Head-to-head reliability
GMC Suburban vs FORD F 150
How the GMC Suburban 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 Suburban vs FORD F 150: The Suburban has 16 complaints per year and 2 recalls, while the F-150 has 1131 complaints per year and 145 recalls. Suburban owners report brake and tire failures; F-150 owners report transmission and electrical issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the GMC Suburban or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
GMC Suburban
The GMC Suburban, based on NHTSA data, shows a relatively low complaint volume concentrated in brakes, tires, and suspension. Owners report brake pedal issues that can lead to a loss of braking power, tire failures at speed, and persistent vibration/pulling that affects steering. While the sample is small, these patterns suggest a vehicle where braking and ride stability deserve careful inspection.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 has a much higher complaint volume over a longer period, with the majority of issues in the powertrain and electrical systems. Owners frequently describe harsh or delayed shifting, sudden power loss, and recurring warning lights. The high number of recalls and crash/injury reports indicate a vehicle with more widespread and serious reliability concerns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | GMC Suburban | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 16 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 16.0 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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 Suburban
- 01SERVICE BRAKES4
- 02HYDRAULIC4
- 03TIRES3
- 04SUSPENSION3
- 05ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
Owners report that the brake pedal can move to the floor without slowing the vehicle, requiring the driver to pump the brakes to regain stopping power. This is a critical safety issue, especially in traffic or on hills.
Tire failures include tread separation and blowouts at highway speeds, which can cause loss of control. One owner described a front tire blowout that led to veering across lanes.
The vehicle may pull to one side and vibrate severely between 55-70 mph, interfering with normal steering. Owners report multiple dealer visits without a fix, indicating a persistent alignment or component issue.
“CONSUMER WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, AND HE SAID THAT TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF HIM CAME TO A STAND STILL. HE WAS WITHIN TWO CAR LENGTHS BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AND HIT VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DIDN'T GO OFF. ALSO HAD PROBLEM…”
“CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 25MPH, GOING DOWN A HILL, APPLIED BRAKES AND PEDAL MOVED. BUT, THERE WAS NO REACTION TO THE BRAKES. IF BRAKES ARE NOT BROUGHT UP AND REAPPLIED THERE IS NO BRAKING. *AK *ML”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The 10-speed automatic transmission is a major source of complaints, with owners reporting hard jerks, clunks, and delayed shifts, especially between 4-5 and 5-6 gears. Some have experienced sudden power loss and vehicle shutdown while driving.
Recurring warning messages for front camera and pre-collision assist malfunctions appear on the dash, often from startup. These issues may disable safety features and require dealer intervention.
Headlight-related recalls are common, and owners report problems with lighting that could affect visibility at night. Specific complaints include flickering or failure of headlights.
“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 Suburban — 2 recalls
The defect: CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EX…
The risk: THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REAS…
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH VACUUM POWER, 4-WHEEL DISC BRAKES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A KINKED BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM SUPPLY HOSE.
The risk: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105.
The fix: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM SUPPLY HOSE.
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 Suburban or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The GMC Suburban has far fewer complaints per year (16 vs 1131) and fewer recalls, indicating a lower rate of reported problems. However, the brake and tire issues are serious safety concerns. The Ford F-150's high complaint volume and numerous recalls suggest a higher likelihood of encountering transmission or electrical problems.
Key differences
- The Suburban's complaints are mostly about brakes and tires, while the F-150's are dominated by transmission and electrical issues.
- The F-150 has a much higher rate of crashes and injuries reported, though this may reflect higher sales volume.
- The Suburban has only 2 recalls, while the F-150 has 145, indicating more widespread factory defects.
- Owners of the Suburban report vibration and pulling at highway speeds, while F-150 owners report hard shifts and sudden power loss.
- Test the brakes thoroughly: check for a soft or low pedal that requires pumping, and have a mechanic inspect the brake booster and hydraulic system.
- Inspect tires for uneven wear, bulges, or signs of tread separation, and check the suspension for alignment issues that could cause pulling or vibration.
- During a test drive, pay close attention to transmission shifts, especially between 4th and 6th gears, for any harshness or delay.
- Check for any warning lights on the dash, particularly those related to the front camera or pre-collision assist, and ask for service records.
Before you buy
- Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic familiar with these models.
- For the Suburban, have the brake system and tires checked, and take it on a highway test drive to feel for vibration.
- For the F-150, test drive in stop-and-go traffic to assess transmission behavior, and verify all electrical systems work.
- Check the vehicle's recall status on the NHTSA website and ensure all recalls have been addressed.
- Review the vehicle's service history for any repeated repairs related to the common issues.
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 Suburban or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- GMC Suburban vs FORD F 150
- GMC Suburban total complaints
- 16
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- GMC Suburban total recalls
- 2
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- GMC Suburban avg complaints/year
- 16.0
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- GMC Suburban
- GMC Suburban top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN