Head-to-head reliability
Volvo EX90 vs FORD F 150
How the Volvo EX90 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 EX90 vs FORD F 150: The EX90 has 37 complaints per year, with sudden shutdowns and unintended movement, while the F-150 has 1,131 per year, mainly transmission and electrical issues. The EX90 has 3 recalls, the F-150 has 145. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volvo EX90 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volvo EX90
The Volvo EX90 is a new electric SUV with a short but intense complaint history. Owners report sudden, complete vehicle shutdowns, including loss of power and air conditioning, often while driving with family aboard. Software glitches trigger false warnings and disable driver-assist features, and there are reports of the car rolling away while parked. These are serious safety concerns for a vehicle in its first model years.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a long-running, high-volume pickup with a decade of complaints. The dominant issue is the 10-speed automatic transmission, which owners describe as hard-shifting, jerking, and occasionally losing power or stalling. Electrical problems, such as camera and pre-collision assist failures, are also common. While the sheer number of complaints is high, it reflects the truck's popularity and long production run.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volvo EX90 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 74 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 2 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 37.0 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 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 EX90
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM36
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER19
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM14
- 04POWER TRAIN10
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL9
Owners report complete vehicle failures, including loss of air conditioning and power, often triggered by software glitches. Recurring warning messages for suspension and driver-assist systems are common, leaving drivers without critical safety features.
There are reports of the vehicle moving on its own while parked and locked, and sudden 'Driver Support System Fault' warnings that disable safety features. These unpredictable behaviors are alarming and could lead to accidents.
The electric propulsion system has experienced sudden shutdowns while driving, including on a freeway, with the vehicle losing power and displaying warnings. Multiple repair attempts have failed to permanently fix the issue.
Some owners report the vehicle reversing when Drive is selected, leading to crashes. Others experience complete vehicle failure, including loss of air conditioning, which can be dangerous in hot climates.
“My 2026 Volvo EX90, with approximately 3,000 miles, experienced a complete vehicle failure while being used as our family vehicle in Phoenix, Arizona. While my nanny was driving my two young children, including my [XXX], the air conditioning stopped functioni…”
“Ongoing Software Issues From shortly after delivery through now, the vehicle experiences frequent and recurring warning messages and system failures, including but not limited to: Suspension system warnings Driver assistance and self-driving feature failures…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The 10R80 automatic transmission is a major source of complaints, with owners reporting hard shifts, jerks, and clunks between gears. Some have experienced complete loss of power and vehicle shutdown, which is dangerous in traffic.
Electrical issues include loud bangs from the transmission area and rear suspension, as well as persistent warnings for front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist unavailability. These warnings can disable safety features.
A significant number of complaints fall into this category, often involving transmission-related noises and erratic behavior that are not easily diagnosed. Owners report intermittent problems that are hard to replicate for repair.
Headlight issues are common, with many complaints about poor visibility or headlight failures. This can compromise nighttime driving safety.
“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 EX90 — 3 recalls
The defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2025 EX90 vehicles. The bolts for the second-row free-standing seat may not be tightened properly.
The risk: An improperly tightened seat may not adequately restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10292.
The defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2025 EX90 vehicles. Due to a software error in the low power controller (LPC), the headlight shutters may close over the high and low beams while driving.
The risk: A loss of headlight function while driving can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: The LPC software will be updated manually, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 12, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10298.
The defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2025 EX90 vehicles. A spindle nut may detach from the Power Operated Tailgate (POT) drive units, causing the tailgate to suddenly drop.
The risk: A tailgate that suddenly drops can hit a person, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised not to use the POT function until the repair is completed. Dealers will replace both POT drive units. Owner letters were mailed November 24, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's nu…
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 EX90 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Volvo EX90 has far fewer complaints per year (37 vs 1,131) but its issues are more severe, involving sudden shutdowns and unintended movement. The Ford F-150's problems are more numerous but often relate to transmission harshness and electrical glitches that may be less immediately dangerous. In practice, the EX90's low volume of complaints is offset by the critical nature of its failures.
Key differences
- Volvo EX90: sudden complete shutdowns and loss of power while driving, including on freeways, and reports of the car rolling away when parked.
- Ford F-150: transmission hard shifting and jerking, with occasional loss of power, but no reports of unintended movement while parked.
- Volvo EX90: software-related failures of driver-assist and safety systems, with frequent warning messages.
- Ford F-150: electrical issues like camera and pre-collision assist malfunctions, but these are less likely to cause a complete vehicle shutdown.
- Check for any open recalls related to seat fasteners, headlight concealment, and liftgate struts, and ensure they have been addressed.
- Test the vehicle's software thoroughly, including all driver-assist features, and ask for a history of any warning messages or system failures.
- Inspect the transmission for any signs of hard shifting or jerking during a test drive, especially between 4th and 8th gears.
- Check for any electrical warnings on the dash, such as front camera malfunction or pre-collision assist not available, and verify they have been resolved.
Before you buy
- For the Volvo EX90: ask for a full software update history and any service records related to electrical or propulsion system issues.
- For the Ford F-150: test drive at various speeds and listen for transmission clunks or jerks, and check for any pending recalls.
- For both: verify that all recalls have been performed by checking the VIN on the NHTSA website.
- For the Volvo EX90: test the vehicle's ability to stay stationary on an incline and ensure the parking brake engages properly.
- For the Ford F-150: check the condition of the battery and electrical system, as many complaints involve battery-related issues.
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 EX90 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 24 |
| 2025 | 68 | 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 EX90 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volvo EX90 vs FORD F 150
- Volvo EX90 total complaints
- 74
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Volvo EX90 total recalls
- 3
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Volvo EX90 avg complaints/year
- 37.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Volvo EX90
- Volvo EX90 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN