Head-to-head reliability
Suzuki Grand Vitara vs FORD F 150
How the Suzuki Grand Vitara 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 Grand Vitara vs FORD F 150: The Grand Vitara averaged 32 complaints per year with 29 recalls, while the F-150 averaged 1,162 complaints per year with 151 recalls. The F-150 has more power train and electrical issues, including transmission limp mode. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Suzuki Grand Vitara or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Suzuki Grand Vitara
The Suzuki Grand Vitara is a compact SUV that averaged about 32 complaints per year over a decade, with 29 recalls. Owners frequently report air bag and electrical problems, including recalls for air bag issues and belt tensioner failures that can affect steering. Exterior lighting complaints often involve repeated headlight bulb replacements or costly assembly fixes. Overall, it shows a pattern of smaller but persistent annoyances rather than frequent severe failures.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that generated an average of over 1,160 complaints per year, with 151 recalls. Power train and electrical issues dominate, especially transmission problems like limp mode and lead frame failures that can cause near collisions. Electrical gremlins include rear window defroster shorts that may shatter the back glass. This truck has a much higher volume of reported problems, including one death and many injuries.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Suzuki Grand Vitara | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 324 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 29 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 23 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 32.4 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 18 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 Grand Vitara
- 01AIR BAGS107
- 02EXTERIOR LIGHTING75
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM61
- 04STEERING25
- 05POWER TRAIN22
Owners report air bag recalls, such as the 'DV' recall, and difficulty getting to a dealer for the fix. Some also mention belt tensioner failures that can affect steering and alternator function, which is a safety concern if the belt comes off while driving.
Complaints include frequent headlight bulb burnouts and being told to replace entire headlight assemblies at about $240 each. Another owner reported an air conditioner compressor failure that caused a popping sound and hot air, which is more of a comfort issue but can be costly.
Owners describe overheating with no heat from the heater, and doors that automatically lock with keys inside. These issues can leave you stranded or uncomfortable, and they point to sensor or wiring problems that may be hard to diagnose.
Reports include a compromised power steering pump drive-belt tension adjuster pulley, which can affect steering and AC. Another owner noted a loose steering wheel when turned, which could indicate worn steering components and should be checked immediately.
“I OWN 2 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA 2010 & 2007 AND I GOT A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURE FOR TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR FIXING THE AIR BAG ISSUE RECALL CALLED DV SO I CHECKED AND THE NEAREST AUTHORIZED DEALER IS A ONE OUR DRIVE SO I CALLED THE MANUFACTURE…”
“MY MOST RECENT INCONVENIENCE WITH MY SUZUKI RECALL TENSIONER WAS ON 2/5/2020, I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN WHEN MY VEHICLE'S BELT TENSIONER AND DRIVE BELT CAME OFF OF THE RECALL TENSION ADJUSTER PULLEY. I COULD NOT TURN MY VEHICLE, THE ALTERNAT…”
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, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause near collisions. One owner said the lead frame issue 'nearly ended my life,' highlighting the safety risk.
The lead frame issue also appears under electrical complaints, along with output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. A separate complaint describes a rear window defroster short that caused the back window to shatter outward, which is a serious safety hazard.
This category includes the rear window defroster short that led to the back window exploding. Such an event can cause injury from flying glass and is a clear sign of electrical faults that may not be obvious during a test drive.
While specific lighting complaints are not detailed in the sample, the high number of exterior lighting complaints (1,224) suggests owners frequently deal with bulb failures or wiring issues. These can affect visibility and may be a recurring expense.
“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 Grand Vitara — 29 recalls
The defect: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kizashi and 2006-2013 Grand Vitara vehicles. The front passenger leather seat may shrink due to high humidity and high temperature. As a result, the occupant classification system (OCS) sensor mat may not accurately detect if an…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, an incorrect classification may result in the passenger frontal air bag deploying even if there is a child in the front passenger seat, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat bottom cushion, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on May 3, 2019. All second letters notifying owners of the remedy were mailed by April 10, 2020. Ow…
The defect: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kizashi and 2006-2013 Grand Vitara vehicles. The front passenger leather seat may shrink due to high humidity and high temperature. As a result, the occupant classification system (OCS) sensor mat may not accurately detect if an…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, an incorrect classification may result in the passenger frontal air bag deploying even if there is a child in the front passenger seat, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat bottom cushion, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on May 3, 2019. All second letters notifying owners of the remedy were mailed by April 10, 2020. Ow…
The defect: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kizashi and 2006-2013 Grand Vitara vehicles. The front passenger leather seat may shrink due to high humidity and high temperature. As a result, the occupant classification system (OCS) sensor mat may not accurately detect if an…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, an incorrect classification may result in the passenger frontal air bag deploying even if there is a child in the front passenger seat, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat bottom cushion, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on May 3, 2019. All second letters notifying owners of the remedy were mailed by April 10, 2020. Ow…
The defect: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kizashi and 2006-2013 Grand Vitara vehicles. The front passenger leather seat may shrink due to high humidity and high temperature. As a result, the occupant classification system (OCS) sensor mat may not accurately detect if an…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, an incorrect classification may result in the passenger frontal air bag deploying even if there is a child in the front passenger seat, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat bottom cushion, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on May 3, 2019. All second letters notifying owners of the remedy were mailed by April 10, 2020. Ow…
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 Grand Vitara or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Suzuki Grand Vitara has far fewer issues per year (about 32 complaints) compared to the Ford F-150 (over 1,160 complaints). In practice, this means the Grand Vitara owner may face fewer trips to the mechanic, but the F-150's problems are more often severe, including transmission failures that can cause loss of power. The F-150 also has more recalls and a higher number of crash-related complaints.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has about 36 times more complaints per year than the Suzuki Grand Vitara (1,162 vs. 32), indicating a much higher rate of reported problems.
- Power train issues dominate F-150 complaints, with transmission limp mode and lead frame failures that can cause near collisions, while the Grand Vitara's top issue is air bags, often related to recalls.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 29 for the Grand Vitara, and includes serious safety items like seat belt pretensioners and door latches.
- Electrical problems in the F-150 include a rear window defroster short that can shatter the back glass, whereas Grand Vitara electrical complaints often involve heating and door lock malfunctions.
- Check for open air bag recalls and confirm the remedy was performed; owners report difficulty getting to a dealer for the fix.
- Inspect the power steering belt tensioner and pulley for wear or damage, as complaints describe the belt coming off and affecting steering.
- Test drive at highway speeds and check for transmission shudder, limp mode, or getting stuck in 5th gear; lead frame and output speed sensor failures are common.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for signs of shorting or prior repair, as a short can cause the back window to shatter.
Before you buy
- Verify all open recalls are completed for the specific vehicle, especially air bag recalls on the Grand Vitara and power train recalls on the F-150.
- Obtain a pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic, focusing on transmission function for the F-150 and steering/electrical systems for the Grand Vitara.
- Ask for maintenance records to see if common issues like headlight bulb replacements (Grand Vitara) or transmission repairs (F-150) have been addressed.
- Check the NHTSA website for any additional complaints or recalls by VIN, and confirm the vehicle's history.
- During a test drive, listen for unusual noises, test all electrical features (lights, defroster, door locks), and feel for steering looseness or transmission hesitation.
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 Grand Vitara or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Suzuki Grand Vitara vs FORD F 150
- Suzuki Grand Vitara total complaints
- 324
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Suzuki Grand Vitara total recalls
- 29
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Suzuki Grand Vitara avg complaints/year
- 32.4
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Suzuki Grand Vitara
- Suzuki Grand Vitara top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN