Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ B Class vs FORD F 150
How the Mercedes BENZ B Class 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 B Class vs FORD F 150: The B-Class has 75 complaints and 0 recalls over 10 years, while the F-150 has 11,311 complaints and 145 recalls. The B-Class averages 7.5 complaints per year versus 1,131.1 for the F-150. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ B Class or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ B Class
The Mercedes-Benz B-Class is a compact car, often electric, with a low complaint rate of 7.5 per year over 10 years. Owners report issues with the power train, engine, and electrical system, including sudden power loss and a 'clomp' sensation. There are no recalls on record, but the complaints suggest potential reliability concerns that a buyer should investigate.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint rate of 1,131 per year over 10 years. Common problems involve the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting, with reports of hard shifting, loss of power, and camera malfunctions. There are 145 recalls and 328 crash-related complaints, indicating a need for thorough inspection.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ B Class | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 75 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 7.5 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.
Mercedes BENZ B Class
- 01POWER TRAIN35
- 02ENGINE29
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM23
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM17
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL8
Owners describe a 'clomp' where the car unexpectedly rocks forward when stopping, creating an unsafe feeling. Another report mentions a coolant low warning in an electric vehicle, which is unusual and may indicate a system fault.
Complaints include sudden loss of power while driving at highway speeds, leading to a stall and inability to restart or shift out of park. This is extremely dangerous as it can leave the driver stranded in traffic.
One owner reported a coolant low warning light in an electric B-Class, suggesting possible sensor or cooling system issues. Another mentioned a Facebook group for B-Class Electric owners, indicating a community of owners sharing similar problems.
In electric models, owners report sudden loss of power at high speeds, similar to engine complaints. Also, paddle shifters used for regenerative braking may cause unexpected deceleration, though this is described as working well for some.
“On Wednesday [XXX] I was driving my electric vehicle to work. I exited the freeway and as soon as I stopped at the light for the off ramp a warning light indicator appeared stating Coolant Low. I found this odd as I was unaware of Electric Vehicles using Cool…”
“BEGINNING AT ABOUT 4500 MILES WE BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO THE SHOP AFTER COMING TO A STOP; WE CALL IT THE 'CLOMP!' IT WILL UNEXPECTEDLY ROCK FORWARD CREATING A VERY UNSAFE FEELING. THEN THE FOLLOWING MONTH, THE 'CLOMPING' PRESENTED ITSELF AGAIN SO MY WIFE RETURN…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Owners report hard and delayed shifts, especially between 7th and 8th gears, and sometimes loss of power with jerking. The 10R80 transmission is specifically mentioned for jerking and clunking between gears.
Complaints include loud bangs from the transmission and popping sounds from the rear suspension, as well as warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' appearing on the dash.
There are 1,164 complaints about exterior lighting, often headlights, which can affect visibility and safety. Recalls also include headlight issues, so buyers should check for proper function.
Engine complaints are less frequent than power train but still present, with 847 reports. Recalls include engine issues, so it's important to verify any open recalls are addressed.
“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.
Mercedes BENZ B Class
No recalls on record.
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
Mercedes BENZ B Class or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz B-Class has far fewer complaints per year (7.5 vs. 1,131.1) and no recalls, while the Ford F-150 has many more complaints and recalls. In practice, the B-Class may have fewer reported issues, but the F-150's higher volume means more data; buyers should weigh the severity of reported problems.
Key differences
- The Mercedes-Benz B-Class has 75 complaints over 10 years and 0 recalls, while the Ford F-150 has 11,311 complaints and 145 recalls.
- B-Class owners report sudden power loss and a 'clomp' sensation, whereas F-150 owners report hard shifting and loss of power with the 10R80 transmission.
- The F-150 has 328 crash-related complaints and 287 injuries, while the B-Class has 0 crash-related, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths.
- Electrical issues in the B-Class include coolant warnings in electric models, while the F-150 has camera and collision assist warnings.
- Check for any signs of sudden power loss or stalling, especially at highway speeds, as reported by owners.
- Test the vehicle when coming to a stop to feel for any 'clomp' or rocking forward sensation, which could indicate a power train issue.
- Test drive at various speeds to detect hard or delayed shifts, particularly between 7th and 8th gears, and listen for clunking noises.
- Check for dashboard warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' and ensure all recalls are addressed.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic familiar with the specific model.
- For the B-Class, test drive and specifically check for power loss and transmission clunks.
- For the F-150, test drive and focus on transmission shifting and electrical warnings.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and any documentation of previous repairs.
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 B Class | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0 | 3432 |
| 2021 | 0 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 0 | 33 |
| 2019 | 0 | 36 |
| 2018 | 0 | 56 |
| 2017 | 20 | 43 |
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 B Class or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ B Class vs FORD F 150
- Mercedes BENZ B Class total complaints
- 75
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Mercedes BENZ B Class total recalls
- 0
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Mercedes BENZ B Class avg complaints/year
- 7.5
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ B Class
- Mercedes BENZ B Class top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN