Head-to-head reliability
Volvo EX40 vs FORD F 150
How the Volvo EX40 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 EX40 vs FORD F 150: The EX40 has 3 complaints and 4 recalls over 2 years, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints and 151 recalls over 10 years, including 330 crashes and 297 injuries. The EX40's few complaints involve sudden brake and power loss; the F-150's most common issue is transmission limp mode. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volvo EX40 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volvo EX40
The Volvo EX40 is a newer electric SUV with very few complaints—only 3 over 2 years—but those complaints describe serious sudden brake and power failures. Owners report brake failure, loss of power steering, and complete power loss while driving, often with multiple warning lights. Four recalls, including two for brake software and two for backup prevention software, suggest the issues are known and being addressed. For a buyer, this means low complaint volume but potentially high severity if a failure occurs.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a massive complaint history: over 11,600 complaints in 10 years, including 330 crashes, 297 injuries, and 1 death. The most common problems are transmission and electrical issues, especially the 'lead frame' defect that can cause sudden limp mode or gear failure. Recalls are frequent (151), covering engines, seat belts, doors, and airbags. This truck has a long-standing pattern of serious, recurring safety defects that owners say have not been fully fixed.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volvo EX40 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.5 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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.
Volvo EX40
- 01SERVICE BRAKES2
- 02POWER TRAIN2
- 03STEERING1
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
- 05ENGINE1
Owners report that tapping the brakes can cause complete brake failure, with all warning lights flashing and messages like 'Stop Safely Brake Failure.' This is terrifying in traffic and could lead to a crash if it happens at speed.
Complaints describe the vehicle losing power entirely while driving, with steering and hazard lights going dead and wipers turning on by themselves. This leaves the driver unable to control the car, especially dangerous on a highway.
Along with brake failure, owners report losing power steering simultaneously, making the car very hard to steer. This combination of brake and steering loss in one event is a major safety concern.
The electrical failures appear tied to the power loss incidents, where the car shuts down and accessories like hazard lights and wipers behave erratically. This suggests a software or control module issue that can disable critical functions.
“I was driving on the freeway in traffic, thankfully going about +/- 25 mph and had to stop/slow down. When I tapped the breaks, they completely failed. All warning lights in the car immediately came on including the warning 'Stop Safely Break Failure'. I pres…”
“Applied the brake while approaching a crosswalk and suddenly multiple warning notifications appeared on dashboard (brake failure, collision avoidance system not functioning, etc) and every warning light started flashing. Lost power steering and brakes. Had to…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
The most common complaint is transmission problems, especially the 'lead frame' defect that causes sudden limp mode, stuck gears, or failure to shift. Owners report near-collisions and say the issue recurs even after repairs, making the truck unreliable and dangerous.
Electrical issues often stem from the same lead frame or output speed sensor failures, triggering limp mode and error codes. Owners also report rear window defroster shorts that can cause the back window to shatter unexpectedly.
Many complaints fall into this catch-all, including the rear window shattering due to a defroster short. This shows that even non-drivetrain systems can fail in surprising and hazardous ways.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting problems are frequent, though specific details are not provided in the sample. Buyers should check all lights and wiring for corrosion or faults.
“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.
Volvo EX40 — 4 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 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 — 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
Volvo EX40 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Volvo EX40 has far fewer issues per year (1.5 complaints/year) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,162 complaints/year). However, the EX40's few complaints involve sudden brake and power loss, which are severe. The F-150's huge complaint volume includes many crashes and injuries, indicating a widespread, persistent safety problem. In practice, the EX40 may be less likely to leave you stranded, but any failure could be catastrophic; the F-150 is more likely to have recurring problems that affect daily driving and safety.
Key differences
- Complaint volume: Volvo EX40 has 3 complaints in 2 years; Ford F-150 has 11,621 in 10 years—a massive difference in reported problems.
- Severity: EX40 complaints describe sudden brake and power loss; F-150 complaints include 330 crashes, 297 injuries, and 1 death, often tied to transmission limp mode.
- Recalls: EX40 has 4 recalls (brake software, backup prevention); F-150 has 151 recalls covering engines, seat belts, doors, and airbags.
- Top issues: EX40's top components are brakes and power train; F-150's are power train (lead frame) and electrical system, with recurring transmission failures.
- Check for any stored brake or power steering fault codes and ask if the brake software recall was performed.
- Test drive at low speed and brake firmly to see if any warning lights appear or if the pedal feels soft or unresponsive.
- Inspect the transmission for signs of limp mode or harsh shifting; ask if the lead frame or output speed sensor has been replaced.
- Check the rear window for cracks or signs of defroster overheating, and test the defroster briefly to see if it works without issues.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls are completed, especially brake software for the EX40 and transmission/electrical recalls for the F-150.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the EX40's brake and power systems and the F-150's transmission and electrical systems.
- During the test drive, pay attention to any warning lights, unusual noises, or loss of power; for the F-150, test acceleration and gear changes.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any repairs related to the lead frame, transmission, or brake software updates.
- Check NHTSA's website for the latest recalls on the specific VIN before purchase.
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 EX40 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 35 |
| 2025 | 2 | 345 |
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 EX40 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volvo EX40 vs FORD F 150
- Volvo EX40 total complaints
- 3
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Volvo EX40 total recalls
- 4
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Volvo EX40 avg complaints/year
- 1.5
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Volvo EX40
- Volvo EX40 top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN