Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ GLE Class vs FORD F 150
How the Mercedes BENZ GLE 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 GLE Class vs FORD F 150: The GLE averages 46.5 complaints per year with 0 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,162.1 complaints per year with 151 recalls. The GLE’s top issues are electrical and engine; the F-150’s are power train and electrical. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ GLE Class or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ GLE Class
The Mercedes-Benz GLE Class is a luxury SUV that averages about 46.5 complaints per year over the past decade, with no recalls on record. Owners frequently report electrical glitches like battery warnings and blank instrument clusters, plus engine issues tied to oil pump solenoid codes. These problems can leave you without key displays or safety features, so living with one means staying alert to electronic warnings.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that generates roughly 1,162 complaints per year and has 151 recalls, far more than the GLE. The dominant theme is power train trouble, especially transmission limp mode and lead frame failures, along with electrical and lighting complaints. That volume means many owners face recurring repairs, but the sheer number of trucks also means more data and more recall remedies.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ GLE Class | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 465 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 31 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 46.5 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 24 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 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 GLE Class
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM107
- 02ENGINE107
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER82
- 04POWER TRAIN49
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL44
Owners report low battery charge warnings that appear while driving and instruct them to pull over, plus instrument clusters going black and disabling speedometer, fuel gauge, and safety features like blind spot monitoring. These failures can distract or leave you without critical information mid-drive.
Complaints mention the P06DA00 code for a faulty oil pump solenoid wiring harness, and check engine lights that become a regular occurrence. Such issues can lead to repeated shop visits and potential engine management problems if ignored.
Owners describe rough acceleration, noises on acceleration, and a vehicle that moves forward while in Park. These symptoms suggest transmission or drivetrain faults that affect drivability and safety.
This component appears in the top five with 44 complaints, though sample texts do not detail specific failures. Buyers should still ask about cruise control or throttle response behavior.
“I have been getting Battery Monitor - Charge status very low warnings for the past month and they occur at any moment, including while driving the car. The warning then states for me to stop and pull the car over so it can charge up. MESSAGE: 12V Battery The…”
“My instrument cluster has gone black twice. Meaning I have no speedometer, gas gauge, etc. My blind spot monitoring, front parking, and other safety features do not work when this happens. It stays this way for several hours and then displays again, usually o…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
The most complained-about area, with reports of limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures that can nearly cause collisions. These transmission problems are recurring and can leave the truck undrivable or dangerous.
Owners link electrical issues to the same lead frame problem, and also report shorts in the rear window defroster that can shatter the back glass. Such failures affect basic safety and visibility.
With 1,224 complaints, lighting problems are common, though sample texts do not specify details. Buyers should check all lights and consider this a known weak spot.
Engine complaints include output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode, as seen in a 2017 model under a recall. These can strand you or force reduced power on the highway.
“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 GLE 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 GLE Class or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE Class has far fewer complaints per year (46.5 vs. 1,162.1) and zero recalls versus 151 for the F-150. In practice, that means GLE owners report fewer overall problems, but the F-150’s higher volume also reflects its much larger sales base and a long list of recall campaigns that may address some defects.
Key differences
- The GLE averages 46.5 complaints per year with no recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,162.1 per year and has 151 recalls.
- GLE complaints center on electrical warnings and blank instrument clusters; F-150 complaints center on transmission limp mode and lead frame failures.
- The F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries versus 31 crash-related and 24 injuries for the GLE, though these raw counts track with the much larger F-150 population.
- Both vehicles have 1 reported death in the data, but the F-150’s power train issues are described by owners as near-collision events.
- Check for any history of battery drain or electrical warnings—ask if the 12V battery and charging system have been serviced, and test all dashboard displays and safety features.
- Listen for acceleration noises or rough shifting, and verify that the oil pump solenoid wiring harness has been inspected or replaced if a P06DA00 code was ever present.
- Test the transmission thoroughly for limp mode, harsh shifting, or getting stuck in gear, and confirm whether the lead frame and relevant recalls (like 26S28) have been completed.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for signs of shorting or prior replacement, and check all exterior lights for function.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls are closed, especially for the F-150’s lead frame and software updates.
- During a test drive, pay attention to transmission behavior (F-150) and electrical warnings or blank displays (GLE).
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the model, focusing on the top complaint areas.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records related to batteries, wiring, and transmission service.
- Verify that safety features like blind spot monitoring (GLE) and backup cameras work consistently.
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 GLE Class | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 | 0 | 345 |
| 2024 | 0 | 638 |
| 2023 | 31 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 63 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 83 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 123 | 44 |
| 2019 | 34 | 52 |
| 2018 | 56 | 79 |
| 2017 | 75 | 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 GLE Class or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ GLE Class vs FORD F 150
- Mercedes BENZ GLE Class total complaints
- 465
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Mercedes BENZ GLE Class total recalls
- 0
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Mercedes BENZ GLE Class avg complaints/year
- 46.5
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ GLE Class
- Mercedes BENZ GLE Class top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN