Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Express vs FORD F 150
How the Chevrolet Express 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 Express vs FORD F 150: The Express averaged 45 complaints per year over 10 years, while the F-150 averaged 1,162. The F-150 also had 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints, versus 28 and 27 for the Express. Both have brake and transmission concerns. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Express or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Express
The Chevrolet Express is a full-size van often used for work or hauling, and its complaint pattern suggests a vehicle that can develop costly brake and transmission problems as it ages. Over 10 years, owners filed 450 complaints, averaging 45 per year, with service brakes and power train issues dominating. Many complaints involve trailer brake control failures and automatic braking, which can affect towing and daily driving. While it has fewer complaints than the Ford F-150, the Express still has notable brake and transmission concerns that buyers should inspect carefully.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a popular full-size pickup, but its complaint volume is extremely high: 11,621 complaints over 10 years, averaging 1,162 per year. Power train and electrical system problems are the most common, with many owners reporting transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and rear window defroster shorts that can shatter the back window. These issues can lead to sudden loss of power or safety hazards, making pre-purchase inspections critical. The F-150 also has far more recalls and crash-related complaints than the Express.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Express | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 450 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 28 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 27 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 45.0 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 20 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 Express
- 01SERVICE BRAKES152
- 02POWER TRAIN108
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM74
- 04AIR BAGS46
- 05FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE42
Owners report the integrated trailer brake control not sending proper output to trailer brakes, causing the van to do almost all braking when towing. Others describe brakes applying automatically at low speeds, which can be startling and dangerous. These issues matter because they affect stopping control, especially when hauling.
Transmission failures often start around 65,000 miles with hard shifting and slipping, and fluid changes may not fix it. This can lead to expensive repairs or replacement, so a buyer should check transmission service history and test-drive for smooth shifting.
The same trailer brake control problem can also appear as an electrical fault, and some owners report intermittent defroster failure that works only when hitting bumps. Electrical gremlins like these can be hard to diagnose and may affect visibility or towing safety.
There are 46 air bag complaints, though specific patterns are not detailed in the sample. Any air bag warning light or history of air bag repairs should be taken seriously, as air bags are critical safety systems.
“WHILE PULLING A VARIETY OF 3 DIFFERENT TRAILERS, THE INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL DOES NOT PROPERLY SEND OUTPUT TO THE TRAILER BRAKES. THIS CAUSES THE TRUCK (TOW VEHICLE) TO DO ALMOST ALL OF THE BRAKING WORK ON ITS OWN. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS I'VE HAD THE…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKES APPLIED AUTOMATICALLY. TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM STOPPING ABRUPTLY, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO CONTINUE DRIVING. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE INDICATOR…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners frequently report transmission problems, including limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power. One owner said a lead frame issue nearly ended their life. These failures can happen while driving and may require costly repairs.
The lead frame issue also appears as an electrical problem, and some owners report a short in the rear window defroster that can cause the back window to shatter. Electrical faults like these can be unpredictable and dangerous, so a thorough electrical inspection is wise.
Complaints in this category include the rear window defroster short that led to the back window exploding outward. This is a serious safety concern because it can happen without warning and may injure occupants or distract the driver.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting issues are common, though specific failure details are not in the sample. Lighting problems can affect visibility and safety, so check all lights and any related recalls.
“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 Express — 28 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Express Cutaway, and 2025-2026 Savana Cutaway vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a tire with sidewall damage.
The risk: A tire with sidewall damage may experience sudden air loss or driver loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect all tire sidewalls and replace tires with sidewall damage, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 27, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles. Incorrect software in the transmission control module (TCM) may result in harsh shifting, reduced power, unintended deceleration, rear wheel lockup, or cause the vehicle to move in an unintended direc…
The risk: Rear wheel lock-up or moving in an unintended direction can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the transmission control module software calibration, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-80…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles. The gear shifter may provide inaccurate gear selection feedback to the driver due to an incorrectly manufactured steering column assembly.
The risk: Inaccurate gear selection may result in unexpected vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Until the remedy is performed, owners are advised to visually verify the shift position indicator each time a gear is selected and always use the parking brake when the vehicle is parked. Dealers will replace the transmission control on th…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Express, and 2025-2026 Savana vehicles. The steering gear assembly may have a nut that was not properly tightened.
The risk: A loose nut that separates from the steering gear assembly while driving can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering gear assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 20, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-8…
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 Express or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet Express has far fewer complaints per year (45 vs. 1,162 for the Ford F-150), suggesting it may have fewer reported issues overall. However, the Express still has significant brake and transmission complaints that can be expensive. In practice, the F-150's much higher complaint rate means a buyer is more likely to encounter a wider range of problems, especially with the power train and electrical systems.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years versus 450 for the Chevrolet Express, a huge difference in reported problem volume.
- Ford F-150 owners frequently report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures that can cause sudden power loss, while Express owners report trailer brake control and automatic braking issues.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints, compared to 28 recalls and 27 crash-related complaints for the Express.
- Electrical problems on the F-150 include rear window defroster shorts that can shatter the window, while Express electrical issues often involve trailer brake control and intermittent defroster failure.
- Check the trailer brake control operation if you plan to tow; owners report it may not send proper output to trailer brakes, causing the van to do all the braking.
- Test the transmission for hard shifting or slipping, especially around 65,000 miles, as owners report failures starting at that mileage.
- Test the transmission for limp mode, stuck gears, or harsh shifting; lead frame and output speed sensor failures are commonly reported.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster for any signs of shorting or previous shattering, as owners report the window can explode outward.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the transmission and brakes for both vehicles.
- During the test drive, specifically test the transmission for smooth shifting and check for any warning lights or limp mode.
- For the Express, test the trailer brake control if equipped, and for the F-150, test the rear defroster and all electrical accessories.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any transmission or brake repairs, and be wary of vehicles with no history.
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 Express | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 | 0 | 345 |
| 2024 | 1 | 638 |
| 2023 | 2 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 32 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 67 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 89 | 44 |
| 2019 | 48 | 52 |
| 2018 | 62 | 79 |
| 2017 | 149 | 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 Express or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Express vs FORD F 150
- Chevrolet Express total complaints
- 450
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Chevrolet Express total recalls
- 28
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Chevrolet Express avg complaints/year
- 45.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet Express
- Chevrolet Express top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN