Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ GLK Class vs FORD F 150
How the Mercedes BENZ GLK 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 GLK Class vs FORD F 150: The GLK averaged 71 complaints per year with 0 recalls, while the F-150 averaged 1,131 complaints per year with 145 recalls. The GLK's top issue is air bags (499 complaints); the F-150's is power train (3,553). Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ GLK Class or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ GLK Class
The Mercedes-Benz GLK Class is a compact luxury SUV that averaged 71 owner complaints per year over a 10-year span, with no recalls on record. The complaint pattern is dominated by air bag issues (499 of 710 total), often tied to a recall repair that owners say took too long. Other recurring themes include fuel leaks and strong gas odors, plus electrical no-start problems and brake complaints. For a used buyer, this suggests a vehicle where air bag history and fuel-system checks are essential before purchase.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that averaged 1,131 complaints per year over 10 years, with 145 recalls. The most common complaint areas are the power train (3,553), electrical system (2,071), and exterior lighting (1,164). Owners frequently describe hard or delayed transmission shifts, sudden loss of power, and warning messages like front camera malfunction. For a used buyer, this points to a truck with many reported issues, especially around the transmission and electronics.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ GLK Class | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 710 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 23 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 71.0 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 17 Better | 287 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 2 | 1 Better |
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 GLK Class
- 01AIR BAGS499
- 02FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM49
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM31
- 04SERVICE BRAKES31
- 05STEERING29
Owners report abnormal noises and air bag-related concerns, with some complaints tied to a recall repair that took too long. This matters because air bag problems can affect crash protection, and buyers should verify any open recall work was completed.
Owners describe gas leaking from above the gas tank and a strong raw gas smell after filling up, sometimes so bad they fear a fire. This matters because fuel leaks are a fire risk and may not be covered by every recall, so a pre-purchase inspection should check for odors and leaks.
Owners report the key fob not being recognized and the vehicle failing to start after inserting the key, sometimes intermittently. This matters because a no-start condition can leave a buyer stranded, and the cause may be hard to diagnose.
Owners describe fishtailing or swerving during braking at highway speeds, and brakes erroneously activating and slowing the vehicle with smoke from the brakes. This matters because brake problems directly affect control and stopping distance.
“The contact owns a 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK350. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, she heard an abnormal noise. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road and saw the front driver’s side headr…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ GLK350W. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. KNOXVILLE MERCEDES-BENZ (…”
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 gear, and sometimes a total loss of power where the vehicle shuts off and drifts. This matters because transmission failures can happen at speed and create a serious safety risk.
Owners describe loud bangs or popping sounds from the transmission area, and recurring dashboard warnings like front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist not available. This matters because these warnings can disable driver-assist features and point to deeper electronic faults.
Exterior lighting is a top complaint area, and there are recalls for headlights. This matters because lighting problems reduce visibility and can lead to tickets or crashes, so buyers should check all lights work.
Engine complaints are common, and there are multiple engine-related recalls. This matters because engine issues can be expensive and may affect reliability, so a thorough mechanical inspection is wise.
“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 GLK 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 GLK Class or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz GLK Class has far fewer complaints per year (71) than the Ford F-150 (1,131), but the GLK's complaints are heavily concentrated in air bags. The F-150 has many more recalls and a broader range of reported problems, especially in the power train. In practice, the GLK may have fewer overall issues, but the air bag and fuel concerns are serious and should be checked carefully.
Key differences
- The GLK averaged 71 complaints per year with 0 recalls, while the F-150 averaged 1,131 complaints per year with 145 recalls.
- The GLK's top complaint is air bags (499), often tied to a recall repair delay; the F-150's top complaint is power train (3,553), with reports of hard shifts and power loss.
- The GLK has reports of fuel leaks and strong gas odors; the F-150 has reports of electrical warnings like front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist not available.
- The GLK has 23 crash-related complaints and 2 deaths; the F-150 has 328 crash-related complaints and 1 death, though these counts alone do not prove cause.
- Check for any open air bag recall and confirm the repair was completed, since owners report long waits and air bag concerns.
- Inspect for fuel leaks or strong gas odors around the tank, especially after filling up, as owners report raw gas smells and leaks.
- Test drive at highway speeds and watch for hard or delayed shifts, jerking, or sudden power loss, which owners report with the transmission.
- Check for recurring dashboard warnings like front camera malfunction or pre-collision assist not available, as these are common electrical complaints.
Before you buy
- Ask for the VIN and check NHTSA for open recalls on both vehicles, especially air bag recalls on the GLK and the many recalls on the F-150.
- Have a mechanic inspect the GLK for fuel leaks, gas odors, and air bag system health before buying.
- Have a mechanic scan the F-150 for transmission codes and test drive it to feel for hard shifts or power loss.
- On the F-150, verify all exterior lights work and check for any electrical warning messages on the dash.
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and ask for maintenance records, especially for transmission or air bag 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 GLK Class | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | 33 |
| 2019 | 0 | 36 |
| 2018 | 0 | 56 |
| 2017 | 0 | 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 GLK Class or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ GLK Class vs FORD F 150
- Mercedes BENZ GLK Class total complaints
- 710
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Mercedes BENZ GLK Class total recalls
- 0
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Mercedes BENZ GLK Class avg complaints/year
- 71.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ GLK Class
- Mercedes BENZ GLK Class top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN