Head-to-head reliability
BMW G 650 GS vs FORD F 150
How the BMW G 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 G 650 GS vs FORD F 150: The BMW has 7 complaints over 10 years (0.7/yr) with a stalling issue, while the Ford has 11,311 complaints (1,131/yr) with transmission and electrical problems. The Ford also has 145 recalls and 1 death. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW G 650 GS or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW G 650 GS
The BMW G 650 GS is a dual-sport motorcycle with a modest complaint history over the past decade, averaging less than one complaint per year. The vast majority of reported issues center on the engine, specifically a stalling problem that persists even after a recall reprogramming. Owners describe sudden stalls at speed, which can be alarming and potentially hazardous, though no crashes or injuries have been reported. This pattern suggests a chronic engine management issue that buyers should be aware of, but the overall low volume of complaints indicates it's not a widespread problem.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume, averaging over 1,100 complaints per year, reflecting its popularity and the breadth of issues reported. The most common problems involve the powertrain, particularly the 10-speed automatic transmission, which owners describe as shifting hard, jerking, or even causing a loss of power. Electrical system issues, including camera and sensor malfunctions, are also frequent. With numerous recalls and some crash-related incidents, the F-150's reliability record is more concerning, especially for a vehicle that may be used for work or family hauling.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW G 650 GS | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 7 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.7 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 G 650 GS
- 01ENGINE6
- 02POWER TRAIN1
- 03SERVICE BRAKES1
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
Owners report the engine stalling unexpectedly at various speeds, sometimes at highway speeds, and the motorcycle may not restart immediately. This issue persists even after a recall reprogramming, indicating a potential software or sensor problem that could be dangerous if it occurs in traffic.
One complaint mentions a stall while riding at 70 mph, which falls under powertrain. This suggests that the stalling issue may not be isolated to the engine but could involve the entire drivetrain, though the sample is small.
A single complaint ties the stalling issue to the brakes, noting that after a stall, the motorcycle could not be restarted. This may indicate an interaction between the engine control unit and brake system, but the data is too limited to draw firm conclusions.
“I BROUGHT MY MOTORCYCLE IN FOR THE RECALL, #15V537 ENGINE CONTROL UNIT SOFTWARE (REPROGRAMMING TO ELIMINATE A HAZARDOUS STALLING PROBLEM) IN OCT 2015. THE REQUIRED REPAIR WAS DONE. THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME PROBLEM AFTER APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS. I BROUGH…”
“The contact owns a 2014 BMW G 650 GS. The contact stated while riding at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled at approximately 2,000 RPM. The contact coasted safely to the side of the road and restarted the motorcycle. The contact had to maintain a high…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The most frequent complaints involve the 10R80 automatic transmission, with owners describing hard shifts, jerking, clunking, and even sudden loss of power. Some report the vehicle shutting off and then restarting with a jerk, which can be dangerous in traffic. This is a significant reliability concern for a workhorse truck.
Many owners report recurring warnings for front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist not available, often appearing every time the truck is started. These electrical gremlins can be frustrating and may affect safety features, though they are not always linked to crashes.
Headlight issues are common enough to be a top component, with recalls related to headlights. Owners may experience dim or failing headlights, which can reduce visibility at night and increase the risk of accidents.
Engine problems are also reported, though less frequently than transmission issues. These may include stalling or performance issues, but the sample text focuses on transmission and electrical problems, so specifics are limited.
“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 G 650 GS — 3 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 G 650 GS motorcycles manufactured March 8, 2013, to March 2, 2015, and 2013-2014 G 650 GS Sertao motorcycles manufactured March 8, 2013, to May 23, 2014. The affected motorcycles may stall when they are idling and the clutch…
The risk: If the engine stalls, there is an increased risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a revised version of the engine control unit software, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or by email at Customer…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 G 650 GS motorcycles manufactured March 8, 2013, to March 2, 2015, and 2013-2014 G 650 GS Sertao motorcycles manufactured March 8, 2013, to May 23, 2014. The affected motorcycles may stall when they are idling and the clutch…
The risk: If the engine stalls, there is an increased risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a revised version of the engine control unit software, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or by email at Customer…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 G 650 GS motorcycles manufactured March 8, 2013, to March 2, 2015, and 2013-2014 G 650 GS Sertao motorcycles manufactured March 8, 2013, to May 23, 2014. The affected motorcycles may stall when they are idling and the clutch…
The risk: If the engine stalls, there is an increased risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a revised version of the engine control unit software, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or by email at Customer…
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 G 650 GS or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The BMW G 650 GS has far fewer complaints per year (0.7) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,131.1), indicating a much lower rate of reported issues. However, the BMW's stalling problem is a safety concern, while the F-150's transmission issues are more widespread but not necessarily life-threatening. In practice, the BMW may be more reliable in terms of frequency, but the F-150's issues are more varied and could affect daily usability.
Key differences
- The BMW has a single dominant issue (engine stalling) while the Ford has multiple problem areas (transmission, electrical, lighting).
- The Ford's transmission problems are more likely to cause sudden loss of power, which can be dangerous in traffic, whereas the BMW's stalling is also hazardous but less frequent.
- The Ford has a much higher number of recalls (145) compared to the BMW (3), indicating more widespread manufacturing or design issues.
- The Ford has reported crashes and injuries related to its issues, while the BMW has none, suggesting the Ford's problems may have more severe consequences.
- Test ride the motorcycle at various speeds, especially highway speeds, to see if it stalls or hesitates. Ask for service records showing if the recall reprogramming was done and if the issue recurred.
- Check for any engine warning lights and ensure the motorcycle restarts easily after a stall.
- During a test drive, pay close attention to transmission shifts, especially between 4th and 8th gears, for any hard jerks or clunks. Also, start the truck multiple times to see if camera or pre-collision warnings appear.
- Inspect the headlights for proper operation and check for any recall notices related to lighting.
Before you buy
- For the BMW: verify that recall 15V537 (engine control unit reprogramming) has been performed and ask if the stalling issue has been resolved.
- For the BMW: take a long test ride including highway speeds to check for stalling.
- For the Ford: test drive the truck in stop-and-go traffic to assess transmission behavior.
- For the Ford: check the vehicle's recall status and ensure all outstanding recalls are addressed.
- For both: obtain a vehicle history report and have a trusted mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
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 | BMW G 650 GS | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 0 | 33 |
| 2019 | 0 | 36 |
| 2018 | 0 | 56 |
| 2017 | 0 | 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 BMW G 650 GS or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW G 650 GS vs FORD F 150
- BMW G 650 GS total complaints
- 7
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- BMW G 650 GS total recalls
- 3
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- BMW G 650 GS avg complaints/year
- 0.7
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- BMW G 650 GS
- BMW G 650 GS top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN