Head-to-head reliability
Honda Nc700x vs FORD F 150
How the Honda Nc700x 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 Nc700x vs FORD F 150: The Honda Nc700x has 2 complaints and 2 recalls over 10 years, while the Ford F-150 has 11,311 complaints and 145 recalls. The F-150 also shows 328 crash-related reports and 287 injuries, compared to none for the Nc700x. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda Nc700x or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda Nc700x
The Honda NC700X is a midsize motorcycle that, over ten years, has generated only 2 complaints and 2 recalls. The complaint pattern centers on the dual-clutch transmission cover plate breaking during removal, a repair-related issue rather than a sudden failure while riding. With no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths in the data, it appears to be a low-volume, low-drama machine for used buyers.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that has accumulated 11,311 complaints and 145 recalls over ten years, with 328 crash-related reports, 287 injuries, and 1 death. Owners frequently describe hard or delayed shifts, loss of power, and electrical glitches such as camera and pre-collision warnings. This is a high-volume vehicle with a wide range of reported problems, so a used buyer should expect to check transmission and electrical health carefully.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda Nc700x | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.2 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 Nc700x
- 01POWER TRAIN2
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
Owners report the cover plate for the dual-clutch transmission broke into two pieces during removal. This is a repair-time failure, meaning it may not strand you on the road but can add cost and downtime if the transmission needs service.
The same cover plate breakage was also filed under this category, suggesting the issue was reported inconsistently. For a buyer, it means the main documented problem is a fragile transmission cover, not a widespread engine or brake failure.
“PLEASE REFER TO MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT NUMBER OF 11217973 IN WHICH I DIDN'T LIST THE PROBLEM UNDER THE NC700 CATEGORY AND MISTAKENLY LISTED IT AS THE HONDA NM4 (COMMON NAME FOR THIS MOTORCYCLE). THE ORIGINAL INFO IS BELOW: THIS IS A HONDA MOTORCYCLE WITH A DUA…”
“COVER PLATE FOR THE DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION BROKE INTO TWO PIECES DURING REMOVAL.”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Owners describe hard, delayed, or jerky shifts from the 10-speed automatic, sometimes with loss of power and the truck shutting off. This matters because transmission problems can be expensive and may affect drivability and safety in traffic.
Reports include loud bangs from the transmission area, popping sounds from the rear suspension, and warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available.' These electrical gremlins can be annoying and may require dealer visits to diagnose.
Many complaints fall into this catch-all category, which can include various noises, warning lights, or intermittent faults. For a buyer, it signals that not all issues are neatly classified, so a thorough test drive and scan for stored codes is wise.
With 1,164 complaints, exterior lighting is a top area, and recalls include headlights. Owners may report lights that fail or behave unpredictably, which is a safety concern for night driving and inspections.
“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 Nc700x — 2 recalls
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…
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 Nc700x or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Honda NC700X has far fewer issues per year (0.2 complaints/year) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,131.1 complaints/year). In practice, the NC700X is a simpler, lower-risk used purchase, while the F-150 demands more scrutiny because of its higher reported rate of transmission, electrical, and lighting problems.
Key differences
- The Honda NC700X has 2 complaints and 2 recalls over 10 years, while the Ford F-150 has 11,311 complaints and 145 recalls.
- NC700X complaints center on a dual-clutch transmission cover plate breaking during removal; F-150 complaints often describe hard shifting, loss of power, and electrical warnings.
- The F-150 data includes 328 crash-related reports, 287 injuries, and 1 death; the NC700X data shows 0 in each of those categories.
- F-150 recalls cover headlights, battery cables, engine, and seat recliners, while NC700X recalls are limited to the starter relay.
- Inspect the dual-clutch transmission cover plate for cracks or previous breakage, especially if the bike has had transmission service.
- Check for any signs of amateur repair around the transmission cover, as the reported failure happened during removal.
- Test drive at various speeds and watch for hard, delayed, or jerky shifts, especially between 4-5, 5-6, and 7-8 gears.
- Check for dashboard warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' and listen for loud bangs or popping sounds from the transmission or rear suspension.
Before you buy
- Ask for the full repair history and confirm whether the NC700X transmission cover plate has ever been removed or replaced.
- For the F-150, have a mechanic scan for stored transmission and electrical fault codes before purchase.
- Verify that all open recalls for the specific vehicle are completed by checking the NHTSA recall lookup using the VIN.
- On the F-150, test the headlights, camera, and pre-collision assist systems to ensure they work without warnings.
- On the NC700X, inspect the starter relay and wiring, since recalls have addressed that area.
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 Nc700x | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0 | 617 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1507 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3432 |
| 2021 | 0 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 0 | 33 |
| 2019 | 0 | 36 |
| 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 Nc700x or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda Nc700x vs FORD F 150
- Honda Nc700x total complaints
- 2
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Honda Nc700x total recalls
- 2
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Honda Nc700x avg complaints/year
- 0.2
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Honda Nc700x
- Honda Nc700x top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN