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 SUV has 16 complaints over 3 years (5.3/year) and 2 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years (1,162/year) and 151 recalls. The F-150 also reports 297 injuries and 1 death. 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 low-volume electric vehicle, averaging about 5.3 complaints per year over three years. Owners report serious issues like the steering wheel locking during low-speed turns and the Super Cruise driver-assist system shutting off without warning. These problems, along with brake and forward collision avoidance complaints, suggest that while complaints are few, the ones that occur can be alarming and may require immediate dealer attention.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a high-volume pickup with over 11,600 complaints in ten years, averaging about 1,162 per year. The most common trouble spots are the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting, with many owners describing transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and even a rear window shattering. With 151 recalls and hundreds of crash-related reports, this truck has a long history of safety defects that buyers should take seriously.
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 | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 5.3 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 297 |
| 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 the steering wheel suddenly locking and becoming unresponsive during low-speed turns, as well as the Super Cruise system turning on randomly and then shutting off without warning, which can cause the vehicle to nearly stop. These failures could leave a driver unable to steer or maintain speed, making them critical to check.
Complaints include brake issues during one-pedal driving, such as at a stop on a slight downgrade, where the vehicle may not hold as expected. This matters because it can lead to unintended movement in traffic.
Multiple owners describe steering that locks or becomes unresponsive, often at low speeds, and some report alignment or handling concerns at higher mileage. A locked steering wheel can prevent avoiding a collision, so any steering noise or stiffness is a red flag.
The forward collision avoidance system may display an 'Unavailable' message and fail to react when another vehicle pulls in front. This means the driver cannot rely on the system to brake or warn in time, increasing crash risk.
“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 TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners frequently report transmission problems, including limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power. These issues can strand a driver or cause a crash, and they often recur even after repairs.
The lead frame issue also appears under electrical complaints, along with output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. A rear window defroster short has even caused the back window to shatter, showing how electrical faults can lead to dangerous surprises.
This category includes the rear window shattering outward after the defroster was turned off, with no external cause. Such an event can injure passengers and is costly to fix, so buyers should inspect the rear window and defroster operation.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting problems are common, though specific failure details are not provided in the sample. Still, lighting failures can reduce visibility and increase accident risk, so check all lights before buying.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
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 — 151 recalls
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 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 and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
GMC Hummer EV SUV or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The GMC Hummer EV SUV has far fewer issues per year (about 5.3) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,162), but the Hummer's complaints include severe steering and driver-assist failures. In practice, the F-150's much higher complaint volume means a buyer is more likely to encounter a problem, while the Hummer's lower volume still carries the risk of a rare but serious defect.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years, while the GMC Hummer EV SUV has only 16 over 3 years, showing a massive difference in reported problem volume.
- The F-150's top complaint is power train (3,648), often involving transmission limp mode and lead frame failures, whereas the Hummer's top complaint is electrical system (6), with steering lock and Super Cruise shutdowns.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls and 297 injuries reported, while the Hummer has 2 recalls and 0 injuries, indicating different levels of documented safety campaigns.
- Owners of the Hummer report sudden steering lock and brake issues, while F-150 owners report recurring transmission and electrical faults like a shattering rear window.
- Test the steering at low speeds for any locking, stiffness, or unresponsiveness, especially when making turns, as owners report sudden steering lock.
- Check the Super Cruise and forward collision avoidance systems by activating them and watching for random shut-offs or 'Unavailable' messages.
- Scan for transmission trouble codes and test drive for limp mode, rough shifting, or getting stuck in gear, which are common power train complaints.
- Inspect the rear window and test the defroster for any signs of shorting or cracking, as one owner reported the window shattering after defroster use.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed, especially for the F-150's many campaigns.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with EVs for the Hummer, focusing on steering, brakes, and driver-assist systems.
- For the F-150, ask for transmission service records and check for lead frame replacement or software updates.
- Test drive both vehicles extensively, including low-speed turns, highway driving, and activation of all safety features.
- Verify that any open recalls are addressed before purchase, as unresolved recalls can pose safety risks.
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 | 35 |
| 2025 | 7 | 345 |
| 2024 | 9 | 638 |
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
- 11,621
- GMC Hummer EV SUV total recalls
- 2
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- GMC Hummer EV SUV avg complaints/year
- 5.3
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- GMC Hummer EV SUV
- GMC Hummer EV SUV top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN