Head-to-head reliability
Cadillac Hearse vs FORD F 150
How the Cadillac Hearse 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
Cadillac Hearse vs FORD F 150: The hearse has 0 complaints and 2 recalls over 10 years, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints, 151 recalls, and 330 crash-related reports. The F-150 averages 1,162.1 complaints per year, mostly for power train and electrical failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Cadillac Hearse or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Cadillac Hearse
The Cadillac Hearse is a specialty vehicle with no owner complaints filed over the past decade, so there is no pattern of real-world failures to learn from. It has two recalls, both for the fuel tank filler pipe and cap, which could lead to fuel leaks or spills if not fixed. With zero crash, injury, or death reports, the main ownership concern is simply that you are buying a vehicle with almost no public reliability history. That means you must rely on a thorough mechanic inspection rather than owner feedback.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume pickup with thousands of owner complaints each year, so there is a very clear record of what goes wrong. The most common trouble spots are the power train, electrical system, exterior lighting, and engine, with many reports of transmissions going into limp mode, lead frame failures, and sudden electrical glitches. There are also 330 crash-related complaints, 297 injuries, and 1 death, which shows that some of these failures can have serious consequences. Buyers should expect to see a wide range of issues and should check for open recalls and repair history carefully.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Cadillac Hearse | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 297 |
| 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.
Cadillac Hearse
No component data available.
The only reported issue is a recall for the fuel tank filler pipe and cap. If this part fails, fuel could leak or spill, which is a fire risk and an environmental hazard. Buyers should confirm the recall repair was done.
There are no owner complaints on record for any other component. That means there is no known pattern of failures, but it also means you have no real-world data to judge long-term reliability.
With zero complaints over ten years, the hearse appears to have very few reported problems. However, because it is a low-production specialty vehicle, any repair can be expensive and parts may be hard to find.
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report transmissions that go into limp mode, get stuck in 5th gear, and suffer from lead frame failures. One owner said a lead frame issue nearly ended their life, and another described daily limp mode. These problems can leave you stranded or cause a crash.
Complaints include the same lead frame problem and output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. One owner reported a rear window defroster short that caused the back window to explode outward. Electrical faults can disable safety features and are often hard to diagnose.
This is a top complaint area, though the sample text does not describe a specific failure. Lighting problems can make you less visible to other drivers, especially at night or in bad weather.
Engine issues are among the most common complaints, and there are also engine-related recalls. Owners do not provide a specific symptom in the sample, but engine problems can be costly and may lead to breakdowns.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
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.
Cadillac Hearse — 2 recalls
The defect: ON CERTAIN FUNERAL COACHES (MARKETED UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF SUPERIOR, SAYERS AND SCOVILLE, EUREKA, AND MILLER-METEOR), THE FUEL FILLER NECK ASSEMBLY COULD LEAK FUEL.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE WHILE REFUELING AND INADEQUATE PROTECTION FROM FUEL SPILLAGE WHEN DRIVING. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL CHANGE THE FUEL FILLER HOSE OR ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ACCUBILT AT 1-800-324-7895.
The defect: ON CERTAIN FUNERAL COACHES (MARKETED UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF SUPERIOR, SAYERS AND SCOVILLE, EUREKA, AND MILLER-METEOR), THE FUEL FILLER NECK ASSEMBLY COULD LEAK FUEL.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE WHILE REFUELING AND INADEQUATE PROTECTION FROM FUEL SPILLAGE WHEN DRIVING. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL CHANGE THE FUEL FILLER HOSE OR ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ACCUBILT AT 1-800-324-7895.
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
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 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 and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
Cadillac Hearse or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Cadillac Hearse has 0 complaints per year, while the Ford F-150 averages 1,162.1 complaints per year. In practice, the F-150 has a much higher volume of reported problems, including serious power train and electrical failures that can cause limp mode or crashes. The hearse has almost no complaint history, but that also means less information is available to predict what might go wrong.
Key differences
- The Cadillac Hearse has 0 complaints and 2 recalls, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints and 151 recalls over the same period.
- Ford F-150 owners report real safety-related failures like transmission limp mode, lead frame issues, and a rear window that exploded from a defroster short; the hearse has no such owner reports.
- The F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints, 297 injuries, and 1 death; the hearse has 0 in all three categories.
- The hearse's only known issue is a fuel filler pipe and cap recall, while the F-150's top complaint areas are power train, electrical, exterior lighting, and engine.
- Check for fuel odors or stains around the fuel filler pipe and cap, and confirm the recall repair was completed.
- Look for any signs of neglected maintenance or unusual wear, since there are no owner complaints to guide you on common failure points.
- Test drive at highway speeds and watch for the transmission suddenly downshifting, sticking in 5th gear, or entering limp mode.
- Check for electrical gremlins like warning lights, rear defroster issues, or a rear window that has been replaced due to shattering.
Before you buy
- Ask for the full recall history and proof that all open recalls were repaired on both vehicles.
- For the Ford F-150, scan for transmission trouble codes and test the lead frame and output speed sensor function.
- For the Cadillac Hearse, inspect the fuel filler pipe and cap area for leaks or damage.
- Take any used vehicle to an independent mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the Ford's power train and electrical systems.
- Check the NHTSA website by VIN to see if any unrepaired safety recalls remain on the specific vehicle you are considering.
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 Cadillac Hearse or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Cadillac Hearse vs FORD F 150
- Cadillac Hearse total complaints
- 0
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Cadillac Hearse total recalls
- 2
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Cadillac Hearse avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Cadillac Hearse
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN