HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs Ford F-150
OUR VERDICT
It's essentially a draw — 1–1 across categories.
OPTION A
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
1999–2026 · truck
63/100 · Good
5.0
Recalls / yr
0.0
Complaints / yr
136
Lifetime recalls
0
Lifetime complaints
OPTION B
Ford F-150
1975–2026 · truck
67/100 · Good
8.0
Recalls / yr
0.0
Complaints / yr
267
Lifetime recalls
602
Lifetime complaints
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Every metric is normalized per model year so a long-running nameplate isn't unfairly penalized against a newer rival. The greener cell wins each row.
| Metric | Silverado 1500 | F-150 |
|---|---|---|
Defect & Recall Risk Higher is better | 63/100 | 67/100✓ |
Best Year Buyer Score Higher is better | 77/100 (2021) | 76/100 (2019) |
Recalls per Year Lower is better | 5✓ | 8 |
Complaints per Year Lower is better | 0 | 0 |
Injuries + Deaths / Year Lower is better | 0 | 0 |
| