Head-to-head reliability
Toyota Scion FR S vs FORD F 150
How the Toyota Scion FR S 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 Scion FR S vs FORD F 150: The Scion averages 2.8 complaints per year with no recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,131.1 complaints and 145 recalls. Scion owners report sunroof explosions and power loss; F-150 owners face transmission jerks and electrical glitches. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Toyota Scion FR S or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Toyota Scion FR S
The Toyota Scion FR S is a niche sports coupe with a low complaint rate, averaging fewer than three per year over four years. Owners report isolated but dramatic failures, such as sunroof glass shattering at speed and sudden loss of power while driving. Electrical gremlins like moisture in tail lights and tire issues also appear, but the overall pattern is sporadic rather than systemic. With no recalls on record, it presents as a relatively low-drama ownership prospect, though the few incidents that do occur can be alarming.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume pickup with a much larger complaint footprint, averaging over 1,100 per year over a decade. The dominant issues center on the powertrain, particularly the 10-speed automatic transmission, which owners describe as hard-shifting, jerking, and occasionally losing power. Electrical system problems, including camera and pre-collision malfunctions, are also common. With 145 recalls and a history of crash-related incidents, the F-150 demands more vigilance from buyers, but its popularity means a wide range of model years and conditions to choose from.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Toyota Scion FR S | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 11 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.8 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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 Scion FR S
- 01VISIBILITY2
- 02POWER TRAIN2
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
- 04WHEELS2
- 05AIR BAGS1
Owners report the sunroof glass spontaneously exploding while driving, with loud booms and glass falling into the cabin. This is a safety hazard that can occur without warning, so inspect the sunroof for any signs of stress or prior replacement.
Some owners describe sudden loss of power, with the engine failing to respond and, in one case, the vehicle shutting off entirely while driving. Dealers sometimes cannot replicate the issue, making it a frustrating and potentially dangerous problem to diagnose.
Moisture inside tail lights is a reported issue, which can lead to bulb failure or corrosion. More seriously, one owner experienced a complete electrical shutdown while driving, affecting the radio, A/C, lights, wipers, and power steering.
Tire failures, including blowouts and punctures that cause separation, have been reported. While some are due to road hazards, the severity of the failures suggests that tire condition and pressure should be checked regularly.
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA SCION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 72 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED AND THE GLASS FELL INTO SUNROOF VISOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOS…”
“I WAS GETTING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I HEARD A REALLY LOUD BOOM. I GOT OUT OF MY CAR. I CHECKED MY CAR AND I SAW THAT MY TOP FRONT GLASS PANEL ALL BROKEN. THERE WERE NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME AND THE DAMAGE LOOKS EVEN ON BOTH END OF THE GLASS PANEL. *TR”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The most common issue is harsh shifting and jerking, especially in the 10-speed automatic transmission, with reports of clunks between gears and even sudden loss of power or vehicle shutdown. This can be a safety concern if it happens in traffic.
Many owners see warning messages for front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist not available on startup. These issues can disable safety features, so it's important to verify that all driver-assist systems are functioning.
Headlight problems are frequent enough to be a top complaint area, though specific symptoms are not detailed in the sample. Faulty headlights reduce visibility and can lead to failed inspections.
Engine-related complaints are numerous, but the sample does not specify exact issues. Given the high volume, buyers should listen for unusual noises, check for warning lights, and review service history for engine repairs.
“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 Scion FR S
No recalls on record.
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 Scion FR S or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Toyota Scion FR S has far fewer complaints per year (2.8 vs. 1,131.1) and no recalls, making it a lower-risk choice in terms of reported reliability issues. The F-150's problems are more widespread and include serious transmission and electrical failures, but its popularity means more data and a broader range of conditions. In practice, the Scion is likely to be less troublesome, but the F-150's issues are well-documented and can be checked for during a pre-purchase inspection.
Key differences
- The Scion FR S has a fraction of the complaints per year (2.8 vs. 1,131.1) and zero recalls, while the F-150 has 145 recalls.
- Scion owners report sporadic sunroof explosions and sudden power loss, whereas F-150 owners frequently cite hard-shifting transmissions and electrical glitches.
- The F-150 has a history of crash-related complaints (328) and injuries (287), while the Scion has none on record.
- The Scion's issues are more isolated, while the F-150's transmission problems appear to be a systemic pattern across many model years.
- Inspect the sunroof for any cracks, chips, or signs of previous replacement, as spontaneous glass explosion has been reported.
- Test drive at highway speeds and listen for any unusual noises or loss of power, and check for moisture inside tail lights.
- During a test drive, pay close attention to transmission shifts, especially between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, for any hard jerks or clunks.
- Start the truck and see if any warning lights appear for front camera or pre-collision assist; these are common electrical issues.
Before you buy
- For the Scion: have a mechanic inspect the sunroof mechanism and glass for stress fractures.
- For the Scion: check the tail light assemblies for any condensation or water ingress.
- For the F-150: perform a thorough test drive that includes stop-and-go traffic and highway speeds to evaluate transmission behavior.
- For the F-150: verify that all driver-assist features (camera, pre-collision) work without warning messages.
- For both: obtain a vehicle history report and check for any open recalls, especially for the F-150.
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 Scion FR S or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Toyota Scion FR S vs FORD F 150
- Toyota Scion FR S total complaints
- 11
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Toyota Scion FR S total recalls
- 0
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Toyota Scion FR S avg complaints/year
- 2.8
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Scion FR S
- Toyota Scion FR S top complaint area
- VISIBILITY
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN