Head-to-head reliability
Volvo XC40 vs FORD F 150
How the Volvo XC40 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 XC40 vs FORD F 150: The XC40 has about 59 complaints per year over 8 years, while the F-150 averages over 1,100 per year over 10 years. The XC40's issues often involve electrical and safety systems, whereas the F-150's are dominated by transmission problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volvo XC40 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volvo XC40
The Volvo XC40, a compact luxury SUV, shows a moderate complaint rate of about 59 per year over eight years, with a heavy concentration in electrical and driver-assistance systems. Owners report persistent software glitches affecting safety features like the backup camera and forward collision avoidance, often requiring multiple dealer visits. While crash-related complaints are relatively low, the nature of the issues—such as unexpected seatbelt tightening—can be alarming and undermine confidence in the vehicle's safety systems.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150, a full-size pickup, has a much higher complaint volume, averaging over 1,100 per year over a decade, with powertrain issues dominating. Owners frequently describe harsh shifting, loss of power, and transmission failures, which can be dangerous in traffic. Electrical problems also surface, including camera and pre-collision warnings. The sheer number of complaints and recalls suggests a pattern of recurring mechanical and electronic issues that could lead to costly repairs.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volvo XC40 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 470 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 23 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 46 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 58.8 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 34 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 XC40
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM101
- 02BACK OVER PREVENTION95
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER83
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE61
- 05SERVICE BRAKES59
Owners report persistent software and module failures that disable safety features, requiring repeated reprogramming and even recall completion, yet problems persist.
The rear camera often shows a blank screen when reversing, eliminating the view behind the vehicle and increasing the risk of backing into obstacles or people.
The system may fail to activate automatic braking or warnings, as in a parking lot collision where the ADAS did not intervene, leaving the driver unprotected.
Some owners report the seatbelt pretensioner deploying unexpectedly at a stop, causing sudden tightness and a feeling of suffocation, which is both frightening and potentially hazardous.
“am writing to formally report a serious issue involving the sale of a Certified Pre-Owned Volvo by a franchised Volvo dealership in Pennsylvania that I believe violates consumer protection standards and certified vehicle regulations. On [XXX], I purchased a 2…”
“Despite multiple repair attempts by Volvo Cars Sugar Land — including software reloads, module reprogramming, and the completion of Recall R10333 — the vehicle continues to experience failures that directly compromise my safety and the safety of my wife. I no…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The 10-speed automatic transmission is a major trouble spot, with hard shifts, clunks, and even sudden loss of power while driving, which can lead to dangerous situations.
Electrical gremlins include false warnings for front camera and pre-collision assist, which may indicate underlying sensor or software issues that affect driver assistance features.
Headlight problems are common enough to prompt recalls, potentially reducing visibility at night and increasing the risk of accidents.
Engine-related complaints and recalls suggest possible performance or reliability issues that could lead to stalling or reduced power, though specific symptoms vary.
“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 XC40 — 23 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 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, 2022-2025 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 2024 XC40 vehicles. A diagnostic error in the Central Electronic Module (CEM) software may cause the left rear turn signal indicator to not function.
The risk: A nonfunctioning exterior turn signal may not notify other drivers of a turning vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The CEM software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 16, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car'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 XC40 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Volvo XC40 has far fewer complaints per year (about 59) compared to the Ford F-150 (over 1,100), indicating a lower rate of reported issues. However, the XC40's problems are concentrated in safety-critical systems, which can be just as concerning. In practice, the F-150's higher volume suggests more frequent and potentially severe mechanical failures, while the XC40's issues are more electronic but still impactful.
Key differences
- The XC40's backup camera and forward collision systems are prone to failure, while the F-150's transmission is a major weak point.
- The XC40 has a much lower complaint rate per year (59 vs 1,131), but its issues often involve safety systems.
- The F-150 has more recalls (145 vs 23), indicating a broader range of problems, including lighting and engine issues.
- The XC40's unexpected seatbelt tightening is a unique and alarming issue, while the F-150's powertrain failures can lead to loss of power at speed.
- Test the backup camera and forward collision warning systems thoroughly, as they are common failure points.
- Check for any open recalls related to software or electrical system updates, and ensure they have been performed.
- Take a thorough test drive to feel for hard shifts or clunks, especially between 4th-6th gears, and listen for any unusual transmission noises.
- Inspect the headlights for proper operation and check for any recall notices regarding lighting or engine issues.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and verify all recalls have been addressed for the specific VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the transmission (F-150) and electrical systems (XC40).
- During the test drive, simulate stop-and-go traffic to assess transmission behavior and test all driver assistance features.
- Ask for service records to see if previous owners reported recurring issues and how they were resolved.
- Check online forums and NHTSA complaints for model-year-specific problems to be aware of.
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 XC40 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 24 |
| 2025 | 11 | 329 |
| 2024 | 14 | 617 |
| 2023 | 129 | 1507 |
| 2022 | 111 | 3432 |
| 2021 | 120 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 24 | 33 |
| 2019 | 60 | 36 |
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 XC40 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volvo XC40 vs FORD F 150
- Volvo XC40 total complaints
- 470
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Volvo XC40 total recalls
- 23
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Volvo XC40 avg complaints/year
- 58.8
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Volvo XC40
- Volvo XC40 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN