Last updated: 2026-03-04

Ford F-150 vs Toyota Tundra: Reliability Compared

Ford F-150 reliability comparison

Ford F-150

66
GoodReliability score: 66 out of 100, rated Good
VS
More ReliableToyota Tundra reliability comparison

Toyota Tundra

68
GoodReliability score: 68 out of 100, rated Good

Choosing between the Ford F-150 and the Toyota Tundra? 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 Toyota Tundra currently leads with an average score of 68/100 compared to 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Ford F-150 and Toyota Tundra Generations Compare?

The Ford F-150 is currently in its fourteenth generation, which began in 2021. Being early in its generation cycle, potential buyers should be aware that newer platforms can sometimes experience first-year issues as they iron out initial design kinks. The F-150 has a history of significant updates, with the last major redesign occurring in 2021, offering modern technology and features. The Toyota Tundra is in its third generation, launched in 2022. Like the F-150, it is also early in its cycle, which may affect initial reliability as new technologies and designs are tested. Historically, the Tundra's second generation, especially after its 2014 refresh, was known for its durability and reliability, a pattern that may continue as the current generation matures.

Verdict

The Toyota Tundra is more reliable than the Ford F-150, scoring 68/100 vs 66/100.

The Toyota Tundra edges out the Ford F-150 in reliability, with a higher average reliability score of 76/100 compared to the F-150's 68/100. Although the Tundra has a higher owner complaint rate of 11.9 per 10,000 sold, its total recalls are fewer at 90 over nine years. Additionally, the Tundra benefits from lower estimated annual repair costs at $606, compared to the F-150's $788. Both trucks share common issues in power train and engine areas, but the Tundra's lower repair costs and recall count make it the more reliable option.

Key Differences

  1. 1Toyota Tundra costs $182 less per year to repair
  2. 2Toyota Tundra has 17 fewer total recalls
  3. 3Ford F-150 has 6.5 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

2Ford F-150
—
3Toyota Tundra
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Ford F-150 vs Toyota Tundra: Which Is More Reliable?

Ford F-150 vs Toyota Tundra at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricFord F-150Toyota Tundra
Reliability Score66/10068/100
Years Tracked99
Total Recalls10790
Complaints per 10k Sold5.411.9
Annual Repair Cost$788/yr$606/yr
Repair Frequency0.3/yr0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk15%18%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall
2026 NHTSA
2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins44

What Are the Common Problems With the Ford F-150 and Toyota Tundra?

The Ford F-150 exhibits a significantly higher volume of complaints, particularly in the Power Train category, with 1,657 complaints and 14 crash-linked incidents, indicating a serious area of concern. In contrast, the Toyota Tundra's Power Train issues are notably less frequent, with only 240 complaints and 4 crash-linked incidents. Both vehicles face challenges with their engines, but the F-150's 536 engine-related complaints surpass the Tundra's 215, though both have a similar number of crash-linked cases, with one each. Additionally, the F-150 has a higher number of complaints in the Electrical System and Service Brakes, the latter having 12 crash-linked incidents compared to the Tundra's 2, suggesting a potentially greater impact on safety for the Ford model.

Ford F-150 vs Toyota Tundra common problem areas comparison
ComponentFord F-150Toyota Tundra
POWER TRAIN1.6Low2.3Low
ENGINE0.5Very Low2Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM0.3Very Low1.1Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER0.4Very Low0.9Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM—None0.9Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING0.1Very Low0.7Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES0.1Very Low0.7Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL—None0.7Very Low
STEERING0.1Very Low0.3Very Low
STRUCTURE0.2Very Low—None
FUEL SYSTEM—None0.2Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING0.1Very Low—None
VISIBILITY0.1Very Low—None
AIR BAGS—None0.1Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE—None0.1Very Low
SEATS—None0.1Very Low
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)—None0.1Very Low
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES—None—None
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT—None—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION—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
VISIBILITY/WIPER—None—None
LANE DEPARTURE—None—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Ford F-150 or Toyota Tundra?

The Ford F-150 and Toyota Tundra both have similar repair frequencies, with each requiring about 0.3 repair visits per year. However, annual maintenance costs differ, with the F-150 costing $788 and the Tundra at $606, translating to a $182 yearly difference. Over five years, this amounts to $910 more for the F-150. Additionally, the F-150 has a lower major repair risk at 15% compared to the Tundra's 18%. While the Tundra is less expensive annually, the F-150's lower risk of major repairs may appeal to those prioritizing long-term reliability. For cost-conscious buyers, the Tundra offers better immediate savings, but the F-150 may present fewer expensive surprises.

How Does Ford F-150 vs Toyota Tundra Reliability Compare by Year?

Ford F-150 vs Toyota Tundra year-by-year reliability scores
YearFord F-150Toyota TundraEdge
202575/10013R / 64C73/1006R / 88CFord F-150
202474/1009R / 146C65/10014R / 235CFord F-150
202368/10010R / 383C59/10022R / 321CFord F-150
202262/10021R / 657C57/10021R / 386CFord F-150
202158/10026R / 1021C75/1003R / 23CToyota Tundra
202067/1007R / 517C74/1005R / 42CToyota Tundra
201965/1006R / 972C70/10010R / 69CToyota Tundra
201858/10015R / 1852C69/1009R / 94CToyota Tundra
2026(predicted)67/100(predicted)66/100(predicted)Ford F-150

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Ford F-150 scored 75/100 and the 2021 Toyota Tundra scored 75/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Ford F-150 vs the Toyota Tundra?

If you prioritize lower running costs and fewer recalls, the Toyota Tundra might be the better choice for you. With a reliability score of 76/100 and a lower estimated annual repair cost of $606, it offers a more economical ownership experience over time. Although the Tundra has a slightly higher major repair risk at 18%, its total recalls are fewer at 90, suggesting fewer potential issues down the road. On the other hand, if you are concerned about owner satisfaction and fewer complaints, consider the Ford F-150. Despite a lower reliability score of 68/100, it has a lower rate of owner complaints at 5.4 per 10,000 sold. While the F-150's estimated repair cost is higher at $788 annually, it maintains the same repair frequency of 0.3 times per year as the Tundra. Choose the F-150 if you value a more complaint-free ownership experience.

Ford F-150 vs Toyota Tundra: Common Questions

Is the Ford F-150 more reliable than the Toyota Tundra?
Based on our data, the Toyota Tundra is more reliable with an average score of 68/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Ford F-150 or the Toyota Tundra?
The Ford F-150 has more recalls (107) compared to the Toyota Tundra (90). 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 Toyota Tundra?
Adjusted for sales volume, the Ford F-150 has a lower complaint rate at 5.4 per 10,000 sold versus 11.9 for the Toyota Tundra. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford F-150 or the Toyota Tundra?
Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Tundra is cheaper to maintain at $606/year versus $788/year for the Ford F-150.
Is the Ford F-150 or Toyota Tundra safer?
Both the Ford F-150 and Toyota Tundra 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

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

1

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.

2

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

3

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.

4

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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