Head-to-head reliability
Volvo VNL vs FORD F 150
How the Volvo VNL 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 VNL vs FORD F 150: The VNL has 21 complaints and 67 recalls over 10 years, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints and 151 recalls. The F-150 also reports 330 crash-related complaints versus 2 for the VNL. These numbers reflect different vehicle classes and owner bases. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volvo VNL or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volvo VNL
The Volvo VNL is a heavy-duty commercial truck, so its 21 complaints over 10 years reflect a smaller, business-oriented owner base. Owners report serious issues like power train warnings, steering pull, and brake defects, often on new trucks. With 67 recalls, many for air bags and brakes, living with a VNL means staying on top of safety campaigns. The low complaint rate doesn't mean trouble-free; it means fewer trucks on the road and potentially less reporting.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a mass-market pickup with 11,621 complaints over 10 years, showing a high volume of owner-reported problems. Recurring themes include transmission limp mode, electrical glitches, and rear window shattering. With 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints, it's clear that many owners face persistent safety and reliability issues. The F-150 is common, so parts and service are easy, but the sheer number of complaints suggests you should inspect carefully.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volvo VNL | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 21 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 67 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 2 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.1 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 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 VNL
- 01POWER TRAIN6
- 02STEERING6
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
- 04SERVICE BRAKES4
- 05ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
Owners report sudden 'Stop Vehicle' warnings, check engine lights, and rear axle smoking while driving. These can lead to loss of power or breakdowns, which is dangerous in a heavy truck.
Complaints include the steering wheel pulling to the passenger side and engine malfunctions. This affects control and can cause uneven tire wear or accidents.
Multiple electrical module failures after low mileage, plus carbon monoxide inside the cab and DEF system issues. Electrical gremlins can disable safety systems and are costly to diagnose.
Owners describe brake defects on new trucks and loss of motive power with low coolant warnings. Brake problems on a commercial vehicle are a critical safety concern.
“The contact owns a 2026 Volvo VNL(4). The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, the message "Stop Vehicle - Apply Parking Brake Only While at Stand Still" was displayed, with three unknown warning lights were illuminated, with a continuous a…”
“The contact owned a 2019 Volvo Truck VNL. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated intermittently. The contact stated that while the driver was driving approximately 50 mph when they noticed the rear axle smoking. They pulled to…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
The 'lead frame' issue causes sudden downshifts or limp mode, and some report being stuck in 5th gear. This can happen at highway speeds, increasing crash risk.
Lead frame problems also appear as electrical faults, and output speed sensor failures trigger limp mode. These issues often recur even after repairs.
Rear window defroster shorts can cause the back window to shatter explosively. This is a surprising and dangerous defect that owners report happening without warning.
While not detailed in the sample, this is a top complaint area, suggesting frequent lighting failures that can affect visibility and safety.
“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 VNL — 67 recalls
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Truck) is recalling certain 2022-2024 VNL and VHD vehicles equipped with RollTek driver seats. A missing circuit will prevent the side air bag from deploying during a crash.
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy, increases the risk of an injury.
The fix: Dealers will connect a jumper harness between the seat and main cab harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 4, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Tr…
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2022-2023 VNL vehicles. The air tank bracket fasteners were excessively tightened and may have broken.
The risk: Broken fasteners may allow the air tank to detach from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Trucks' number for this recall is RVXX2205.
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2022-2024 VNR, VNL, VHD, and VAH trucks. The windshield wiper motor gears may wear prematurely, causing the motor to fail.
The risk: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 1, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Trucks number for this recall is R…
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2022 VNL vehicles equipped with Alcoa Mirror Polish Wheels, part number ULT 391, and wheel size 22.5 x 8.25. Under certain circumstances, these wheels may not be able to support the load, which can cause the wheels to bend or break whil…
The risk: Bent or broken wheels can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: The affected vehicles have been contained by the manufacturer, and therefore no owners will be notified. Dealers will replace the wheels, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service a…
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 VNL or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Volvo VNL has far fewer complaints per year (2.1 vs. 1,162.1), but it's a commercial truck with a smaller owner base. The Ford F-150's massive complaint volume means many owners experience issues, especially with transmissions and electrical systems. In practice, the F-150 may require more frequent repairs, while the VNL's problems, though rarer, can be severe and costly.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has over 11,000 complaints in 10 years, while the Volvo VNL has only 21, but the VNL is a commercial truck with fewer units on the road.
- Ford F-150 owners frequently report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures; Volvo VNL owners report power train warnings and steering pull.
- The F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries; the VNL has 2 crash-related and 3 injuries, though exposure differs.
- Both have many recalls (151 for F-150, 67 for VNL), but the F-150's include engine and seat belt issues, while the VNL's include air bags and brakes.
- Check for any stored power train or check engine codes, especially related to rear axle or transmission, as owners report smoking and sudden warnings.
- Inspect steering components for uneven wear or pull, and test drive at highway speeds to feel for pulling to the passenger side.
- Test the transmission for harsh shifting, limp mode, or getting stuck in gear, especially around 5th gear, as this is a common complaint.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster for any signs of shorting or previous replacement, as shattering has been reported.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models, prioritizing safety campaigns.
- For the Volvo VNL, have a commercial truck mechanic inspect the power train, steering, and brakes, and check for electrical module faults.
- For the Ford F-150, scan for transmission codes, test drive at highway speeds to check for limp mode, and inspect the rear window defroster.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes and electrical repairs, as both models show recurring issues.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model to catch reported failure patterns.
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 VNL | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 35 |
| 2025 | 2 | 345 |
| 2024 | 0 | 638 |
| 2023 | 1 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 2 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 0 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 0 | 44 |
| 2019 | 4 | 52 |
| 2018 | 8 | 79 |
| 2017 | 0 | 59 |
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 VNL or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volvo VNL vs FORD F 150
- Volvo VNL total complaints
- 21
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Volvo VNL total recalls
- 67
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Volvo VNL avg complaints/year
- 2.1
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Volvo VNL
- Volvo VNL top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN