Head-to-head reliability
Volvo VNX vs FORD F 150
How the Volvo VNX 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 VNX vs FORD F 150: the VNX has 0 complaints and 9 recalls over 10 years, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints and 151 recalls. F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures; the VNX has no complaint text. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volvo VNX or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volvo VNX
The Volvo VNX is a heavy-duty truck that, in this NHTSA data, shows zero owner complaints over ten years. That absence of complaints means there is no documented pattern of owner-reported failures to describe. However, it has nine recalls covering steering, parking brake hydraulics, body structure, and air brakes, so recall repairs are the main reliability story. For a buyer, this suggests a vehicle with no complaint trail but several safety-related recall campaigns to verify.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume pickup with a very large complaint record: 11,621 complaints over ten years, about 1,162 per year. Owners most often report power train and electrical system problems, especially transmission limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures. There are also 330 crash-related complaints, 297 injuries, and one death in the data. The pattern points to recurring drivability and electrical faults that can affect daily use and safety.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volvo VNX | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 9 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 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 VNX
No component data available.
A recall covers steering, but no owner complaint text is on record. For a buyer, this means checking whether the steering recall repair was completed, since a steering fault can affect control.
A recall lists the parking brake driveline hydraulic actuator. No complaints describe the symptom, so the practical concern is confirming the recall remedy was applied and the parking brake holds properly.
Two recalls involve body structure. Without complaint text, buyers should inspect for body integrity issues and verify recall work, as structure problems can affect crash protection.
A recall covers air service brakes. No owner complaints are recorded, but brake recalls matter because air brake faults can reduce stopping ability; confirm the recall was performed.
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report transmission limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures. One owner said the lead frame issue nearly ended their life, and another described daily limp mode. These faults can leave the truck underpowered or stranded.
Complaints include the same lead frame issue and an output speed sensor failure that triggered highway limp mode under a recall. A rear window defroster short was reported to shatter the back window. Electrical faults can affect drivability and cause unexpected damage.
This category includes the rear window defroster short that owners say caused the back window to explode outward. Such failures are hard to predict and can be costly or dangerous.
Exterior lighting is a top complaint area, though no sample text is provided. Lighting faults matter for visibility and safety, so buyers should test all lights and check for related recalls.
“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 VNX — 9 recalls
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2015 and 2016 VNX and VNL trucks manufactured from May 20, 2014, through March 6, 2015, equipped with certain Haldex Life Seal Type 30/30 Long Stroke Air Brake Actuators manufactured January 9, 2014, to October 28, 2014. The affecte…
The risk: If the diaphragm is not completely attached, there may be internal leakage from the service section past the diaphragm, potentially trapping air pressure in the parking brake section. This air pressure in turn, if not vented, may prevent f…
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake actuator and replace, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 20, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall i…
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2015 VNL and VNX trucks manufactured January 7, 2014, to June 5, 2014, and equipped with a D16 engine. Due to the engine control unit having an incorrect parameter setting in the software, the engine may stall.
The risk: An engine stall while driving increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine control unit software, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1404.
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2018-2020 VNL and VNX vehicles configured as 740 and 760 sleeper models. The sleeper bunk window may detach and fall from the vehicle.
The risk: If a window detaches from the vehicle, it may strike another vehicle or pedestrian, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Volvo Trucks has notified owners, and dealers will replace the window hinge, free of charge. Owners were notified of the recall on April 8, 2019 and will be sent a second notice when the remedy parts are available. The recall began August…
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 VNL, VNX, and VNM trucks manufactured from May 11, 2015, through April 18, 2016. The trucks may have been manufactured without a roll pin on the steering shafts. If the roll pin is missing, the lower steering shaft may dis…
The risk: Separation of the steering shaft will result in complete loss of steering which may lead to a vehicle crash.
The fix: Volvo is strongly recommending that the affected vehicles not be driven until the interim remedy is applied. An interim notice was sent to Volvo owners on March 16, 2016, and an interim repair is available now. A second notice was mailed o…
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 VNX or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Volvo VNX has far fewer issues per year in this data: zero complaints versus about 1,162 per year for the Ford F-150. In practice, the F-150 has a well-documented pattern of transmission and electrical faults, while the VNX has no complaint pattern but several recalls. The difference means F-150 buyers should expect to research and test for drivability problems, while VNX buyers should focus on recall completion.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints over ten years, while the Volvo VNX has zero, so the F-150 has a large owner-reported failure record and the VNX has none.
- Ford F-150 complaints center on power train and electrical problems such as limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures; the VNX has no complaint text to describe specific failures.
- The F-150 data includes 330 crash-related complaints, 297 injuries, and 1 death, while the VNX shows zero in those categories.
- The VNX has nine recalls across steering, brakes, and structure, so recall checks are its main reliability concern; the F-150 has 151 recalls plus a heavy complaint load.
- Confirm whether the steering and air brake recalls were completed, since those systems affect control and stopping.
- Check the parking brake and body structure recall remedies, as no complaint text explains the symptoms.
- Test drive for transmission limp mode, delayed shifting, or sticking in 5th gear, which owners report as recurring.
- Ask for repair records on the lead frame and output speed sensor, and verify recall 26S28 software was applied.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN for both vehicles to see open recalls and confirm they were repaired.
- For the F-150, scan for transmission codes and test drive at highway speed to check for limp mode.
- For the VNX, have a mechanic inspect steering, air brakes, and parking brake operation.
- For the F-150, check the rear window defroster and all exterior lights for function.
- Ask for service records documenting any lead frame, transmission, or electrical repairs.
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 VNX | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0 | 638 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 0 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 0 | 44 |
| 2019 | 0 | 52 |
| 2018 | 0 | 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 VNX or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volvo VNX vs FORD F 150
- Volvo VNX total complaints
- 0
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Volvo VNX total recalls
- 9
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Volvo VNX avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Volvo VNX
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN