history and any recall work on the electronic stability control software and rear-view display, since those are listed recall subjects.
- Test drive and confirm there are no cascading dashboard warnings, and ask whether the car has ever lost power or had hydrogen fuel contamination issues.
- Check transmission behavior closely for limp mode, harsh shifts, or sticking in a single gear, and ask whether the lead frame or output speed sensor has been replaced.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster operation for signs of shorting or prior glass replacement, and confirm recall 26S28 software work was completed.
Before you buy
- Pull the NHTSA recall status by VIN for both vehicles and confirm all listed recalls were performed.
- For the Mirai, verify hydrogen fuel availability near you and get a fuel-cell system inspection.
- For the F-150, have a mechanic scan transmission codes and test drive for limp mode or harsh shifting.
- Check all electrical features, including lights, displays, and the rear defroster, during the test drive.
- Request complete maintenance records and ask specifically about prior power-loss or transmission complaints.
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 Mirai | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 | 0 | 345 |
| 2024 | 0 | 638 |
| 2023 | 6 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 10 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 1 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 1 | 44 |
| 2019 | 4 | 52 |
| 2018 | 2 | 79 |
| 2017 | 4 | 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 Mirai or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Toyota Mirai vs FORD F 150
- Toyota Mirai total complaints
- 28
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Toyota Mirai total recalls
- 7
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Toyota Mirai avg complaints/year
- 2.8
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Mirai
- Toyota Mirai top complaint area
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN