Head-to-head reliability
Maserati MC20 vs FORD F 150
How the Maserati MC20 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 MC20 vs FORD F 150: The MC20 has 0 complaints and 9 recalls over 4 years, while the F-150 has 11,311 complaints and 145 recalls over 10 years. The F-150 also reports 328 crash-related complaints and 287 injuries. The MC20 shows no complaint pattern, but both have recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Maserati MC20 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Maserati MC20
The Maserati MC20 is a low-volume exotic sports car, so it sees very little real-world mileage and few owner complaints. Over four years, it has zero complaints on record, but nine recalls covering software, labels, fuel lines, and tail lights. Living with one means you'll likely deal with recall notices rather than repeated breakdowns, but the lack of complaint data means long-term patterns are unknown. Buyers should expect a car that spends more time in the garage than on the road, with attention needed for recall fixes.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume full-size pickup used for everything from commuting to heavy hauling, and it accumulates a huge number of owner complaints. Over ten years, it has 11,311 complaints and 145 recalls, with the most reported issues in the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting. Owners frequently describe hard or delayed transmission shifts, sudden loss of power, and electrical glitches like camera malfunctions. This means a used F-150 can be a workhorse, but you should budget for potential repairs and check for open recalls.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Maserati MC20 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 9 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.
Maserati MC20
No component data available.
Recalls for incorrect labels can mean missing safety or weight information, which might lead to improper loading or tire pressure. Buyers should verify that all recall work, including label corrections, has been completed.
Software recalls for the rearview camera system could cause the display to fail or lag, increasing the risk of backing into something or someone. Ensure the software has been updated by a dealer.
A recall on fuel lines could involve leaks or cracks, which might lead to fuel odor or fire risk. Have a mechanic inspect these lines for signs of wear or recall completion.
Tail light recalls often mean lights may not illuminate properly, reducing visibility to other drivers. Check that the tail lights function correctly and that any recall remedy has been applied.
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Owners report hard or delayed shifts, jerking, and clunking from the 10-speed automatic transmission, sometimes with sudden loss of power. This can be dangerous in traffic and may require expensive transmission repairs.
Complaints include warning messages like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available,' as well as loud bangs from the transmission area. These electrical gremlins can disable safety features and be hard to diagnose.
Many complaints fall into this catch-all category, often describing odd noises, vibrations, or intermittent issues that are difficult to pinpoint. This suggests a range of unresolved problems that can frustrate owners.
Recalls and complaints about headlights and tail lights include failures that reduce visibility. Owners may face dim or non-functioning lights, which is a safety concern especially at night.
“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.
Maserati MC20 — 9 recalls
The defect: Maserati North America, Inc. (Maserati) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Maserati MC20, and 2023-2024 MC20 Cielo vehicles. The Vehicle Capacity Weight (VCW) on the tire label may state incorrect information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety…
The risk: A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install corrected labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 20, 2024. Owners may contact Maserati customer service at 1-877-969-2737. Maserati's number for this recall is 730.
The defect: Maserati North America, Inc. (Maserati) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Grecale, 2023-2025 MC20 Cielo, 2024 Granturismo, GranCabrio, 2021-2024 Levante, Ghibli, Quattroporte, and 2022-2025 MC 20 vehicles. The radio software may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail…
The risk: A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The radio software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 10, 2025. Owners may contact Maserati customer service at 877-696-2737. Maserati's number for this recall is…
The defect: Maserati North America, Inc. (Maserati) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Maserati MC20, and 2023-2024 MC20 Cielo vehicles. The Vehicle Capacity Weight (VCW) on the tire label may state incorrect information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety…
The risk: A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install corrected labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 20, 2024. Owners may contact Maserati customer service at 1-877-969-2737. Maserati's number for this recall is 730.
The defect: Maserati North America, Inc. (Maserati) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Grecale, 2023-2025 MC20 Cielo, 2024 Granturismo, GranCabrio, 2021-2024 Levante, Ghibli, Quattroporte, and 2022-2025 MC 20 vehicles. The radio software may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail…
The risk: A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The radio software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 10, 2025. Owners may contact Maserati customer service at 877-696-2737. Maserati's number for this recall is…
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
Maserati MC20 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Maserati MC20 has far fewer issues per year (0 complaints/year vs. 1,131 complaints/year for the Ford F-150). In practice, this means the MC20 is likely to spend less time in the shop for recurring problems, but its recall count shows it's not trouble-free. The F-150's high complaint volume reflects its widespread use and complex systems, so buyers should be prepared for more frequent repairs.
Key differences
- The Maserati MC20 has 0 complaints and 9 recalls over 4 years, while the Ford F-150 has 11,311 complaints and 145 recalls over 10 years.
- Ford F-150 owners frequently report transmission problems like hard shifts and sudden power loss, whereas the MC20 has no complaint pattern but several software and fuel-line recalls.
- The F-150 has 328 crash-related complaints and 287 injuries, while the MC20 has none reported.
- Electrical issues are a top complaint for the F-150, including camera and collision assist malfunctions, while the MC20's recalls include back-over prevention software.
- Check for open recalls on the fuel system lines and back-over prevention software; incomplete fixes could pose safety risks.
- Inspect tail lights and labels for proper function and correct information, as recalls address these areas.
- Test drive at various speeds to feel for hard or delayed transmission shifts, especially between 4-5, 5-6, and 7-8 gears.
- Look for warning messages on the dashboard related to front camera or pre-collision assist, which indicate electrical faults.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been remedied by a dealer.
- For the F-150, have a mechanic inspect the transmission and electrical system, checking for stored error codes.
- For the MC20, verify that software updates for back-over prevention and fuel line recalls are completed.
- Test drive the F-150 extensively, including highway speeds, to replicate transmission behavior.
- Ask for maintenance records to see if common issues have been addressed.
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 MC20 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 329 |
| 2024 | 0 | 617 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1507 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3432 |
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 MC20 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Maserati MC20 vs FORD F 150
- Maserati MC20 total complaints
- 0
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Maserati MC20 total recalls
- 9
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Maserati MC20 avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Maserati MC20
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN