Head-to-head reliability
Volvo EC40 vs FORD F 150
How the Volvo EC40 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
Volvo EC40 vs FORD F 150: The EC40 has 0 complaints over 2 years, while the F-150 has 11,311 complaints over 10 years, with powertrain issues leading. The F-150 also has 145 recalls and 328 crash-related complaints, whereas the EC40 has only 3 software recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volvo EC40 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volvo EC40
The Volvo EC40 is a relatively new electric vehicle with a very short complaint history—zero owner complaints over two years. This suggests that early owners have not reported any systematic mechanical or electrical failures to NHTSA. The three recalls it has are all software-related, covering brake control and backup prevention systems, which are typically addressed with over-the-air updates or dealer visits. For a first-time buyer, this points to a vehicle that is still establishing its long-term reliability record, but with no red flags from owner-reported issues so far.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a long-running, high-volume pickup with a decade of complaint data showing a high rate of owner-reported problems, averaging over 1,100 complaints per year. The dominant issues are in the powertrain, electrical system, and exterior lighting, with owners frequently describing harsh shifting, loss of power, and malfunctioning driver-assist features. With 145 recalls and over 300 crash-related complaints, the F-150's reliability record is concerning, especially for a vehicle that is often used for work and family hauling. Buyers should expect a higher likelihood of encountering these issues and should budget for potential repairs.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volvo EC40 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 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.
Volvo EC40
No component data available.
The recall indicates a software issue in the brake control module that could affect power assist. Owners may experience reduced braking assistance, which is critical for safety. Ensure the recall fix is applied before purchase.
Two recalls relate to the backup camera or rear obstacle detection software. This could cause the rearview camera or sensors to malfunction, increasing the risk of backing into objects or people. Verify that the software updates are installed.
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Owners report hard and delayed shifts, especially in the 10-speed automatic transmission, with symptoms like jerking, clunking, and even sudden loss of power while driving. This is a serious safety concern as it can lead to unexpected stalls in traffic.
Complaints include warning messages for front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist not available, indicating issues with driver-assist systems. Also, there are reports of loud bangs from the transmission and rear suspension, possibly linked to electrical or sensor problems.
Headlight-related recalls and complaints suggest potential failures in headlight function, which can reduce visibility at night and increase accident risk. Owners may need frequent bulb or assembly replacements.
Engine-related complaints are common, though specific details are not provided in the sample. Given the high number, expect issues like stalling, rough idling, or check engine lights, which can be costly to diagnose and repair.
“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.
Volvo EC40 — 3 recalls
The defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2023 Volvo C40 BEV, 2025 EC40, 2023-2024 XC40 BEV, 2020-2026 XC90 PHEV, 2022-2026 XC60 PHEV, 2023-2025 S60 PHEV, 2024-2025 V60 PHEV, and 2025-2026 EX40 and 2025 S90 PHEV vehicles. In certain driving scenarios while coasting down a hill and using "…
The risk: A loss of brake function increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to use "B" Mode (for plug-in hybrid vehicles) or "One Pedal Drive" (for pure electric vehicles) until the repair has been completed. The brake module software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free o…
The defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, C40, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40 and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply wi…
The risk: A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for…
The defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2024 C40BEV, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40, and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fai…
The risk: A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 24, 2026. Owners may contact Volvo Car’s customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's numb…
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
Volvo EC40 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Volvo EC40 has far fewer reported issues per year (0 complaints vs. over 1,100 for the F-150), indicating a much lower likelihood of owner-reported problems. In practice, this means EC40 buyers are less likely to face unexpected breakdowns or repair bills, while F-150 buyers should be prepared for potential transmission and electrical issues. However, the EC40's short history means long-term reliability is still unproven.
Key differences
- The EC40 has zero owner complaints, while the F-150 has over 11,000, with powertrain issues being the most frequent.
- F-150 owners report dangerous transmission failures, including sudden loss of power, which are not present in EC40 data.
- The EC40's recalls are all software-related, whereas the F-150 has a mix of recalls covering headlights, batteries, engine, and seats.
- The F-150 has a higher rate of crash-related complaints (328) and injuries (287), suggesting a greater safety risk from failures.
- Check that all three software recalls have been performed, especially the brake control module update, as it directly affects braking performance.
- Since there are no owner complaints, focus on general EV checks like battery health and charging system, but no specific red flags from data.
- Test drive the F-150 through all gears, especially 4-5 and 5-6 shifts, to feel for hard jerks or clunks that indicate transmission problems.
- Inspect the exterior lighting, including headlights, for any flickering or failure, and verify that all recall repairs are completed.
Before you buy
- For the EC40, confirm with the dealer that all recalls are completed and get a printout of the service history.
- For the F-150, request a transmission fluid change and have a mechanic inspect the transmission for any signs of wear or previous repairs.
- Check the F-150's electrical system by starting the vehicle and watching for any warning lights, especially for camera or pre-collision assist.
- For both vehicles, obtain a vehicle history report to check for any previous accidents or major repairs.
- Consider purchasing an extended warranty for the F-150 to cover potential powertrain and electrical failures.
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 | Volvo EC40 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 24 |
| 2025 | 0 | 329 |
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 Volvo EC40 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volvo EC40 vs FORD F 150
- Volvo EC40 total complaints
- 0
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Volvo EC40 total recalls
- 3
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Volvo EC40 avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Volvo EC40
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN