Head-to-head reliability
Toyota Tundra vs FORD F 150
How the Toyota Tundra 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 Tundra vs FORD F 150: Over 10 years, the Tundra averaged 163 complaints per year with 75 recalls, while the F-150 averaged 1,162 complaints per year with 151 recalls. The F-150 also had 330 crash-related complaints versus 34 for the Tundra. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Toyota Tundra or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Toyota Tundra
The Toyota Tundra is a full-size pickup that, based on NHTSA data, generates about 163 complaints per year over the past decade. Owners frequently report engine and power train problems, including sudden stalling, loss of power, and transmission issues. While the Tundra has fewer complaints than the F-150, the reported failures can be serious, such as an engine shutting off while driving. Buyers should expect a truck that is generally less complaint-prone but still has notable engine and fuel system concerns.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that averages over 1,160 complaints per year, far more than the Tundra. The most common trouble spots are the power train and electrical system, with owners describing transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and sudden loss of power. These issues can leave drivers stranded or in dangerous situations. The high volume of complaints and recalls suggests that living with an F-150 may require more frequent repairs and attention.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Toyota Tundra | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,633 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 75 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 34 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 163.3 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 36 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 Tundra
- 01ENGINE549
- 02POWER TRAIN323
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM261
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER197
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM190
Owners report the engine stalling without warning, such as a 2021 Tundra that 'just stopped running' with no check engine light. Another complaint describes the air conditioning compressor seizing, causing loud noise and sudden slowing. These failures can leave you stranded or cause loss of control.
Complaints include loss of power at highway speeds, with one owner losing all power at 70 mph and having to pull over with minimal control. Another reports the accelerator not responding when stepping on the gas. Such issues make merging and passing risky.
Owners describe sudden power loss while accelerating, with multiple dashboard lights flashing. One 2021 Tundra stalled completely and had to be towed. This can happen without warning, increasing crash risk.
While fewer complaints, some owners report issues with the SOS button not transmitting the correct VIN to the call center. This could delay emergency response. Electrical glitches may also affect other systems.
“Air conditioning compressor partially seizes if air conditioning is turned on while driving and when air conditioning knob is on at time engine is started. Makes very loud noise. When driving, and it occurs, truck will slow suddenly as if the brakes were appl…”
“Were were driving, my 2021 Toyota Tundra, just stopped running. No check engine lights had come on until the engine stalled as we coasted to a stop on the side of the road. We had it towed to the Central Maine Motor in Waterville, Maine 04901. Central Maine M…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
The most complained-about area, with owners reporting transmission limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that cause near collisions. One owner said the lead frame issue 'nearly ended my life.' These problems can occur daily and compromise safety.
Owners report the same lead frame issue affecting electrical components, plus rear window defroster shorts that can cause the back window to explode outward. Such failures are sudden and can be dangerous.
Complaints include rear window defroster short causing the window to shatter, and other unexplained electrical faults. These can be costly and frightening.
With 1,224 complaints, lighting issues are common. While not detailed in the sample, frequent lighting failures can reduce visibility and increase crash risk.
“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 Tundra — 75 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: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2008-2022 Sequoia and 2007-2021 Tundra vehicles. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.
The risk: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Tundra vehicles. The headlight electrical circuits may power the high and low beams simultaneously, which could overheat the electrical connector.
The risk: An overheated electrical connector can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will modify the engine wire harness assembly and replace any damaged bulb, bulb connector, and/or headlight assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota cus…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Toyota Tundra vehicles equipped with LED headlight assemblies. Due to a wiring error, the front turn signals may not flash brightly enough. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor…
The risk: If the turn signals or hazard lamps do not flash brightly enough, other drivers may fail to see that the turn signal or hazard lamp functions have been activated, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will modify the wire harness connected to the front turn signal bulbs free of charge. The recall began August 17, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-270-9371. Toyota's number fo…
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 Tundra or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Toyota Tundra has far fewer complaints per year (about 163) compared to the Ford F-150 (over 1,160). In practice, this means Tundra owners report fewer problems overall, but the issues they do report—like stalling and power loss—can still be serious. The F-150's higher complaint rate suggests more frequent trips to the shop and a higher chance of encountering transmission or electrical faults.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has over 11,600 complaints in 10 years, while the Toyota Tundra has about 1,600—a seven-fold difference.
- F-150 owners frequently report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures causing loss of power; Tundra owners report engine stalling and sudden power loss.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 75 for the Tundra, indicating more safety-related fixes.
- F-150 complaints include rear window shattering from defroster shorts; Tundra complaints include moonroof glass exploding spontaneously.
- During a test drive, listen for loud noises when turning on the A/C and feel for sudden slowing—this could indicate a seizing A/C compressor that some owners report.
- Check for any history of engine stalling or loss of power; ask if the fuel pump recall was performed, as fuel delivery issues are a top complaint.
- Test the transmission thoroughly: look for harsh shifting, getting stuck in gear, or limp mode, especially in 2017 models with the 6-speed automatic.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for signs of shorting or overheating, and check for any cracks or previous shattering, as owners report windows exploding.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission and engine for signs of the specific issues reported (e.g., lead frame on F-150, fuel pump on Tundra).
- Test drive at highway speeds and during acceleration to check for power loss or hesitation.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any transmission or electrical repairs.
- For the F-150, verify that the lead frame and output speed sensor recalls have been addressed.
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 Tundra | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 | 134 | 345 |
| 2024 | 341 | 638 |
| 2023 | 408 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 428 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 24 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 46 | 44 |
| 2019 | 74 | 52 |
| 2018 | 100 | 79 |
| 2017 | 78 | 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 Tundra or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Toyota Tundra vs FORD F 150
- Toyota Tundra total complaints
- 1,633
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Toyota Tundra total recalls
- 75
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Toyota Tundra avg complaints/year
- 163.3
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Tundra
- Toyota Tundra top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN