Head-to-head reliability
GMC Sierra 1500 vs FORD F 150
How the GMC Sierra 1500 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 Sierra 1500 vs FORD F 150: The Sierra averages about 405 complaints per year with 55 recalls, while the F-150 averages about 1,162 complaints per year with 151 recalls. Both have serious reported engine, transmission, and electrical issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the GMC Sierra 1500 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
GMC Sierra 1500
The GMC Sierra 1500 is a full-size pickup that averages about 405 owner complaints per year over the past decade, with 55 recalls. The most common trouble spots are the engine and power train, and many recent complaints describe 6.2L V8 engine failures that require complete replacement. Electrical glitches and brake concerns also show up, so a used Sierra can mean living with occasional major repairs rather than constant small annoyances.
FORD F 150
The Ford F 150 is a full-size pickup that averages about 1,162 owner complaints per year, with 151 recalls over the same period. Power train and electrical problems dominate, and owners frequently report transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and rear window shattering. With more than twice the annual complaint rate of the Sierra, the F-150 tends to demand more owner attention for recurring issues.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | GMC Sierra 1500 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 4,049 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 55 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 84 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 404.9 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 52 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 Sierra 1500
- 01ENGINE1,713
- 02POWER TRAIN958
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM573
- 04SERVICE BRAKES429
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER374
Owners of 2023 models with the 6.2L L87 V8 report catastrophic engine failure that requires a complete engine replacement, sometimes more than once. This is a major expense if it happens outside warranty, and it can leave you stranded.
Complaints link the same 6.2L engine failures to powertrain problems, with some owners reporting two catastrophic failures at very low mileage. A used Sierra with this engine may have already had a replacement, so service records matter.
Owners describe multiple malfunction indicator lights and electrical failures that can cause loss of power, reduced speed, and hard steering. These symptoms can be intermittent and hard to diagnose, making pre-purchase scans important.
Brake-related complaints and a recall for low brake fluid warning lamps suggest owners may not get timely warnings of brake fluid loss. That matters because a delayed warning can turn a minor leak into a safety issue.
“I am a Canadian owner of a 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 equipped with the 6.2L L87 engine. VIN: [XXX]. I purchased the vehicle new. I am reporting this because my experience appears directly relevant to NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA26005 concerning L87 engine fai…”
“I own a 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate equipped with the 6.2L L87 V8 engine. The vehicle previously experienced an engine failure that resulted in the complete replacement of the 6.2L engine by an authorized GMC dealership. The replacement engine was in…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners repeatedly report transmission limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power. One owner said a lead frame issue nearly ended their life, so test-driving and checking for stored transmission codes is critical.
The same lead frame problem often appears as an electrical complaint, and some owners report output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. These electrical faults can be intermittent and may not show up on a short test drive.
Owners describe rear window defroster shorts that cause the back window to shatter outward without impact. This is a surprising and potentially dangerous failure that a simple visual inspection may not reveal.
Exterior lighting is a top complaint area, with 1,224 reports, though the sample text does not detail specific failures. Buyers should still check all lights and any related recalls, as lighting problems can affect visibility and safety.
“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 Sierra 1500 — 55 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Escalade ESV vehicles. The electronic brake control module software may fail to display a warning light when a loss of brake…
The risk: Without a warning light, the vehicle may be driven with low brake fluid, which can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: The Electronic Brake Control Module (eBCM) software will be updated through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2024. Owners can contact GMC customer service at 1-…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate wh…
The risk: DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chev…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing d…
The risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repai…
The defect: Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restrain…
The risk: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.
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 Sierra 1500 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The GMC Sierra 1500 has far fewer complaints per year (about 405) than the Ford F 150 (about 1,162), and fewer recalls (55 vs. 151). In practice, that means a used Sierra is likely to spend less time in the shop for recurring issues, though both trucks have serious reported problems that require a careful pre-purchase inspection.
Key differences
- The Ford F 150 averages about 1,162 complaints per year versus about 405 for the GMC Sierra 1500, so the F-150 generates nearly three times as many owner complaints annually.
- Ford F 150 owners frequently report transmission limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures, while GMC Sierra 1500 owners more often report 6.2L V8 engine failures requiring replacement.
- The Ford F 150 has 151 recalls over 10 years compared with 55 for the GMC Sierra 1500, meaning more potential safety campaigns to track.
- Ford F 150 complaints include rear window shattering from a defroster short, a failure not highlighted in the Sierra sample complaints.
- Check for any engine replacement history on 6.2L L87 V8 models, especially 2023 trucks, and ask for dealership service records showing the replacement engine's condition.
- Scan for stored electrical codes and test all warning lights, because owners report multiple malfunction indicator lights and intermittent power loss that can be hard to reproduce.
- Test-drive at highway speeds and check for transmission limp mode, stuck gears, or delayed shifting, which owners link to lead frame and output speed sensor failures.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster operation, and ask if the window has ever shattered or been replaced due to a defroster short.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm all open recalls have been repaired, especially brake, lighting, and engine campaigns.
- Ask for a complete service history and specifically request proof of any engine or transmission replacement work.
- Have a mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection that includes scanning all electronic control modules for stored codes.
- Test-drive for at least 20 minutes, including highway speeds, and note any limp mode, hard shifting, warning lights, or power loss.
- Check the rear window defroster and all exterior lights on the F-150, and check brake fluid warning operation on the Sierra.
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 Sierra 1500 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 66 | 35 |
| 2025 | 117 | 345 |
| 2024 | 365 | 638 |
| 2023 | 485 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 588 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 578 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 469 | 44 |
| 2019 | 648 | 52 |
| 2018 | 304 | 79 |
| 2017 | 429 | 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 Sierra 1500 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- GMC Sierra 1500 vs FORD F 150
- GMC Sierra 1500 total complaints
- 4,049
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- GMC Sierra 1500 total recalls
- 55
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- GMC Sierra 1500 avg complaints/year
- 404.9
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- GMC Sierra 1500
- GMC Sierra 1500 top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN