Head-to-head reliability
Toyota Sienna vs FORD F 150
How the Toyota Sienna 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 Sienna vs FORD F 150: The Sienna has 766 complaints and 44 recalls over 10 years, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints and 151 recalls. That's about 77 versus 1,162 complaints per year. The F-150 reports more power train and electrical failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Toyota Sienna or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Toyota Sienna
The Toyota Sienna is a minivan that owners often keep for family hauling, and the complaint pattern reflects that use. Over 10 years, it has 766 complaints (about 77 per year) and 44 recalls. The most common gripe is the seats, with 234 complaints, often about loud popping or jamming. There are also reports of power sliding doors closing on children and water leaks near airbags, so a used Sienna needs a careful look at family-specific features.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume: 11,621 over 10 years (about 1,162 per year) and 151 recalls. Power train and electrical problems dominate, with 3,648 and 2,100 complaints respectively. Owners describe transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and even rear windows shattering. That means a used F-150 demands extra scrutiny of its transmission and electronics.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Toyota Sienna | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 766 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 44 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 36 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 76.6 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 43 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 Sienna
- 01SEATS234
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER118
- 03POWER TRAIN80
- 04SERVICE BRAKES74
- 05STRUCTURE60
Owners report loud popping noises when the driver's seat moves, and second-row seats jamming on all-weather floor mats so they won't slide. This matters because a jammed seat can trap a child in the third row.
Complaints include a power sliding door closing on a child and water leaking from the seat belt area after heavy rain, staining the headliner near the airbag. These are safety concerns for families with kids.
Some owners describe shuddering, jumping RPM at ignition, hard acceleration, and even the engine shutting off while driving. That sudden loss of power can be dangerous, especially with children aboard.
Reports mention brake pedal skidding, ABS warning lights, and abnormal sounds during low-speed turns. Brake issues on a heavy van can lengthen stopping distances when you need them most.
“We brought our 2022 Toyota Sienna in for service January 2024 for the driver's seat. The seat would make really loud popping noises that sounded like something was loose when the seat moved forward and backward. We brought the vehicle in, and the service tech…”
“PLEASE NOTE THAT THE TOYOTA ALL WEATHER FLOOR MATS INCLUDED WITH THE 2020 SIENNA DO NOT ALLOW THE 2ND ROW SEATS TO SLIDE BACK AND FORTH ON THE RAILS WITHOUT GETTING JAMMED ON THE MATS. MY SON WAS IN THE 3RD ROW AND THE SEAT GOT JAMMED N THE MAT AND HE COULD N…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners frequently report transmission limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that cause near collisions. These problems can leave you without power on the highway, so a used F-150's transmission history is critical.
The same lead frame issue appears here, plus output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. Electrical gremlins can strand you and are often expensive to diagnose and fix.
One owner reported the rear window exploding outward after using the defroster, likely due to a short. Shattering glass is a serious safety and injury risk.
With 1,224 complaints, lighting problems are common, though specific failure text isn't provided. Faulty lights affect visibility and can lead to tickets or accidents.
“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 Sienna — 44 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2…
The risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models wil…
The defect: Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain modified 2017-2020 Toyota Sienna vehicles. The steering shaft extensions may have been improperly manufactured, possibly causing the extensions to fracture.
The risk: If the steering shaft extension completely fractures, it can cause a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Braun has notified owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft extensions, free of charge. The recall began July 25, 2019. Owners may contact Braun customer service at 1-800-488-0359.
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Sienna Hybrid vehicles. The bolts for the seatbacks on the third-row seat assemblies may not be tightened properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard…
The risk: An improperly tightened seatback may not adequately restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the seat assembly bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 25TA05.
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Sienna vehicles equipped with seating for eight passengers. An incorrect seat belt webbing guide may have been installed on the outboard second-row seat belt assemblies.
The risk: During seat belt pre-tensioner deployment, the incorrect webbing guide may damage the seat belt webbing, causing it to tear and increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the outboard second-row seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are…
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 Sienna or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Toyota Sienna has far fewer complaints per year (about 77) than the Ford F-150 (about 1,162), and fewer recalls (44 vs 151). In practice, that means a used Sienna is likely to need less frequent repair visits for major systems, while an F-150 may demand more attention to its transmission and electronics.
Key differences
- The Sienna averages about 77 complaints per year; the F-150 averages about 1,162 per year, a huge gap in reported issues.
- Sienna owners most often complain about seats (234) and sliding doors, while F-150 owners report power train (3,648) and electrical (2,100) failures.
- F-150 complaints include transmission limp mode and lead frame failures that can cause near collisions; Sienna complaints include seat jamming and water leaks near airbags.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 44 for the Sienna, meaning more potential safety campaigns to track.
- Test the driver's seat forward and backward for loud popping or looseness, and check that second-row seats slide freely without jamming on floor mats.
- Operate the power sliding doors and look for signs of water leaks around the seat belts and headliner after rain.
- During a test drive, watch for transmission shudder, delayed engagement, or limp mode, and ask if the lead frame or output speed sensor has been replaced.
- Check the rear window defroster for proper function and inspect the glass for cracks or prior shattering.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls have been repaired, especially for the Sienna's seats and the F-150's power train.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the Sienna's seats, sliding doors, and brakes, or the F-150's transmission and electrical system.
- For the Sienna, test all seat adjustments and sliding doors multiple times, and look for water stains near the airbags.
- For the F-150, scan for stored transmission codes and test drive at highway speeds to check for limp mode or harsh shifting.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any transmission or electrical repairs on the F-150.
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 Sienna | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 | 267 | 345 |
| 2024 | 66 | 638 |
| 2023 | 66 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 15 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 43 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 38 | 44 |
| 2019 | 45 | 52 |
| 2018 | 72 | 79 |
| 2017 | 154 | 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 Sienna or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Toyota Sienna vs FORD F 150
- Toyota Sienna total complaints
- 766
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Toyota Sienna total recalls
- 44
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Toyota Sienna avg complaints/year
- 76.6
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Sienna
- Toyota Sienna top complaint area
- SEATS
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN