Head-to-head reliability
Suzuki Gsx250r vs FORD F 150
How the Suzuki Gsx250r 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 GSX250R vs FORD F 150: the GSX250R has 0 complaints over 9 years and 3 lighting recalls, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years, 151 recalls, and 330 crash-related reports. The F-150 shows repeat power train and electrical failures; the GSX250R record is mostly silent. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Suzuki Gsx250r or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Suzuki Gsx250r
The Suzuki GSX250R is a small-displacement sport motorcycle with a very thin complaint record: zero owner complaints filed with NHTSA over nine years. Its only federal actions are three recalls, all for exterior lighting (brake lights and headlights). In ownership terms, that suggests few reported problems, but the absence of complaint text means buyers have little detail on what actually fails in service.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a heavy complaint history: 11,621 complaints over ten years, about 1,162 per year, plus 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints. Owner reports center on power train and electrical problems, especially transmission limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures. There are also reports of rear-window defroster shorts and shattered back glass. This is a high-volume vehicle with a long, documented pattern of repeat issues.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Suzuki Gsx250r | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 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 Gsx250r
No component data available.
Two of the three recalls on the GSX250R involve brake lights. A brake light that fails or works intermittently can reduce visibility to drivers behind you, so a buyer should confirm the brake light works every time the lever or pedal is applied.
One recall covers headlights. A headlight fault matters because it affects your own view at night and your chance of being seen. Check that both low and high beams work and that the connector and bulb seating are secure.
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 on a daily basis, and describe lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power. These are driving-safety concerns because they can happen at speed and leave you with reduced control.
Complaints include the same lead frame issue filed under electrical, plus an output speed sensor failure that triggered highway limp mode. A rear-window defroster short is also reported to have shattered the back glass. Electrical faults here can disable the truck or cause unexpected damage.
One owner reported the rear window exploding outward after the defroster was turned off, with no other vehicles or rocks involved. This is a body/glass failure that matters because it can happen without warning and creates a safety hazard.
Exterior lighting is a top complaint area by count, though the sample text does not describe the specific lighting symptom. Buyers should still test all exterior lights, including brake, turn, and reverse lamps, because lighting faults are common enough to rank among the top components.
“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 Gsx250r — 3 recalls
The defect: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2018-2019 GSX250R motorcycles. Water intrusion may corrode the rear brake light switch causing the rear brake light to fail to illuminate or remain illuminated continuously when the brake is not applied.
The risk: A failure of the brake light to illuminate, or continued illumination when the brakes are not being applied, can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear brake stop light switch, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2019. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's number for this recall is 2A90.
The defect: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2018 GSX250R and GSX250RZ motorcycles. The low and/or high beam headlight may fail.
The risk: The sudden loss of low and/or high beams can reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the headlight bulb and install a bulb retention spring clip, free of charge. The recall began March 29, 2021. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-844-352-4921.
The defect: Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2018-2019 GSX250R motorcycles. Water intrusion may corrode the rear brake light switch causing the rear brake light to fail to illuminate or remain illuminated continuously when the brake is not applied.
The risk: A failure of the brake light to illuminate, or continued illumination when the brakes are not being applied, can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear brake stop light switch, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2019. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's number for this recall is 2A90.
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 Gsx250r or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Suzuki GSX250R has far fewer reported issues per year: zero complaints versus about 1,162 per year for the F-150. In practice, the F-150 owner is much more likely to encounter a documented power train or electrical problem, while the GSX250R record is mostly silent apart from lighting recalls.
Key differences
- The GSX250R has 0 complaints over 9 years; the F-150 has 11,621 over 10 years, with 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries reported.
- F-150 owners describe repeat power train failures such as limp mode, stuck 5th gear, and lead frame problems; the GSX250R has no complaint text describing failures.
- The GSX250R's only federal actions are three exterior lighting recalls; the F-150 has 151 recalls across engine, seat belts, door latches, and air bag inflators.
- The F-150 has a reported rear-window defroster short that shattered the back glass; no comparable body or glass complaint appears for the GSX250R.
- Test the brake light and headlight on both low and high beam, since all three GSX250R recalls are lighting-related.
- Ask whether the lighting recalls were completed and look for any signs of repaired or replaced light assemblies.
- During a test drive, watch for limp mode, harsh shifting, or getting stuck in a gear, which owners link to transmission and lead frame faults.
- Check the rear window defroster for signs of shorting or heat damage, and inspect the back glass for cracks or prior replacement.
Before you buy
- For the GSX250R, verify all three lighting recalls were performed and test every light before buying.
- For the F-150, scan for stored transmission codes such as P0722 and ask for service records on the lead frame and output speed sensor.
- On the F-150, test the rear defroster briefly and inspect the rear glass for cracks or unexplained shattering history.
- On both vehicles, confirm recall completion through a dealer or NHTSA VIN lookup before purchase.
- Take a longer test drive in the F-150 that includes highway speeds to check for limp mode or gear sticking.
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 Gsx250r | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 | 0 | 345 |
| 2024 | 0 | 638 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 0 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 0 | 44 |
| 2019 | 0 | 52 |
| 2018 | 0 | 79 |
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 Gsx250r or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Suzuki Gsx250r vs FORD F 150
- Suzuki Gsx250r total complaints
- 0
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Suzuki Gsx250r total recalls
- 3
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Suzuki Gsx250r avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Suzuki Gsx250r
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN