Head-to-head reliability
Honda Cbr650r vs FORD F 150
How the Honda Cbr650r 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 Cbr650r vs FORD F 150: The Cbr650r has only 3 complaints over 8 years (0.4/yr) and 5 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,311 complaints (1,131/yr) and 145 recalls. The F-150 reports 328 crashes and 1 death, but the Cbr650r has none. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda Cbr650r or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda Cbr650r
The Honda Cbr650r is a niche sport motorcycle with a very low complaint rate—just 3 complaints over 8 years, averaging 0.4 per year. The issues that do surface center on the E-Clutch system, which can malfunction unpredictably, causing warning lights and sudden jerking, and a loose gear shifter. This suggests that while the bike is generally reliable, the electronic clutch technology may be a point of concern for some owners.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume pickup with a much higher complaint rate—11,311 complaints over 10 years, averaging 1,131 per year. The dominant problems are transmission issues (hard shifts, loss of power) and electrical glitches (camera and pre-collision warnings). With 328 crash-related complaints and 1 death, these issues can have serious safety implications, making the F-150 a vehicle that demands careful inspection before purchase.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda Cbr650r | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 5 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.4 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.
Honda Cbr650r
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
- 02POWER TRAIN1
Owners report the E-Clutch system malfunctioning, with warning lights flickering and the bike jerking uncontrollably for about 3 seconds at random times, including during turns. This can be alarming and potentially dangerous, as it may occur without warning.
One owner found the gear shifter loose and sliding back and forth while the bike was parked, indicating a possible issue with the transmission linkage that could affect gear engagement.
“Vehicle E-Clutch system malfunctioning. When riding the e-clutch warning lights will flicker and cause the bike to jult uncontrollably for about 3 seconds. It happens at random, no one situation is the same, it could be in the middle of a turn, it could be at…”
“My motorcycle, which has presented constant failures with the e clutch system since the beginning of the purchase in October 2024 to the present date, having reported this many times to the dealership RAZEE Motorcycle Center. At first it was thought it could…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Many owners report hard and delayed shifts, especially between 7th and 8th gears, and some have experienced sudden loss of power and vehicle shutdown while driving, which can be extremely hazardous in traffic.
Frequent warnings for Front Camera Malfunction and Pre-Collision Assist Not Available appear on the dash, indicating issues with the driver-assistance systems. Some also report loud bangs from the transmission and popping sounds from the rear suspension, which may be related to electrical or drivetrain problems.
A significant number of complaints fall into this category, often describing a combination of symptoms like jerking, clunking, and warning lights, suggesting that some failures are difficult to pinpoint and may involve multiple systems.
With over 1,100 complaints, headlight issues are common, which can reduce visibility and increase the risk of accidents, especially at night.
“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 Cbr650r — 5 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2024 CB650R and CBR650R motorcycles. The fasteners of the gear shift arm may loosen and detach, resulting in the inability to shift gears.
The risk: The inability to shift gears while riding increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the gear shift arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 31, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KR7.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2024-2025 CBR650R motorcycles. Engine vibration may cause the turn signal switch wire harness to become damaged, which can cause an electrical short circuit and blown fuse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal…
The risk: A blown fuse will cause a loss of turn signal, brake light, speedometer, and horn function, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the turn signal switch wire harness as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for th…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Super Cub C125, CB500X, CB650R, CBR300R, CBR500R, CBR650R, Rebel 300, Rebel 500, Monkey, 2020 CRF250L, GROM, 2021 CRF300L, and CB500F motorcycles. The rear reflector lens may not reflect brightly enough. As such, these vehicles fail to…
The risk: A dim rear reflector may reduce the visibility of the motorcycle to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the rear reflector, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KM3.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2024-2025 CBR650R motorcycles. Engine vibration may cause the turn signal switch wire harness to become damaged, which can cause an electrical short circuit and blown fuse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal…
The risk: A blown fuse will cause a loss of turn signal, brake light, speedometer, and horn function, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the turn signal switch wire harness as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for th…
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 Cbr650r or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Honda Cbr650r has far fewer issues per year (0.4) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,131.1). This means that, on average, the motorcycle is much less likely to require repairs or experience safety-related failures, making it a more reliable choice for those who can use a bike. However, the F-150's issues are more frequent and potentially more severe, so buyers should weigh the trade-offs.
Key differences
- The Honda Cbr650r has a very low complaint rate (0.4/year) versus the F-150's high rate (1,131/year).
- The Cbr650r's main issue is the E-Clutch system, which can cause sudden jerking, while the F-150's primary problems are transmission hard shifts and electrical system malfunctions.
- The F-150 has a much higher number of crash-related complaints (328) and injuries (287), indicating a greater safety risk, whereas the Cbr650r has none.
- The F-150's recalls (145) far outnumber the Cbr650r's (5), suggesting more widespread and frequent factory defects.
- Test the E-Clutch system thoroughly: ride at various speeds and in turns to see if warning lights flicker or the bike jerks unexpectedly.
- Check the gear shifter for any looseness or play, as one owner reported it sliding back and forth.
- Take a test drive and pay close attention to transmission shifts, especially between 4th and 8th gears, for any hard jerks or clunks.
- Start the truck and look for dashboard warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre-Collision Assist Not Available' that may appear immediately.
Before you buy
- For the Honda Cbr650r: ask for service records related to the E-Clutch system and any recalls performed.
- For the Ford F-150: check the transmission fluid condition and service history, and ask if the 10R80 transmission has been updated or repaired.
- For both: verify that all recalls have been addressed by checking the VIN on the NHTSA website.
- For the F-150: inspect the headlights for proper operation and any signs of moisture or failure.
- For the Cbr650r: have a mechanic inspect the gear shifter linkage and clutch actuator for wear or damage.
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 Cbr650r | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 24 |
| 2025 | 0 | 329 |
| 2024 | 1 | 617 |
| 2023 | 1 | 1507 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3432 |
| 2021 | 0 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 0 | 33 |
| 2019 | 0 | 36 |
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 Cbr650r or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda Cbr650r vs FORD F 150
- Honda Cbr650r total complaints
- 3
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Honda Cbr650r total recalls
- 5
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Honda Cbr650r avg complaints/year
- 0.4
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Honda Cbr650r
- Honda Cbr650r top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN