Head-to-head reliability
Honda Metropolitan vs FORD F 150
How the Honda Metropolitan 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 Metropolitan vs FORD F 150: the Metropolitan has 0 complaints over 10 years and 9 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints, 151 recalls, and 297 injuries reported. The F-150's complaints center on transmission limp mode and electrical faults. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda Metropolitan or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda Metropolitan
The Honda Metropolitan is a small scooter, and in ownership terms it shows a very quiet complaint record: zero owner complaints filed over ten years. That doesn't mean nothing ever goes wrong, but it does mean owners rarely report problems to NHTSA. The main documented issue is a repeated recall on the driveshaft, which is a part you'd want checked. Overall, living with it means very few reported failure patterns to worry about.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a heavy complaint load: over 11,600 complaints in ten years, plus 330 crash-related reports and 297 injuries. Owners repeatedly describe transmission problems, electrical glitches, and lighting failures. The volume and severity of reports mean a used F-150 needs a careful, model-year-specific inspection. It is not a vehicle to buy without checking its recall and repair history.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda Metropolitan | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 9 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 297 |
| 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 Metropolitan
No component data available.
The only recall subject on record for the Metropolitan is the driveshaft, repeated across multiple campaigns. Owners have not filed complaint text, so the exact symptom is not documented, but a driveshaft recall means you should confirm the repair was done. A failed driveshaft can leave you without power to the wheel.
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report the transmission going into limp mode and sticking in 5th gear, often daily, and a 'lead frame' issue that one owner said nearly ended their life. These are driving-power failures that can leave you unable to accelerate normally. This is the most common complaint area by far.
The same lead frame problem is also filed under electrical, and one owner described a highway limp mode from an output speed sensor failure. Electrical faults here can trigger transmission symptoms, so a scan for stored codes matters. These are not cosmetic glitches.
One owner reported the rear window defroster shorting and the back window exploding outward shortly after use. That is a sudden, dangerous failure with no warning. A buyer should test the defroster and look for prior window replacement.
Exterior lighting is a top complaint component, meaning owners report lights failing. Lighting failures affect visibility and can be a safety concern at night. Check all lights, including brake and reverse, before buying.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
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 Metropolitan — 9 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2025 Metropolitan scooters. An improper seal between the transmission case and left-side crankcase may allow transmission fluid to leak.
The risk: A transmission fluid leak can cause the driveshaft bearings to fail, causing a sudden loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the transmission case as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KR…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2025 Metropolitan scooters. An improper seal between the transmission case and left-side crankcase may allow transmission fluid to leak.
The risk: A transmission fluid leak can cause the driveshaft bearings to fail, causing a sudden loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the transmission case as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KR…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2025 Metropolitan scooters. An improper seal between the transmission case and left-side crankcase may allow transmission fluid to leak.
The risk: A transmission fluid leak can cause the driveshaft bearings to fail, causing a sudden loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the transmission case as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KR…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2025 Metropolitan scooters. An improper seal between the transmission case and left-side crankcase may allow transmission fluid to leak.
The risk: A transmission fluid leak can cause the driveshaft bearings to fail, causing a sudden loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the transmission case as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KR…
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
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 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…
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-…
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…
Buyer analysis
Honda Metropolitan or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Honda Metropolitan has zero complaints per year on average, while the Ford F-150 averages about 1,162 complaints per year. In practice, the Metropolitan shows almost no owner-reported failure pattern, while the F-150 has a large, recurring set of transmission and electrical complaints. The difference means the F-150 demands much more pre-purchase scrutiny.
Key differences
- The Metropolitan has 0 complaints over 10 years; the F-150 has 11,621, with 330 crash-related reports and 297 injuries.
- The Metropolitan's only recall subject is the driveshaft; the F-150 has 151 recalls covering engine, seat belts, door latches, and air bags.
- F-150 owners describe limp mode, stuck 5th gear, and lead frame failures; no such complaint text exists for the Metropolitan.
- F-150 electrical complaints include a rear window defroster short that one owner said shattered the back window.
- Ask for proof the driveshaft recall was completed; the same subject appears across multiple recall campaigns.
- Since there is no complaint text, have a mechanic check the driveshaft and driveline for play or noise before purchase.
- Test drive enough to catch transmission limp mode or a stuck gear, and scan for stored transmission codes like P0722.
- Test the rear window defroster and inspect the back window for signs of replacement or shattering.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN for open recalls on both vehicles and confirm the Metropolitan driveshaft and F-150 engine, seat belt, door latch, and air bag recalls were repaired.
- For the F-150, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on transmission behavior, including a scan for limp-mode and speed-sensor codes.
- For the F-150, test all exterior lights and the rear defroster, and check for prior window replacement.
- For the Metropolitan, have the driveshaft and driveline inspected since no owner complaint detail is available.
- Ask for service records showing transmission repairs or lead frame replacement on any F-150 you consider.
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 Metropolitan | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 | 0 | 345 |
| 2024 | 0 | 638 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 0 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 0 | 44 |
| 2019 | 0 | 52 |
| 2018 | 0 | 79 |
| 2017 | 0 | 59 |
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 Metropolitan or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda Metropolitan vs FORD F 150
- Honda Metropolitan total complaints
- 0
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Honda Metropolitan total recalls
- 9
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Honda Metropolitan avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Honda Metropolitan
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN