Head-to-head reliability
Volkswagen Arteon vs FORD F 150
How the Volkswagen Arteon 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
Volkswagen Arteon vs FORD F 150: The Arteon averages about 21 complaints per year with 6 recalls, while the F-150 averages over 1,100 complaints per year with 145 recalls. The F-150 also has 287 injuries and 1 death reported, compared to none for the Arteon. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volkswagen Arteon or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volkswagen Arteon
The Volkswagen Arteon is a low-volume sedan, averaging about 21 complaints per year over five years. Most owner complaints center on tire delamination, where the tread separates from the tire, and on 'Travel assist unavailable' warnings that disable forward collision avoidance and lane departure systems. There are also reports of unintended acceleration tied to the electrical system. With 6 recalls and 3 crash-related complaints but no injuries or deaths reported, the Arteon's issues appear less frequent but still potentially serious.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume pickup with over 11,000 complaints in ten years, averaging more than 1,100 per year. The dominant problem is the power train, especially the 10-speed automatic transmission, which owners say shifts hard, jerks, clunks, and can lose power or shut off while driving. Electrical issues, including camera malfunctions and battery cable problems, are also common. With 145 recalls, 328 crash-related complaints, 287 injuries, and 1 death, the F-150's complaint volume and severity are far higher.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volkswagen Arteon | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 103 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 6 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 3 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 20.6 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.
Volkswagen Arteon
- 01TIRES45
- 02FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE27
- 03LANE DEPARTURE15
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12
- 05WHEELS12
Owners report tire delamination, where the tread separates from the tire body, which can cause a blowout or loss of control. This is the most common complaint and a critical safety concern for any buyer.
Drivers repeatedly see 'Travel assist unavailable' warnings, meaning the automatic braking and collision warning may not work when needed. The warnings appear unpredictably, often during turns after a stop.
The same 'Travel assist unavailable' message also disables lane-keeping assistance, so the car may not warn or steer you back if you drift. This reduces driver aid reliability.
At least one owner filed a formal complaint about unintended acceleration, where the car speeds up without driver input. This is a rare but potentially severe issue that needs immediate attention.
“Several of the tires showing delamination according to the dealership. Extremely hazardous to drive on tires as is. Manufacturer (Continental) advised me on 9/25/2025 they would replace 5 tires (car purchased new, came with full size spare). Continental repre…”
“Several of the tires showing delamination according to the dealership. Extremely hazardous to drive on tires as is. Manufacturer (Continental) advised me on 9/25/2025 they would replace 5 tires (car purchased new, came with full size spare). Continental repre…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Owners of F-150s with the 10-speed automatic report hard, delayed, or jerky shifts, and in some cases the truck loses all power and shuts off while driving. This can leave you stranded or cause a crash.
Common complaints include 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' warnings, plus battery cable issues. These can disable safety features and cause starting problems.
Headlight problems are frequently reported, which can reduce visibility at night and increase crash risk. Recalls exist for headlights, so check if yours was fixed.
Engine-related complaints and recalls are present, though less common than transmission issues. Problems can include stalling or poor performance, requiring costly 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.
Volkswagen Arteon — 6 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Arteon vehicles. The pressure input rod connection on the brake booster may be loose and could detach.
The risk: A detached pressure input rod will cause the brake pedal to fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the pressure input rod connection, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 28, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47R…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Arteon vehicles. The electronic brake booster pressure input rod may be installed incorrectly, possibly causing an increased actuating force or a disconnected input rod. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirem…
The risk: An increased actuating force or a disconnected input rod may affect braking, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the mounting of the pressure rod only or replace the electronic brake booster and mounting of the pressure rod, depending of the inspection results, free of charge. The re…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Arteon vehicles. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensors were incorrectly calibrated and may not detect the position of a wheel sensor after tire rotation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement…
The risk: The TPMS may misidentify a tire with low air pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wheel electronics and tire valves, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 25, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volksw…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan LWB, Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas FL and Arteon vehicles. The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze. As such, the…
The risk: A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this rec…
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
Volkswagen Arteon or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Volkswagen Arteon has far fewer complaints per year (about 21) than the Ford F-150 (over 1,100), and the F-150 also has many more recalls, injuries, and a death reported. In practice, the Arteon owner is less likely to face frequent repair visits, but the F-150's sheer volume means many trucks are on the road and problems are widespread. The Arteon's issues, while less frequent, include serious tire and unintended acceleration reports.
Key differences
- The Arteon's top complaint is tire delamination, a physical safety risk, while the F-150's top complaint is transmission failure that can cause power loss.
- The F-150 has 145 recalls versus 6 for the Arteon, meaning far more chances for safety defects.
- The F-150 has 287 injuries and 1 death reported, while the Arteon has 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
- The Arteon's driver-assist systems frequently throw 'Travel assist unavailable' errors, while the F-150's electrical issues often disable cameras and pre-collision assist.
- Inspect all tires for signs of delamination, such as tread separation or bulging, and check the spare. Ask if the tires have been replaced under the Continental program mentioned in complaints.
- Test the forward collision and lane departure systems during a test drive; watch for 'Travel assist unavailable' warnings, especially after stops or turns.
- Test drive the truck at various speeds and watch for hard, jerky, or delayed shifts, especially between 4-5, 5-6, and 7-8 gears. Any clunking or power loss is a major red flag.
- Check for recurring dashboard warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' and verify that all electrical recalls have been performed.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls are completed, especially for the F-150's many recalls.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the Arteon's tires and driver-assist systems, and the F-150's transmission and electrical system.
- During the test drive, specifically test the features mentioned in complaints: for the Arteon, the travel assist and lane keeping; for the F-150, the transmission shifting and camera warnings.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any transmission repairs or tire replacements.
- Check the NHTSA website for any additional complaints or recalls by VIN before buying.
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 | Volkswagen Arteon | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 39 | 1507 |
| 2022 | 12 | 3432 |
| 2021 | 42 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 2 | 33 |
| 2019 | 8 | 36 |
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 Volkswagen Arteon or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volkswagen Arteon vs FORD F 150
- Volkswagen Arteon total complaints
- 103
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Volkswagen Arteon total recalls
- 6
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Volkswagen Arteon avg complaints/year
- 20.6
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Volkswagen Arteon
- Volkswagen Arteon top complaint area
- TIRES
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN