Head-to-head reliability
FORD F 600 vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the FORD F 600 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 F 600 vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Ford F-600 has 7 complaints over 7 years and 20 recalls, while the Chevrolet Silverado has 8,227 complaints over 10 years and 101 recalls. The Silverado also reports 233 crash-related complaints, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths; the F-600 reports none. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD F 600 or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD F 600
The Ford F-600 is a heavy-duty commercial truck, often used for work, and its complaint volume is very low: 7 complaints over 7 years, about 1 per year. Owners report serious but infrequent issues like engine stalling at speed and brake problems from a leaking booster. With 20 recalls but no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths in the data, it appears to have fewer owner-reported safety incidents than the Silverado.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a massive complaint history: 8,227 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 823 per year. Owners report frequent engine, power train, electrical, and brake problems, including sudden engine shutdowns, transmission failures, and brake loss. The data also shows 233 crash-related complaints, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths, indicating a higher volume of severe outcomes reported by owners.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD F 600 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 7 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 20 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.0 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 160 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 3 |
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 F 600
- 01ENGINE3
- 02SERVICE BRAKES3
- 03STEERING1
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE1
- 05POWER TRAIN1
Owners report the engine losing power while driving at highway speeds, such as 65 MPH, requiring the driver to shift to neutral and restart. This can leave you stranded in traffic and is a serious safety concern.
A leaking brake booster can cause the brakes to stay applied constantly, leading to premature wear and potential overheating. One owner had rotors and pads replaced within a year, with no warning lamps beforehand.
One complaint mentions steering issues, but the sample text is unclear and references an incomplete recall. Any steering problem in a heavy truck demands immediate attention.
The same brake booster leak was also filed under forward collision avoidance, suggesting the braking issue may affect driver-assist features. This could reduce the system's ability to prevent a crash.
“The contact owns a 2024 Ford F-600SD. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power. The contact shifted into neutral, restarted the vehicle, shifted into drive while looking for a safe place to pull over; however, the failure per…”
“As No recall information found Unrepaired recall information was not found for this VIN 2025 F-600. Please report the following for a campaign # 2025 F-600 Safety Recalls* Fuel injector return line replacement Recall incomplete Brake booster pushrod retainer…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners report engines shutting off while driving, with messages like 'Return to Neutral' and 'Press Start.' Others cite diesel particulate filter soot accumulation events requiring dealer service, sometimes multiple times under 10,000 miles.
Complaints include a vehicle suddenly shifting into neutral while driving slowly uphill, and transmission problems on new trucks with under 300 miles. This can cause loss of power and control.
Owners describe sudden, severe loss of normal braking with a firm pedal but reduced stopping power, as well as screens going blank and the truck shutting off. These electrical glitches can disable critical safety functions.
Brake complaints mirror the electrical issues: loss of braking effectiveness and the truck shutting off in parking lots. Such failures at low speeds still risk collisions with people or property.
“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 F 600 — 20 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F600, and 2023 E-Series vehicles. In addition, certain 2016 E-Series, 2017 and 2019 F-450, 2021 F-350, and 2021 Transit vehicles that received a reprinted label are also included in this recall. The Safety…
The risk: Missing tire information could lead to an incorrect tire or rim being installed, or incorrect tire pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the Safety Certification Label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 6, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22C09.
The defect: Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2022-2023 Ford Super Duty F-350, F-450, F-550, and F-600 vehicles. The fasteners for the front wheel hub extender may be insufficiently tightened, which can result in the wheel and wheel extender detaching from the vehicle.
The risk: Wheel detachment can result in a loss of vehicle control and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect the front wheel hub extender retaining nuts. If the retaining nuts are loose, dealers will replace the wheel hub extender, retaining nu…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 F-Super Duty F250, F350, F450, F550, F600, and 2021-2022 F-650, F750 vehicles. Biodiesel deposits may form on the pump drivetrain roller components, which could lead to failure of the high pressure fuel pump.
The risk: High pressure fuel pump failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) and Transmission Control Module (TCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Fo…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Expedition, 2021-2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The rearview camera may display a blank or distorted image.
The risk: Rearview camera failure can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 18, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S05.
Chevrolet Silverado — 101 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles may not have received an owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, “Child Re…
The risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will provide the owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2025. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252532020. Vehicle Identifi…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and GMC Sierra 3500 vehicles with gasoline engines and dual fuel tanks (RPOs L8T and N2N). The rear fuel pump may not transfer adequate fuel to the front tank, causing an engine stall.
The risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: The vehicle's engine control module (ECM) will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782…
The defect: General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Cou…
The risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-467-970…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and GMC Sierra 2500 vehicles equipped with the enhanced towing option and 20-inch accessory tire/wheel package. The tire information label may state the incorrect rear tire pressure, resulting in underinflated tires an…
The risk: Driving with underinflated tires can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect, update the engine control module (ECM) software, apply a tire label overlay, inflate tires to the correct pressure, and perform a tire pressure monitor system (TPMS) re-learn process as necessary, free of charge. Owne…
Buyer analysis
FORD F 600 or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Ford F-600 has far fewer issues per year (about 1 complaint per year) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (about 823 per year). In practice, this means a used F-600 owner is much less likely to experience frequent, recurring problems, while a Silverado owner faces a higher chance of engine, transmission, electrical, and brake failures. However, the F-600's low volume may reflect its use as a commercial truck, so its data may not capture all real-world experiences.
Key differences
- The Ford F-600 has 7 complaints over 7 years, while the Chevrolet Silverado has 8,227 complaints over 10 years—a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- Silverado complaints include 233 crash-related, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths; the F-600 data shows 0 in each of those categories.
- F-600 owners report engine stalling and brake booster leaks; Silverado owners report engine shutdowns, transmission failures, electrical glitches, and brake loss.
- The F-600 has 20 recalls; the Silverado has 101 recalls, covering more systems like fuel pumps, cameras, and forward collision warnings.
- Check for any history of engine stalling or loss of power at speed, and ask if the fuel injector return line recall was completed.
- Inspect the brake booster for leaks and verify that the brake booster pushrod retainer recall was addressed, as a leak can cause constant brake application.
- Test drive at various speeds and watch for sudden engine shutdowns, transmission slipping into neutral, or messages like 'Return to Neutral' or 'Press Start.'
- Check for brake performance issues, including a firm pedal with reduced stopping power, and ask about any electrical system repairs or software updates.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls have been repaired, especially for the F-600's fuel injector and brake booster, and the Silverado's fuel pump and forward collision warnings.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with heavy-duty trucks (for F-600) or full-size pickups (for Silverado), focusing on engine, transmission, brakes, and electrical systems.
- During the test drive, deliberately accelerate to highway speeds and brake firmly in a safe area to check for stalling, hesitation, or brake loss.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any engine, transmission, or brake repairs, and look for repeated visits for the same issue.
- Search the NHTSA database for the specific VIN to see all complaints and recalls tied to that exact vehicle.
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 | FORD F 600 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 120 |
| 2025 | 1 | 157 |
| 2024 | 1 | 527 |
| 2023 | 1 | 450 |
| 2022 | 1 | 1390 |
| 2021 | 2 | 961 |
| 2020 | 0 | 868 |
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 F 600 or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD F 600 vs Chevrolet Silverado
- FORD F 600 total complaints
- 7
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- FORD F 600 total recalls
- 20
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- FORD F 600 avg complaints/year
- 1.0
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- FORD F 600
- FORD F 600 top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE