Head-to-head reliability
GMC Hummer EV SUV vs FORD F 150
How the GMC Hummer EV SUV 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
GMC Hummer EV SUV vs FORD F 150: The Hummer EV has 16 complaints over 3 years (5.3/yr) with issues like steering lockup, while the F-150 has 11,311 complaints over 10 years (1,131/yr) with transmission problems. The Hummer's low volume but severe defects contrast with the F-150's common but less critical issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the GMC Hummer EV SUV or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
GMC Hummer EV SUV
The GMC Hummer EV SUV is a heavy, high-tech electric vehicle that promises off-road capability and luxury. Owner complaints over its first three years center on electrical gremlins, braking, and steering, with several reports of sudden steering lockup and unresponsive systems. While the total complaint count is low, the nature of the issues—especially loss of steering control—raises serious safety questions for a vehicle of this price and size.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a best-selling full-size pickup with a decade of sales, so its high complaint volume reflects both popularity and long-term use. The dominant issues are powertrain problems, particularly harsh shifting and transmission failures, along with electrical glitches and exterior lighting faults. With over 11,000 complaints and 145 recalls, the F-150 shows a pattern of recurring mechanical and electronic issues that owners must contend with.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | GMC Hummer EV SUV | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 16 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 5.3 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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.
GMC Hummer EV SUV
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6
- 02SERVICE BRAKES4
- 03STEERING4
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE3
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
Owners report sudden steering wheel lockup while turning at low speeds, and Super Cruise (driver assistance) randomly disengaging, sometimes causing the vehicle to nearly stop. These electrical failures can create dangerous driving situations.
Brake-related complaints include the vehicle unexpectedly creeping forward on a slope when one-pedal driving is enabled, and a steering lockup incident that also involved braking. This suggests potential issues with brake control and stability.
Multiple reports describe the steering wheel locking up and becoming unresponsive, particularly during low-speed turns. One owner also noted ongoing steering, alignment, and suspension concerns that required repeated dealer visits.
The forward collision avoidance system may display 'unavailable' messages and fail to warn the driver when another vehicle pulls in front, reducing the system's effectiveness. Super Cruise also shuts off without warning, undermining driver confidence.
“While operating my 2024 GMC Hummer EV at a low speed in a school zone, I came to a complete stop at a stop sign and began making a left turn. As I initiated the turn, the steering wheel suddenly locked and became unresponsive. I was unable to turn the wheel b…”
“Super cruise does not work. It may turn on at random for a minute or 2 and then it shuts off with zero warning and the vehicle almost comes to a complete stop. This is a huge safety concern. I took it to the dealership and they told me that this falls on GM 1…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The most common issue is harsh and delayed shifting, especially in the 10-speed automatic transmission. Owners report hard jerks, clunks, and even sudden loss of power with the vehicle shutting off and restarting, which can be alarming and dangerous.
Electrical complaints include loud bangs from the transmission accompanied by rear suspension popping, and persistent dashboard warnings for front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist being unavailable. These issues may indicate wiring or sensor problems.
Headlight-related problems are frequent, with many owners reporting failures or malfunctions. While not always safety-critical, faulty lighting reduces visibility and can lead to citations or accidents.
Engine issues, though less frequent than powertrain, include various performance and stalling problems. Given the F-150's popularity, even a small percentage of engine failures translates to a large number of affected vehicles.
“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.
GMC Hummer EV SUV — 2 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 GMC Hummer EV Pickup and SUV vehicles. The front passenger air bag connection may have an improperly crimped wire, which can result in the air bag failing to deploy as intended.
The risk: During a crash, an air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will install a jumper harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 22, 2025. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252524530. Vehicle Id…
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…
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
GMC Hummer EV SUV or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The GMC Hummer EV SUV has far fewer complaints per year (5.3) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,131.1), but its issues are more severe in nature, involving loss of steering control. In practice, the Hummer's low volume means you're less likely to encounter a problem, but when you do, it could be critical. The F-150's high complaint rate reflects widespread transmission and electrical issues that are more common but often less immediately dangerous.
Key differences
- The Hummer EV SUV has a very low complaint rate (16 total) but includes reports of sudden steering lockup, a critical safety defect. The F-150 has a high complaint rate (11,311) with transmission failures being the most common issue.
- Hummer EV owners report issues with advanced driver assistance systems like Super Cruise and forward collision avoidance, which can disengage without warning. F-150 owners face more basic problems like harsh shifting and exterior lighting failures.
- The Hummer EV is a new model with only 3 years of data, while the F-150 has 10 years of data, giving a more complete picture of long-term reliability. The F-150's recall count (145) is much higher, but that also reflects its longer production run.
- Both vehicles have electrical system complaints, but the Hummer's are tied to steering and braking control, while the F-150's are more about warning lights and sensor malfunctions.
- Test the steering at low speeds, especially when turning from a stop, to ensure it doesn't lock up or feel unresponsive.
- Check the functionality of Super Cruise and forward collision avoidance systems, and ask if there have been any software updates to address random disengagement.
- Take a thorough test drive to feel for hard shifts or clunks, especially between 4th-6th gears, and listen for any unusual transmission noises.
- Inspect the headlights and all exterior lights for proper operation, and ask about any recalls or service bulletins related to lighting.
Before you buy
- For the Hummer EV: verify that all software updates are current, especially those related to steering and driver assistance systems.
- For the F-150: check the transmission's shift quality during a test drive, and review the vehicle's service history for any transmission repairs.
- Ask for a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic who can scan for trouble codes and check for pending recalls.
- Research the specific model year and trim for known issues, and check the NHTSA website for any open recalls.
- Consider an extended warranty if you're buying a used F-150, given the high cost of transmission 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 | GMC Hummer EV SUV | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 24 |
| 2025 | 7 | 329 |
| 2024 | 9 | 617 |
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 GMC Hummer EV SUV or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- GMC Hummer EV SUV vs FORD F 150
- GMC Hummer EV SUV total complaints
- 16
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- GMC Hummer EV SUV total recalls
- 2
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- GMC Hummer EV SUV avg complaints/year
- 5.3
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- GMC Hummer EV SUV
- GMC Hummer EV SUV top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN