Head-to-head reliability
BMW F 800 ST vs FORD F 150
How the BMW F 800 ST 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 ST vs FORD F 150: The BMW F 800 ST has 17 complaints over 10 years (1.7/year) and 4 recalls, while the Ford F 150 has 11,311 complaints (1,131/year) and 145 recalls. The BMW reports 0 injuries and 1 crash; the Ford reports 287 injuries and 328 crashes. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW F 800 ST or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW F 800 ST
The BMW F 800 ST is a sport-touring motorcycle with a relatively low complaint volume: 17 complaints over 10 years, averaging 1.7 per year. Owners report two main patterns: rear wheel bearing noises that can become catastrophic, and fuel pump failures that cause stalling or sudden shutdowns, sometimes in traffic. There are 4 recalls, including three for wheels and one for fuel system hoses. While the complaint count is low, the potential consequences of these failures are serious, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is critical.
FORD F 150
The Ford F 150 is a full-size pickup with a massive complaint volume: 11,311 complaints over 10 years, averaging 1,131 per year. The most common issues involve the power train (especially transmission problems like hard shifts and sudden loss of power) and electrical system glitches (such as camera malfunctions and battery cable issues). There are 145 recalls and 328 crash-related complaints, with 287 injuries and 1 death reported. This suggests that while many issues may be addressed by recalls, the frequency of problems is high, and some can be safety-critical.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW F 800 ST | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 17 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.7 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 ST
- 01WHEELS6
- 02FUEL SYSTEM6
- 03GASOLINE6
- 04ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING3
- 05POWER TRAIN2
Owners report loud clicking or abnormal noises from the rear wheel bearing, which can indicate impending failure. If the bearing fails while riding, it could cause a crash, so any unusual rear wheel sound should be inspected immediately.
The fuel pump can overheat, short out, and suddenly stop, causing the engine to stall without warning. It may restart after cooling, but stalling in traffic is dangerous. This is a known issue that BMW has recalled on some models.
Owners describe engine surging, stalling, and cutting out completely at highway speeds, often in warm weather. The bike may restart after a minute, but the sudden loss of power can be hazardous.
Some complaints mention power train issues, though fewer than wheels or fuel. These could involve final drive or transmission problems, but details are limited in the sample.
“-There is a loud clicking sound from the rear wheel that could be caused by the rear wheel bearing/final drive. As a result, I am very worried about riding it because a failure could be catastrophic. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. -It i…”
“The contact owns a 2008 BMW F 800 ST. The contact stated that an abnormal sound was coming from the rear wheel bearing with the ABS warning light illuminated. The contact took the motorcycle to Max BMW Motorcycles (845 Hoosick Rd, Troy, NY 12180) where he was…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Owners frequently report hard, delayed, or jerky shifts from the 10-speed automatic transmission, and in some cases, a sudden loss of power while driving. This can leave you stranded or cause an accident if it happens in traffic.
Common complaints include warning messages like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available,' as well as loud bangs or popping sounds from the transmission area. These electrical glitches can affect safety features and are frustrating to diagnose.
There are many complaints about exterior lighting, particularly headlights, which may fail or flicker. This reduces visibility and can be a safety concern, especially at night.
Engine-related complaints include various issues, though the sample does not specify details. Given the high number of recalls for engine problems, buyers should check for open recalls and any signs of engine trouble.
“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 ST — 4 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…
The defect: BMW IS RECALLING 1,980 MY 2007-2008 F800 S AND F800 ST MOTORCYCLES. DUE TO THE ROUTING OF THE FUEL TANK BREATHER HOSE, PRESSURE EQUALIZATION INSIDE THE FUEL TANK IS POSSIBLE ONLY TO A LIMITED EXTENT. CONSEQUENTLY, AT HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, THE FUEL TANK CAN DEFORM. IF THIS HAPPENED AT THE POINT…
The risk: IF THIS OCCURRED, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT A LEAK COULD DEVELOP IN THE TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE FUEL TANK BREATHER HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING AUGUST 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-331-1117.
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 ST or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The BMW F 800 ST has far fewer complaints per year (1.7) compared to the Ford F 150 (1,131.1). In practice, this means the BMW owner is much less likely to experience frequent problems, but when issues do occur on the BMW, they can be severe (like fuel pump failure). The Ford F 150 has a much higher volume of complaints, but many are addressed through recalls; still, the sheer number suggests a higher ongoing risk of needing repairs.
Key differences
- Complaint volume: BMW F 800 ST averages 1.7 complaints per year; Ford F 150 averages 1,131.1 per year.
- Crash-related complaints: BMW has 1; Ford has 328, indicating a much higher reported crash involvement.
- Injuries: BMW reports 0 injuries; Ford reports 287 injuries and 1 death.
- Recalls: BMW has 4 recalls; Ford has 145, reflecting a broader range of potential safety fixes.
- Listen for any clicking or grinding noise from the rear wheel, which could indicate a failing wheel bearing.
- Check for signs of fuel pump issues: ask if the fuel pump has been replaced, and test ride to ensure no stalling or surging, especially when warm.
- Test drive at various speeds and pay attention to transmission shifts; jerky or delayed shifts could signal a problem.
- Check for electrical warnings on the dashboard, such as camera or pre-collision assist errors, and ensure all lights work properly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- For the BMW, have a mechanic inspect the rear wheel bearing and fuel pump, and test ride in warm conditions.
- For the Ford, test drive extensively, focusing on transmission behavior and electrical features, and scan for error codes.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any transmission or fuel system repairs.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic who specializes in the specific model.
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 ST or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW F 800 ST vs FORD F 150
- BMW F 800 ST total complaints
- 17
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- BMW F 800 ST total recalls
- 4
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- BMW F 800 ST avg complaints/year
- 1.7
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- BMW F 800 ST
- BMW F 800 ST top complaint area
- WHEELS
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN