Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Silverado LD vs FORD F 150
How the Chevrolet Silverado LD 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 Silverado LD vs FORD F 150: The Silverado LD has 822 complaints per year and 0 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,131 complaints per year with 145 recalls. Both show power train and electrical issues, but the F-150 has more crash-related reports. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Silverado LD or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Silverado LD
The Chevrolet Silverado LD is a full-size pickup that, in this one-year data set, shows a high complaint rate of 822 per year with no recalls. Owners most often report power train, engine, brake, and electrical problems, including transmission shudder, sudden power loss, and warning lights. With 24 crash-related reports and 13 injuries, these are not just minor annoyances. For a used buyer, this pattern suggests you should budget for potential repairs and inspect carefully.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a much longer 10-year complaint history, averaging 1,131 complaints per year and 145 recalls. Power train and electrical issues dominate, with owners describing hard shifts, loss of power, and camera or sensor failures. There are 328 crash-related reports, 287 injuries, and 1 death in the data. The high recall count means many problems have been addressed, but you must verify that recall work was actually done.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Silverado LD | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 822 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 24 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 822.0 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 13 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.
Chevrolet Silverado LD
- 01POWER TRAIN255
- 02ENGINE219
- 03SERVICE BRAKES179
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM159
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER91
Owners report persistent shuddering from the 8-speed automatic transmission, often linked to a failing torque converter. Some also describe complete transmission failure, leaving them stranded. This matters because a shudder can worsen over time and lead to costly repairs.
Complaints include severe electrical and mechanical problems that cause the truck to malfunction while driving, sometimes with the parking brake locking on and multiple warning lights. These sudden failures can be dangerous and expensive to diagnose.
Drivers report clicking or clacking sounds, warning signals, and the truck slowing down unexpectedly on the highway. Brake issues like these can reduce stopping ability and increase crash risk.
The ECU or power train may fail, triggering check engine and traction lights along with multiple dashboard warnings. Electrical gremlins can be hard to trace and may affect other systems.
“GM says my Vin was not part of the recalls, The Vin wasn't the problem,It was the Transmission!!! letter I sent to GM : Transmission Failure on 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Dear General Motors Customer Assistance, I am writing to formally express my conce…”
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The 8-speed automatic transmission is experiencing a persistent shudder during normal driving conditions. The problem appears to stem from a failing torque conv…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Owners of the 10R80 automatic transmission report hard, delayed, or jerky shifts between gears, and sometimes a total loss of power while driving. These failures can happen on crowded roads and create a serious safety hazard.
Complaints include loud bangs from the transmission, popping sounds from the rear suspension, and persistent warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available.' These electrical faults can disable driver-assist features and distract the driver.
Headlight issues are common enough to be a top complaint category, and there are recalls for exterior lighting. Faulty headlights reduce visibility at night and can lead to accidents.
Engine problems appear in complaints and recalls, though less frequently than power train issues. They can cause stalling or reduced performance, requiring costly repairs.
“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.
Chevrolet Silverado LD
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
Chevrolet Silverado LD or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet Silverado LD has fewer issues per year (822) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,131), but the Silverado's data covers only one year while the F-150 spans ten. In practice, the F-150 has far more recalls, meaning many problems may have been fixed, but you must check. The Silverado's higher annual complaint rate suggests that if you buy one, you are more likely to encounter a problem in a given year.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has 145 recalls over 10 years, while the Chevrolet Silverado LD has 0 recalls in 1 year, so F-150 buyers must confirm recall repairs were completed.
- Power train complaints are the top issue for both, but Silverado owners specifically describe transmission shudder and torque converter failure, while F-150 owners report hard shifts and sudden power loss.
- The F-150 has more crash-related reports (328) and injuries (287) than the Silverado (24 crashes, 13 injuries), though the time periods differ.
- Electrical problems are prominent in both, but the F-150 also has many exterior lighting complaints and recalls, which the Silverado does not show in this data.
- During a test drive, feel for any shudder or hesitation from the 8-speed automatic transmission, especially at steady speeds or light acceleration.
- Check for stored trouble codes related to the ECU or power train, and ask if the parking brake has ever engaged unexpectedly.
- Test the 10R80 transmission for hard or delayed shifts between gears, and listen for loud bangs or clunks from underneath.
- Verify that all recalls, especially for exterior lighting and electrical system, have been performed by checking the VIN with a Ford dealer.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls are addressed, especially for the Ford F-150.
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission for shudder, hard shifts, or metal debris in the fluid.
- Scan the computer for pending or stored fault codes in the engine, transmission, and electrical systems.
- Test all electrical features, including cameras, sensors, lights, and dashboard warnings, during a test drive.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly for transmission fluid changes and any prior repairs.
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 Silverado LD | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 822 | 36 |
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 Silverado LD or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Silverado LD vs FORD F 150
- Chevrolet Silverado LD total complaints
- 822
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Chevrolet Silverado LD total recalls
- 0
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Chevrolet Silverado LD avg complaints/year
- 822.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet Silverado LD
- Chevrolet Silverado LD top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN