Vehicle 1

FORD Transit

1,598 complaints · 42 recalls

VS

Vehicle 2

Chevrolet Silverado

7,578 complaints · 74 recalls

📊 Based on NHTSA owner complaint & recall data
Which Should I Buy?

FORD Transit vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Transit has 159.8 complaints per year and 42 recalls, while the Silverado has 757.8 complaints per year and 74 recalls. The Silverado's top issue is engine problems (2225 complaints), while the Transit's top issue is power train (309). Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

Category Wins

Lower numbers are better for complaints, recalls, and crashes.

4
FORD Transit
wins all 4 categories
0
Chevrolet Silverado
no category wins
CategoryFORD TransitChevrolet Silverado
Total Complaints
All years combined
1,598
✓ lower
7,578
Safety Recalls
Federal campaigns
42
✓ lower
74
Crash Reports
Crash-related complaints
66
✓ lower
219
Avg / Year
Complaints per model year
159.8
✓ lower
757.8

Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records. Lower is better.

Top Problem Areas

Most frequently reported components across all model years.

FORD Transit

1. POWER TRAIN309
2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM283
3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER233
4. BACK OVER PREVENTION198
5. SERVICE BRAKES139

Chevrolet Silverado

1. ENGINE2,225
2. POWER TRAIN2,144
3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,398
4. SERVICE BRAKES1,183
5. UNKNOWN OR OTHER813
🤖
AI Buyer Analysis
DeepSeek interpretation of NHTSA data · cached result
The Verdict

The Chevrolet Silverado has significantly more complaints per year (757.8) than the Ford Transit (159.8), suggesting the Transit may have fewer reported issues on average. However, both vehicles have high complaint volumes, so buyers should research specific model years.

💡 Buyer Recommendation

If you prioritize lower complaint frequency per year, the Ford Transit appears better. If you need a pickup truck and can accept higher complaint numbers, the Silverado may suit you, but check for engine and powertrain issues.

Key Differences
  • Silverado has 757.8 complaints/year vs Transit's 159.8/year.
  • Silverado has 74 recalls vs Transit's 42.
  • Silverado's top issue is ENGINE (2225 complaints); Transit's top is POWER TRAIN (309).
  • Silverado has 219 crash complaints vs Transit's 66.
⚠ Watch on FORD Transit
  • Watch for power train issues (309 complaints) and electrical system problems (283 complaints).
  • Back over prevention complaints (198) may indicate sensor or camera failures.
⚠ Watch on Chevrolet Silverado
  • Engine complaints are very high (2225); look for known engine failures or recalls.
  • Power train issues (2144) and electrical system problems (1398) are also common.
✓ Before You Buy — Checklist
  • Check NHTSA recall history for the specific model year.
  • Inspect service brakes and electrical system on test drive.
  • For Transit, test back-over prevention sensors.
  • For Silverado, check engine and transmission service records.
  • Review owner forums for common issues on the year you're considering.

Complaints by Model Year

Years available for both vehicles (lower is better).

FORD TransitChevrolet Silverado
2026
3
54
2025
16
117
2024
208
472
2023
416
389
2022
290
1205
2021
169
869
2020
80
804
2019
266
1943
2018
55
577
2017
95
1148
FORD Transit vs Chevrolet Silverado — comparison facts
Comparison
FORD Transit vs Chevrolet Silverado
FORD Transit total complaints
1,598
Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
7,578
FORD Transit total recalls
42
Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
74
FORD Transit avg complaints/year
159.8
Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
757.8
More reliable overall
FORD Transit
FORD Transit top complaint area
POWER TRAIN
Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
ENGINE
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

Full Reliability Reports

Full Report →

FORD Transit Reliability & Problems

1,598 complaints · All years · NHTSA data

Full Report →

Chevrolet Silverado Reliability & Problems

7,578 complaints · All years · NHTSA data

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