Head-to-head reliability
Suzuki Boulevard vs FORD F 150
How the Suzuki Boulevard 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
Suzuki Boulevard vs FORD F 150: The Suzuki Boulevard has 0 complaints and 0 recalls over 4 years, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints and 151 recalls over 10 years. The Ford also reports 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries. The Suzuki shows no reported failure patterns, but the Ford has documented power train and electrical issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Suzuki Boulevard or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Suzuki Boulevard
The Suzuki Boulevard is a motorcycle that, based on NHTSA data, has no owner complaints or recalls on record over a four-year period. This suggests a very low reported failure rate, but it does not prove the bike is problem-free. For a buyer, the absence of complaints means there is little public data on common issues, so a thorough mechanical inspection is still essential.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a high number of owner complaints and recalls over a ten-year span. The most frequent problem areas are the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting, with reports of transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and rear window shattering. These issues can lead to costly repairs and safety risks, so a pre-purchase inspection focused on these systems is critical.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Suzuki Boulevard | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 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.
Suzuki Boulevard
No component data available.
There are no owner complaints or recalls on file for the Suzuki Boulevard, so no specific failure patterns are documented. This means buyers have no data on which parts tend to fail, making a hands-on inspection even more important.
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report recurring transmission problems, including limp mode and getting stuck in 5th gear, as well as lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power. These issues can leave a driver stranded or create dangerous driving situations.
Complaints describe lead frame issues affecting the electrical system, and one owner reported a rear window defroster short that caused the back window to shatter. Electrical faults can be intermittent and expensive to diagnose.
Some owners report unusual problems not classified elsewhere, such as the rear window exploding outward after using the defroster. These unpredictable failures add to ownership uncertainty.
Although no sample complaint text is provided for this component, the high number of complaints suggests lighting failures are common. Buyers should check all lights and related wiring for signs of trouble.
“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.
Suzuki Boulevard
No recalls on record.
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
Suzuki Boulevard or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Suzuki Boulevard has far fewer reported issues per year (0 complaints per year) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,162 complaints per year). In practice, this means the Suzuki is less likely to have documented problems, but the lack of data also means buyers must rely on their own inspection. The Ford F-150's higher complaint volume points to more frequent and varied issues that could affect reliability and safety.
Key differences
- The Suzuki Boulevard has 0 complaints and 0 recalls over 4 years, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints and 151 recalls over 10 years.
- Ford F-150 owners report serious power train issues like limp mode and lead frame failures; no such reports exist for the Suzuki Boulevard.
- The Ford F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries, whereas the Suzuki Boulevard has none on record.
- Electrical problems, including a rear window shattering, are reported for the Ford F-150 but not for the Suzuki Boulevard.
- Since no complaints are on record, check for any signs of neglect, such as rust, fluid leaks, or unusual noises, during a test ride.
- Verify that all recalls have been addressed by checking the VIN with a Suzuki dealer, even though none are listed.
- Test drive the truck at highway speeds and watch for transmission shudder, delayed engagement, or limp mode, which owners frequently report.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster operation, as some owners experienced the window shattering after using the defroster.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- For the Ford F-150, have a mechanic scan for transmission trouble codes and check the lead frame and output speed sensor.
- For the Suzuki Boulevard, perform a thorough mechanical inspection including brakes, tires, and electrical components since no complaint data exists.
- Test drive the Ford F-150 extensively, including highway driving, to reproduce potential limp mode or shifting problems.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and confirm that any applicable recalls have been completed.
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 | Suzuki Boulevard | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 345 |
| 2024 | 0 | 638 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3493 |
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 Suzuki Boulevard or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Suzuki Boulevard vs FORD F 150
- Suzuki Boulevard total complaints
- 0
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Suzuki Boulevard total recalls
- 0
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Suzuki Boulevard avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Suzuki Boulevard
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN