Ford F-150 vs. Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Both trucks side by side for the years they were both sold (2009–2026): owner complaints filed with NHTSA, what each generation is known for, and years with a well-known costly problem.
How to use this: complaint counts are reports owners filed with NHTSA, not a reliability score. Best-selling trucks collect more reports simply because more are on the road. Use the numbers to spot years worth a closer look, then check the specific truck you're considering.
Complaints by year
Each count is compared with the typical (middle) count of the half-ton trucks we cover from the same model year. Counts as of October 5, 2026; a year's own page uses the latest count, so it can be slightly higher. Tap a count for that year's recalls, complaints and safety ratings.
| Year | Ford F-150 | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | Typical that year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 15Fewer than typical | 104More than typical | 65 |
| 2025 | 104About typical | 102About typical | 116 |
| 2024 | 214About typical | 311⚠ Known problem: 6.2L V8 only: Certain 6.2L V8 trucks were recalled for engines that can fail. Confirm the recall was done.More than typical | 214 |
| 2023 | 478⚠ Known problem: Certain trucks with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package were recalled for rear axle hub bolts that can break. Confirm the repair was done.More than typical | 382⚠ Known problem: 6.2L V8 only: Certain 6.2L V8 trucks were recalled for engines that can fail. Confirm the recall was done.About typical | 382 |
| 2022 | 788⚠ Known problem: Certain trucks with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package were recalled for rear axle hub bolts that can break. Confirm the repair was done.More than typical | 633⚠ Known problem: 6.2L V8 only: Certain 6.2L V8 trucks were recalled for engines that can fail. Confirm the recall was done.About typical | 586 |
| 2021 | 1,276⚠ Known problem: Certain trucks with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package were recalled for rear axle hub bolts that can break. Confirm the repair was done.More than typical | 830⚠ Known problem: 6.2L V8 only: Certain 6.2L V8 trucks were recalled for engines that can fail. Confirm the recall was done.More than typical | 577 |
| 2020 | 550⚠ Known problem: 5.0L V8 only: Some 5.0L V8 trucks burn oil. Ask for service records and check the oil level.About typical | 729More than typical | 468 |
| 2019 | 1,005⚠ Known problem: 3.5L EcoBoost only: 3.5L EcoBoost trucks are known for cam phaser rattle on cold starts, a costly repair. Listen to a cold start before buying. 5.0L V8 only: Some 5.0L V8 trucks burn oil. Ask for service records and check the oil level.More than typical | 1,079More than typical | 646 |
| 2018 | 1,913⚠ Known problem: 3.5L EcoBoost only: 3.5L EcoBoost trucks are known for cam phaser rattle on cold starts, a costly repair. Listen to a cold start before buying. 5.0L V8 only: Some 5.0L V8 trucks burn oil. Ask for service records and check the oil level.More than typical | 519More than typical | 412 |
| 2017 | 1,125⚠ Known problem: 3.5L EcoBoost only: 3.5L EcoBoost trucks are known for cam phaser rattle on cold starts, a costly repair. Listen to a cold start before buying.More than typical | 710More than typical | 532 |
| 2016 | 1,764More than typical | 792About typical | 792 |
| 2015 | 1,425More than typical | 1,105⚠ Known problem: The first years of this generation have the most complaints, led by hard brake pedals, A/C leaks and power steering cutouts. Check the recalls.About typical | 912 |
| 2014 | 1,361More than typical | 1,435⚠ Known problem: The first years of this generation have the most complaints, led by hard brake pedals, A/C leaks and power steering cutouts. Check the recalls.More than typical | 1,049 |
| 2013 | 2,796⚠ Known problem: Recalled for sudden downshifts into first gear that can lock the rear wheels. Confirm the recall repair was done.More than typical | 301More than typical | 208 |
| 2012 | 1,716⚠ Known problem: Recalled for sudden downshifts into first gear that can lock the rear wheels. Confirm the recall repair was done.More than typical | 215About typical | 186 |
| 2011 | 2,137⚠ Known problem: Recalled for sudden downshifts into first gear that can lock the rear wheels. Confirm the recall repair was done.More than typical | 563More than typical | 424 |
| 2010 | 841More than typical | 362More than typical | 265 |
| 2009 | 324About typical | 444More than typical | 279 |
Recent years aren't compared until the typical truck that year has at least 50 complaints. “Not separable” means NHTSA files that year together with other trucks. Recall counts aren't shown here; open any year to see its recalls. ⚠ marks a well-known costly problem that complaint counts alone don't show.
Generations side by side
Ford F-150
- 2009–2014 common problems →3.5L EcoBoost, 5.0L V8, 3.7L V6, 6.2L V8 (2011–2014); 4.6L and 5.4L V8 (2009–2010)
2011–2013 trucks were recalled for sudden downshifts into first gear; EcoBoosts add timing chain stretch, intercooler misfires and brake vacuum pump failures, and electric power steering and throttle body problems are common.
- 2015–2020 common problems →2.7L and 3.5L EcoBoost, 5.0L V8, 3.3L and 3.5L V6, 3.0L Power Stroke diesel
Transmissions top the complaints, from sudden downshifts on 2015–2017 6-speeds (recalled in 2026) to the 10-speed's harsh shifts; 2017–2019 3.5L EcoBoosts are known for cam phaser rattle and 2018–2020 5.0L V8s for burning oil.
- 2021–2026 common problems →2.7L and 3.5L EcoBoost, 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid, 5.0L V8, 3.3L V6
Early 2021–2022 trucks have the most complaints and recalls, including 10-speed shifts into neutral and broken rear axle hub bolts on Max Tow trucks; the PowerBoost hybrid has its own power-loss reports.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2009–2013 common problems →5.3L, 4.8L and 6.2L V8, 4.3L V6, 6.0L Hybrid
Cracked dashboards, often across the passenger air bag, make up about a quarter of complaints; rust is common, and 5.3L V8s with cylinder deactivation can burn oil.
- 2014–2018 common problems →5.3L and 6.2L V8, 4.3L V6
A hard brake pedal from a weak vacuum pump, A/C condensers that crack and leak, and electric power steering cutouts on 2014–2015 trucks are the big complaints; 8-speed trucks can shudder and V8 lifters can fail.
- 2019–2026 common problems →5.3L and 6.2L V8, 3.0L Duramax diesel, 2.7L turbo four, 4.3L V6
Certain 2021–2024 6.2L V8s were recalled for engine failures, V8s with cylinder deactivation are known for lifter failures, and transmissions shudder or shift harshly; certain diesel trucks were recalled for a valve body that can lock the rear wheels.
Years with a known costly problem
From our owner notes. Some affect only one engine, so trucks with other engines those years aren't affected: check which engine the truck you're looking at has.
Ford F-150
- 2011–2013 All enginesRecalled for sudden downshifts into first gear that can lock the rear wheels. Confirm the recall repair was done.
- 2017–2019 3.5L EcoBoost only3.5L EcoBoost trucks are known for cam phaser rattle on cold starts, a costly repair. Listen to a cold start before buying.
- 2018–2020 5.0L V8 onlySome 5.0L V8 trucks burn oil. Ask for service records and check the oil level.
- 2021–2023 All enginesCertain trucks with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package were recalled for rear axle hub bolts that can break. Confirm the repair was done.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2014–2015 All enginesThe first years of this generation have the most complaints, led by hard brake pedals, A/C leaks and power steering cutouts. Check the recalls.
- 2021–2024 6.2L V8 onlyCertain 6.2L V8 trucks were recalled for engines that can fail. Confirm the recall was done.