Head-to-head reliability
Volvo XC60 vs FORD F 150
How the Volvo XC60 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 XC60 vs FORD F 150: The Volvo has 1,097 complaints over 10 years (110/yr) with 44 recalls, while the Ford has 11,311 complaints (1,131/yr) and 145 recalls. Volvo issues often involve electrical and braking systems, while Ford's are dominated by transmission problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volvo XC60 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volvo XC60
The Volvo XC60, over a decade, has accumulated 1,097 complaints, averaging about 110 per year, with 44 recalls. The dominant issue is electrical system problems, with 407 complaints, often involving batteries, software glitches, and failures that disable safety features. Owners also report unexpected automatic braking and brake system anomalies, which can be alarming. While no deaths are reported, the frequency of electrical and braking issues suggests a vehicle that may require frequent dealer visits.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 has a much higher complaint volume, with 11,311 complaints over 10 years (about 1,131 per year) and 145 recalls. The most common issues are in the powertrain, with 3,553 complaints, often describing harsh shifting and transmission failures, particularly in the 10-speed automatic. Electrical problems (2,071) and exterior lighting issues (1,164) are also prevalent. With one reported death and many injuries, the F-150's reliability concerns are more severe and potentially more dangerous.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volvo XC60 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,097 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 44 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 76 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 109.7 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 78 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 XC60
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM407
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER201
- 03SERVICE BRAKES161
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE150
- 05BACK OVER PREVENTION94
Owners report support battery failures for start/stop systems, leading to warning messages and service requirements. Some describe complete electrical failures that disable safety features like cross-path detection, parking alerts, and even the SOS call function, leaving drivers without critical assistance.
There are reports of sudden unintended acceleration while braking, where the car surges forward despite brake pressure. This is a serious safety concern as it can lead to loss of control in parking lots or at low speeds.
The automatic braking system can activate for no reason, such as when driving straight through an intersection, causing the car to stop abruptly. This unexpected braking could lead to rear-end collisions from following vehicles.
“The support battery for start/stop started to show on the dash and tells me that service is required about 2 weeks ago. "THE LOCATION OF THE BATTERY IS MY CONCERN". A month ago, the air coming out from the vent of the ac/heater started to smell like a rotten…”
“Dear NHTSA, I would like to submit a safety complaint regarding my 2026 Volvo XC60 Ultra, purchased new and currently with approximately 5,939 miles. I am submitting this complaint because I have experienced repeated vehicle behaviors that I believe may have…”
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 experiencing hard and delayed shifts, jerking, clunking, and even complete loss of power while driving. Some report the vehicle shutting off and then restarting with a violent jerk, which is dangerous in traffic.
Electrical issues often manifest as warning messages for front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist not available, appearing every time the truck is started. These persistent warnings indicate underlying sensor or software problems that may not be easily resolved.
Headlight-related recalls are common, and owners may experience issues with headlight performance or durability. While not as critical as powertrain issues, faulty lighting can compromise visibility and safety at night.
“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 XC60 — 44 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 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.…
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 2019-2022 V60CC, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. During steering gear assembly, double screws may have been assembled on top of each other, which can cause a screw to fall into the gearbox housing.
The risk: A screw inside the gearbox housing can cause the steering wheel to lock up and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 1, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10213.
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 XC60 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Volvo XC60 has significantly fewer complaints per year (about 110) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,131), indicating a lower rate of reported issues. However, the XC60's problems are concentrated in safety-critical systems like brakes and collision avoidance, which can be just as concerning. In practice, the F-150's higher volume suggests more frequent and potentially severe reliability problems, especially with the transmission.
Key differences
- The Volvo XC60 has far fewer complaints per year (110 vs 1,131), but its issues often involve safety systems like automatic braking and brakes, which can be unsettling.
- The Ford F-150's most common problem is the 10-speed transmission, with reports of harsh shifts and loss of power, which can be dangerous in traffic.
- Electrical system complaints are high in both, but in the Volvo they often disable safety features, while in the Ford they cause warning lights and sensor failures.
- The F-150 has more recalls (145 vs 44) and a higher number of crash-related complaints (328 vs 76), suggesting a higher risk of incidents.
- Check for any warning messages about the start/stop battery or electrical system, and test all safety features like cross-path detection and parking sensors to ensure they work.
- During a test drive, try braking gently and accelerating to see if the car exhibits any unexpected surging or automatic braking, especially at low speeds.
- Test the transmission thoroughly, especially shifting through gears at various speeds, to feel for hard shifts, jerks, or delays. Listen for clunking noises from the rear.
- Start the truck and see if any warning lights appear for front camera or pre-collision assist; these are common and may indicate ongoing electrical issues.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to check for any open recalls and ensure they have been addressed.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the transmission (for F-150) and electrical system (for XC60).
- Test drive both vehicles on a mix of city and highway roads to experience how they shift and brake in real conditions.
- Ask the seller for service records, especially for any repairs related to the transmission or electrical system.
- Check online forums and NHTSA complaints for the specific model year you are considering to see if there are any 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 XC60 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 14 | 24 |
| 2025 | 34 | 329 |
| 2024 | 46 | 617 |
| 2023 | 204 | 1507 |
| 2022 | 355 | 3432 |
| 2021 | 124 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 88 | 33 |
| 2019 | 108 | 36 |
| 2018 | 108 | 56 |
| 2017 | 16 | 43 |
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 XC60 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volvo XC60 vs FORD F 150
- Volvo XC60 total complaints
- 1,097
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Volvo XC60 total recalls
- 44
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Volvo XC60 avg complaints/year
- 109.7
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Volvo XC60
- Volvo XC60 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN