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 over 10 years and 2 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,311 complaints and 145 recalls. F-150 owners report transmission failures and electrical glitches, but the Hearse shows no such issues. 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 niche conversion vehicle with a remarkably clean reliability record: zero owner complaints over a decade and only two recalls, both for the fuel filler pipe and cap. In practical terms, this means owners have not reported any systematic mechanical or electrical failures to NHTSA, so a buyer should expect a low-maintenance ownership experience, though the small sample size and specialized nature of the vehicle mean the data is sparse.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 shows a high volume of owner complaints, averaging over 1,100 per year, with the most frequent issues in the powertrain and electrical system. Owners describe hard shifting, loss of power, and electrical malfunctions like camera and pre-collision warnings, which can be alarming and potentially dangerous. With 145 recalls and 328 crash-related complaints, the F-150 demands careful inspection and awareness of known problem areas.
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 | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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.
Cadillac Hearse
No component data available.
The only recalls for the Cadillac Hearse involve the fuel filler pipe and cap, which could lead to fuel leaks or improper sealing. Owners have not reported complaints, but these recalls suggest a potential issue that should be checked and remedied.
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Owners report hard and delayed shifts, especially in the 10-speed automatic, and occasional loss of power with the vehicle shutting off and jerking. This can be dangerous in traffic and indicates transmission control or mechanical problems.
Electrical complaints include loud bangs from the transmission area and persistent dashboard warnings for front camera and pre-collision assist malfunctions. These issues can affect safety features and require dealer diagnostics.
With over 1,100 complaints, headlight problems are common, potentially reducing visibility at night. Owners have not provided specific text, but the volume suggests a pattern of failures.
Engine-related complaints (847) likely include performance issues and potential stalling, though specific details are not provided. Given the high count, buyers should have the engine thoroughly checked.
“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.
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 — 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
Cadillac Hearse or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Cadillac Hearse has far fewer issues per year (0 complaints vs. 1,131 for the F-150), indicating a much lower likelihood of encountering reported problems. In practice, this means a Hearse buyer can expect a more trouble-free ownership experience, while F-150 buyers should budget for potential repairs and be vigilant about symptoms.
Key differences
- The Hearse has zero owner complaints, while the F-150 has over 11,000, with powertrain and electrical issues dominating.
- F-150 owners report dangerous transmission failures like hard shifts and loss of power; Hearse has no such reports.
- The F-150 has 145 recalls, including headlights and engine components, versus only 2 fuel-related recalls for the Hearse.
- The F-150 has 328 crash-related complaints and 287 injuries, indicating real-world safety implications; the Hearse has none.
- Inspect the fuel filler pipe and cap for corrosion or damage, and verify recall repairs have been performed to prevent fuel leaks.
- Since there are no complaints, check for any signs of aftermarket modifications that could affect reliability, as the vehicle is a conversion.
- Test drive the F-150 at various speeds to feel for hard shifts or jerks, especially between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and listen for loud bangs from the transmission.
- Check for dashboard warning lights like 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre-Collision Assist Not Available' that may appear on startup, indicating electrical issues.
Before you buy
- For the Hearse: confirm all recalls have been addressed by checking the VIN on the NHTSA website.
- For the F-150: obtain a vehicle history report and check for any open recalls, especially for powertrain and electrical systems.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the transmission and electrical components for the F-150.
- Test drive both vehicles under stop-and-go and highway conditions to assess transmission behavior.
- Consider purchasing an extended warranty for the F-150 to cover potential costly repairs.
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
- 11,311
- Cadillac Hearse total recalls
- 2
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Cadillac Hearse avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Cadillac Hearse
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN