Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Trailblazer vs FORD F 150
How the Chevrolet Trailblazer 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 Trailblazer vs FORD F 150: The Trailblazer averages 277 complaints per year, while the F-150 averages 1,131. The F-150 has 145 recalls and 328 crash-related complaints, compared to the Trailblazer's 18 recalls and 86 crash-related complaints. Both have electrical issues, but the F-150's top problem is the power train. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Trailblazer or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Trailblazer
The Chevrolet Trailblazer is a compact SUV that owners often buy for its size and price. Over 10 years, it has averaged about 277 complaints per year, with the most common issues in the fuel system, gasoline, and electrical system. Owners frequently report electrical problems that can cause sudden loss of safety systems and fuel-related concerns. While it has fewer complaints than the Ford F-150, the rate of complaints is still notable for a smaller vehicle.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup known for its capability and popularity. It has averaged about 1,131 complaints per year over 10 years, with the most common issues in the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting. Owners often report transmission problems like hard shifts and sudden loss of power, as well as electrical glitches such as camera malfunctions. The high number of complaints reflects its large sales volume but also indicates frequent owner-reported issues.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Trailblazer | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,773 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 18 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 86 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 277.3 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 93 Better | 287 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 18 | 1 Better |
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 Trailblazer
- 01FUEL SYSTEM952
- 02GASOLINE773
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM703
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING336
- 05POWER TRAIN182
Owners report issues with the fuel system, which can lead to stalling or difficulty starting. This is a safety concern because a sudden loss of power can happen while driving.
Complaints describe electrical failures that cause warning lights, battery charging problems, and even sudden loss of critical safety systems. This can leave drivers stranded or without essential functions.
Some owners report that the LED headlights are so bright that oncoming traffic flashes their high beams, and others mention battery warnings and flickering lights. This affects visibility and can be distracting or dangerous.
While less common than fuel or electrical issues, some owners report power train problems that may affect acceleration or shifting. These can be costly to repair and impact vehicle reliability.
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Many owners report transmission problems, such as hard or delayed shifts, jerking, and even sudden loss of power. These issues can occur at highway speeds and pose a safety risk.
Complaints include warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available,' as well as noises from the transmission area. These electrical glitches can disable driver-assist features and be frustrating.
Some owners report issues with exterior lighting, though specific details are less clear from the sample. Problems here can affect visibility and safety, especially at night.
Engine-related complaints are present, though not detailed in the sample. Engine issues can be serious and expensive, so buyers should be aware of potential problems.
“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 Trailblazer — 18 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Buick Encore GX and 2021-2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The emergency jack, if not positioned as directed in the vehicle owner's manual, can fracture while in use.
The risk: A fractured jack can cause the vehicle to collapse, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the jack, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owner of the safety risk are expected to be mailed July 26, 2021. A second notice will be mailed once remedy parts become available. Owners may con…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Encore GX and 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The rear attachment bolts of one or both front seats may not have been installed.
The risk: If an occupied front seat is missing the rear attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing risk of injury to the occupant.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect seat attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts as needed, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles factory-equipped with optional 17-inch sport terrain tires. The certification label on these vehicles does not provide the tire size and cold tire pressure information for front and rear tires, as required. As such, th…
The risk: If drivers are uninformed and overinflate or underinflate their tires, this may increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and will mail corrected labels for customers to apply, free of charge. The recall began July 1, 2020. Owners may call Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A202304070.
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Corvette and Cadillac CT4, CT5 and XT4, 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2020-2021 Buick Encore GX vehicles. Sensor connection contamination in the electronic brake boost system may cause an interruption of communication between the sensor…
The risk: If communication with the sensor is interrupted, the electronic brake boost assist could be lost. Extra pedal force will be required to slow and stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electronic brake boost module, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4…
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 Trailblazer or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet Trailblazer has far fewer complaints per year (about 277) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,131). This means that, on average, a Trailblazer owner is less likely to report a problem. However, the F-150's higher numbers are partly due to its much larger sales volume, so the difference in rate per vehicle may be smaller.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has over four times as many complaints per year as the Chevrolet Trailblazer, but it also sells in much higher numbers.
- Transmission problems are a major theme for the F-150, with reports of hard shifts and sudden power loss, while the Trailblazer's top issues are fuel system and electrical failures.
- Electrical complaints are common in both, but the Trailblazer's electrical issues often involve sudden loss of safety systems, whereas the F-150's include camera and driver-assist malfunctions.
- The Trailblazer has fewer crash-related complaints (86) and injuries (93) than the F-150 (328 crashes, 287 injuries), though these numbers are not adjusted for sales volume.
- Check for any signs of fuel system issues, such as rough idling, stalling, or difficulty starting, and ask for maintenance records.
- Test all electrical functions, including lights, battery charging, and warning systems, and look for any dashboard warnings about battery or safety systems.
- Test drive the truck extensively, paying attention to transmission shifts, especially between gears like 4-5, 5-6, and 7-8, and listen for clunks or jerks.
- Check for electrical warnings such as 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' and ensure all driver-assist features work properly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on both models.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on the transmission for the F-150 and the fuel and electrical systems for the Trailblazer.
- During a test drive, simulate various driving conditions (highway, stop-and-go) to check for shifting issues or electrical glitches.
- Ask the seller for all maintenance records and specifically inquire about any repairs related to the common complaint areas.
- Verify that all safety systems, including lights, cameras, and collision avoidance, are functioning correctly before purchase.
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 Trailblazer | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 24 |
| 2025 | 20 | 329 |
| 2024 | 32 | 617 |
| 2023 | 66 | 1507 |
| 2022 | 108 | 3432 |
| 2021 | 191 | 5234 |
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 Trailblazer or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Trailblazer vs FORD F 150
- Chevrolet Trailblazer total complaints
- 2,773
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Chevrolet Trailblazer total recalls
- 18
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Chevrolet Trailblazer avg complaints/year
- 277.3
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet Trailblazer
- Chevrolet Trailblazer top complaint area
- FUEL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN