Head-to-head reliability
Suzuki DR Z400s vs FORD F 150
How the Suzuki DR Z400s 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 DR Z400s vs FORD F 150: The DR Z400s has 0 complaints and 2 recalls over 10 years, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints, 151 recalls, and 330 crash-related reports. The F-150's power train and electrical issues are frequently described by owners. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Suzuki DR Z400s or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Suzuki DR Z400s
The Suzuki DR Z400s is a dual-sport motorcycle with no owner complaints filed over a 10-year period, suggesting a very low rate of reported problems. It has two recalls, one for hydraulic brake fasteners and one for brake light switches, but no crashes, injuries, or deaths are recorded. For a buyer, this points to a simple, low-drama ownership experience where major failure patterns are not evident in the complaint data.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a very high complaint volume: 11,621 over 10 years, averaging about 1,162 per year. The most common areas are the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting, with 330 crash-related reports, 297 injuries, and 1 death. Owner complaints describe recurring transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and electrical glitches that can affect daily driving.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Suzuki DR Z400s | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 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 DR Z400s
No component data available.
A recall covers critical fasteners in the hydraulic brake system. If those fasteners are not addressed, braking performance could be affected, so buyers should confirm the recall was completed.
A recall addresses the brake light switch. A faulty switch may prevent the brake light from illuminating, which is a safety concern because other drivers may not see you slowing down.
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report the truck going into limp mode and getting stuck in 5th gear, often tied to lead frame or output speed sensor issues. This can happen daily and leaves the driver with reduced power, which is dangerous in traffic.
Complaints include the same lead frame problem affecting transmission behavior, plus a rear window defroster short that in one case caused the back window to shatter. Electrical faults can be intermittent and hard to diagnose.
One owner described the rear window exploding outward after using the defroster, with no external cause. This is a rare but serious event that could cause injury or costly glass damage.
This is a top complaint category, though specific failure text is not provided. Lighting problems matter because they affect visibility and signaling to other drivers.
“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 DR Z400s — 2 recalls
The defect: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2018 Suzuki DR-Z400S and DR-Z400SM motorcycles. During assembly the resin that fills the rear brake stop lamp switch may have adhered to the internal contacts, which can prevent the brake lamp from illuminating.
The risk: If the brake lights do not illuminate, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will install a new stop lamp switch assembly, free of charge. The recall began on July 16, 2018. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's number for this recall is 2A84.
The defect: Suzuki Motor USA, LLC (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2025-2026 DR-Z400S and 2025 DR-Z400SM motorcycles. The reservoir tank cap fixing screws may have been incorrectly tightened, allowing brake fluid to leak. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety…
The risk: A brake fluid leak can reduce braking ability, increasing the distance required to stop and the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the screws, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 9, 2026. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became sea…
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 DR Z400s or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Suzuki DR Z400s has far fewer issues per year: 0 complaints annually versus about 1,162 for the Ford F-150. In practice, the DR Z400s shows no reported failure pattern in the complaint data, while the F-150 has a steady stream of power train and electrical complaints that owners describe as recurring and sometimes dangerous.
Key differences
- The Suzuki DR Z400s has 0 complaints over 10 years, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints, with power train issues alone accounting for 3,648.
- Ford F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and stuck-in-5th-gear behavior tied to lead frame and output speed sensor failures; the DR Z400s has no complaint text describing such patterns.
- The F-150 has 330 crash-related reports, 297 injuries, and 1 death in the data; the DR Z400s has 0 in each of those categories.
- Both have recalls, but the DR Z400s recalls are for brake fasteners and brake light switches, while the F-150 recalls include engine, seat belts, door latches, and air bag inflators.
- Check that the hydraulic brake fastener recall has been completed, since loose fasteners could affect braking.
- Test the brake light switch to ensure the brake light comes on when you press the pedal, as a faulty switch is a recall item.
- During a test drive, watch for the transmission suddenly losing power or sticking in a gear, which owners describe as limp mode or stuck in 5th gear.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster for cracks or signs of shattering, and ask if the defroster has ever caused the glass to break.
Before you buy
- For either vehicle, ask for the VIN and check the NHTSA recall website to confirm all open recalls have been fixed.
- On the Ford F-150, get a pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic who knows Ford transmissions and can scan for stored codes like P0722.
- On the Suzuki DR Z400s, verify the brake light works and that the brake fasteners have been checked or replaced under recall.
- For the F-150, test drive at highway speeds and in stop-and-go traffic to see if the transmission hesitates, slips, or enters limp mode.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any transmission or electrical repairs on the F-150, and any brake work on the DR Z400s.
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 DR Z400s | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Suzuki DR Z400s or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Suzuki DR Z400s vs FORD F 150
- Suzuki DR Z400s total complaints
- 0
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Suzuki DR Z400s total recalls
- 2
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Suzuki DR Z400s avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Suzuki DR Z400s
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN