Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ Metris vs FORD F 150
How the Mercedes BENZ Metris 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 Metris vs FORD F 150: The Metris has 237 complaints over 8 years (about 30 per year), while the F-150 has 11,311 over 10 years (over 1,100 per year). The Metris's top issues are tires and fuel leaks, while the F-150 struggles with transmission and electrical problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ Metris or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ Metris
The Mercedes-Benz Metris is a commercial van that owners rely on for work, but its reliability record shows a pattern of nagging issues. With 237 complaints over 8 years, the most frequent problems involve tires, fuel system, and wheels, often tied to recalls. Owners report tire failures at highway speeds, fuel line leaks with parts shortages, and inaccurate fuel gauges, which can be both inconvenient and safety-related. While not as heavily complained about as some trucks, the Metris demands attention to recall completion and component checks.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a best-selling pickup with a high volume of complaints—over 11,000 in 10 years—reflecting its popularity and widespread use. The dominant issues are in the powertrain, especially the 10-speed automatic transmission, which owners describe as hard shifting, jerking, and occasionally losing power. Electrical system problems, including camera and pre-collision assist malfunctions, are also common. These issues can affect daily drivability and owner confidence, but the F-150's sheer numbers mean many are satisfied despite the problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ Metris | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 237 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 73 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 4 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 29.6 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 9 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 Metris
- 01TIRES48
- 02FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM45
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER30
- 04WHEELS25
- 05STEERING23
Owners report tire failures, such as the front driver's side tire failing at 75 mph shortly after rotation. Many complaints relate to a recall for inadequate tires, leaving owners with expensive replacement bills.
Fuel line leaks are a known issue subject to recall, but parts may be unavailable, leaving owners waiting. Also, the fuel gauge can be inaccurate, showing 85 miles of range but running out after 35 miles.
Wheel-related complaints often tie into tire issues, with owners reporting problems after recall service. Some mention a smell of coolant, suggesting potential leaks that could pose fire or health risks.
“See attached document for complaint. I wanted to express my displeasure with the manner in which the above reference recall was conducted. The timeline left many owners with expensive replacement bills for new tires to replace inadequate tires that were insta…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 MERCEDES BENZ METRIS EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK TIRES, TIRELINE VENTUS S1 NOBLE 2, TIRE SIZE 225/55/R17, DOT # 5MKC1AH0316.. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE JUST ROTATED AND WAS DRIVING AT 75 MPH AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The 10R80 automatic transmission is a major source of complaints, with hard and delayed shifts, jerking, clunking, and occasional loss of power. Owners report these issues during normal driving, which can be alarming and potentially dangerous.
Electrical problems include warning messages like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' appearing every time the truck starts. These issues may require dealer visits and can disable safety features.
Headlight-related recalls and complaints are common, though specific owner reports are not detailed here. Lighting issues can affect visibility and safety at night.
“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 Metris — 73 recalls
The defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Mercedes-Benz Metris vehicles. The drive shaft securing bolts may loosen at the automatic transmission flange.
The risk: If the bolts loosen and fall out, the driveshaft may separate causing a loss of drive, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission flange, securing bolts, and clean the shaft seal, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
The defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2020 Mercedes-Benz Metris and 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (eCall) in the event of a crash.
The risk: Failure of the eCall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
The fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the software communication module for the automatic emergency call system, free of charge. The recall began on May 5, 2021. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUS…
The defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Metris vehicles sold, or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Ve…
The risk: Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the aluminum bolts with steels bolts, free of charge. DTNA issued owners an interim notification on June 3, 2019. The recall began November 15, 2019. Owners may contact DVUSA customer serv…
The defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Mercedes-Benz Metris vehicles. The integrated backup battery compartment located underneath the front passenger's seat may not have its own cover, potentially exposing the battery when the seat is moved forward.
The risk: If conductive material, such as metal, unintentionally drops into the opening and contacts the terminals on the battery, an electrical short can occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and Mercedes-Benz dealers will install covers over the battery compartment area, free of charge. DVUSA issued owners an interim notification on December 2, 2019. The recall began March 9, 2020. Owners may contact…
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 Metris or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz Metris has far fewer complaints per year (about 30) compared to the Ford F-150 (over 1,100), but the Metris's issues are often tied to recalls and can be serious. The F-150's transmission problems are widespread and can be costly to fix. In practice, the Metris may have fewer reported problems, but the F-150's issues are more consistent and well-documented.
Key differences
- The Metris has a higher proportion of tire and fuel system complaints, often linked to recalls, while the F-150's top issue is transmission performance.
- The F-150 has a much higher complaint rate per year, but that's partly due to its massive sales volume.
- The Metris has had recalls for fuel line leaks and driveshaft issues, whereas the F-150 has recalls for headlights and battery cables.
- Owners of the Metris report parts shortages for recalls, while F-150 owners report persistent electrical warnings.
- Inspect tires for wear and check if any tire-related recalls have been completed, as failures at highway speeds have been reported.
- Check for fuel leaks and ensure the fuel line recall (18V837) has been performed; also verify the fuel gauge accuracy.
- Test drive the F-150 to feel for hard shifts or jerking, especially between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and listen for clunks.
- Check if the vehicle has recurring electrical warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available'.
Before you buy
- For the Metris: verify all open recalls are completed, especially fuel system and driveshaft recalls.
- For the Metris: have a mechanic inspect the tires for any signs of premature wear or damage.
- For the F-150: take a thorough test drive including highway speeds to assess transmission shifting.
- For the F-150: check the electrical system by starting the vehicle multiple times to see if warning lights appear.
- For both: obtain a vehicle history report to see if previous owners reported similar issues.
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 Metris | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 | 1507 |
| 2022 | 18 | 3432 |
| 2021 | 2 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 14 | 33 |
| 2019 | 16 | 36 |
| 2018 | 28 | 56 |
| 2017 | 29 | 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 Metris or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ Metris vs FORD F 150
- Mercedes BENZ Metris total complaints
- 237
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Mercedes BENZ Metris total recalls
- 73
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Mercedes BENZ Metris avg complaints/year
- 29.6
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ Metris
- Mercedes BENZ Metris top complaint area
- TIRES
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN