Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ S Class vs FORD F 150
How the Mercedes BENZ S 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 S Class vs FORD F 150: The S Class has 172 complaints over 10 years (17.2/yr) with no recalls, while the F-150 has 11,311 complaints (1,131.1/yr) and 145 recalls. The S Class shows electrical and brake issues, while the F-150 suffers from transmission problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ S Class or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ S Class
The Mercedes-Benz S Class is a luxury flagship that, in the used market, shows a pattern of sophisticated but troublesome electronics and driver-assistance systems. Owners report issues with the electrical system, including a fire under the driver's seat, and the forward collision avoidance system causing unexpected braking or shutdowns. While the complaint count is relatively low, the nature of these issues suggests potential for expensive and inconvenient repairs.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a popular full-size pickup with a high volume of complaints, reflecting its widespread use. The dominant issue is the 10-speed automatic transmission, with owners reporting hard shifts, jerking, and even loss of power. Electrical problems, such as camera and pre-collision assist malfunctions, are also common. The sheer number of complaints and recalls indicates a vehicle that may require frequent dealer visits.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ S Class | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 172 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 6 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 17.2 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 7 Better | 287 |
| 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 S Class
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM31
- 02FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE30
- 03SERVICE BRAKES23
- 04ENGINE23
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER22
Owners report serious electrical faults, including a fire beneath the driver's seat and a harsh transmission shift that was logged under this category. These issues can lead to safety hazards and costly repairs.
The system can cause the vehicle to decelerate without driver input, misread speed limit signs, and even shut down the vehicle at stop lights, leading to potential rear-end collisions or being stranded.
Brake actuators have been known to seize, making the rear brakes inoperable. Owners also report unexpected seat belt tightening and a feeling of loss of control, which could be related to the braking system.
Engine issues include jerking upon acceleration with a battery warning, and a persistent service reminder that appears despite recent oil changes, indicating potential software or sensor problems.
“I am reporting a recurring transmission/drivability issue with my 2024 Mercedes-Benz S580. The vehicle has been experiencing a harsh, abnormal shift between approximately 3rd and 4th gear at around 25–35 mph during normal acceleration. The shift feels like a…”
“The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz S560. The contact stated that while parking their vehicle, a burning-leather odor entered the cabin, and they noticed smoke in the cabin. The contact noticed a small fire beneath the driver's seat. The fire was extinguish…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The 10R80 transmission is a major source of complaints, with hard and delayed shifts, jerking, clunking, and even complete loss of power while driving. This can be dangerous in traffic and may require transmission replacement.
Electrical issues often manifest as loud bangs from the transmission and popping sounds from the rear suspension, along with persistent warnings for front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist unavailability.
Headlight problems are common enough to have been the subject of recalls, which may indicate issues with visibility and safety at night.
Engine-related complaints are frequent, though specific details are not provided in the sample. Given the high number, they likely include performance and reliability concerns.
“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 S 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 S Class or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz S Class has far fewer complaints per year (17.2) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,131.1), indicating a lower frequency of reported issues. However, the S Class's problems are often more complex and expensive to fix, while the F-150's transmission issues are widespread and could affect many vehicles. In practice, the S Class may offer a more trouble-free ownership experience in terms of frequency, but the F-150's issues are more predictable and well-documented.
Key differences
- The S Class has a fraction of the complaints per year (17.2) compared to the F-150 (1,131.1), but its issues are often more severe, such as electrical fires and unexpected shutdowns.
- The F-150's transmission problems are the most common, with hard shifts and loss of power, while the S Class's forward collision avoidance system can cause sudden braking and stalls.
- The S Class has no recalls on record, whereas the F-150 has 145 recalls, indicating a higher likelihood of manufacturer-acknowledged defects.
- The S Class's complaints are spread across multiple systems, while the F-150's are concentrated in the powertrain, making the transmission a key concern for buyers.
- Inspect the electrical system for any signs of burning smells or previous fire damage, especially under the seats.
- Test the adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning to ensure they do not activate without reason or cause unexpected deceleration.
- Test drive the F-150 at various speeds, paying close attention to transmission shifts, especially between 4th and 6th gears, for any hard jerks or clunks.
- Check for any warning lights related to the front camera or pre-collision assist, as these are common issues.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to check for any previous transmission or electrical repairs.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the transmission and electrical systems.
- Check for open recalls on the F-150 and ensure they have been addressed.
- For the S Class, verify that all software updates have been applied, especially for the driver assistance systems.
- Take both vehicles for an extended test drive, including highway speeds, to experience any shifting or braking anomalies.
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 S Class | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 24 |
| 2025 | 0 | 329 |
| 2024 | 6 | 617 |
| 2023 | 12 | 1507 |
| 2022 | 46 | 3432 |
| 2021 | 34 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 7 | 33 |
| 2019 | 16 | 36 |
| 2018 | 29 | 56 |
| 2017 | 22 | 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 S Class or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ S Class vs FORD F 150
- Mercedes BENZ S Class total complaints
- 172
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Mercedes BENZ S Class total recalls
- 0
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Mercedes BENZ S Class avg complaints/year
- 17.2
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ S Class
- Mercedes BENZ S Class top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN