Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ R Class vs FORD F 150
How the Mercedes BENZ R 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 R Class vs FORD F 150: The R-Class averages 36 complaints per year with 0 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,162 complaints per year with 151 recalls. The F-150 also has 330 crash-related complaints and 1 death, versus 6 and 0 for the R-Class. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ R Class or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ R Class
The Mercedes-Benz R-Class is a luxury minivan/SUV that averages about 36 complaints per year over eight years, with no recalls on record. Owners most often report suspension problems like the vehicle leaning to one side, airbag issues tied to the Takata recall, and electrical faults that can cause stalling. Living with one means dealing with frequent repairs and potential difficulty getting recall parts, which can be frustrating for a first-time buyer.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that generates about 1,162 complaints per year over ten years, along with 151 recalls. The most common trouble spots are the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting, with owners describing transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and rear window explosions. While it's a popular work truck, the high volume of complaints and recalls means buyers should expect ongoing reliability concerns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ R Class | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 289 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 6 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 36.1 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 13 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 R Class
- 01SUSPENSION64
- 02AIR BAGS44
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM38
- 04ENGINE37
- 05POWER TRAIN29
Owners report the vehicle leaning to one side, often due to air suspension or strut failure. This can affect handling and tire wear, so a buyer should test drive and inspect for uneven stance.
Many complaints mention the Takata airbag recall, with owners saying parts are unavailable and dealers refuse repairs. This is a safety concern because the defective inflator can rupture, and buyers should verify the recall was completed.
Reports include stalling while driving and repeated lumbar support failures. These issues can leave you stranded and lead to costly diagnostic and repair bills.
Some owners describe engine stalling without warning, sometimes due to sludge buildup. This can require major engine work, so a pre-purchase inspection should check for sludge and service history.
“I HAD JUST ARRIVED AT CHURCH AND NOTICED THE CAR LEANING TO THE RIGHT SIDE. I IGNORED IT AT FIRST THINKING MAYBE THE DRIVEWAY WAS UNEVEN. WHEN I GOT READY TO LEAVE MY BOYFRIEND POINTED IT OUT TO ME THAT THE TRUCK WAS LEANING TO THE RIGHT. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP…”
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, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures. These can cause sudden loss of power and near-collisions, making a test drive and transmission scan essential.
Complaints include lead frame issues and output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. These electrical faults can disable the truck unexpectedly, so checking for related recalls and codes is wise.
Some owners report the rear window shattering after using the defroster, likely due to a short. This is a safety hazard because glass can explode outward, and buyers should inspect the rear defroster operation.
While not detailed in the sample, this is a top complaint area. Owners may experience lighting failures that affect visibility, so check all lights and look for recalls.
“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 R 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 R Class or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz R-Class has far fewer complaints per year (about 36) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,162), but the R-Class has no recalls while the F-150 has 151. In practice, the R-Class may have fewer overall issues but could still suffer from serious suspension and airbag problems, while the F-150's high complaint volume suggests more frequent trips to the shop.
Key differences
- The R-Class averages 36 complaints per year with 0 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,162 complaints per year with 151 recalls.
- R-Class owners report suspension leaning and Takata airbag parts shortages; F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures.
- The F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries, compared to 6 crash-related and 13 injuries for the R-Class.
- The F-150 has 1 death reported, while the R-Class has 0 deaths in the data.
- Check for uneven suspension or leaning to one side, which owners report as a sign of suspension failure.
- Verify that the Takata airbag recall has been completed, as parts may be unavailable and the defect can be deadly.
- Test drive for transmission shudder, limp mode, or getting stuck in gear, which owners describe as common power train failures.
- Inspect the rear window and test the defroster, as some owners report the glass shattering after use.
Before you buy
- Run a VIN check for open recalls on both vehicles, especially the Takata airbag recall for the R-Class and the F-150's many recalls.
- Get a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the model, focusing on suspension for the R-Class and transmission for the F-150.
- Ask for service records to see if transmission or suspension repairs have been done.
- Test drive at highway speeds and in stop-and-go traffic to check for stalling, limp mode, or uneven ride.
- Check the rear window defroster on the F-150 and the air suspension on the R-Class for proper operation.
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 R Class or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ R Class vs FORD F 150
- Mercedes BENZ R Class total complaints
- 289
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Mercedes BENZ R Class total recalls
- 0
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Mercedes BENZ R Class avg complaints/year
- 36.1
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ R Class
- Mercedes BENZ R Class top complaint area
- SUSPENSION
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN