Head-to-head reliability
Honda Cb300f vs FORD F 150
How the Honda Cb300f 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
Honda Cb300f vs FORD F 150: The CB300F has 9 complaints over 5 years (1.8/year) and 3 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,311 complaints over 10 years (1,131/year) and 145 recalls. The F-150 also has 328 crash-related complaints and 287 injuries. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda Cb300f or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda Cb300f
The Honda CB300F is a lightweight, entry-level motorcycle, and its reliability record reflects that simple design. Over five years, owners filed just 9 complaints, with most centered on the engine and electrical system. The main pattern is stalling or cutting off while riding, plus a few reports of the engine seizing and the rear wheel locking. There are also 3 recalls, including engine and starter relay issues, so checking recall history is important.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume: 11,311 over ten years, averaging about 1,131 per year. The dominant problem area is the power train, especially transmission issues like hard shifts, delayed engagement, and sudden loss of power. Electrical problems are also common, including battery cable and camera system faults. With 145 recalls and 328 crash-related complaints, this truck demands careful inspection and recall verification.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda Cb300f | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 9 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.8 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 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.
Honda Cb300f
- 01ENGINE8
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
Owners report the engine cutting off while riding, and in one case the bike seized and the rear wheel locked up. This is a serious safety concern because a sudden loss of power or locked rear wheel can cause a crash.
Complaints mention the motorcycle cutting off, which owners link to a recall, and frustration about towing costs and loss of use. Electrical faults can leave you stranded or cause the bike to shut down mid-ride.
One owner reported the same cutting-off issue under this category, suggesting fuel delivery may be part of the stalling problem. A buyer should check for any fuel-related recall or service history.
A rear left turn signal burned out repeatedly, even after replacement, lasting less than 50 miles each time. This is a minor but annoying issue that could affect visibility and legality.
“"2016 HONDA CBR 300 RECALL" I BOUGHT A 2016 HONDA CBR 300 ABS MOTORCYCLE BRAND NEW WITH 2 MILES ON THE MOTORCYCLE ON AUGUST 8, 2017. ON AUGUST 12, 2017 I DECIDED TO RIDE MY MOTORCYCLE TO ANTIOCH AND UPON RETURNING HOME FROM ANTIOCH, THE MOTORCYCLE CUT OFF, WH…”
“I WAS DRIVING MY MOTORCYCLE ON THE CAR POOL LANE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BIKE SEIZED UP AND THE REAR WHEEL LOCKED UP SO I HELD THE CLUTCH LEVER AND PULLED TO THE LEFT OF THE LEFT MEDIAN SO I TOOK IT TO A SHOP BUT THEY JUST SCREWED ME AND DISMANTLED THE WHOLE…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Owners describe hard, delayed shifts from 7th to 8th gear, sudden loss of power, and jerking or clunking between gears. Some report the vehicle shutting off and drifting, which is a major safety risk.
Complaints include loud bangs from the transmission area and warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available.' These electrical glitches can disable driver-assist features and signal deeper transmission problems.
This category captures miscellaneous issues that don't fit elsewhere, often related to overall build quality or intermittent faults. Buyers should ask for a full diagnostic scan to uncover any hidden electronic problems.
Headlight-related complaints are common enough to rank high, and there is a recall for headlights. Faulty lighting reduces visibility and can be a safety and inspection issue.
“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.
Honda Cb300f — 3 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 CBR300RA, CBR300R and CB300F motorcycles. The affected motorcycles may have an improperly machined crankshaft which may result in the failure of the connecting rod bearing retainer.
The risk: If the connecting rod bearing retainer fails, the engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began on August 26, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KB9.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 CBR300RA, CBR300R and CB300F motorcycles. The affected motorcycles may have an improperly machined crankshaft which may result in the failure of the connecting rod bearing retainer.
The risk: If the connecting rod bearing retainer fails, the engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began on August 26, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KB9.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 ST1300PA, 2014-2015 CB500, CBR500, CRF250L, CBR650, CTX700, NSS300, VT750, VT1300, 2015 CB300F, CBR300, CBR600, and 2014-2016 NC700 motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, sealant may have been incorrectly applied to the s…
The risk: A loss of electrical power may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace any affected starter relay switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is JS9 a…
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
Honda Cb300f or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Honda CB300F has far fewer complaints per year (1.8) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,131.1), but it is a motorcycle with a much smaller owner base. In practice, the F-150's higher volume means more reported problems, especially with the transmission and electrical system, while the CB300F's issues are fewer but can still be serious, like engine seizure.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has 11,311 complaints over 10 years, while the Honda CB300F has only 9 over 5 years, but the F-150 sells in far greater numbers.
- F-150 owners frequently report transmission problems like hard shifts and sudden power loss, while CB300F owners report engine stalling and seizure.
- The F-150 has 145 recalls and 328 crash-related complaints; the CB300F has 3 recalls and 0 crash-related complaints.
- Electrical issues are common in both: the CB300F has stalling tied to a recall, and the F-150 has battery cable and camera system faults.
- Check for any history of the engine cutting off or stalling, especially if the bike has been subject to the engine recall.
- Inspect the rear turn signal and test all lights; repeated bulb burnout is a reported issue.
- Test drive the truck and pay close attention to transmission shifts, especially between 4-5, 5-6, and 7-8 gears for jerking or delayed engagement.
- Look for dashboard warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' and have the electrical system scanned.
Before you buy
- For both vehicles, run the VIN on NHTSA's recall site and confirm all recalls are repaired.
- For the Honda CB300F, ask for maintenance records and check for any engine stalling or seizure history.
- For the Ford F-150, get a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the transmission and electrical system, including a test drive at highway speeds.
- Ask the seller for a complete repair history and any diagnostic reports for warning lights.
- Test all lights, including turn signals and headlights, and check for any aftermarket modifications that could affect reliability.
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 | Honda Cb300f | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 329 |
| 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 Honda Cb300f or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda Cb300f vs FORD F 150
- Honda Cb300f total complaints
- 9
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Honda Cb300f total recalls
- 3
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Honda Cb300f avg complaints/year
- 1.8
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Honda Cb300f
- Honda Cb300f top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN