Head-to-head reliability
GMC Sierra vs FORD F 150
How the GMC Sierra 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 averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. GMC Sierra has 5,528 complaints and 36 recalls on record; FORD F 150 has 11,102 complaints and 144 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | GMC Sierra | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 5,528 Better | 11,102 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 36 Better | 144 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 138 Better | 319 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 552.8 Better | 1110.2 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 87 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
- 01ENGINE1,974
- 02POWER TRAIN1,301
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM853
- 04SERVICE BRAKES719
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER549
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine/powertrain failed. The vehicle is a 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 equipped with the 6.2L V8 engine. The engine developed a severe knocking noise and loss of p…”
“Component / System Failure The exhaust system, specifically the exhaust manifolds and previously the EGR system components, appear to have failed or malfunctioned, allowing exhaust gases to enter the passenger cabin. The dealer initially replaced the EGR cool…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,492
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,052
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,380
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,150
- 05ENGINE828
“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…”
“The vehicle experienced intermittent transmission-related drivability issues before the recall remedy was available. The vehicle had delayed/hard shifting, an intermittent wrench warning light, and a reduced power/limp mode condition where the transmission wo…”
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 — 36 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and GMC Sierra 2500 vehicles equipped with the enhanced towing option and 20-inch accessory tire/wheel package. The tire information label may state the incorrect rear tire pressure, resulting in underinflated tires an…
The risk: Driving with underinflated tires can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect, update the engine control module (ECM) software, apply a tire label overlay, inflate tires to the correct pressure, and perform a tire pressure monitor system (TPMS) re-learn process as necessary, free of charge. Owne…
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.
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV and 2024-2025 GMC Sierra EV pickup trucks. The bolt that secures the rear center seat belt assembly to the seat structure may not have been properly tightened.
The risk: An improperly secured seat belt assembly may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: GM will tighten the bolt that attaches the center seat belt assembly to the rear seat structure, free of charge. All affected vehicles are still in dealer inventory and, therefore, no owner letters will be mailed. Owners may contact GM cus…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and GMC Sierra 3500 vehicles with gasoline engines and dual fuel tanks (RPOs L8T and N2N). The rear fuel pump may not transfer adequate fuel to the front tank, causing an engine stall.
The risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: The vehicle's engine control module (ECM) will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782…
FORD F 150 — 144 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…
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 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 27 | 16 |
| 2025 | 128 | 324 |
| 2024 | 477 | 607 |
| 2023 | 494 | 1484 |
| 2022 | 1167 | 3388 |
| 2021 | 605 | 5162 |
| 2020 | 571 | 25 |
| 2019 | 1099 | 31 |
| 2018 | 362 | 38 |
| 2017 | 598 | 27 |
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 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- GMC Sierra vs FORD F 150
- GMC Sierra total complaints
- 5,528
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,102
- GMC Sierra total recalls
- 36
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 144
- GMC Sierra avg complaints/year
- 552.8
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1110.2
- More reliable overall
- GMC Sierra
- GMC Sierra top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN