Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ AMG GT vs FORD F 150
How the Mercedes BENZ AMG GT 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
Mercedes BENZ AMG GT vs FORD F 150: The AMG GT averages 1.0 complaint per year with 18 recalls and no crashes, while the F-150 averages 1,162.1 complaints per year with 151 recalls and 330 crash-related reports. The AMG GT's main issue is a fire-risk connector; the F-150's is a transmission lead frame defect. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ AMG GT or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ AMG GT
The Mercedes-Benz AMG GT is a low-volume performance car, averaging just 1.0 complaint per year over the past decade. The main reported issue is a transmission wiring harness connector that can let water in, causing shorts, overheating, and fire risk. There are also complaints about a rear wing fault light. With 18 recalls but no crashes or injuries reported, it appears to be a niche vehicle with specific, recurring problems.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume pickup with an average of 1,162 complaints per year, plus 330 crash-related reports, 297 injuries, and 1 death. Owners frequently report transmission problems, including limp mode and lead frame failures, as well as electrical issues and a rear window defroster short that can shatter the glass. With 151 recalls, it has a long history of safety-related defects.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ AMG GT | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 10 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 18 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.0 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.
Mercedes BENZ AMG GT
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6
- 02POWER TRAIN4
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
Owners report that the transmission wiring harness connector X279 can allow water intrusion, leading to short circuits, overheating, and a fire risk. This is a serious safety concern that may require inspection and repair.
The same connector issue is also reported under power train, causing transmission problems. Owners describe recurring safety issues with the wiring harness, which can affect drivability and increase fire risk.
Some owners report a fault light on the dashboard related to the active rear wing on the 2021 AMG GT Black Series. The issue was reproduced at the dealership, indicating a known problem with the rear wing system.
“My 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 43, VIN [XXX] , has had a recurring safety issue with the transmission wiring harness and connector X279. Mercedes-Benz said this connector can let water in, which can cause a short circuit, overheating, and a fire risk while the…”
“My 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 43, VIN [XXX] , has had a recurring safety issue with the transmission wiring harness and connector X279. Mercedes-Benz said this connector can let water in, which can cause a short circuit, overheating, and a fire risk while the…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report a 'lead frame' issue that has persisted for over a decade, causing transmission malfunctions. Some describe near collisions and limp mode, where the truck gets stuck in 5th gear or fails to shift properly.
The lead frame problem also appears as an electrical issue, with owners reporting output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. A separate complaint describes a short in the rear window defroster that caused the back window to shatter.
A specific complaint details the rear window exploding outward after the defroster was turned off, with no external cause. This suggests a potential defect in the defroster circuit that could lead to glass breakage.
Although not detailed in the sample complaints, exterior lighting is a top component with 1,224 complaints. Buyers should be aware that lighting issues are commonly reported and may 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.
Mercedes BENZ AMG GT — 18 recalls
The defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2017 AMG GTS and 2017 AMG GT vehicles. The bonding between the carbon-fiber driveshaft and the engine/transmission flange may be insufficient, causing the driveshaft to separate while in motion.
The risk: If the driveshaft separates, there may be a loss of drive, increasing the risk of crash.
The fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the carbon-fiber draft shaft, including the flange, free of charge. The recall began November 4, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this…
The defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (eCall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models…
The risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: MBUSA has initiated an Over the Air (OTA) remote update. MBUSA will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 2…
The defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2018 AMG GT vehicles. The bonding between the carbon-fiber driveshaft and the flange may be insufficient, which could result in driveshaft separation.
The risk: A separated driveshaft may cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the carbon-fiber driveshaft, as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed October 15, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 20210900…
The defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to the Part 573 report for specific vehicle mod…
The risk: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
The fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8…
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
Mercedes BENZ AMG GT or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG GT has far fewer issues per year (1.0 vs. 1,162.1) and no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths, while the Ford F-150 has thousands of complaints and hundreds of crash-related reports. In practice, the AMG GT appears to have fewer overall problems, but the ones it does have can be serious, such as fire risk. The F-150's high volume of complaints means many owners experience recurring transmission and electrical faults.
Key differences
- The AMG GT averages 1.0 complaint per year, while the F-150 averages 1,162.1 per year, a massive difference in reported problems.
- The F-150 has 330 crash-related reports, 297 injuries, and 1 death, whereas the AMG GT has none of these in the data.
- The AMG GT's main issue is a water-intrusion connector that can cause fire risk, while the F-150's top issue is a long-standing lead frame defect causing transmission limp mode.
- The F-150 also has a reported rear window defroster short that can shatter the glass, a unique safety concern not seen in the AMG GT.
- Inspect the transmission wiring harness and connector X279 for signs of water intrusion, corrosion, or overheating, as this is linked to fire risk.
- Check for any dashboard fault lights related to the active rear wing, especially on 2021 AMG GT Black Series models.
- Test the transmission for limp mode, stuck gears, or delayed shifting, and ask if the lead frame has been replaced.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for proper function and look for any cracks or signs of shattering, as a short can cause the glass to break.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models using the NHTSA VIN lookup tool.
- For the AMG GT, have a mechanic inspect the transmission wiring harness and connector X279 for water damage or corrosion.
- For the F-150, test-drive extensively to check for transmission shudder, limp mode, or harsh shifting, and ask about lead frame replacement.
- On the F-150, turn on the rear defroster and inspect the rear window for any signs of overheating or cracking.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and any documentation of prior repairs related to the reported issues.
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 | Mercedes BENZ AMG GT | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 | 0 | 345 |
| 2024 | 0 | 638 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 9 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 0 | 44 |
| 2019 | 0 | 52 |
| 2018 | 0 | 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 Mercedes BENZ AMG GT or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ AMG GT vs FORD F 150
- Mercedes BENZ AMG GT total complaints
- 10
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Mercedes BENZ AMG GT total recalls
- 18
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Mercedes BENZ AMG GT avg complaints/year
- 1.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ AMG GT
- Mercedes BENZ AMG GT top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN