Head-to-head reliability
BMW F 650 GS vs FORD F 150
How the BMW F 650 GS 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
BMW F 650 GS vs FORD F 150: The BMW has 9 complaints over 10 years (0.9 per year) and 8 recalls, while the Ford has 11,621 complaints (1,162.1 per year) and 151 recalls. The Ford also has 330 crash-related reports, 297 injuries, and 1 death; the BMW has none. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW F 650 GS or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW F 650 GS
The BMW F 650 GS is a midsize adventure-style motorcycle. Over 10 years, it has 9 complaints (0.9 per year) and 8 recalls, with no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths in the data. Owner complaints center on fuel system and lighting problems, suggesting that while overall complaint volume is low, specific recurring issues can be frustrating and costly.
FORD F 150
The Ford F 150 is a full-size pickup truck. Over 10 years, it has 11,621 complaints (1,162.1 per year) and 151 recalls, with 330 crash-related reports, 297 injuries, and 1 death. Owner complaints frequently mention transmission and electrical problems, indicating that many owners experience significant reliability and safety concerns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW F 650 GS | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 9 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 8 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.9 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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.
BMW F 650 GS
- 01FUEL SYSTEM3
- 02GASOLINE3
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
- 05ENGINE2
Owners report fuel pump controller failures about twice per year, requiring repeated replacement. They also describe gasoline smells and visible cracks in the plastic fuel tank, which can lead to fuel leaks and potential fire hazards.
Complaints include fuel pump controller failures and cracked fuel tanks, with owners noting a strong gasoline odor while riding. These issues can cause stalling or fuel loss, making the motorcycle unreliable and potentially dangerous.
Owners report engine stalling at speed, such as when slowing from 65 mph to 50 mph and disengaging the clutch. They also mention extensive hairline cracks on both sides of the fuel tank, a widely reported problem on owner forums.
The reflective coating on the headlight reflector peels or burns, dramatically reducing nighttime visibility. Owners describe this as creating an unsafe riding situation after dark, as the headlight becomes very dim.
“THIS COMPONENT HAD FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES ON THIS VEHICLE (ABOUT TWICE PER YEAR) SINCE NEW. THE COMPONENT THAT IS REPLACED EACH TIME HAS BEEN THE FUEL PUMP CONTROLLER (SMALL ELECTRONIC DEVICE MOUNTED ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK). I AM ABOUT TO PURCHASE MY FOURTH O…”
“SMELLING GAS BEHIND ME WHEN I RIDE. I HAVE A BMW F650GS WITH UNDER SEAT TANK - I NOTICED BOTH RIDE AND LEFT SIDE OF THE SIDES OF THE TANK ARE CRACKING. TANK SEEMS TO BE PLASTIC AND THERE IS A U SHAPED CUT THAT RUNS DOWN BOTH SIDES. THERE SEEMS TO BE A SPLIT O…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report recurring transmission problems, including limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and failures related to the lead frame. One owner said a lead frame issue nearly ended their life, highlighting the safety risk.
Complaints include lead frame issues and output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. A rear window defroster short caused a back window to explode outward, showing electrical faults can have dangerous consequences.
Owners report a short in the rear window defroster that led to the back window shattering. This unexpected failure can be startling and costly, and it adds to the list of electrical gremlins.
Although specific complaint text is not provided, this component is among the top five, indicating that lighting problems are a common owner concern. Buyers should check all lights for proper function.
“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.
BMW F 650 GS — 8 recalls
The defect: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 F650 GS AND F 800 GS MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 27, 2007 THROUGH MARCH 30, 2009. THE DRIVE CHAINS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PRODUCED TO SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, OVER TIME THE DRIVE CHAIN COULD BREAK.
The risk: IF THE BROKEN CHAIN BECOMES TRAPPED BETWEEN THE REAR WHEEL AND THE FRAME, THE REAR WHEEL COULD LOCK UP, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
The fix: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVE CHAIN AND SPROCKETS ON THE AFFECTED MOTORCYCLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2010 F650 GS AND F800 GS MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 2008 AND DECEMBER 2009. DURING ENGINE OPERATION, A VACUUM IS CREATED IN ORDER TO DRAW FRESH AIR INTO THE CANISTER. THIS AIR THEN MIXES WITH THE FUEL VAPORS CAPTURED BY THE CANISTER, AN…
The risk: WATER COULD FLOW INTO THE CANISTER CAUSING A STALLING CONDITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ADD AN ADDITIONAL HOSE AND ROUTE IT SUCH THAT THE PRESENT DEFECT IS PREVENTED. THIS REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 13, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
The defect: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN 2008 THROUGH 2010 F 650 GS MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 11, 2008, THROUGH DECEMBER 8, 2009. A WASHER MAY INTERFERE WITH THE FRONT DISC BRAKE FASTENERS' TORQUE. AS A RESULT, OVER TIME, A FASTENER OR MUTIPLE FASTENERS COULD BECOME LOOSE, ALLOWING THE BRAKE DISC TO BE…
The risk: A LOOSE BRAKE DISC MAY INTERFERE WITH PROPER BRAKING PERFORMANCE AND MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 13, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW IS RECALLING 373 MY 2008 F650 GS MOTORCYCLES. DUE TO PRODUCTION AND ASSEMBLY TOLERANCES, THE LENGTH OF ONE OR MORE OF THE FRONT BRAKE DISC FASTENERS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT. IF THE LENGTH OF A FASTENER WAS INSUFFICIENT, THIS COULD RESULT IN THE FASTENER NOT BEING TIGHTENED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIO…
The risk: IF THIS HAPPENED, THE FASTENER COULD WORK LOOSE FROM ITS THREADS. IN SOME CASES INVOLVING MULTIPLE FASTENERS, THE BRAKE DISC COULD LOOSEN, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE BRAKE DISC FASTENERS AND REPLACE THEM WITH NEW LONGER FASTENERS. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
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
BMW F 650 GS or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The BMW F 650 GS has far fewer issues per year (0.9 complaints) compared to the Ford F 150 (1,162.1 complaints). In practice, the Ford F 150 owner is much more likely to experience frequent repairs and safety-related problems, while the BMW F 650 GS, though not trouble-free, has a lower overall complaint rate.
Key differences
- The BMW F 650 GS has 9 complaints over 10 years, while the Ford F 150 has 11,621, a massive difference in reported problems per year.
- BMW F 650 GS complaints focus on fuel system leaks and headlight dimming, whereas Ford F 150 complaints often involve transmission limp mode and electrical shorts.
- The Ford F 150 has 330 crash-related reports, 297 injuries, and 1 death in the data, while the BMW F 650 GS has none of these.
- Both vehicles have recalls, but the Ford F 150 has 151 recalls versus 8 for the BMW F 650 GS, indicating a broader range of potential safety defects.
- Inspect the fuel tank for hairline cracks, especially on the left and right sides, and check for any gasoline odor.
- Test the headlight for brightness and look for peeling or dark spots on the reflector, which can reduce nighttime visibility.
- During a test drive, watch for transmission shudder, delayed engagement, or limp mode, especially when shifting or accelerating.
- Check the rear window defroster for proper operation and inspect the glass for any cracks or signs of stress, as shorts can cause shattering.
Before you buy
- Ask for a complete maintenance history, focusing on fuel pump controller replacements for the BMW and transmission repairs for the Ford.
- Have a mechanic inspect the BMW's fuel tank and headlight, and the Ford's transmission and electrical system, including the rear window defroster.
- Search NHTSA recalls by VIN to confirm all safety recalls have been addressed on the specific vehicle.
- For the Ford, test drive at highway speeds and in stop-and-go traffic to check for transmission issues.
- For the BMW, start the engine and let it idle to listen for stalls, and check for fuel smells after riding.
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 BMW F 650 GS or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW F 650 GS vs FORD F 150
- BMW F 650 GS total complaints
- 9
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- BMW F 650 GS total recalls
- 8
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- BMW F 650 GS avg complaints/year
- 0.9
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- BMW F 650 GS
- BMW F 650 GS top complaint area
- FUEL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN