Head-to-head reliability
FORD Excursion vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the FORD Excursion and Chevrolet Silverado compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
FORD Excursion vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Excursion averaged 206 complaints per year over 6 years, while the Silverado averaged 510.5 per year over 10 years. Both have reports of sudden brake and steering loss, but the Silverado also has 100 recalls versus 27 for the Excursion. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD Excursion or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD Excursion
The Ford Excursion is a large, heavy SUV that owners often rely on for family hauling and towing. Over six years, it averaged 206 complaints per year, with the most common issues involving tires, engine and cooling, and electrical systems. Many complaints describe sudden stalls, loss of power steering and brakes, and tire defects that cause vibration. These patterns suggest that while the Excursion is capable, it demands diligent maintenance and pre-purchase inspection.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup available in many configurations, widely used for work and family transport. It averaged 510.5 complaints per year over ten years, with engine, power train, and electrical problems dominating. Owner reports include engine failures, transmission issues, and sudden loss of braking or motive power. The higher complaint rate and serious safety-related reports indicate that buyers should be especially cautious and thorough when considering a used Silverado.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD Excursion | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,236 Better | 5,105 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 27 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 84 Better | 117 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 206.0 Better | 510.5 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 92 Better | 104 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 9 | 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.
FORD Excursion
- 01TIRES297
- 02ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING202
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM164
- 04SERVICE BRAKES122
- 05HYDRAULIC111
Owners report tires developing bubbles, excessive wear, and vibration at highway speeds, sometimes within 50 miles of installation. This matters because tire failure can lead to loss of control, and the Excursion's weight makes proper tire maintenance critical.
Complaints include EGR valves sticking, causing stalls on the highway, and sudden engine shutdown with no warning. These failures can leave drivers stranded and without power steering or brakes, posing a serious safety risk.
Owners describe complete power loss while driving, with the engine shutting down and the accelerator becoming unresponsive. This can happen at highway speeds and may require lengthy restarts, making the vehicle unreliable for daily use.
Reports include emergency/parking brake assembly failures where metal backing plates crack, causing brake shoes to pull through. This can result in brake failure, and some complaints also mention sudden stalls with no brakes or steering.
“I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD EXCURSION LIMITED USED IN MAY OF 2011. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH NEW BCT RADIAL A/P LT265/75R16 TIRES. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND VIBRATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ONE OF THE TIRES WAS FOUND TO BE OUT OF ROU…”
“LT275/65/R18 Tire developed a massive approximately 18in x 3in bubble on the inner section of tread causing significant vibration and excessive wear in that area in less than 50 miles”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE1,698
- 02POWER TRAIN1,453
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM982
- 04SERVICE BRAKES691
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER542
Owners of newer Silverados report engine failures, excessive diesel particulate filter soot accumulation, and loss of motive power. These issues often require dealer repairs and can leave the vehicle undrivable, even with low mileage.
Complaints include transmissions suddenly shifting into neutral and electronic issues that cause loss of power. Such failures can happen at low speeds or in traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
Reports describe sudden loss of normal braking, with a firm brake pedal but ineffective stopping, as well as engine pinging and loss of motive power. These electrical glitches can disable critical safety systems without warning.
Owners report severe loss of braking ability, sometimes accompanied by engine failure and inoperable steering. This combination is extremely dangerous, especially at highway speeds.
“I purchased the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado with a 6.2L motor "new" from the dealer with 5700 miles on XXX. Roughly a month and 2500 miles later, my family and I were in the vehicle, 750 miles from home, returning from a vacation to [XXX] from the [XXX]/[XXX] ar…”
“My 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 with the 6.6L Duramax diesel has experienced three separate P2463 Diesel Particulate Filter excessive soot accumulation events at approximately 4,300, 5,500, and 10,280 miles. Each event required a Chevrolet dealer to perform…”
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.
FORD Excursion — 27 recalls
The defect: FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 T…
The risk: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
The defect: CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AND MAY OR MAY NOT RESTART.
