Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ CL Class vs FORD F 150
How the Mercedes BENZ CL 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 CL Class vs FORD F 150: The CL Class has 45 complaints and 0 recalls over 10 years, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints and 151 recalls. The F-150 also has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries, compared to 0 and 4 for the CL Class. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ CL Class or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ CL Class
The Mercedes-Benz CL Class is a luxury coupe with complex systems that can be expensive to maintain. Over 10 years, it has 45 complaints (4.5 per year) and no recalls, but owner reports highlight serious issues like fuel leaks, suspension failures, and electrical fires. With 4 injuries reported, buyers should be aware of potential safety risks and costly repairs.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a popular full-size pickup with a huge number of complaints: 11,621 over 10 years (1,162 per year) and 151 recalls. Owners frequently report transmission problems, electrical glitches, and other issues, with 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries. This suggests that while common, the F-150 has many documented problems that can affect safety and reliability.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ CL Class | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 45 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 4.5 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 4 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 CL Class
- 01FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM9
- 02SUSPENSION7
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6
- 04AIR BAGS5
- 05SERVICE BRAKES5
Owners report strong gas smells and oil leaks, sometimes leading to sudden stops. One complaint mentions a fuel filter flange that may crack, causing leaks. These issues can be dangerous and costly to fix.
The Active Body Control (ABC) system is a frequent trouble spot. Owners describe the car lowering completely or leaking fluid, with the ABC warning light coming on. Repairs are complex and expensive.
Complaints include electrical fires starting in the garage and sudden stops. One owner reported a fire that the fire department attributed to electrical components. This is a serious safety concern.
Takata airbag recalls are mentioned, with owners unable to get replacements. One report describes a side airbag deploying without impact, causing injury. This indicates potential airbag defects.
“CAR MADE NOISE & STOPPED SUDDENLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, OIL LEAKAGE HAPPENED BEFORE 30,000 MILEAGE ,DRIVEWAY FULL OF OIL LEAKAGE ,TOOK TO THE DEALER, INITIALLY COULD NOT FIND ANY DEFECT ,AFTER INSISTING THAT THERE IS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM, THEY CALLED ME…”
“My 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550 4MATIC with 63,335 miles. it has a strong gas smell in the inside. There was a recall pertaining to, "Due to the irregularity stemming from the molding process of the fuel filter flange, the filter may crack when operated in high t…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Many owners report transmission issues, such as limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures. One owner said a lead frame issue nearly ended their life. These problems can cause sudden loss of power and accidents.
Electrical problems include lead frame issues and output speed sensor failures leading to limp mode. A rear window defroster short caused the back window to shatter. These glitches can be unpredictable and dangerous.
Complaints include a rear window exploding due to a defroster short. This is a surprising and hazardous failure that could injure occupants.
While not detailed in the sample, this is a top component with 1,224 complaints. Lighting failures can reduce visibility and increase crash risk.
“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 CL Class
No recalls on record.
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 CL Class or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz CL Class has far fewer complaints per year (4.5 vs. 1,162 for the F-150), but both have serious safety-related issues. The F-150's higher volume means more reported problems, but the CL Class's issues can be more expensive and complex. In practice, the CL Class may be less troublesome overall, but the F-150's problems are more widespread and well-documented.
Key differences
- The CL Class has 45 complaints over 10 years, while the F-150 has 11,621, but the F-150 is far more common on the road.
- The CL Class has no recalls on record, but the F-150 has 151 recalls, including engine and airbag issues.
- CL Class owners report fuel leaks and suspension failures; F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and electrical fires.
- The F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries, compared to 0 crash-related and 4 injuries for the CL Class.
- Check for fuel odors or leaks around the fuel filter flange, as owners report strong gas smells and oil leaks.
- Test the Active Body Control (ABC) suspension for proper function; look for fluid leaks or warning lights.
- Test the transmission for limp mode or rough shifting, especially in 2017 models with the 6-speed automatic.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for shorts that could cause the window to shatter.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report to check for open recalls, especially Takata airbags on the CL Class and transmission recalls on the F-150.
- Have a mechanic inspect the CL Class's ABC suspension and fuel system for leaks.
- For the F-150, scan for transmission error codes and test drive at highway speeds to check for limp mode.
- Check the F-150's electrical system, including the rear window defroster and lead frame connectors.
- Verify that all recall repairs have been completed, as both vehicles have safety-related complaints.
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 CL Class or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ CL Class vs FORD F 150
- Mercedes BENZ CL Class total complaints
- 45
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Mercedes BENZ CL Class total recalls
- 0
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Mercedes BENZ CL Class avg complaints/year
- 4.5
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ CL Class
- Mercedes BENZ CL Class top complaint area
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN