Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet 4500hd vs FORD F 150
How the Chevrolet 4500hd 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
Chevrolet 4500hd vs FORD F 150: The Chevy 4500hd has 1 complaint and 18 recalls over 10 years, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints, 151 recalls, and 330 crash-related reports. The Ford's main issues are power train and electrical failures like limp mode and lead frame problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet 4500hd or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet 4500hd
The Chevrolet 4500hd is a medium-duty truck often used for commercial work, and in this data set it has very few owner complaints—just 1 over 10 years. That single complaint describes an engine fire while parked, which is a serious but isolated event. With 18 recalls but no crash, injury, or death reports, the main takeaway is that reported owner problems are rare, though the truck has had several safety-related recall campaigns.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a huge number of owner complaints—11,621 over 10 years—and 151 recalls. The most common trouble spots are the power train and electrical system, with many reports of transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and rear window shattering. There are also 330 crash-related complaints, 297 injuries, and 1 death, so the reported issues can be serious and sometimes safety-critical.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet 4500hd | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 18 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.1 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.
Chevrolet 4500hd
- 01ENGINE1
One owner of a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD reported noticing the front end under the hood in flames while the vehicle was parked. The fire department had to extinguish it, which means a buyer should be aware that even a low-complaint truck can have a severe engine-area fire risk.
“The contact owned a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the front end of the vehicle under the hood was in flames. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. No police report was…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report recurring transmission problems, including going into limp mode and getting stuck in 5th gear, as well as a 'lead frame' issue that one driver said nearly ended their life. These failures can leave you stranded or cause sudden loss of power, so a pre-purchase transmission check is critical.
The same lead frame problem often shows up as an electrical fault, and one owner described a 2017 F-150 entering highway limp mode due to an output speed sensor failure after a recall software update. Electrical gremlins like this can trigger warning lights, rough shifting, or unexpected limp mode.
A reported short in the rear window defroster caused the back window to explode outward and shatter, according to one owner. This is a rare but frightening event that shows how electrical faults in this truck can lead to broken glass and potential injury.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting is a top problem area, though the sample text does not give a specific failure story. Buyers should still check all lights, including brake and turn signals, because lighting faults can affect visibility and safety.
“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.
Chevrolet 4500hd — 18 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet 4500HD/5500HD/6500HD vehicles. The hex flange lock nuts used in the suspension and steering joints, were improperly heat treated and may break.
The risk: Broken hex flange lock nuts may cause a loss of tension, leading to steering instability, and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the hex flange lock nuts as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed December 27, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2023. Own…
The defect: General Motors. LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Chevrolet 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD Medium-Duty trucks. The brake pressure sensor assembly may leak brake fluid into the brake pressure switch and cause an electrical short-circuit.
The risk: An electrical short in the brake pressure switch can overheat the circuit and increase the risk of a fire while driving or parked.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the master cylinder pressure sensor and inspect the wire harness, replacing it, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notif…
The defect: Isuzu Technical Center of America, Inc. (Isuzu) is recalling certain 2020 Isuzu NPR HD, NPR XD, NQR and NRR and Chevrolet 4500HD, 4500XD, 5500HD and 5500XD and 2019 Isuzu NPR HD GAS, NPR GAS and Chevrolet 4500 and Chevrolet 3500 vehicles equipped with a dual mode belt locking mechanism seat belt as…
The risk: In the event of a crash, if the occupant is not properly restrained, there is an increased risk of injury.
The fix: Isuzu will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 20, 2020. Owners may contact Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638 or Chevrolet customer serv…
The defect: Isuzu Technical Center of America, Inc. (Isuzu) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Isuzu NPR, Reach, 2016-2020 Isuzu NPR XD, NPR HD, NQR, 2016-2021 Isuzu NRR, 2017-2020 Chevrolet 4500XD, 4500HD, 5500HD, and 2020 Chevrolet 5500XD vehicles. The U-bolt nuts for the rear axle may not have been properly tig…
The risk: The misalignment may cause the propeller shaft to separate, causing a loss of power to the rear wheels and a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Isuzu will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if needed, replace and tighten the rear axle U-bolt nuts, free of charge. The recall began on April 23, 2021. Owners may contact Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. Isuzu's numb…
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
Chevrolet 4500hd or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet 4500hd has far fewer issues per year—about 0.1 complaints annually versus about 1,162 for the Ford F-150. In practice, that means the Chevy is reported to have very few owner problems, while the Ford F-150 has a high volume of complaints, including serious transmission and electrical failures that can lead to limp mode or crashes.
Key differences
- The Chevrolet 4500hd has only 1 complaint in 10 years, while the Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints, with power train and electrical issues dominating the Ford's reports.
- Ford F-150 owners describe transmission limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures that can cause near-collisions; the Chevy's single complaint is an engine fire while parked.
- The Ford F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints, 297 injuries, and 1 death, while the Chevrolet 4500hd has 0 in each of those categories.
- Both have recalls, but the Ford F-150 has 151 recall campaigns versus 18 for the Chevrolet 4500hd, and Ford's recalls include engine, seat belt pretensioner, door latch, and air bag inflator issues.
- Inspect the engine compartment for any signs of fire damage, melted wiring, or scorched components, since the one reported complaint was an engine fire while parked.
- Check for open recalls on brakes, seat belts, suspension U-bolts, and wheel lug nuts, as these are listed recall subjects that could affect safety.
- Test drive at highway speeds and watch for sudden limp mode, rough shifting, or getting stuck in 5th gear, which owners report with the transmission and lead frame.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster for cracks or prior shattering, and check for any electrical shorts or warning lights related to the output speed sensor.
Before you buy
- Ask for the full NHTSA recall history and proof that all open recalls have been repaired on the specific truck you are buying.
- For the Ford F-150, have a mechanic scan for transmission codes like P0722 and check the lead frame and output speed sensor condition.
- For the Chevrolet 4500hd, have a mechanic inspect the engine bay for fire damage and verify the brake, seat belt, suspension, and wheel recalls were addressed.
- Test drive both trucks in stop-and-go and highway conditions, paying attention to shifting, limp mode, warning lights, and any unusual electrical behavior.
- Check the rear window and defroster operation on the Ford F-150, and look for any signs of shattering or prior replacement.
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 | Chevrolet 4500hd | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 | 0 | 345 |
| 2024 | 0 | 638 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 0 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 1 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 0 | 44 |
| 2019 | 0 | 52 |
| 2018 | 0 | 79 |
| 2017 | 0 | 59 |
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 Chevrolet 4500hd or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet 4500hd vs FORD F 150
- Chevrolet 4500hd total complaints
- 1
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Chevrolet 4500hd total recalls
- 18
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Chevrolet 4500hd avg complaints/year
- 0.1
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet 4500hd
- Chevrolet 4500hd top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN