Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Blazer vs FORD F 150
How the Chevrolet Blazer 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 Blazer vs FORD F 150: The Blazer averages 78 complaints per year with 12 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,162 complaints per year with 151 recalls. Both have electrical and power train issues, but the F-150's volume is far higher. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Blazer or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Blazer
The Chevrolet Blazer is a mid-size SUV that, based on owner complaints, can be a mixed bag in terms of reliability. Over 10 years, it has averaged about 78 complaints per year, with electrical system issues being the most common, followed by power train and engine problems. Owners report serious symptoms like unexpected rolling when parked, infotainment blackouts, and even sudden power loss while driving. While the overall complaint volume is lower than some rivals, the nature of these issues—especially those affecting safety—means a thorough inspection is crucial before buying.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that, according to NHTSA data, has a very high number of owner complaints—averaging over 1,100 per year. The most frequent issues involve the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting, with many reports of transmission problems, lead frame failures, and even rear window shattering. These complaints often describe dangerous situations like limp mode on the highway or sudden loss of power. Given the sheer volume, a used F-150 demands careful attention to its service history and known trouble spots.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Blazer | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 782 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 12 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 32 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 78.2 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 37 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 Blazer
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM227
- 02POWER TRAIN189
- 03ENGINE185
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER163
- 05STEERING103
Owners frequently report infotainment blackouts, flickering screens, and unexpected rolling when parked, which can be dangerous. These issues often stem from software glitches or module failures, affecting basic functions like door locks and navigation.
Complaints include engine cooling system failures (e.g., radiator issues) and transmission problems like knocking noises or sudden power loss. These can lead to costly repairs and leave you stranded.
Reports of the engine shutting off while driving with no warning, leaving the vehicle powerless and unable to unlock doors. This is a severe safety concern that could happen at any time.
Although not detailed in the sample complaints, steering issues are among the top components, suggesting potential problems with steering assist or components that could affect control.
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? On September 12, 2026, while parked at the top level of a parking garage, the vehicle unexpectedly began rolling forward after being parked and exited. The vehi…”
“The infotainment system of a brand new 2025 Blazer EV is doing blackouts, flickers, and changing commands and requests. While this may sound trivial - and if this system just did the radio - I would agree. However it controls most all the sub-systems of the c…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
The most complained-about area, with issues like the lead frame failure causing sudden limp mode or getting stuck in gear, and transmission malfunctions that can occur daily. These problems can lead to dangerous driving conditions and expensive fixes.
Owners report lead frame issues (often tied to the transmission) and rear window defroster shorts that can cause the back window to shatter. These electrical faults can be unpredictable and costly.
A high number of complaints about exterior lighting, which could include headlights or taillights failing, reducing visibility and increasing crash risk.
Engine-related complaints are also common, though specifics from the sample include output speed sensor failures leading to limp mode. This can leave you with reduced power on the road.
“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 Blazer — 12 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025 Chevrolet Blazer, Blazer EV, and Equinox vehicles. The door strikers were not properly heat-treated, which can cause them to break.
The risk: A broken door striker can cause the door to open unexpectedly, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace all four side door strikers and attachment bolts, free of charge. All affected vehicles are still in dealership inventory and therefore no owner notification letters are expected to be mailed. Owners may call Chevrolet…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Blazer, Blazer EV, Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The door strikers may fracture, resulting in the door opening unexpectedly.
The risk: A door opening while the vehicle is being driven can increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace all four door strikers and attaching bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2024. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Blazer and Traverse vehicles. The left-side half-shaft assemblies may be missing a retaining ring.
The risk: A missing retaining ring on the half-shaft can cause half-shaft inner joint separation, resulting in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the left-side half-shaft assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 23, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N222390180.
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac XT6, GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Blazer, Traverse, and 2022-2023 Cadillac XT5 vehicles. The transmission may have been built with an incorrect sun gear, which can result in the driver-side half-shaft disengaging from the transmission.
The risk: A half-shaft disengaging from the transmission can result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the sun gears, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2023. The remedy is expected to become available August 31, 2023. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevro…
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 Blazer or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet Blazer has far fewer complaints per year (about 78) compared to the Ford F-150 (over 1,100), indicating a lower overall rate of reported issues. However, the Blazer still has serious safety-related complaints like sudden power loss and unexpected rolling. In practice, the F-150's higher complaint volume means you're more likely to encounter problems, but both vehicles require careful inspection.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has over 11,000 complaints in 10 years, while the Chevrolet Blazer has under 800, meaning the F-150 is reported far more often for problems.
- Power train issues dominate F-150 complaints (over 3,600), often involving transmission limp mode and lead frame failures, whereas Blazer power train complaints are fewer but include engine cooling and knocking noises.
- Electrical system problems are common in both, but Blazer owners report infotainment blackouts and unexpected rolling, while F-150 owners report lead frame issues and rear window shattering.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 12 for the Blazer, indicating a much higher rate of safety-related defects being addressed.
- Check for any signs of unintended rolling when parked—test on a slope and ensure the parking brake engages properly, as owners report this failure.
- Inspect the infotainment system for blackouts, flickering, or unresponsive controls, as these are frequently reported and can affect other vehicle functions.
- Test drive at highway speeds and watch for sudden limp mode or getting stuck in gear, which are common transmission complaints.
- Inspect the rear window for any cracks or signs of shattering, and test the defroster, as shorts have caused windows to explode.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls, especially for the Blazer's door latches and the F-150's transmission software.
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission and electrical systems, focusing on the Blazer's infotainment and the F-150's lead frame and output speed sensor.
- Test drive both vehicles extensively, including highway driving, to replicate conditions that trigger limp mode or power loss.
- For the Blazer, verify that all software updates have been applied, as many electrical issues may be addressed by dealer updates.
- For the F-150, check if the lead frame has been replaced or if the recall software update was performed, as this is a recurring issue.
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 Blazer | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 35 |
| 2025 | 32 | 345 |
| 2024 | 48 | 638 |
| 2023 | 43 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 51 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 136 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 220 | 44 |
| 2019 | 186 | 52 |
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 Blazer or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Blazer vs FORD F 150
- Chevrolet Blazer total complaints
- 782
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Chevrolet Blazer total recalls
- 12
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Chevrolet Blazer avg complaints/year
- 78.2
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet Blazer
- Chevrolet Blazer top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN