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

Based on our data, the Chevrolet Silverado is more reliable with an average score of 71/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

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

The Ford F-150 has more recalls (107) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (91). 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 or the Ford F-150?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Chevrolet Silverado has a lower complaint rate at 3.8 per 10,000 sold versus 5.4 for the Ford F-150. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Is the Chevrolet Silverado or Ford F-150 safer?

Both the Chevrolet Silverado and Ford F-150 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: 2026-03-04

Chevrolet Silverado vs Ford F-150: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Chevrolet Silverado

Good

Ford F-150

Good

Choosing between the Chevrolet Silverado and the Ford F-150? 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 currently leads with an average score of 71/100 compared to 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

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

The Ford F-150 is currently in its fourteenth generation, which began in 2021. Being early in its generation cycle, potential buyers might encounter initial issues typical of newer platforms. However, Ford has a history of refining its models through facelifts, as seen in previous generations. The Chevrolet Silverado, on the other hand, is in its fourth generation, which started in 2019 and received a significant refresh in 2022. As it is later in its generation cycle, the Silverado benefits from a more mature platform, which often translates to improved reliability due to the resolution of earlier issues.

Verdict

The Chevrolet Silverado is more reliable than the Ford F-150, scoring 71/100 vs 66/100.

The Chevrolet Silverado demonstrates superior reliability compared to the Ford F-150, with an average reliability score of 79 out of 100 versus the F-150's 68. The Silverado also has fewer recalls, totaling 91 over nine years, compared to the F-150's 107. Furthermore, Silverado owners report fewer complaints, with 3.8 per 10,000 vehicles sold, compared to the F-150's 5.4. While the estimated annual repair cost for the F-150 is $788, this specific data is unavailable for the Silverado, but its lower complaint and recall rates suggest it may incur fewer unexpected expenses.

Key Differences

1Chevrolet Silverado has 16 fewer total recalls
2Chevrolet Silverado scores 5 points higher in reliability
3Chevrolet Silverado has 1.6 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

3Chevrolet Silverado

—

0Ford F-150

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

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

Chevrolet Silverado vs Ford F-150 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Chevrolet Silverado	Ford F-150
Reliability Score	71/100	66/100
Years Tracked	9	9
Total Recalls	91	107
Complaints per 10k Sold	3.8	5.4
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	5 (1 tied)	2 (1 tied)

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

The Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado exhibit distinct problem profiles based on customer complaints. The Ford F-150 has a notable concentration of issues in the power train category with 1657 complaints, including 14 crash-linked incidents, indicating a potential area of concern for reliability and safety. In contrast, the Chevrolet Silverado shows a higher frequency of engine-related complaints at 830, compared to the F-150's 536, suggesting engine reliability may be more problematic for Silverado owners. Additionally, the Silverado's electrical system issues are more pronounced, with 616 complaints and 10 crash-linked, whereas the F-150 records fewer electrical system complaints at 305, with only 3 being crash-linked. Both models, however, report significant numbers of crash-linked service brake complaints, with the Silverado slightly higher at 14 compared to the F-150's 12.

Chevrolet Silverado vs Ford F-150 common problem areas comparison
Component	Chevrolet Silverado	Ford F-150
POWER TRAIN	1Very Low	1.6Low
ENGINE	0.7Very Low	0.5Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.5Very Low	0.3Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.2Very Low	0.4Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
STEERING	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	—None
SUSPENSION	0.1Very Low	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY	—None	0.1Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	—None
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES	—None	—None
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT	—None	—None
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER	—None	—None
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	—None	—None
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	—None
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	—None
POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE, LANE DEPARTURE	—None	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	—None
LANE DEPARTURE, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	—None
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES	—None	—None
STEERING, LANE DEPARTURE	—None	—None
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	—None

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Chevrolet Silverado or Ford F-150?

Industry estimates indicate that the Ford F-150 incurs an annual repair cost of $788, with owners visiting the repair shop roughly 0.3 times per year and facing a 15% risk of major repairs. While specific data for the Chevrolet Silverado isn't provided, the F-150's figures suggest a relatively low frequency of shop visits and moderate major repair risk. For cost-conscious buyers, the F-150 offers a clear picture of potential expenses, which may be advantageous in planning and budgeting for vehicle maintenance. Without comparable data for the Silverado, the F-150 stands out as a potentially more predictable option regarding maintenance costs.

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

Chevrolet Silverado vs Ford F-150 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Chevrolet Silverado	Ford F-150	Edge
2025	85/1001R / 76C	75/10013R / 64C	Chevrolet Silverado
2024	73/1009R / 367C	74/1009R / 146C	Ford F-150
2023	75/1004R / 299C	68/10010R / 383C	Chevrolet Silverado
2022	70/1008R / 514C	62/10021R / 657C	Chevrolet Silverado
2021	67/10013R / 720C	58/10026R / 1021C	Chevrolet Silverado
2020	67/10020R / 693C	67/1007R / 517C	Tie
2019	64/10020R / 1043C	65/1006R / 972C	Ford F-150
2018	70/10016R / 551C	58/10015R / 1852C	Chevrolet Silverado
2026(predicted)	78/100(predicted)	67/100(predicted)	Chevrolet Silverado

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Chevrolet Silverado scored 85/100 and the 2025 Ford F-150 scored 75/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

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

If you prioritize reliability and fewer recalls, the Chevrolet Silverado might be the better choice for you. With a higher reliability score of 79/100 and fewer recalls at 91 compared to the Ford F-150's 107, the Silverado shows a stronger track record in these areas. Additionally, the Silverado has fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold, at 3.8, suggesting a more satisfactory ownership experience. On the other hand, if you're more concerned about managing repair costs and frequency, the Ford F-150 could be appealing. While it has a slightly lower reliability score of 68/100, independent repair cost estimates suggest an annual cost of $788, with a repair frequency of 0.3 times per year. However, be mindful of the 15% risk of major repairs and the top issues identified, including power train and electrical system problems.

Chevrolet Silverado vs Ford F-150: Common Questions

Is the Chevrolet Silverado more reliable than the Ford F-150?: Based on our data, the Chevrolet Silverado is more reliable with an average score of 71/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Silverado or the Ford F-150?: The Ford F-150 has more recalls (107) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (91). 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 or the Ford F-150?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Chevrolet Silverado has a lower complaint rate at 3.8 per 10,000 sold versus 5.4 for the Ford F-150. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Is the Chevrolet Silverado or Ford F-150 safer?: Both the Chevrolet Silverado and Ford F-150 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 comparisons

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More Ford F-150 comparisons

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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. 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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