Head-to-head reliability
Honda Cbr1000rr vs FORD F 150
How the Honda Cbr1000rr 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 Cbr1000rr vs FORD F 150: The Cbr1000rr has only 5 complaints over 10 years (0.5/yr) while the F-150 has 11,311 (1,131/yr). The Cbr1000rr's issues include engine acceleration failure and a fatal stuck-gear incident, whereas the F-150's top problems are transmission harshness and electrical glitches. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda Cbr1000rr or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda Cbr1000rr
The Honda Cbr1000rr is a high-performance sport motorcycle with a relatively low complaint rate over the past decade, averaging about 0.5 complaints per year. Owners have reported issues with the engine failing to accelerate and making abnormal noises, as well as concerns about the fuel system and drivetrain. Some complaints also mention a fatal accident where the motorcycle was stuck in gear, highlighting potential safety implications. Overall, while the number of complaints is small, the nature of the reported problems can be serious, especially for a vehicle designed for speed.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a popular full-size pickup truck with a much higher complaint volume, averaging over 1,100 complaints per year over the same period. The most common issues revolve around the powertrain, particularly the 10-speed automatic transmission, which owners describe as shifting hard, jerking, and occasionally losing power. Electrical system problems are also frequent, including camera and sensor malfunctions. With 145 recalls and numerous crash-related incidents, the F-150's reliability record is more concerning, especially for a vehicle used for daily work and family duties.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda Cbr1000rr | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 5 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 7 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.5 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 287 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 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 Cbr1000rr
- 01ENGINE2
- 02VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
- 04POWER TRAIN1
Owners report the engine failing to accelerate at various speeds, accompanied by abnormal noises from the engine block. This can be dangerous when trying to merge or pass, and may indicate internal damage.
There are reports of the motorcycle getting stuck in gear, which in one case contributed to a fatal accident. This suggests potential issues with the transmission or shift mechanism that could lead to loss of control.
Complaints include fuel system problems, such as a recall for the fuel pump that left owners waiting for parts. A faulty fuel pump can cause stalling or poor performance, especially under load.
Some owners have experienced drivetrain grinding and engine stall during clutch release, which can be frustrating and potentially dangerous if it happens in traffic.
“The part has not failed yet. As soon as I received the recall notice and safety concerns, I stopped riding the motorcycle. I am filing a complaint because it has been two months, I have called the local dealership multiple times, and they are still unable to…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HONDA CBR1000RR. WHILE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, IT FAILED TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The most common issue is with the 10R80 automatic transmission, which owners say shifts hard, jerks, or clunks between gears, and sometimes loses power entirely. This can be alarming and may lead to unexpected shutdowns on busy roads.
Many owners report warning messages for front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist not available, which appear every time the truck starts. These issues can disable safety features and require dealer visits.
Headlight problems are frequent, with some owners experiencing failures that reduce visibility at night, increasing the risk of accidents.
Engine-related complaints include rough running, stalling, and in some cases, complete failure. These can leave drivers stranded and require costly repairs.
“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 Cbr1000rr — 7 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2024 GL1800 (Goldwing), CBR600RR, and 2018-2019 CBR1000RR motorcycles. The fuel pump impellers may have been improperly molded, which can cause them to deform and result in fuel pump failure.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pump module as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed June 19, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's numbers for this recall are KP8, KP9, KQ0, an…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017 Honda CBR1000RR and CBR1000RR SP motorcycles. There may be a gap between the fuel tank cap seal and the fuel filler neck which can allow water to enter the fuel tank.
The risk: If water enters the gas tank, the engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank cap. If water has gotten into the fuel tank, the affected components will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on December 22, 2017.…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2007, 2009-2017 CBR600RR, 2008-2017, 2021 CBR1000RR, and 2010, 2012-2013 VFR1200 motorcycles. The fuel pump impellers may have been improperly molded, which can cause them to deform and result in fuel pump failure.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pump module as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 3, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's numbers for this recall are KR2, KR3, KR4 a…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2024 GL1800 (Goldwing), CBR600RR, and 2018-2019 CBR1000RR motorcycles. The fuel pump impellers may have been improperly molded, which can cause them to deform and result in fuel pump failure.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pump module as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed June 19, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's numbers for this recall are KP8, KP9, KQ0, an…
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 Cbr1000rr or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Honda Cbr1000rr has far fewer complaints per year (0.5) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,131.1), indicating a lower frequency of reported issues. However, the nature of the Cbr1000rr's problems, such as getting stuck in gear, can be more immediately dangerous for a motorcycle rider. In contrast, the F-150's issues, while more numerous, are often less catastrophic but still affect daily usability and safety.
Key differences
- The Cbr1000rr has a very low complaint rate (0.5/yr) while the F-150 has a high rate (1,131.1/yr), but the Cbr1000rr's complaints include a fatal accident linked to being stuck in gear.
- The F-150's most common issue is transmission harshness and power loss, while the Cbr1000rr's engine acceleration failure is a key concern.
- The F-150 has numerous electrical system complaints, such as camera malfunctions, whereas the Cbr1000rr has fewer electrical issues but more fuel system recalls.
- The Cbr1000rr is a motorcycle with limited practicality, while the F-150 is a full-size truck with higher utility, but the F-150's problems are more frequent and varied.
- Check for any signs of engine hesitation or abnormal noises during a test ride, especially when accelerating.
- Verify that all recalls, particularly the fuel pump recall, have been completed, and ask about the availability of parts.
- Test the transmission for hard shifts or jerking, especially between 4th-5th and 5th-6th gears, and listen for clunks.
- Check if the dashboard shows any warning messages for camera or pre-collision systems, and have them inspected.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to see if recalls were addressed and if there are any prior accident reports.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the engine and transmission.
- For the Cbr1000rr, ask about the status of the fuel pump recall and any engine-related service bulletins.
- For the F-150, test drive at various speeds to feel for transmission issues and check all electrical features.
- Review the NHTSA complaint data for the specific model year you are considering to identify common issues.
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 Cbr1000rr | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 24 |
| 2025 | 1 | 329 |
| 2024 | 0 | 617 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1507 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3432 |
| 2021 | 0 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 0 | 33 |
| 2019 | 0 | 36 |
| 2018 | 1 | 56 |
| 2017 | 3 | 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 Cbr1000rr or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda Cbr1000rr vs FORD F 150
- Honda Cbr1000rr total complaints
- 5
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Honda Cbr1000rr total recalls
- 7
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Honda Cbr1000rr avg complaints/year
- 0.5
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Honda Cbr1000rr
- Honda Cbr1000rr top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN