Is the Chevrolet Silverado-EV more reliable than the Ford F-150 Lightning?

Based on our data, the Chevrolet Silverado-EV is more reliable with an average score of 81/100 compared to 54/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.

Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Silverado-EV or the Ford F-150 Lightning?

The Ford F-150 Lightning has more recalls (28) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado-EV (5). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Chevrolet Silverado-EV or the Ford F-150 Lightning?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Chevrolet Silverado-EV has a lower complaint rate at 0.3 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 47 for the Ford F-150 Lightning. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Is the Chevrolet Silverado-EV or Ford F-150 Lightning safer?

Both the Chevrolet Silverado-EV and Ford F-150 Lightning received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Last updated: 2026-08-24

Chevrolet Silverado-EV vs Ford F-150 Lightning: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Chevrolet Silverado-EV

Excellent

Ford F-150 Lightning

Mixed

Choosing between the Chevrolet Silverado-EV and the Ford F-150 Lightning? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two full-size trucks.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Chevrolet Silverado-EV currently leads with an average score of 81/100 compared to 54/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Chevrolet Silverado-EV and Ford F-150 Lightning Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Ford F-150 Lightning is in its first generation, which spanned from 2022 to 2025. This means it has recently concluded its initial cycle, suggesting that most early production issues typical of new platforms may have been addressed over time, potentially leading to improved reliability by the end of its generation. In contrast, the Chevrolet Silverado-EV is in its first generation, having debuted in 2024 and still currently in production. Being relatively early in its lifecycle, buyers might encounter initial teething problems common with new models. Both vehicles underscore the typical pattern where mature platforms, like the later F-150 Lightning, are often more refined and reliable compared to newer entries like the Silverado-EV.

Verdict

The Chevrolet Silverado-EV is more reliable than the Ford F-150 Lightning, scoring 81/100 vs 54/100.

The Chevrolet Silverado-EV demonstrates superior reliability compared to the Ford F-150 Lightning, reflected in its higher average reliability score of 81/100 versus 54/100 for the Ford. With only 5 recalls in 2 years and an exceptionally low owner complaint rate of 0.3 per 10,000 sold, the Silverado-EV shows a clear advantage over the F-150 Lightning's 28 recalls over 5 years and 47 complaints per 10,000 units. Key differentiators include the Silverado-EV's lower incidence of recalls and complaints, despite both vehicles sharing common issues with their electrical systems and power trains. With these data points, the Silverado-EV is the more reliable choice for full-size truck buyers.

Key Differences

1Chevrolet Silverado-EV has 46.7 fewer complaints per 10k sold
2Chevrolet Silverado-EV scores 27 points higher in reliability
3Chevrolet Silverado-EV has 23 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

3Chevrolet Silverado-EV

—

0Ford F-150 Lightning

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Chevrolet Silverado-EV vs Ford F-150 Lightning: Which Is More Reliable?

Chevrolet Silverado-EV vs Ford F-150 Lightning at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Chevrolet Silverado-EV	Ford F-150 Lightning
Reliability Score	81/100	54/100
Years Tracked	2	5
Total Recalls	5	28
Complaints per 10k Sold	0.3	47
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2025 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	2	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Silverado-EV and Ford F-150 Lightning?

The Ford F-150 Lightning exhibits a higher volume of complaints with significant issues in the electrical system (150 complaints) and power train (118 complaints), both of which include crash-linked incidents. Notably, the F-150 Lightning also has a concerning number of crash-linked complaints related to service brakes (4) and vehicle speed control (3). In contrast, the Chevrolet Silverado-EV has a much lower total number of complaints, with its primary concern also being the electrical system (13 complaints), but lacks the breadth and severity seen in the F-150 Lightning's profile. The Silverado-EV's issues are fewer and less severe, with only one notable crash-linked complaint in the power train category.

Chevrolet Silverado-EV vs Ford F-150 Lightning common problem areas comparison
Component	Chevrolet Silverado-EV	Ford F-150 Lightning
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	14.8Above Avg
POWER TRAIN	—None	11.7Above Avg
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.1Very Low	4.7Average
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	4.8Average
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	1.3Low
SERVICE BRAKES	—None	1.3Low
EQUIPMENT	—None	1Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	0.9Very Low
ENGINE	—None	0.7Very Low
STEERING	—None	0.5Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.4Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	0.2Very Low
STRUCTURE	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

How Does Chevrolet Silverado-EV vs Ford F-150 Lightning Reliability Compare by Year?

Chevrolet Silverado-EV vs Ford F-150 Lightning year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Chevrolet Silverado-EV	Ford F-150 Lightning	Edge
2025	82/1001R / 14C	60/1003R / 2C	Chevrolet Silverado-EV
2024	80/1004R / 25C	61/1004R / 19C	Chevrolet Silverado-EV

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Chevrolet Silverado-EV scored 82/100 and the 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning scored 61/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Chevrolet Silverado-EV vs the Ford F-150 Lightning?

If you prioritize reliability and peace of mind, the Chevrolet Silverado-EV is the better choice. With a reliability score of 81/100 and only 5 recalls, it shows a strong track record. The exceptionally low owner complaints rate of 0.3 per 10,000 sold further underscores its dependability. This makes it ideal for those who want a hassle-free ownership experience and are concerned about long-term durability. On the other hand, if you are drawn to the Ford F-150 Lightning, be prepared for potential challenges. Its lower reliability score of 54/100 and 28 total recalls suggest more frequent issues, particularly with the electrical system and power train. With a higher owner complaints rate of 47 per 10,000 sold, you'll need to be proactive in addressing concerns. Choose this model if you're a Ford enthusiast and willing to trade reliability for other features or brand loyalty.

Chevrolet Silverado-EV vs Ford F-150 Lightning: Common Questions

Is the Chevrolet Silverado-EV more reliable than the Ford F-150 Lightning?: Based on our data, the Chevrolet Silverado-EV is more reliable with an average score of 81/100 compared to 54/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Silverado-EV or the Ford F-150 Lightning?: The Ford F-150 Lightning has more recalls (28) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado-EV (5). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Chevrolet Silverado-EV or the Ford F-150 Lightning?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Chevrolet Silverado-EV has a lower complaint rate at 0.3 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 47 for the Ford F-150 Lightning. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Is the Chevrolet Silverado-EV or Ford F-150 Lightning safer?: Both the Chevrolet Silverado-EV and Ford F-150 Lightning received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

More Chevrolet Silverado-EV comparisons

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More Ford F-150 Lightning comparisons

Ford F-150 Lightning vs Ford F-150 reliability Ford F-150 Lightning vs Chevrolet Silverado reliability Ford F-150 Lightning vs Ram 1500 reliability Ford F-150 Lightning vs GMC Sierra 1500 reliability Ford F-150 Lightning reliability by year Ford F-150 Lightning years to avoid

Decided between Chevrolet Silverado-EV and Ford F-150 Lightning? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases via vehicles.dev. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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