Last updated: 2026-03-04
Ford F-150 vs Tesla Cybertruck: Reliability Compared
Ford F-150
Tesla Cybertruck
Choosing between the Ford F-150 and the Tesla Cybertruck? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two full-size trucks.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Ford F-150 currently leads with an average score of 66/100 compared to 59/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The Ford F-150 is more reliable than the Tesla Cybertruck, scoring 66/100 vs 59/100.
Key Differences
- 1Tesla Cybertruck has 94 fewer total recalls
- 2Ford F-150 has 18.3 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Ford F-150 scores 7 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Ford F-150 vs Tesla Cybertruck: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Ford F-150 | Tesla Cybertruck |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 66/100 | 59/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 3 |
| Total Recalls | 107 | 13 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 5.4 | 23.7 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 2 | 0 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Ford F-150 and Tesla Cybertruck?
| Component | Ford F-150 | Tesla Cybertruck |
|---|---|---|
| STRUCTURE | 0.2Very Low | 6Average |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.4Very Low | 2.6Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.3Very Low | 2.4Low |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 2.4Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 2.4Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 0.1Very Low | 1.6Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 1.6Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 1Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.6Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.5Very Low | —None |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | 0.4Very Low |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | 0.4Very Low |
| TIRES | —None | 0.4Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| AIR BAGS | —None | —None |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | —None | —None |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT | —None | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | —None |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE, LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | —None |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES | —None | —None |
| STEERING, LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Ford F-150 vs Tesla Cybertruck Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Ford F-150 | Tesla Cybertruck | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 75/10013R / 64C | 65/1002R / 13C | Ford F-150 |
| 2024 | 74/1009R / 146C | 52/10010R / 104C | Ford F-150 |
| 2026(predicted) | 67/100(predicted) | 59/100(predicted) | Ford F-150 |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Ford F-150 scored 75/100 and the 2025 Tesla Cybertruck scored 65/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Ford F-150 vs Tesla Cybertruck: Common Questions
- Is the Ford F-150 more reliable than the Tesla Cybertruck?
- Based on our data, the Ford F-150 is more reliable with an average score of 66/100 compared to 59/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Ford F-150 or the Tesla Cybertruck?
- The Ford F-150 has more recalls (107) compared to the Tesla Cybertruck (13). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Ford F-150 or the Tesla Cybertruck?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Ford F-150 has a lower complaint rate at 5.4 per 10,000 sold versus 23.7 for the Tesla Cybertruck. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Ford F-150 or Tesla Cybertruck safer?
- Both the Ford F-150 and Tesla Cybertruck received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Ford F-150 comparisons
More Tesla Cybertruck comparisons
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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