Head-to-head reliability
Toyota Yaris vs FORD F 150
How the Toyota Yaris 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 vs FORD F 150: The Yaris averaged 14.6 complaints per year over 10 years, while the F-150 averaged 1,131.1, with 24 versus 145 recalls. The F-150 also had 328 crash-related complaints compared to 36 for the Yaris. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Toyota Yaris or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Toyota Yaris
The Toyota Yaris is a subcompact car with a relatively low complaint volume: 146 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 15 per year. The most common owner-reported issues involve air bag warning lights, electrical glitches, and occasional engine vibrations or starting problems. With 24 recalls and 36 crash-related complaints, it's not trouble-free, but the pattern suggests fewer severe failures than larger trucks. For a first-time buyer, it may be a manageable used car if you check the specific trouble spots.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a very high complaint volume: 11,311 complaints over 10 years, averaging over 1,100 per year. Owners frequently report transmission problems, electrical glitches, and lighting issues, with many complaints tied to hard shifting or loss of power. With 145 recalls and 328 crash-related complaints, the F-150 demands more attention to maintenance and recall history. It can be a capable truck, but the data shows a higher likelihood of needing repairs.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Toyota Yaris | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 146 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 24 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 36 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 14.6 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 40 Better | 287 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 6 | 1 Better |
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
- 01AIR BAGS55
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM20
- 03VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL18
- 04ENGINE16
- 05SERVICE BRAKES14
Owners report the passenger air bag warning light illuminating and the seat belt chime sounding even when no one is in the passenger seat. This can mean the air bag may not deploy correctly in a crash, so have the sensor and wiring checked.
Complaints include Bluetooth failing to connect and intermittent no-start conditions where the engine cranks but won't start. These electrical gremlins can be frustrating and may require repeated dealer visits to diagnose.
Some owners describe unnecessary abrupt braking on the highway and collision-avoidance braking activating when parking near other vehicles. This unexpected braking could startle a driver and increase crash risk if it happens in traffic.
Reports include intense vibrations when coming to a stop and hesitation or multiple attempts needed to start the car. These issues can affect drivability and may point to engine or transmission problems that need professional diagnosis.
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA YARIS. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE SEAT BELT AUDIBLE WARNING CHIME SOUNDED, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO OCCUPANT SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT…”
“The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Yaris. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the seat belt light flashed on the instrument panel, indicating that the seat belt was not being worn. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was t…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Many owners report hard or delayed shifts, jerking, and clunking from the 10-speed automatic transmission, sometimes with a sudden loss of power. This can be dangerous if it happens in traffic and often requires transmission repairs.
Complaints include warning messages like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' appearing on start-up. These electrical faults can disable driver-assist features and may be costly to fix.
Headlight issues are common enough to be a top complaint category, though specific symptoms aren't detailed in the sample. Faulty lighting reduces visibility and can lead to safety inspections or accidents.
Engine-related complaints appear frequently, though the sample text focuses on transmission and electrical issues. Buyers should still check for rough running, warning lights, and recall history on the engine.
“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 Yaris — 24 recalls
The defect: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota Camry, Corolla, Rav4, Sienna, and Yaris iA vehicles equipped with factory-installed floor mats. The load carrying capacity modification label may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements…
The risk: An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: SET will notify owners and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. SET's number for this recall is S…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Yaris, Yaris Hatchback, and Yaris Sedan vehicles. An impeller within the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
The risk: A fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB05 a…
The defect: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota Camry, Corolla, Rav4, Sienna, and Yaris iA vehicles equipped with factory-installed floor mats. The load carrying capacity modification label may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements…
The risk: An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: SET will notify owners and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. SET's number for this recall is S…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Yaris, Yaris Hatchback, and Yaris Sedan vehicles. An impeller within the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
The risk: A fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB05 a…
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 Yaris or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Toyota Yaris has far fewer complaints per year (about 15) compared to the Ford F-150 (over 1,100). In practice, this means a Yaris owner is less likely to face frequent repair visits, while an F-150 owner may deal with more recurring issues, especially with the transmission and electrical systems.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has over 11,000 complaints in 10 years, while the Toyota Yaris has only 146, meaning the F-150 is reported far more often for problems.
- F-150 owners frequently report transmission jerking, hard shifts, and sudden power loss, which are not common themes in Yaris complaints.
- Yaris complaints often center on air bag warning lights and electrical no-start issues, which are less frequent but still safety-relevant.
- The F-150 has 145 recalls versus 24 for the Yaris, so truck buyers should check for open recalls more diligently.
- Check that the passenger air bag warning light is not illuminated and that the seat belt chime does not sound when the seat is empty.
- Test for intermittent starting problems and any intense vibrations when coming to a stop, as owners have reported these.
- Test-drive at various speeds to feel for hard or delayed shifts, jerking, or clunking from the transmission, especially between 4th and 8th gears.
- Look for warning messages like 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' on the dashboard when starting the truck.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all safety recalls have been performed, especially for the F-150's transmission and electrical recalls.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the transmission on the F-150 for shift quality and any stored fault codes.
- On the Yaris, verify the air bag system and seat belt sensors work correctly, and check for any electrical starting issues.
- Test-drive both vehicles in conditions that mimic your daily driving, including highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and be wary if the vehicle has a history of repeated repairs for the same issue.
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 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 9 | 33 |
| 2019 | 26 | 36 |
| 2018 | 4 | 56 |
| 2017 | 15 | 43 |
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 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Toyota Yaris vs FORD F 150
- Toyota Yaris total complaints
- 146
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Toyota Yaris total recalls
- 24
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Toyota Yaris avg complaints/year
- 14.6
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Yaris
- Toyota Yaris top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN