Volkswagen NEW Beetle vs Ford F-450 SD
Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.
Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.
| Measure | Volkswagen NEW Beetle | Ford F-450 SD |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints on file | 262 | 630 |
| Model years covered | 1998–2006 | 1991–2026 |
| Worst model year | 2001 | 2008 |
| Best model year | 2004 | 2002 |
| Crashes reported | 16 | 18 |
| Fires reported | 6 | 29 |
| Injuries reported | 16 | 21 |
| Deaths reported | 3 | 0 |
| Most complained-about part | Electrical System | Fuel & Propulsion |
| Share of complaints involving harm | 15.6% | 10.8% |
Volkswagen NEW Beetle by year
What breaks
Electrical System
46
17.6%
Engine & Cooling
31
11.8%
Lights
29
11.1%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
27
10.3%
Transmission & Drivetrain
23
8.8%
Airbags
19
7.3%
Brakes
17
6.5%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
12
4.6%
Ford F-450 SD by year
What breaks
Fuel & Propulsion
146
23.2%
Engine & Cooling
134
21.3%
Transmission & Drivetrain
63
10.0%
Brakes
55
8.7%
Tires
46
7.3%
Electrical System
45
7.1%
Steering
33
5.2%
Body & Structure
14
2.2%