Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ GLS Class vs FORD F 150
How the Mercedes BENZ GLS 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 GLS Class vs FORD F 150: The GLS has 193 complaints over 10 years with 0 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints and 151 recalls. The GLS averages about 19 complaints per year, the F-150 about 1,162. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ GLS Class or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ GLS Class
The Mercedes-Benz GLS Class is a large luxury SUV with 193 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 19 per year. Owners frequently report electrical glitches, such as dashboard warnings for brake assist and blind spot systems, and some engine issues like low oil pressure. There are no recalls on record, but 10 crashes and 10 injuries are linked to complaints. Overall, it appears to have fewer reported problems per year than the Ford F-150, but the issues can be complex and costly.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with 11,621 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 1,162 per year. The most common trouble spots are the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting, with owners describing transmission limp modes, lead frame failures, and rear window shattering. There are 151 recalls, 330 crash-related complaints, and 297 injuries reported. This suggests a much higher volume of reported issues, though many are covered by recalls.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ GLS Class | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 193 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 10 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 19.3 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 10 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 GLS Class
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM55
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER38
- 03ENGINE36
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE19
- 05POWER TRAIN17
Owners report sudden dashboard warnings like 'Active Brake Assist Functions Limited' and 'Active Blind Spot Assist Inoperative,' often accompanied by parking brake assist malfunctions. These electrical glitches can disable safety features and require dealer diagnosis, which may be expensive and recurring.
Some owners experience low oil pressure warnings and engine lights due to a faulty oil pump solenoid valve, requiring major engine work. This can lead to sudden loss of power and high repair costs, making it a critical area to check.
Complaints include the collision avoidance system shutting down without weather cause and, in one case, the radar system locking up the wheels while driving. These failures could increase crash risk and are hard to predict.
Issues range from software update failures for communication modules to water pooling in the passenger footwell causing limp mode and disabling multiple systems. These problems can be intermittent and costly to trace.
“As I approached a red light and removed my foot from the gas pedal to brake, my dashboard displayed several alarming messages: “Active Brake Assist Functions Limited See Owner's Manual,” “Active Blind Spot Assist Inoperative,” “To Deselect P or N Depress Brak…”
“At first, the parking brake assist would appear when vehicle was put into park or when starting. We would have to release the parking brake each time. Then, the parking brake assist light would not go on, but the parking brake assist would engage and or be st…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners frequently report transmission problems like limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power. These issues often recur and may require expensive repairs, affecting drivability and safety.
The lead frame issue also appears here, along with output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. These electrical faults can strand drivers and are often addressed by recalls, but problems persist for some.
While not detailed in the sample complaints, exterior lighting is a top component with 1,224 complaints. Buyers should check for lighting malfunctions, which can affect visibility and safety.
One owner reported the rear window shattering after using the defroster, due to a short. This unexpected failure can cause injury and costly repairs, and similar issues may exist in other trucks.
“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 GLS 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 GLS Class or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz GLS Class has far fewer complaints per year (about 19) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,162). In practice, this means GLS owners report fewer problems overall, but the issues can still be serious and expensive. The F-150's higher volume reflects its popularity and a wider range of reported defects, many covered by recalls.
Key differences
- The GLS has 193 complaints over 10 years with no recalls, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints and 151 recalls, indicating a much higher reported issue rate for the Ford.
- GLS owners commonly report electrical glitches and forward collision avoidance shutdowns, whereas F-150 owners frequently cite power train limp modes and lead frame failures.
- The F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries, compared to 10 crashes and 10 injuries for the GLS, though these are raw counts not adjusted for sales volume.
- The GLS has no recalls on record, but the F-150 has many recalls, including for engine, seat belts, and air bags, which may address some defects but also indicate widespread problems.
- Check for any history of electrical warnings such as 'Active Brake Assist Functions Limited' or 'Active Blind Spot Assist Inoperative'—these can indicate persistent sensor or software issues.
- Inspect for signs of water intrusion in the passenger footwell, which has been linked to limp mode and multiple system failures.
- Test drive and scan for transmission codes, especially for limp mode or stuck gears, as power train complaints are extremely common.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster operation; look for any cracks or signs of shattering, which some owners report.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls, especially for the Ford F-150.
- Have a mechanic perform a diagnostic scan for stored error codes, focusing on transmission, electrical, and engine systems.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any dashboard warnings, unusual shifting, or loss of power.
- For the GLS, test all electronic safety features and check for water leaks in the footwell.
- For the F-150, verify that any recall repairs have been completed and ask about transmission service history.
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 GLS Class | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 | 0 | 345 |
| 2024 | 0 | 638 |
| 2023 | 10 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 16 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 37 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 38 | 44 |
| 2019 | 28 | 52 |
| 2018 | 22 | 79 |
| 2017 | 42 | 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 GLS Class or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ GLS Class vs FORD F 150
- Mercedes BENZ GLS Class total complaints
- 193
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Mercedes BENZ GLS Class total recalls
- 0
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Mercedes BENZ GLS Class avg complaints/year
- 19.3
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ GLS Class
- Mercedes BENZ GLS Class top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN