Head-to-head reliability
BMW F 800 S vs FORD F 150
How the BMW F 800 S 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 800 S vs FORD F 150: The BMW has 0.2 complaints per year, while the Ford has 1,131.1. BMW's main issue is fuel pump leaks; Ford's is transmission hard shifting and electrical glitches. Ford has 145 recalls, BMW has 3. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW F 800 S or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW F 800 S
The BMW F 800 S is a niche sport-touring motorcycle with a very low complaint rate over the past decade, averaging just 0.2 complaints per year. The few owner reports all center on fuel system issues, specifically fuel leaking from the fuel pump assembly, which can lead to more serious electrical damage. This suggests that while the bike is generally reliable, fuel system integrity is a key area to inspect. With only three recalls (all for wheels), it appears to have a straightforward ownership experience compared to many vehicles.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume pickup with a much higher complaint rate, averaging over 1,100 complaints per year. Owners report a wide range of issues, but the most frequent involve the powertrain, especially the 10-speed automatic transmission, which exhibits hard shifts, jerking, and even loss of power. Electrical system problems are also common, including camera and sensor malfunctions. With 145 recalls and numerous crash-related incidents, the F-150 demands more attention to potential defects and safety recalls.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW F 800 S | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.2 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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.
BMW F 800 S
- 01FUEL SYSTEM1
- 02GASOLINE1
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
Owners report fuel leaking from the fuel pump assembly, which can soak the electronic fuel pump module and lead to catastrophic failure and a potential fire hazard. This is a critical safety issue that should be checked immediately.
The fuel leak is often noticed during inspection, indicating a possible seal or gasket failure. If left unaddressed, it can cause fuel odor and increase the risk of fire.
The fuel pump assembly failure can cause the motorcycle to stall or lose power, posing a risk while riding. This appears similar to a recall affecting other BMW models, so owners should verify if their bike is included.
“The contact owns a 2007 BMW F 800 S. The contact stated that while inspecting the motorcycle in the driveway, the contact became aware that fuel was leaking from the fuel pump. The motorcycle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnose…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The most common issue is with the 10-speed automatic transmission (10R80), which owners describe as shifting hard, jerking, or clunking between gears. Some report sudden loss of power and vehicle shutdown, which is dangerous in traffic.
Many owners experience warning lights for front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist not available, often appearing at startup. These electrical gremlins can affect driver-assistance features and require dealer diagnosis.
Headlight-related recalls suggest potential issues with visibility, which is critical for night driving. Owners should ensure any recall work is completed.
Engine-related complaints are less frequent but still notable, possibly involving performance or stalling. Given the high number of overall complaints, a thorough mechanical inspection is advised.
“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.
BMW F 800 S — 3 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 F 800 S and F 800 ST motorcycles manufactured August 2006 through January 2009. Due to incorrect tolerances, the rear wheel drive bearing and rear axle may wear.
The risk: Bearing and axle wear may affect handling and control of the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wheel bearing, and if necessary, replace the bearing and rear axle, at no charge. The recall began on January 10, 2014. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRela…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 F 800 S and F 800 ST motorcycles manufactured August 2006 through January 2009. Due to incorrect tolerances, the rear wheel drive bearing and rear axle may wear.
The risk: Bearing and axle wear may affect handling and control of the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wheel bearing, and if necessary, replace the bearing and rear axle, at no charge. The recall began on January 10, 2014. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRela…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 F 800 S and F 800 ST motorcycles manufactured August 2006 through January 2009. Due to incorrect tolerances, the rear wheel drive bearing and rear axle may wear.
The risk: Bearing and axle wear may affect handling and control of the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wheel bearing, and if necessary, replace the bearing and rear axle, at no charge. The recall began on January 10, 2014. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRela…
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
BMW F 800 S or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The BMW F 800 S has far fewer issues per year (0.2 vs 1,131.1), indicating a much lower likelihood of encountering problems. In practice, this means a used F 800 S is likely to be more reliable and require less frequent repairs, but the fuel system must be checked. The F-150, while popular, has a higher risk of transmission and electrical issues that could lead to costly repairs and safety concerns.
Key differences
- The BMW F 800 S has a single recurring issue: fuel pump leaks, while the F-150 has multiple problem areas, especially transmission and electrical.
- The F-150's transmission can fail catastrophically, causing loss of power, whereas the BMW's fuel leak is a fire hazard but not a sudden stall.
- The F-150 has 145 recalls, many affecting safety systems, while the BMW has only 3 wheel-related recalls.
- Complaint volume: the F-150 averages over 1,100 complaints per year, versus 0.2 for the BMW, indicating a much higher probability of encountering issues.
- Inspect the fuel pump area for any signs of fuel leakage or wetness, and check for a fuel odor.
- Verify if the motorcycle is included in any fuel pump recall, as the complaint mentions a similar recall for other BMW models.
- Test drive the truck and pay attention to transmission shifts, especially between 4th-5th and 7th-8th gears, for any harshness or jerking.
- Check for warning lights related to front camera or pre-collision assist, and ensure all recalls are performed.
Before you buy
- For the BMW: have a mechanic inspect the fuel pump and fuel lines for leaks, and check the recall status for wheels.
- For the Ford: obtain a vehicle history report to see if transmission or electrical issues have been reported, and confirm all recalls are completed.
- For both: get a pre-purchase inspection from a qualified mechanic familiar with the model.
- Check for any open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Consider the cost of potential repairs: the BMW's fuel pump replacement is relatively inexpensive, while the F-150's transmission work can be very costly.
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 800 S or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW F 800 S vs FORD F 150
- BMW F 800 S total complaints
- 2
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- BMW F 800 S total recalls
- 3
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- BMW F 800 S avg complaints/year
- 0.2
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- BMW F 800 S
- BMW F 800 S top complaint area
- FUEL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN