Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ G Class vs FORD F 150
How the Mercedes BENZ G 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 G Class vs FORD F 150: The G-Class has 27 complaints over 10 years (2.7/year) and 0 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,311 complaints (1,131/year) and 145 recalls. The F-150 also has 328 crash-related complaints versus 1 for the G-Class. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ G Class or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ G Class
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is a luxury SUV with a low complaint rate: 27 complaints over 10 years, averaging 2.7 per year. Owners report engine shutdowns, electrical glitches, and fuel system issues, often with no warning. There are no recalls on record, but 16 injuries and 1 crash-related complaint suggest that when problems occur, they can be serious. Living with it means expecting occasional electronic gremlins and potential stalling, but overall few reported issues.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume pickup with 11,311 complaints over 10 years, averaging 1,131 per year, plus 145 recalls. The most common trouble spots are the power train (especially transmission), electrical system, and exterior lighting. Owners describe hard shifts, loss of power, and warning messages. With 328 crash-related complaints and 1 death, the data shows a much higher volume of reported problems, though the truck remains popular.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ G Class | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 27 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.7 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 16 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 G Class
- 01ENGINE6
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM5
- 05ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)4
Owners report the engine shutting off while driving, sometimes at low speeds or after a few minutes on the road. One complaint describes a 2021 G-550 shutting off at a red light and not restarting for minutes. This matters because a sudden stall can leave you stranded or cause a crash.
Electrical issues include error messages like 'front/rear differential lock system malfunction' and ABS/ESP inactive warnings. One owner had repeated dealer visits for the same display errors. These glitches can disable safety aids and are frustrating to diagnose.
Some owners report fuel-related problems that contribute to stalling or shutdowns, as seen in a complaint where the vehicle shut off while driving. The same complaint also mentions the fuel system. This can be a safety concern if it causes loss of power.
Several complaints involve check engine lights and vehicles shutting off while driving, with owners told a recall is coming but no fix available. One owner waited months for parts. This uncertainty makes ownership stressful and can leave you with an undrivable vehicle.
“Driving 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-550 for approximately 8min. Preceding East on a 3 lane South Florida Highway no more than 40 mph. Gas tank 75% full with V-Power From Shell. (filled-3 days prior). Proceeded from the middle lane to the right lane in-order to make…”
“Shortly after purchasing a new Mercedes Benz 2021 G550 on [XXX], the SUV started having electrical problems. During early 2022 the vehicle shut off while at a red light and would not restart until a few minutes later. No warning light or error message was see…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The most common complaint area, with 3,553 reports. Owners describe hard or delayed shifts, jerking, clunking, and even loss of power. One owner lost all power on a crowded road and the truck shut off. This is a major safety and reliability concern.
With 2,071 complaints, electrical issues include warning messages like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' appearing every start. Some also report loud bangs from the transmission. These can distract the driver and indicate deeper problems.
There are 1,164 complaints about exterior lighting, often headlights. Recalls also list headlights. Poor lighting can reduce visibility and increase crash risk, especially at night.
Engine complaints number 847, often related to stalling or power loss. Combined with transmission issues, this can leave the truck undrivable. Buyers should be aware of potential costly repairs.
“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 G 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 G Class or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class has far fewer complaints per year (2.7 vs. 1,131 for the Ford F-150). In practice, this means you are much less likely to encounter a reported problem with the G-Class, but when issues do arise, they can involve stalling or electrical faults. The F-150's high complaint volume reflects its popularity and common transmission and electrical troubles.
Key differences
- The G-Class averages 2.7 complaints per year; the F-150 averages 1,131 per year, a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- Ford F-150 has 145 recalls on record, while the G-Class has none, though the G-Class still has injury and crash-related complaints.
- F-150 owners most often report transmission problems (hard shifts, loss of power), while G-Class owners report engine shutdowns and electrical glitches.
- The F-150 has 328 crash-related complaints and 1 death; the G-Class has 1 crash-related complaint and 16 injuries, showing different risk profiles.
- Check for any history of engine stalling or shutdowns, especially at low speeds or idle, as multiple owners reported this.
- Test all electronic systems, including differential locks, ABS, and ESP, for error messages or malfunctions.
- Test drive at various speeds and listen for hard shifts, jerks, or clunks from the transmission, especially between 4-5 and 5-6 gears.
- Check for recurring dashboard warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' on startup.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls or unrepaired safety campaigns.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model, focusing on transmission (F-150) or electrical/engine (G-Class).
- During the test drive, pay attention to any hesitation, warning lights, or unusual noises.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any related to transmission, engine, or electrical repairs.
- Verify that all safety features (ABS, stability control, lights) work properly before buying.
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 G Class | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 24 |
| 2025 | 0 | 329 |
| 2024 | 0 | 617 |
| 2023 | 6 | 1507 |
| 2022 | 4 | 3432 |
| 2021 | 5 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 2 | 33 |
| 2019 | 6 | 36 |
| 2018 | 0 | 56 |
| 2017 | 4 | 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 G Class or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ G Class vs FORD F 150
- Mercedes BENZ G Class total complaints
- 27
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Mercedes BENZ G Class total recalls
- 0
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Mercedes BENZ G Class avg complaints/year
- 2.7
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ G Class
- Mercedes BENZ G Class top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN