Head-to-head reliability
GMC Savana vs FORD F 150
How the GMC Savana 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 Savana vs FORD F 150: The Savana averaged about 17 complaints per year over 10 years, while the F-150 averaged about 1,162, though the F-150 is far more common. The F-150 also has 151 recalls and 330 crash-related reports, versus 34 and 13 for the Savana. Both show serious issues, so inspect carefully. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the GMC Savana or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
GMC Savana
The GMC Savana is a full-size van often used for work or family transport, and its complaint pattern suggests a vehicle where steering and brake issues can appear even at highway speeds. Over 10 years it averaged about 17 complaints per year, with 34 recalls and 13 crash-related reports. Owners frequently mention power steering hose failures and trailer brake disconnects, which can affect control and towing confidence. It is not a high-volume complaint vehicle, but the issues reported tend to be safety-relevant.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a best-selling full-size pickup with a much larger owner base, and its complaint volume reflects that scale: over 11,600 complaints in 10 years, averaging about 1,162 per year. Recurring themes include transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and electrical glitches like rear window shattering. With 151 recalls and 330 crash-related reports, the F-150 has a well-documented history of both minor and serious problems. Buyers should expect to research specific model years and recall remedies carefully.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | GMC Savana | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 168 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 34 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 13 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 16.8 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 8 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 Savana
- 01POWER TRAIN33
- 02STEERING30
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM28
- 04SERVICE BRAKES24
- 05ENGINE21
Owners report hard shifting, jerking, and failure to accelerate above certain speeds, sometimes with 'Reduced Acceleration' messages. These symptoms can leave a driver struggling to merge or maintain highway speed, so a thorough transmission check is wise.
Complaints include abnormal shaking at 60-65 MPH over bumps and a power steering hose coming off, causing loss of power steering and brakes. Because steering and braking are linked in these reports, any steering noise or looseness should be inspected immediately.
Owners describe intermittent loss of trailer brake function, with dashboard alerts that trailer brakes are disconnected. This can happen even when towing, so anyone planning to pull a trailer should test the trailer brake system thoroughly.
Reports mention that while towing, the truck intermittently disconnects trailer brakes, leading to a sudden loss of roughly 75% of braking capability. This is a serious safety concern for anyone who tows, and it may require repeated dealer visits to diagnose.
“The contact owns a 2025 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that the transmission was shifting hard and was jerking while shifting gear. Additionally, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 50 MPH. The messages “Reduced Acceleration” and “DEF Low” were displa…”
“The contact owns a 2025 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that the transmission was shifting hard and was jerking while shifting gear. Additionally, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 50 MPH. The messages “Reduced Acceleration” and “DEF Low” were displa…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report recurring transmission problems, including limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame issues that can cause near-collisions. These failures often require expensive repairs and may not be permanently fixed by software updates.
Complaints include lead frame issues affecting transmission operation and a rear window defroster short that caused the back window to shatter. Electrical gremlins can be intermittent and hard to trace, so a pre-purchase electrical inspection is important.
Some owners report the rear window exploding outward after using the defroster, with no external impact. This is a rare but alarming issue that could cause injury or costly glass replacement, so check for any signs of defroster malfunction.
Although specific complaint text is not provided, exterior lighting is a top complaint area, suggesting owners experience lighting failures that can affect visibility and safety. Test all lights, including brake and turn signals, 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 Savana — 34 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Express Cutaway, and 2025-2026 Savana Cutaway vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a tire with sidewall damage.
The risk: A tire with sidewall damage may experience sudden air loss or driver loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect all tire sidewalls and replace tires with sidewall damage, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 27, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles. The gear shifter may provide inaccurate gear selection feedback to the driver due to an incorrectly manufactured steering column assembly.
The risk: Inaccurate gear selection may result in unexpected vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Until the remedy is performed, owners are advised to visually verify the shift position indicator each time a gear is selected and always use the parking brake when the vehicle is parked. Dealers will replace the transmission control on th…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Express, and 2025-2026 Savana vehicles. The steering gear assembly may have a nut that was not properly tightened.
The risk: A loose nut that separates from the steering gear assembly while driving can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering gear assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 20, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-8…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles. Incorrect software in the transmission control module (TCM) may result in harsh shifting, reduced power, unintended deceleration, rear wheel lockup, or cause the vehicle to move in an unintended direc…
The risk: Rear wheel lock-up or moving in an unintended direction can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the transmission control module software calibration, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-80…
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 Savana or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The GMC Savana has far fewer complaints per year (about 17 vs. 1,162 for the F-150), but that partly reflects a smaller number of vehicles on the road. In practice, the F-150's much higher complaint volume means you are more likely to encounter a documented issue, especially with the transmission and electrical system. The Savana's lower count does not mean it is problem-free, as its steering and brake complaints can be serious.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has about 1,162 complaints per year versus about 17 for the GMC Savana, but the F-150 is far more common on the road.
- F-150 owners frequently report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures, while Savana owners more often report power steering hose failures and trailer brake disconnects.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls and 330 crash-related reports; the Savana has 34 recalls and 13 crash-related reports.
- Both vehicles have electrical complaints, but the F-150's include a rear window shattering issue, while the Savana's involve trailer brake disconnects.
- During a test drive, listen for power steering whine or feel for shaking over bumps at highway speeds, which could indicate the steering issues owners report.
- If you plan to tow, hook up a trailer and verify the trailer brakes engage consistently; intermittent disconnects are a reported problem.
- Check for transmission shudder, delayed engagement, or limp mode during a test drive, especially on 2017 models with the 6-speed automatic.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster operation; ask if the defroster has ever caused the glass to shatter or if there are any cracks.
Before you buy
- Ask for the vehicle's complete recall history and confirm all safety recalls have been repaired by a dealer.
- Take a long test drive that includes highway speeds, bumps, and if possible, towing a trailer to check brakes and steering.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the transmission, steering system, and electrical components for the specific issues reported.
- For the F-150, scan for stored transmission codes and check if the lead frame or output speed sensor has been replaced.
- For the Savana, inspect power steering hoses and lines for leaks or loose connections, and test the trailer brake controller.
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 Savana | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 | 32 | 345 |
| 2024 | 0 | 638 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 36 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 10 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 0 | 44 |
| 2019 | 26 | 52 |
| 2018 | 15 | 79 |
| 2017 | 49 | 59 |
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 Savana or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- GMC Savana vs FORD F 150
- GMC Savana total complaints
- 168
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- GMC Savana total recalls
- 34
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- GMC Savana avg complaints/year
- 16.8
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- GMC Savana
- GMC Savana top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN