Head-to-head reliability
Toyota Yaris IA vs FORD F 150
How the Toyota Yaris IA 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 Yaris IA vs FORD F 150: The Yaris IA has 65 complaints over 3 years and 0 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years and 151 recalls. The F-150 also has 330 crash-related complaints versus 9 for the Yaris IA. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Toyota Yaris IA or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Toyota Yaris IA
The Toyota Yaris IA is a subcompact car with a relatively low complaint volume: 65 complaints over 3 years, averaging about 22 per year. There are no recalls on record, but owners report issues with the engine, fuel system, and electrical components, often involving starting problems or warning lights. The 9 crash-related complaints and 6 injuries suggest some incidents, though the overall pattern points to intermittent annoyances rather than widespread failures. For a first-time buyer, it may be a manageable used car if you check those systems carefully.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume: 11,621 complaints over 10 years, averaging over 1,100 per year. It has 151 recalls and a wide range of reported problems, especially with the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting. Owners describe serious issues like transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and even a rear window shattering. The 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries indicate that some problems can have safety consequences.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Toyota Yaris IA | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 65 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 9 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 21.7 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 6 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 Yaris IA
- 01ENGINE12
- 02FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM12
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER9
- 05AIR BAGS9
Owners report warning lights (Forward Collision Avoidance, TPMS) and acceleration failure, as well as difficulty starting and transmission hesitation. These can leave you stranded or slow to react in traffic.
Complaints include cranking but not starting, especially in hot weather, and intermittent acceleration issues. This can be frustrating and potentially dangerous if the car won't start or accelerate as expected.
Owners describe Bluetooth connectivity problems and the car cranking but not starting, which may be linked to electrical faults. These issues can affect daily convenience and reliability.
There are 9 complaints about air bags, though specific details are not provided in the sample. Any air bag concern is worth checking because it relates to occupant protection in a crash.
“The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Yaris IA. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Forward Collision Avoidance and TPMS warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to…”
“The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Yaris. The contact initially stated that multiple attempts were needed to start his vehicle. When the vehicle would start, the transmission would hesitate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal with several unknown warning…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report transmission limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power. One owner said a lead frame issue 'nearly ended my life,' highlighting the safety risk.
Complaints include output speed sensor failure leading to highway limp mode, and a rear window defroster short that caused the back window to explode outward. These electrical faults can be dangerous and expensive.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting problems are common, though specific symptoms are not detailed in the sample. Faulty lights can reduce visibility and increase crash risk.
Engine issues are reported, and there are recalls related to the engine. While the sample does not describe specific engine symptoms, the high complaint count suggests owners experience significant problems.
“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 Yaris IA
No recalls on record.
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 Yaris IA or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Toyota Yaris IA has far fewer issues per year (about 22 complaints annually) compared to the Ford F-150 (over 1,100 annually). In practice, this means a Yaris IA owner is less likely to face frequent repairs or safety-related failures, while an F-150 owner may deal with recurring problems like transmission limp mode or electrical faults. However, the F-150's higher volume also reflects its popularity and longer production run.
Key differences
- The Yaris IA has 0 recalls and 65 complaints over 3 years, while the F-150 has 151 recalls and 11,621 complaints over 10 years.
- Yaris IA owners report starting and acceleration issues; F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures that can cause sudden power loss.
- The F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries, compared to 9 crash-related complaints and 6 injuries for the Yaris IA.
- Electrical problems in the F-150 include a rear window shattering from a defroster short, while Yaris IA electrical issues are more about connectivity and starting.
- Check for intermittent starting problems: listen for cranking without starting, especially after the car has been sitting or in hot weather.
- Test all electrical features, including Bluetooth and warning lights, and ask if the forward collision avoidance or TPMS lights have come on unexpectedly.
- Test drive at highway speeds and watch for transmission limp mode, hesitation, or getting stuck in a gear; ask if the lead frame or output speed sensor has been replaced.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster for cracks or signs of repair, and check for any electrical gremlins like warning lights or sensor failures.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to check for open recalls on either vehicle, especially the F-150's many campaigns.
- Take a long test drive that includes highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic to feel for transmission or acceleration issues.
- Ask for maintenance records, particularly for transmission fluid changes on the F-150 and fuel system repairs on the Yaris IA.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the engine, transmission, and electrical systems.
- Verify that all warning lights work and that none stay illuminated after starting the car.
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 Yaris IA | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 26 | 52 |
| 2018 | 8 | 79 |
| 2017 | 31 | 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 Yaris IA or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Toyota Yaris IA vs FORD F 150
- Toyota Yaris IA total complaints
- 65
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Toyota Yaris IA total recalls
- 0
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Toyota Yaris IA avg complaints/year
- 21.7
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Yaris IA
- Toyota Yaris IA top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN