Head-to-head reliability
Volvo V60 vs FORD F 150
How the Volvo V60 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 V60 vs FORD F 150: The Volvo V60 averages 5.7 complaints per year with serious electrical and brake failures, while the Ford F-150 averages 2755 complaints per year with powertrain and engine issues. The Ford has 762 crash reports and 10 deaths, the Volvo has 1 crash and 0 deaths. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volvo V60 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volvo V60
The Volvo V60 is a luxury wagon with a relatively low complaint rate of 5.7 per year, but owners report serious safety-related failures. Electrical system issues dominate, including sudden shutdowns from fuel pump failures and brake loss due to sunroof drain clogs flooding electronics. Visibility problems like exploding sunroofs and camera exposure issues add to the ownership concerns.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a popular pickup with a high complaint volume of 2755 per year, reflecting its widespread use. Powertrain and engine issues are most common, including transmission failures and sudden loss of power. Electrical problems can cause complete system failures while driving, and there are reports of unintended acceleration and severe vibrations.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volvo V60 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 57 Better | 27,553 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 32 Better | 141 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 762 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 5.7 Better | 2755.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 Better | 714 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 10 |
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 V60
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM19
- 02SERVICE BRAKES12
- 03VISIBILITY/WIPER7
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM6
Owners report sudden engine shutdowns due to high-pressure fuel pump failure, leaving them stranded in traffic without ability to shift to neutral. Sunroof drain clogs can flood electronics, causing simultaneous brake loss and airbag failure.
Brake loss can occur when sunroof drains clog and flood internal electronics, leading to catastrophic system failures. Some owners also report failure to accelerate and low battery warnings.
Sunroofs have been reported to explode while driving at highway speeds. The backup camera system uses poor exposure control at night, relying on the brightest image which can be from headlights.
“Me and my partners safety was put at risk when the vehicle’s high pressure fuel pump went out, shut the car down, and left us stranded in the middle of two lane traffic. What was scarier was how the vehicle couldn’t be manually overridden to shift into neutra…”
“Me and my partners safety was put at risk when the vehicle’s high pressure fuel pump went out, shut the car down, and left us stranded in the middle of two lane traffic. What was scarier was how the vehicle couldn’t be manually overridden to shift into neutra…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN9,967
- 02ENGINE4,861
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3,474
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER3,211
- 05STRUCTURE1,485
Transmission issues include the shifter getting stuck in drive when shutting down, preventing park engagement. Wastegate problems on turbos have been reported on low-mileage trucks.
Engine problems often accompany powertrain issues, with reports of sudden loss of power and failure to shift into park. Some owners experience severe vibrations after repairs.
Complete loss of power while driving can disable all safety systems including brakes, airbags, and steering. ABS system noise has been reported after recall repairs.
“When I am parking the truck, I press and hold the brake pedal, While the truck shifter in in "Drive", I press the start/stop button to shut truck down, the shifter gets stuck in "drive" and doesn't automatically shift in to park. The truck locks down and will…”
“My truck is a 2025 Ford F150 STX with 5,900 miles on it. This truck was purchased new at River City Ford in Lavalette, WV The component in questions seems to be involved with the turbos and more specifically the wastegate that attached to the turbos. Also, ye…”
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 V60 — 32 recalls
The defect: Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Volvo XC90, S90, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, XC40, XC60, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The software installed in the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) may have an error causing the Telematics and Driver Support Systems to function improper…
The risk: If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R39917.
The defect: Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front…
The risk: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.
The defect: Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Volvo XC90, S90, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, XC40, XC60, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The software installed in the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) may have an error causing the Telematics and Driver Support Systems to function improper…
The risk: If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R39917.
The defect: Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2017 S60 and S60 Cross Country, V60 and V60 Cross Country, and XC60 vehicles manufactured August 16, 2016, through October 21, 2016. The affected vehicles have driver and front passenger seat side mounted side air bags (SAB) with inflator in…
The risk: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front seat side air bags, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552.…
FORD F 150 — 141 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600 SD, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit vehicles. When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may los…
The risk: Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driver’s ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, 2024 Expedition and 2024 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine. The engines may have a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.
The risk: A rapid oil leak can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the engine cup plug alignment, and replace the plug if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 23, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for th…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Bronco, 2024 Ranger, 2025 Mustang, Explorer, and Aviator vehicles. The transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse gear failure, or unexpected forward movement in reverse or neutral gear.
The risk: Unexpected vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the transmission main control valve body, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S19.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Expedition, and 2024 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. The engine may have a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.
The risk: A rapid oil leak can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the engine cup plug alignment, and replace the plug if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this…
Buyer analysis
Volvo V60 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Volvo V60 has far fewer complaints per year (5.7 vs 2755), but its issues are more safety-critical, like brake loss and sudden shutdowns. The Ford F-150's high volume reflects its popularity, but the sheer number of powertrain and electrical failures means a higher chance of encountering a problem.
Key differences
- Volvo V60 has 5.7 complaints per year vs Ford F-150's 2755 per year.
- Volvo V60's top issue is electrical system failures causing sudden shutdowns and brake loss; Ford F-150's top issue is powertrain failures including transmission and engine problems.
- Volvo V60 has 1 crash and 1 injury reported; Ford F-150 has 762 crashes and 714 injuries.
- Volvo V60 owners report exploding sunroofs; Ford F-150 owners report unintended acceleration and severe vibrations.
- Check for sunroof drain clogs by inspecting for water stains in the headliner or footwells, as clogs can flood electronics and cause brake loss.
- Test the high-pressure fuel pump by listening for unusual noises and ensuring the car doesn't stall unexpectedly.
- Test the transmission by shifting from drive to park multiple times to ensure it engages properly and doesn't stick.
- Check for any signs of electrical issues by testing all safety systems (brakes, airbags, steering) and looking for warning lights.
Before you buy
- Inspect the Volvo V60's sunroof drains by pouring water into the channels and checking for proper drainage.
- On the Ford F-150, test the park pawl engagement by shutting off the engine in drive and seeing if it shifts to park automatically.
- Review the full recall history for both vehicles and ensure all recalls have been performed.
- Take a test drive at highway speeds to check for vibrations or unexpected power loss.
- Have a mechanic inspect the Volvo V60's fuel pump and the Ford F-150's transmission and electrical system.
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 V60 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 320 |
| 2024 | 6 | 597 |
| 2023 | 3 | 1448 |
| 2022 | 1 | 3290 |
| 2021 | 6 | 4938 |
| 2020 | 18 | 2530 |
| 2019 | 3 | 5718 |
| 2018 | 1 | 5505 |
| 2017 | 6 | 3198 |
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 V60 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volvo V60 vs FORD F 150
- Volvo V60 total complaints
- 57
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 27,553
- Volvo V60 total recalls
- 32
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 141
- Volvo V60 avg complaints/year
- 5.7
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 2755.3
- More reliable overall
- Volvo V60
- Volvo V60 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN