Head-to-head reliability
Maserati Ghibli vs FORD F 150
How the Maserati Ghibli 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
Maserati Ghibli vs FORD F 150: The Ghibli averages 6.1 complaints per year with 26 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,162.1 complaints per year with 151 recalls. The Ghibli's complaints include unintended acceleration and engine seizure, whereas the F-150's often involve transmission limp mode. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Maserati Ghibli or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Maserati Ghibli
The Maserati Ghibli is a low-volume luxury sedan with an average of 6.1 complaints per year over 10 years, but 26 recalls in that same period. Owners report serious issues like unintended acceleration, transmission slipping, and engine seizure, often after recall work. With only 61 total complaints, the data is sparse, but the nature of the complaints suggests potentially dangerous and expensive problems.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume pickup with an average of 1,162 complaints per year over 10 years and 151 recalls. Common owner reports include transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and electrical glitches. The sheer number of complaints and recalls indicates widespread, recurring problems across many model years.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Maserati Ghibli | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 61 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 26 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 6 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 6.1 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 2 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.
Maserati Ghibli
- 01POWER TRAIN12
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12
- 03ENGINE10
- 04VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL10
- 05SERVICE BRAKES8
Owners report transmission slipping, failure to accelerate properly, and loud clunk noises from the steering and transmission. One owner said the car felt like gears were slipping and it lost speed instead of accelerating, which could be dangerous on a highway.
Multiple owners describe unintended acceleration, including one who said the car accelerated to 120 mph on its own and the brakes failed to slow it. Another reported the issue happened three times, starting two weeks after purchase.
One owner reported the engine suddenly seized without warning while driving on a busy street, causing a sudden loss of power. This is a catastrophic failure that can leave a driver stranded in traffic.
Complaints mirror the electrical system issues, with reports of unintended acceleration. One owner said the car independently accelerated to 120 mph after a left turn, and the brake pedal failed to slow it.
“I HAVE COMPLAINING TO THE DEALER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR ABOUT NOISE ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND TRANSMISSION. THE CAR SINCE PURCHASED ON 2016 HAS BEEN OUT FOR SERVICE 62 DAYS. I REPORTED SEVERAL TIMES A LOUD KLUNK NOISE ON THE STEERING AND ON THE , TOOK IT TO R…”
“AFTER 365 IGNITION FLASH RECALL, THE CAR STARTED TO FAIL TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY ON DEMAND WHILE IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY. I FELT LIKE THE GEARS WERE SLIPPING, DID NOT ENGAGE THE PROPER GEAR ON ACCELERATION. CAUSING THE CAR TO LOOSE SPEED INSTEAD OF INCREASING S…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners frequently report transmission problems, including limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures. One owner said the lead frame issue nearly ended their life, and another described daily transmission malfunctions.
The lead frame issue also appears under electrical complaints, with owners reporting sudden limp mode and output speed sensor failures. One owner said the truck entered highway limp mode due to a sensor failure even after a recall software update.
One owner reported the rear window exploded outward after using the defroster, which they attributed to a short in the rear window defroster. This is a surprising and potentially dangerous failure.
Although not detailed in the sample complaints, this is a top component with 1,224 complaints. Buyers should be aware that lighting issues are commonly reported, though specific failure patterns are not provided in the sample.
“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.
Maserati Ghibli — 26 recalls
The defect: Maserati North America, Inc. (Maserati) is recalling certain 2018 Maserati Quattroporte, Ghibli, and Levante vehicles. The welds on the front sub frame may be incomplete, which can result in the welds breaking.
The risk: If the welds fracture, it can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Maserati will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the sub frame for incomplete welds, replacing the sub frame, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Maserati customer service at 1-877-696-2…
The defect: Maserati North America, Inc. (Maserati) is recalling certain 2018 Maserati Quattroporte and Ghibli vehicles. These vehicles have a fuel delivery pipe in the engine compartment that may leak fuel at the connections.
The risk: A fuel leak within the engine compartment increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Maserati will notify owners, and dealers will install a new fuel delivery line kit, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Maserati customer service at 1-877-696-2737. Maserati's number for thi…
The defect: Maserati North America, Inc. (Maserati) is recalling certain 2017 Quattroporte vehicles equipped with V6 engines and Maserati Ghibli vehicles. Due to an engine software problem, at slow speeds such as stop-and-go traffic, the transmission may unexpectedly shift into neutral or park, or the engine m…
The risk: If the transmission shifts into neutral or park unexpectedly, or if the engine shuts down without warning, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Maserati will notify owners, and dealers will re-flash the software for the engine control module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 2018. Owners may contact Maserati customer service at 1-877-696-2737. Maserati's number…
The defect: Maserati North America, Inc. (Maserati) is recalling certain model year 2017 Quattroporte and Ghibli vehicles manufactured July 1, 2016, to October 12, 2016. The rear differential unit pinion nut may not have been properly tightened, allowing the pinion nut to loosen.
The risk: A loose pinion gear may bind, possibly resulting in the rear wheels locking up and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Maserati will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear differential unit pinion nut torque, and, as necessary, replace the rear differential unit, free of charge. The recall began on December 30, 2016. Owners may contact Maserati c…
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
Maserati Ghibli or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Maserati Ghibli has far fewer complaints per year (6.1 vs. 1,162.1) and fewer total complaints (61 vs. 11,621), but its complaints often involve severe safety issues like unintended acceleration and engine seizure. The Ford F-150 has vastly more complaints and recalls, but many are recurring transmission and electrical problems that may be more predictable. In practice, the Ghibli may have fewer problems overall, but when they occur, they can be catastrophic and costly.
Key differences
- The Maserati Ghibli has 61 complaints over 10 years, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621, but the Ghibli's complaints include unintended acceleration and engine seizure, which are rare but severe.
- The Ford F-150's most common complaint is power train issues (3,648), often involving transmission limp mode and lead frame failures, while the Ghibli's power train complaints (12) include transmission slipping and clunking noises.
- The Ghibli has 26 recalls, including fuel system and engine cooling, while the F-150 has 151 recalls, covering engines, seat belts, and air bags.
- The F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries, compared to the Ghibli's 6 crash-related complaints and 2 injuries, but the Ghibli's lower volume makes direct comparison difficult.
- Check for any history of unintended acceleration or transmission slipping, especially after recall work; test drive at highway speeds and note any delayed or sudden acceleration.
- Listen for loud clunk noises from the steering or transmission during turns and gear changes, as owners reported these as early warning signs.
- Test the transmission thoroughly for limp mode or getting stuck in gear, especially during highway driving; ask if the lead frame or output speed sensor has been replaced.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster for any signs of cracking or previous replacement, as one owner reported the window exploding after defroster use.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models, especially the Ghibli's 365 ignition flash recall and the F-150's 26S28 software recall.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model, focusing on transmission, electrical, and engine systems.
- During the test drive, accelerate hard from a stop and at highway speeds to check for hesitation, slipping, or unintended acceleration.
- Ask the seller for all service records, particularly any transmission or engine repairs, and verify that recall work was completed.
- For the F-150, specifically test the rear defroster and inspect the rear window for any cracks or weakness.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Maserati Ghibli | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0 | 638 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 0 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 5 | 44 |
| 2019 | 2 | 52 |
| 2018 | 1 | 79 |
| 2017 | 21 | 59 |
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 Maserati Ghibli or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Maserati Ghibli vs FORD F 150
- Maserati Ghibli total complaints
- 61
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Maserati Ghibli total recalls
- 26
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Maserati Ghibli avg complaints/year
- 6.1
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Maserati Ghibli
- Maserati Ghibli top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN