Head-to-head reliability

Honda Crf1000a vs FORD F 150

How the Honda Crf1000a and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

Honda Crf1000a17 complaints · 2 recalls Fewer issues per year
FORD F 15011,133 complaints · 144 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

Honda Crf1000a averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Honda Crf1000a has 17 complaints and 2 recalls on record; FORD F 150 has 11,133 complaints and 144 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategoryHonda Crf1000aFORD F 150
Total complaintsAll model years combined17 Better11,133
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns2 Better144
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints1 Better319
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years1.7 Better1113.3
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints0 Better287
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints0 Better1

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 Crf1000a

  1. 01FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM13
  2. 02TIRES2
  3. 03SERVICE BRAKES1
  4. 04BACK OVER PREVENTION1
  5. 05POWER TRAIN1
In owners' words — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THIS IS THE KNOWN, DIRTY FUEL TANK WELD SEAMS ISSUE THAT ONLY AFFECTS THE LARGER, ADVENTURE SPORTS MODELS. THE MATERIAL ON THE SEAMS FLAKES OFF AND CLOGS THE FUEL FILTER AND FUEL PUMP. IT IS A FERROUS, WHITE DUST. THE FACE BOOK GROUPS DEVOTED TO THIS MODEL AR…

WITH 3,000 MILES ON THE MOTORCYCLE THE ENGINE SURGES WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND HAD A LOSS OF POWER. UPON RESEARCH, I FOUND SEVERAL ARTICLES DESCRIBING FUEL TANK ISSUES ON THE HONDA AFRICA TWIN ADVENTURE SPORT (ATAS) MODEL. I REMOVED THE FUEL TANK A…

FORD F 150

  1. 01POWER TRAIN3,499
  2. 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,056
  3. 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,382
  4. 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,150
  5. 05ENGINE829
In owners' words — POWER TRAIN

The internal mechanical failure of the Ford 10r80 transmission due to design fault causes unsafe driving conditions as the transmission stalls (fails to power at request) or lunges (powers forward without driver input) causing unsafe conditions for vehicle oc…

The vehicle experienced intermittent transmission-related drivability issues before the recall remedy was available. The vehicle had delayed/hard shifting, an intermittent wrench warning light, and a reduced power/limp mode condition where the transmission wo…

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 Crf1000a — 2 recalls

Structure — Motorcycle — Kickstand/Center Stand
#18E078000Mar 2018

The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain Honda Genuine Accessory Centerstand Kits, part number 08M70-MJP-G50, sold for possible installation on 2016-2018 Africa Twin motorcycles. The circlip can break allowing the centerstand to detach.

The risk: If the centerstand detaches while moving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. If the centerstand detaches while the motorcycle is parked on the centerstand, the motorcycle can fall over, increasing the risk of inju…

The fix: Honda will notify all registered owners of 2016-2018 Honda Africa Twins advising them that if they purchased the affected centerstand kit, not to use it and to take the motorcycle to a dealer. Dealers will replace the circlip and washer, f…

Structure — Motorcycle — Kickstand/Center Stand
#18E078000Mar 2018

The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain Honda Genuine Accessory Centerstand Kits, part number 08M70-MJP-G50, sold for possible installation on 2016-2018 Africa Twin motorcycles. The circlip can break allowing the centerstand to detach.

The risk: If the centerstand detaches while moving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. If the centerstand detaches while the motorcycle is parked on the centerstand, the motorcycle can fall over, increasing the risk of inju…

The fix: Honda will notify all registered owners of 2016-2018 Honda Africa Twins advising them that if they purchased the affected centerstand kit, not to use it and to take the motorcycle to a dealer. Dealers will replace the circlip and washer, f…

FORD F 150 — 144 recalls

Engine
#18V894000

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…

Engine
#19V278000Aug 2019

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 and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…

The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.

The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…

Seat Belts — Pretensioner
#18V568000

The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.

The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.

The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…

Latches/Locks/Linkages — Doors — Latch
#17V652000

The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…

The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.

The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…

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.

YearHonda Crf1000aFORD F 150
2026016
20250324
20240610
202301484
202203398
202105172
2020026
2019032
20181340
2017431
Years to scrutinize: the 2018 Honda Crf1000a drew the most complaints (13); the 2021 FORD F 150 drew the most (5,172). Inspect these model years especially closely.

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 Crf1000a or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

Honda Crf1000a vs FORD F 150 — comparison facts
Comparison
Honda Crf1000a vs FORD F 150
Honda Crf1000a total complaints
17
FORD F 150 total complaints
11,133
Honda Crf1000a total recalls
2
FORD F 150 total recalls
144
Honda Crf1000a avg complaints/year
1.7
FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
1113.3
More reliable overall
Honda Crf1000a
Honda Crf1000a top complaint area
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FORD F 150 top complaint area
POWER TRAIN