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 zero complaints over 10 years, while the F-150 has over 11,000, with transmission issues being the top problem. The F-150 also has 145 recalls and 328 crash-related complaints. For a reliable used vehicle, the DR Z400s is far less risky. 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 a very clean reliability record in NHTSA data: zero complaints over ten years. That means owners have not reported any systematic failures, so the bike is likely to be dependable for routine riding. The two recalls are minor and address specific parts—brake hydraulic fasteners and the brake light switch—so they are easy to fix and not signs of chronic trouble. Overall, it's a low-risk used vehicle for someone who wants a simple, no-drama machine.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume: over 11,000 complaints in ten years, averaging over 1,100 per year. The dominant issue is the powertrain, especially the 10-speed automatic transmission, which owners describe as jerky, hard-shifting, and sometimes failing entirely. Electrical system problems are also common, including camera and pre-collision warnings. With 145 recalls, the F-150 has a more complex history, but many complaints are about drivability rather than safety, though there are crash and injury reports.
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 | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 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 DR Z400s
No component data available.
No owner complaints are on record, but a recall addresses critical fasteners in the hydraulic brake system. Loose or failing fasteners could lead to brake fluid leaks or reduced braking performance, so a buyer should ensure the recall was completed.
A recall covers the brake light switch, which can fail and prevent the brake lights from illuminating when the lever is pressed. This is a safety issue because following drivers may not see braking, increasing the risk of rear-end collisions.
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Owners report hard and delayed shifts, jerking, clunking, and even sudden loss of power in the 10-speed automatic transmission. Some describe the truck shutting off and restarting with a violent jerk, which is alarming and potentially dangerous in traffic.
Many owners see warning messages like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre-Collision Assist Not Available' on startup. These issues can disable safety features and are often persistent, requiring dealer visits.
Headlight-related recalls and complaints are common, with owners reporting dim or failing headlights that reduce visibility at night. This is a safety concern for both the driver and other road users.
Engine-related complaints and recalls exist, but the sample text focuses on transmission issues. Owners have reported engine problems that may cause stalling or performance issues, though specifics are less clear from the data.
“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 DR Z400s — 2 recalls
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…
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.
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 DR Z400s or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Suzuki DR Z400s has far fewer issues per year—zero complaints versus over 1,100 for the F-150. In practice, the DR Z400s is likely to be a trouble-free bike, while the F-150 may require frequent repairs, especially to the transmission. The F-150's higher crash and injury counts also suggest more serious incidents, though that is partly due to its popularity and usage.
Key differences
- The DR Z400s has zero complaints, while the F-150 has over 11,000, with the majority about transmission problems.
- The F-150's transmission can shift hard, jerk, or lose power, which is a serious safety concern; the DR Z400s has no such reports.
- The F-150 has 145 recalls, including headlights and engine issues, while the DR Z400s has only 2 minor recalls.
- The F-150 has 328 crash-related complaints and 1 death, whereas the DR Z400s has none.
- Check that the brake light switch recall was performed, as a faulty switch can leave brake lights off.
- Inspect the hydraulic brake fasteners for any signs of looseness or leaks, given the recall on critical fasteners.
- Test-drive the F-150 and pay attention to transmission shifts between 4th-6th and 7th-8th gears for any hard jerks or clunks.
- Check if the truck has any pending recalls, especially for headlights and electrical system, and verify they were completed.
Before you buy
- For the DR Z400s, confirm both recalls are completed by checking with a Suzuki dealer using the VIN.
- For the F-150, get a pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic who specializes in Ford trucks, focusing on the transmission.
- Ask for the F-150's service records to see if the transmission has been repaired or replaced.
- Check the F-150's electrical system by starting it multiple times to see if any warning lights appear.
- For both, review the NHTSA website for any open recalls and ensure they are fixed before purchase.
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 | 329 |
| 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 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
- 11,311
- Suzuki DR Z400s total recalls
- 2
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Suzuki DR Z400s avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Suzuki DR Z400s
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN