Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ CLS Class vs FORD F 150
How the Mercedes BENZ CLS 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 CLS Class vs FORD F 150: The CLS Class has 55 complaints and 0 recalls over 10 years, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints and 151 recalls. The F-150 also reports 330 crash-related complaints versus 2 for the CLS. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ CLS Class or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ CLS Class
The Mercedes-Benz CLS Class is a luxury four-door coupe with a low complaint volume—about 5.5 per year over a decade—but the pattern shows recurring, expensive problems. Owners frequently report wheel cracks and repeated tire replacements, plus electrical glitches tied to the 48-volt system that can shut the engine off. Steering malfunctions and coolant loss also appear, meaning even a low-mileage example can demand costly repairs.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a massive complaint count—over 1,100 per year—and 151 recalls in ten years. The dominant theme is powertrain trouble: lead frame failures, limp mode, and harsh shifting that owners describe as recurring and sometimes dangerous. Electrical issues, lighting faults, and even a rear-window explosion from a defroster short add to the ownership burden.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ CLS Class | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 55 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 2 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 5.5 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 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 CLS Class
- 01WHEELS18
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12
- 03STEERING7
- 04ENGINE6
- 05POWER TRAIN4
Owners report premature tire wear, bubbles, and shredded tires, plus hairline cracks in the rear wheels that cause slow leaks. These failures can leave you stranded and require repeated tire or wheel replacement.
The 48-volt battery system is a known weak point, with owners reporting '48V Battery malfunction' warnings and sudden engine shutdowns, especially in hot climates. This can happen while driving, creating a serious safety risk.
Power steering malfunctions within about 20 minutes of driving, making the car hard to control. Owners also describe total electrical failures that disable windows, mirrors, and navigation while moving.
Low coolant warnings appear without visible leaks, sometimes twice a year, and can progress to more frequent messages. This suggests a slow internal leak that could lead to overheating if ignored.
“I purchased my 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 with approximately 12,000 miles on 08/16/2022. Throughout the course of my ownership the vehicle has had multiple sets of tires replaced due to them either being prematurely bald, developing multiple bubbles, or shred…”
“I had a slow leak in the rear passenger tire for a few weeks now so I took it to the neighborhood tire shop. No nail or puncture was discovered but a hairline crack in the rear wheel. The tire shop manager advised me to call the dealership and ask the part to…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
The lead frame issue causes transmissions to go into limp mode, stick in 5th gear, and fail to shift properly—sometimes nearly causing collisions. Owners report this as a never-ending problem that persists even after repairs.
Output speed sensor failures trigger limp mode and code P0722, and a rear-window defroster short can cause the back glass to shatter outward. These electrical faults can disable the truck or create sudden safety hazards.
With over 1,200 complaints, lighting problems are common, though specific symptoms are not detailed in the sample. Buyers should expect potential bulb, wiring, or housing failures that affect visibility.
Engine-related complaints number 880, often tied to the same lead frame or sensor issues that cause stalling or power loss. These can leave you stranded and require dealer diagnostics.
“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 CLS 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 CLS Class or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz CLS Class has far fewer complaints per year (5.5 vs. 1,162 for the F-150), but both vehicles have serious recurring issues. In practice, the CLS may spend less time in the shop overall, yet its electrical and wheel problems can be costly and dangerous when they occur.
Key differences
- The CLS Class has 55 complaints over 10 years; the F-150 has 11,621—over 200 times more, though the F-150 sells in far greater numbers.
- CLS owners report wheel cracks and 48V electrical shutdowns; F-150 owners report lead frame failures causing limp mode and a rear-window defroster short that shatters glass.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints; the CLS has 0 recalls and 2 crash-related complaints.
- Both have engine and electrical issues, but the F-150's are more frequent and often tied to transmission limp mode, while the CLS's are more sporadic but can disable the car.
- Check for hairline cracks in the rear wheels and uneven or premature tire wear—owners report repeated tire replacements and slow leaks.
- Test the 48-volt system thoroughly: look for '48V Battery malfunction' warnings and ask if the car has ever shut off unexpectedly, especially in hot weather.
- Scan for transmission codes like P0722 and test-drive for limp mode, stuck gears, or harsh shifting—lead frame failures are common and dangerous.
- Inspect the rear window defroster and glass for cracks or signs of shattering, as owners report the window exploding outward after defroster use.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic familiar with the specific model.
- For the CLS, ask for service records on the 48V battery, wheels, and steering system.
- For the F-150, check for open recalls (especially 26S28) and confirm the lead frame has been replaced or updated.
- Test-drive both vehicles for at least 20 minutes, including highway speeds, to trigger intermittent electrical or transmission faults.
- Review NHTSA complaints for the exact model year you are considering to see if patterns match.
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 CLS Class | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 3 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 1 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 6 | 44 |
| 2019 | 20 | 52 |
| 2018 | 0 | 79 |
| 2017 | 2 | 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 CLS Class or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ CLS Class vs FORD F 150
- Mercedes BENZ CLS Class total complaints
- 55
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Mercedes BENZ CLS Class total recalls
- 0
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Mercedes BENZ CLS Class avg complaints/year
- 5.5
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ CLS Class
- Mercedes BENZ CLS Class top complaint area
- WHEELS
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN