Head-to-head reliability
Maserati Quattroporte vs FORD F 150
How the Maserati Quattroporte 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 Quattroporte vs FORD F 150: The Maserati has 12 complaints over 10 years and 27 recalls, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints and 151 recalls. The Maserati reports unintended acceleration and seat belt strangulation; the Ford reports transmission limp mode and electrical faults. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Maserati Quattroporte or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Maserati Quattroporte
The Maserati Quattroporte is a low-volume luxury sedan with only 12 complaints over 10 years, but its 27 recalls and reports of unintended acceleration and seat belt strangulation suggest serious safety concerns. Owners describe sudden acceleration even with braking, and rear seat belts that can cause neck injuries. These issues, though rare, are severe and could be costly or dangerous.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume pickup with 11,621 complaints over 10 years, averaging over 1,100 per year, and 151 recalls. Common problems include transmission limp mode, electrical glitches, and rear window shattering. With 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries, the frequency and variety of issues are notable.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Maserati Quattroporte | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 12 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 27 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.2 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.
Maserati Quattroporte
- 01VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3
- 02VISIBILITY/WIPER2
- 03SEAT BELTS2
- 04POWER TRAIN2
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
Owners report unintended acceleration, such as a car continuing to accelerate after releasing the gas pedal or while braking. This can lead to loss of control and crashes, making it a critical safety concern.
Complaints include rearview mirror glare that creates huge streaks and rainbow colors at night, and dashboard leather separating and flopping up, obstructing the windshield. These issues impair visibility and increase crash risk.
Rear seat belts are reported to strangle occupants, leaving marks on the neck and potentially causing neck injury or death in a crash. The lack of adjustability makes this a serious safety flaw.
Owners describe electronic brake malfunction and transmission neutral gear failure, which can lead to loss of braking or unintended acceleration. These failures compromise control and safety.
“I WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IN "SPORT" MODE. I ACCELERATED FROM A STOPPED POSITION, RATHER AGGRESSIVELY TO GET UP TO SPEED (ABOUT 30-35 MPH). WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNCOMMANDED. I PRESSED THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I C…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MASERATI QUATTROPORTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE EVEN WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE F…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Frequent transmission issues include limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden downshifts or loss of power. These problems can strand drivers and increase crash risk.
Lead frame defects and output speed sensor failures trigger limp mode and error codes, while rear window defroster shorts can cause the back window to shatter. Electrical faults are common and can be dangerous.
Reports include rear window shattering due to defroster shorts, which can startle drivers and create a safety hazard. This issue is unpredictable and may require costly repairs.
Although not detailed in the sample, exterior lighting complaints are among the top components, suggesting issues like flickering or failure that affect visibility and safety.
“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 Quattroporte — 27 recalls
The defect: Maserati North America, Inc. (Maserati) is recalling certain 2021 Quattroporte, Ghibli, 2021-2022 Levante, and 2022 MC20 vehicles. The fuel line sensor housing may crack and leak fuel.
The risk: A fuel leak may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A fuel leak also increases the risk of fire in the presence of an ignition source.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel line sensor housing, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 17, 2021. Owners may contact Maserati customer service at 1-877-696-2737. Maserati's number for this recall is 442.
The defect: Maserati North America, Inc. (Maserati) is recalling certain 2021 Levante, Quattroporte, and Ghibli vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the require…
The risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed October 15, 2021. Owners may contact Maserati customer service at 1-877-696-2737. Maserati's number for this recall is 434.
The defect: Maserati North America, Inc. (Maserati) is recalling certain 2021 Quattroporte Trofeo and Ghibli Trofeo vehicles equipped with optional 21-inch tires. The tire placard may have incorrect tire pressure information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: Tires that are inflated to the incorrect pressure could lead to a loss of vehicle stability and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the placard and update the tire pressure monitoring system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 10, 2021. Owners may contact Maserati customer service at 1-877-696-2737. Maserati's number f…
The defect: Maserati North America, Inc. (Maserati) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Quattroporte and Ghibli vehicles. The fuel line sensor housing may crack and leak fuel.
The risk: A fuel leak may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A fuel leak also increases the risk of fire in the presence of an ignition source.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel line sensor housing, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 21, 2024. Owners may contact Maserati customer service at 1-877-696-2737. Maserati's number for this recall is 718. This recall i…
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 Quattroporte or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Maserati Quattroporte has far fewer complaints per year (1.2 vs. 1,162.1 for the Ford F-150), but its issues are often severe, such as unintended acceleration and seat belt strangulation. The Ford F-150 has a much higher volume of complaints, with common transmission and electrical problems that can be frequent and disruptive. In practice, the Maserati may have rarer but potentially more dangerous flaws, while the Ford has more widespread, recurring issues.
Key differences
- The Maserati Quattroporte has 12 complaints over 10 years, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621, but the Maserati's complaints include unintended acceleration and seat belt strangulation.
- The Ford F-150's top issues are power train and electrical system failures, often causing limp mode or shattering windows, whereas the Maserati's top issue is vehicle speed control with sudden acceleration.
- The Maserati has 27 recalls and 1 crash-related complaint, while the Ford has 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints, indicating a much higher rate of reported crashes for the Ford.
- The Maserati's seat belt complaints describe strangulation, a unique and severe safety concern not highlighted in the Ford's sample complaints.
- Check for any history of unintended acceleration by test-driving at various speeds and modes, and ask if the vehicle has had software updates or repairs related to speed control.
- Inspect the rear seat belts for adjustability and comfort, and look for dashboard leather separation that could obstruct the windshield.
- Test the transmission for limp mode or rough shifting, especially when accelerating or at highway speeds, and check for stored codes related to the lead frame or output speed sensor.
- Inspect the rear window for cracks or signs of shattering, and test the defroster to ensure it doesn't short or cause overheating.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models, prioritizing the Maserati's speed control and seat belt recalls and the Ford's transmission and electrical recalls.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model, focusing on the Maserati's acceleration and seat belts and the Ford's transmission and electrical system.
- Test-drive the vehicle extensively, including highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic, to replicate conditions that trigger reported issues like limp mode or unintended acceleration.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission repairs or software updates on the Ford and any speed control fixes on the Maserati.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been performed, as unrepaired recalls can pose ongoing risks.
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 Quattroporte | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0 | 638 |
| 2023 | 1 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 3 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 0 | 44 |
| 2019 | 0 | 52 |
| 2018 | 1 | 79 |
| 2017 | 1 | 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 Quattroporte or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Maserati Quattroporte vs FORD F 150
- Maserati Quattroporte total complaints
- 12
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Maserati Quattroporte total recalls
- 27
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Maserati Quattroporte avg complaints/year
- 1.2
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Maserati Quattroporte
- Maserati Quattroporte top complaint area
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN