Head-to-head reliability
Suzuki V Strom 1050xt vs FORD F 150
How the Suzuki V Strom 1050xt 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 V Strom 1050xt vs FORD F 150: The Suzuki has 1 complaint per year and no recalls, while the Ford averages 1,131 complaints yearly with 145 recalls. The Suzuki's only issue is cruise control, but the Ford faces transmission and electrical failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Suzuki V Strom 1050xt or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Suzuki V Strom 1050xt
The Suzuki V Strom 1050xt is a niche adventure-touring motorcycle with a very low complaint rate, averaging just one per year over three years. The only reported issue is with the electronic cruise control system, which can disengage unexpectedly. This is a minor annoyance rather than a safety-critical failure, but it could be frustrating on long rides. Overall, it appears to be a reliable machine with few reported problems.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a popular full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume, averaging over 1,100 per year over a decade. Owners report serious issues with the powertrain, especially the 10-speed automatic transmission, which can shift harshly or even cause loss of power. Electrical system problems, including camera and sensor malfunctions, are also common. With 145 recalls and numerous crash reports, the F-150 has a more concerning reliability and safety record.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Suzuki V Strom 1050xt | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.0 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 V Strom 1050xt
- 01VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3
Owners report that the cruise control system randomly disengages without any input from the rider, such as touching the brakes or clutch. This can be annoying and potentially distracting, but it does not affect the motorcycle's basic speed control.
“My Suzuki has a ride by wire throttle control system and electronic speed control. The problem is the cruise control cancels all by itself without any input from any of the cancel switches. Like the throttle grip, the front brake or rear brake, or the clutch…”
“On at least 20 separate occasions between July, 2021 and September, 2021, cruise control has disengaged without myself providing the input necessary to disengage cruise control. In other words, cruise control randomly disengaged by itself, and this problem ha…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Many owners describe harsh and delayed shifts, especially in the 10-speed automatic transmission, with some experiencing sudden loss of power and jerking. This can be dangerous in traffic and may require costly repairs.
Frequent warnings for front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist not available appear on the dash, indicating sensor or software issues. These problems can disable safety features and may be expensive to fix.
Headlight-related recalls and complaints suggest potential issues with visibility, which is critical for night driving. Owners may need to have headlights inspected or replaced.
Engine-related complaints and recalls point to possible performance or reliability concerns, though specific symptoms are not detailed in the sample. Buyers should check for any outstanding recalls.
“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 V Strom 1050xt
No recalls on record.
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 V Strom 1050xt or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Suzuki V Strom 1050xt has far fewer issues per year (1.0) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,131.1). In practice, this means the Suzuki is likely to be much more reliable and less costly to maintain, while the F-150 may require frequent visits to the dealer for transmission and electrical problems.
Key differences
- The Suzuki has only one reported issue (cruise control) while the Ford has multiple serious problems, including transmission failures and electrical glitches.
- The Ford has 145 recalls, indicating widespread safety concerns, whereas the Suzuki has none.
- The Ford has been involved in 328 crashes and 287 injuries, while the Suzuki has zero crash-related complaints.
- The Ford's powertrain issues can lead to sudden loss of power, a major safety risk, while the Suzuki's cruise control issue is a minor inconvenience.
- Test the cruise control thoroughly on a test ride to ensure it does not disengage unexpectedly.
- Check for any service bulletins or software updates related to the cruise control system.
- During a test drive, pay close attention to transmission shifts, especially between 4th and 6th gears, for any harshness or delays.
- Check the dashboard for any warning lights, such as front camera malfunction or pre-collision assist errors, and have the electrical system inspected by a mechanic.
Before you buy
- For the Suzuki: verify that all recalls are performed (though none are listed) and ask about the cruise control issue.
- For the Ford: check the vehicle's recall status on the NHTSA website and ensure all recalls are addressed.
- For the Ford: have a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic, focusing on the transmission and electrical systems.
- For the Ford: ask for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes and any previous repairs.
- For both: take a thorough test drive, including highway speeds, to feel for any transmission or cruise control anomalies.
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 V Strom 1050xt | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0 | 3432 |
| 2021 | 0 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 3 | 33 |
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 V Strom 1050xt or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Suzuki V Strom 1050xt vs FORD F 150
- Suzuki V Strom 1050xt total complaints
- 3
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Suzuki V Strom 1050xt total recalls
- 0
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Suzuki V Strom 1050xt avg complaints/year
- 1.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Suzuki V Strom 1050xt
- Suzuki V Strom 1050xt top complaint area
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN