Head-to-head reliability
Suzuki Dl1000 vs FORD F 150
How the Suzuki Dl1000 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 Dl1000 vs FORD F 150: The Dl1000 has 0 complaints and 0 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,311 complaints, 145 recalls, and 328 crash-related reports over 10 years. The F-150's most common issues are power train and electrical problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Suzuki Dl1000 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Suzuki Dl1000
The Suzuki Dl1000 is a motorcycle with no complaints or recalls on file with NHTSA over the years covered. That clean record suggests owners have not reported widespread safety defects, but it also means there is little public data to judge long-term reliability. For a buyer, this lack of data is not a guarantee of trouble-free ownership—it simply means you should rely on a mechanic's inspection and owner forums rather than government records.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a heavy volume of owner complaints: over 11,000 in 10 years, plus 145 recalls and 328 crash-related reports. The most common trouble spots are the power train (especially transmission shifting problems) and the electrical system. Many complaints describe hard shifts, loss of power, and warning lights, which can be both annoying and potentially dangerous. This is a popular truck, but the data shows a notable rate of reported issues that a used buyer should take seriously.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Suzuki Dl1000 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 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.
Suzuki Dl1000
No component data available.
NHTSA has no complaints or recalls for the Suzuki Dl1000, so there are no owner-reported failure patterns to describe. For a buyer, this means you cannot use government data to predict common problems; a thorough pre-purchase inspection is essential.
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Owners report hard or delayed shifts, jerking, clunking, and sometimes a sudden loss of power, often involving the 10-speed automatic transmission. These symptoms can leave you stranded or cause a crash if power drops in traffic.
Complaints include warning messages like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre-Collision Assist Not Available,' as well as loud bangs or popping sounds from the transmission area. Electrical glitches can disable safety aids and are frustrating to diagnose.
Headlight-related complaints and recalls are common, which matters because poor lighting reduces visibility and can lead to accidents or failed inspections.
Engine issues appear in complaints and recalls, though less frequently than transmission problems. Engine trouble can be costly and may affect the truck's ability to tow or run reliably.
“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.
Suzuki Dl1000
No recalls on record.
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
Suzuki Dl1000 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Suzuki Dl1000 has far fewer reported issues per year (0 vs. about 1,131 for the Ford F-150), but that is partly because there is no complaint data at all. In practice, the F-150 has a well-documented pattern of transmission and electrical problems, while the Dl1000's reliability is simply unknown from NHTSA records. A buyer should weigh the F-150's known risks against the Dl1000's lack of data.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has over 11,000 complaints and 145 recalls in 10 years, while the Suzuki Dl1000 has zero complaints and zero recalls on record.
- F-150 owners most often report transmission problems like hard shifts, jerking, and sudden power loss, which can be a safety concern.
- F-150 electrical complaints include warning lights for camera and pre-collision systems, which can disable driver aids.
- The Dl1000's lack of data means you cannot compare specific failure patterns; its reliability is simply not documented by NHTSA.
- Since there are no reported failures, check for any signs of neglect or accident damage, especially frame, forks, and engine cases.
- Ask for maintenance records and have a mechanic inspect the bike for unusual noises, leaks, or electrical issues, as no NHTSA data exists to guide you.
- During a test drive, pay close attention to transmission shifts—jerking, clunking, or delayed engagement between gears is a common complaint.
- Check for dashboard warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre-Collision Assist Not Available' and ensure all electrical features work.
Before you buy
- For the F-150, get a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with Ford 10-speed transmissions and ask for a transmission fluid service history.
- For the F-150, scan for stored trouble codes and test all electrical systems, including cameras and driver-assist features.
- For the Dl1000, have a motorcycle mechanic inspect the engine, transmission, brakes, and electrical system since no NHTSA data is available.
- For both vehicles, obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls (F-150 has many; Dl1000 has none).
- Test drive the F-150 in stop-and-go traffic and at highway speeds to feel for transmission issues; test ride the Dl1000 through all gears if possible.
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 Dl1000 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Suzuki Dl1000 vs FORD F 150
- Suzuki Dl1000 total complaints
- 0
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Suzuki Dl1000 total recalls
- 0
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Suzuki Dl1000 avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Suzuki Dl1000
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN