Head-to-head reliability
GMC Sierra Limited vs FORD F 150
How the GMC Sierra Limited 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 Limited vs FORD F 150: GMC Sierra Limited has 202.5 complaints per year and no recalls, while Ford F-150 has 1131.1 complaints per year and 145 recalls. Sierra owners report engine misfires and brake module issues; F-150 owners face transmission harshness and camera failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the GMC Sierra Limited or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
GMC Sierra Limited
The GMC Sierra Limited, based on 2019 model year data, shows a concentrated reliability concern in its engine, brakes, and drivetrain. Owners report serious issues like engine misfires and shutdowns, brake system warnings, and transmission-related problems that can affect safety. With no recalls on record, these complaints highlight potential gaps in factory remedies.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150, with data spanning 10 years, has a high volume of complaints, particularly in the powertrain and electrical systems. Owners frequently describe harsh shifting and transmission failures, along with camera and sensor malfunctions. The large number of recalls (145) indicates widespread issues that have been addressed over time, but the frequency of problems remains a concern for long-term ownership.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | GMC Sierra Limited | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 405 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 10 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 202.5 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 9 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 Sierra Limited
- 01ENGINE134
- 02SERVICE BRAKES107
- 03POWER TRAIN91
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM78
- 05STEERING36
Owners report engine misfires, rough running, and sudden shutdowns while driving, often linked to cylinder deactivation or valve issues. This can create dangerous situations on the road.
Brake system warnings, including messages about trailer brake and brake module failures, appear frequently. Some owners suspect the brake module is faulty, similar to recalled units on other models.
Transmission and drivetrain problems cause rear wheels to lock up or drag at low speeds, feeling like something is seizing. This can lead to loss of control.
Electrical issues include battery saver alerts with low voltage readings and engine misfire codes accompanied by exhaust fumes in the cabin, indicating potential wiring or sensor problems.
“I am writing to formally document an ongoing and serious issue with our 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 (VIN: [XXX] ), which I strongly believe may be related to the current GM recall involving L87 V8 engines—despite my vehicle not yet being included. Early last year, o…”
“I am reporting a serious mechanical and safety issue with my 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 (5.3L engine). The truck began misfiring, running rough, and would frequently “jump” and shut off while driving — creating an unsafe situation on the road. We attempted several…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The 10R80 transmission is a major source of complaints, with hard shifts, jerks, and clunks between gears, and occasional loss of power or shutdowns. These issues can be unpredictable and dangerous.
Owners report persistent warnings for front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist not available, which may disable safety features. These warnings appear every time the truck is started.
Headlight-related recalls and complaints suggest issues with visibility, which is critical for night driving safety.
Engine problems, while less frequent than transmission issues, still contribute to the overall reliability concerns, with some owners reporting stalling or performance issues.
“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 Sierra Limited
No recalls on record.
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 Sierra Limited or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The GMC Sierra Limited has far fewer complaints per year (202.5 vs 1131.1) and no recalls, indicating a lower rate of reported issues. However, the nature of its engine and brake problems can be severe. The Ford F-150's higher complaint volume and recall count suggest more widespread and varied issues, but many have been addressed through recalls.
Key differences
- GMC Sierra Limited has significantly fewer complaints per year (202.5) compared to Ford F-150 (1131.1).
- GMC Sierra Limited has no recalls, while Ford F-150 has 145 recalls, indicating more proactive safety campaigns.
- GMC Sierra Limited's top issues are engine and brake-related, while Ford F-150's top issues are transmission and electrical.
- Ford F-150 has a higher number of crash-related complaints (328) and injuries (287) compared to GMC Sierra Limited (10 and 9).
- Check for engine misfires, rough idling, or shutdowns, especially on 5.3L V8 engines.
- Inspect brake system for warning messages or module failures, particularly after battery replacement.
- Test drive for hard shifts or jerks between gears, especially in 10-speed automatic transmissions.
- Look for persistent dashboard warnings about front camera or pre-collision assist malfunctions.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on the specific VIN.
- Have a mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on engine and transmission.
- Test drive at various speeds to feel for transmission shift quality and engine behavior.
- Check for any warning lights or messages during a cold start and test all safety features.
- Review service records for any prior repairs related to common complaints.
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 Limited | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0 | 3432 |
| 2019 | 405 | 36 |
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 Limited or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- GMC Sierra Limited vs FORD F 150
- GMC Sierra Limited total complaints
- 405
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- GMC Sierra Limited total recalls
- 0
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- GMC Sierra Limited avg complaints/year
- 202.5
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- GMC Sierra Limited
- GMC Sierra Limited top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN