Head-to-head reliability

Suzuki Sv1000s vs FORD F 150

How the Suzuki Sv1000s and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

Suzuki Sv1000s41 complaints · 9 recalls Fewer issues per year
FORD F 15011,102 complaints · 144 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

Suzuki Sv1000s averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Suzuki Sv1000s has 41 complaints and 9 recalls on record; FORD F 150 has 11,102 complaints and 144 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategorySuzuki Sv1000sFORD F 150
Total complaintsAll model years combined41 Better11,102
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns9 Better144
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints3 Better319
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years5.1 Better1110.2
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints3 Better287
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints0 Better1

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 Sv1000s

  1. 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM29
  2. 02ENGINE9
  3. 03FUEL SYSTEM6
  4. 04GASOLINE6
  5. 05POWER TRAIN4
In owners' words — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY 2003 SUZUKI SV1000S MOTORCYCLE HAS A LONG HISTORY OF CUTTING OUT WHILE IN MOTION, IN TRAFFIC, IN TURNS, RESULTING IN EVENTUAL AND COMPLETE ELECTRONIC FAILURE ON 7/8/2006. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE BIKE IN AUGUST OF 2005. I HAVE…

THE CHARGING SYSTEM ON THIS MOTORCYCLE HAS NO WARNING WHEN IT QUITS WORKING. SINCE IT IS A FUEL INJECTED VEHICLE, WITH CONSTANTLY ON HEADLIGHTS IT WILL RUN DOWN A PERFECTLY GOOD BATTERY WHEN THE CHARGING SYSTEM FAILS. *TR THE CHARGING SYSTEM HAS A LATENT DEFE…

FORD F 150

  1. 01POWER TRAIN3,492
  2. 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,052
  3. 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,380
  4. 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,150
  5. 05ENGINE828
In owners' words — POWER TRAIN

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…

The vehicle experienced intermittent transmission-related drivability issues before the recall remedy was available. The vehicle had delayed/hard shifting, an intermittent wrench warning light, and a reduced power/limp mode condition where the transmission wo…

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 Sv1000s — 9 recalls

Equipment
#08E052000

The defect: MOTION PRO IS RECALLING 10,000 AFTERMARKET BRAKE LEVERS, MODEL NO. 14-0415, SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MY 1999 THROUGH 2008 SUZUKI AND MY 1998 THROUGH 2003 YAMAHA MOTORCYCLES. THE LOBE HEIGHT ON SOME OF THESE LEVERS ARE SMALLER AND DO NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE THE STOMP LAMP SWITCH WHICH WILL NOT DEACTIVATE…

The risk: IF THIS OCCURS, THE STOP LAMP WILL REMAIN ON WHICH COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN A CRASH.

The fix: MOTION PRO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MOTION PRO AT 1-877-438-7831.

Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly
#06V013000

The defect: ON CERTAIN CALIFORNIA-SPECIFICATION MODEL MOTORCYCLES, REPEATED STRESS FROM VIBRATION CAN CAUSE A CRACK TO FORM IN THE AREA WHERE THE LIQUID/VAPOR SEPARATOR BRACKET IS WELDED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. THIS CAN ALLOW FUEL LEAKAGE TO OCCUR.

The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 3, 2006. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT AMERICAN SUZUKI AT 714-572-1490.

Equipment
#08E052000

The defect: MOTION PRO IS RECALLING 10,000 AFTERMARKET BRAKE LEVERS, MODEL NO. 14-0415, SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MY 1999 THROUGH 2008 SUZUKI AND MY 1998 THROUGH 2003 YAMAHA MOTORCYCLES. THE LOBE HEIGHT ON SOME OF THESE LEVERS ARE SMALLER AND DO NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE THE STOMP LAMP SWITCH WHICH WILL NOT DEACTIVATE…

The risk: IF THIS OCCURS, THE STOP LAMP WILL REMAIN ON WHICH COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN A CRASH.

The fix: MOTION PRO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MOTION PRO AT 1-877-438-7831.

Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly
#06V013000

The defect: ON CERTAIN CALIFORNIA-SPECIFICATION MODEL MOTORCYCLES, REPEATED STRESS FROM VIBRATION CAN CAUSE A CRACK TO FORM IN THE AREA WHERE THE LIQUID/VAPOR SEPARATOR BRACKET IS WELDED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. THIS CAN ALLOW FUEL LEAKAGE TO OCCUR.

The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 3, 2006. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT AMERICAN SUZUKI AT 714-572-1490.

FORD F 150 — 144 recalls

Engine
#18V894000

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…

Engine
#19V278000Aug 2019

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…

Seat Belts — Pretensioner
#18V568000

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-…

Latches/Locks/Linkages — Doors — Latch
#17V652000

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…

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 Sv1000s or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

Suzuki Sv1000s vs FORD F 150 — comparison facts
Comparison
Suzuki Sv1000s vs FORD F 150
Suzuki Sv1000s total complaints
41
FORD F 150 total complaints
11,102
Suzuki Sv1000s total recalls
9
FORD F 150 total recalls
144
Suzuki Sv1000s avg complaints/year
5.1
FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
1110.2
More reliable overall
Suzuki Sv1000s
Suzuki Sv1000s top complaint area
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FORD F 150 top complaint area
POWER TRAIN