The risk: SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
The fix: DEALERS WILL UPGRADE THE FUEL INJECTION CONTROL MODULE (FICM) WIRE HARNESS OR REPLACED, AND/OR HAVE A NEW INJECTION CONTROL PRESSURE (ICP)) SENSOR CONNECTOR INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FO…
The defect: FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 T…
The risk: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
The defect: CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AND MAY OR MAY NOT RESTART.
The risk: SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
The fix: DEALERS WILL UPGRADE THE FUEL INJECTION CONTROL MODULE (FICM) WIRE HARNESS OR REPLACED, AND/OR HAVE A NEW INJECTION CONTROL PRESSURE (ICP)) SENSOR CONNECTOR INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FO…
Chevrolet Silverado — 100 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with power-unlatching tailgates. The tailgate's electronic gate-release switch may short circuit due to water intrusion, which can result in the tailgate inadvertently…
The risk: An unlatched tailgate may open while driving and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2024. Owners may contact Chevr…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 vehicles. The steering gear shaft may fracture and disconnect from the steering arm.
The risk: A steering arm that disconnects may result in a total loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering gear, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-4…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra HD 2500, 3500 vehicles equipped with power-unlatching tailgates. The tailgate's electronic gate-release switch may short circuit due to water intrusion, which can result in the tailgate inadvertentl…
The risk: An unlatched tailgate may open and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 17, 2024. Owners may contact…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2024 GMC Hummer EV pick up, 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV, and 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV vehicles. The left or right front seat belt buckle attachment bolts may not be tightened properly.
The risk: An improperly tightened seat belt buckle may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the left and right front seat belt buckle attachment bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-833-EVCHEVY (1-833-382-4389) (TTY 711 /…
Buyer analysis
FORD Excursion or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Ford Excursion has far fewer complaints per year (206) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (510.5), but both have serious safety-related reports. In practice, the Excursion's issues are more often tied to age and maintenance, while the Silverado's higher rate suggests more frequent problems across a larger fleet. Buyers should weigh the lower complaint rate against the Excursion's older design and the Silverado's more modern but complex systems.
Key differences
- The Ford Excursion averaged 206 complaints per year, while the Chevrolet Silverado averaged 510.5 per year, indicating more frequent owner-reported issues with the Silverado.
- Excursion complaints often involve tires, engine stalling, and electrical power loss, whereas Silverado complaints frequently cite engine failures, transmission problems, and brake loss.
- The Silverado has 100 recalls over 10 years compared to 27 recalls for the Excursion over 6 years, suggesting more widespread safety-related fixes for the Silverado.
- Both vehicles have reports of sudden loss of brakes and steering, but the Silverado's reports include newer models with low mileage, which may concern buyers seeking a nearly new vehicle.
- Inspect tires for bubbles, uneven wear, or vibration at highway speeds, as owners report defects even on new tires.
- Check for engine stalling or EGR valve issues by test-driving and scanning for stored codes; also test all electrical functions for sudden power loss.
- Listen for engine pinging or knocking and check for loss of power; diesel models may have excessive soot buildup in the particulate filter.
- Test the brakes thoroughly for firmness and effectiveness, and check for any transmission hesitation or sudden neutral engagement.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all safety recalls have been performed.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the engine, transmission, brakes, and electrical system for signs of the reported failures.
- Test-drive at highway speeds to check for tire vibration, engine stalling, and brake performance.
- For the Excursion, specifically inspect the emergency brake backing plates and EGR valve; for the Silverado, check for transmission software updates and brake system integrity.
- Verify tire age and condition, as both vehicles have tire-related complaints, and replace any questionable tires before purchase.
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 FORD Excursion or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD Excursion vs Chevrolet Silverado
- FORD Excursion total complaints
- 1,236
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 5,105
- FORD Excursion total recalls
- 27
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- FORD Excursion avg complaints/year
- 206.0
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 510.5
- More reliable overall
- FORD Excursion
- FORD Excursion top complaint area
- TIRES
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE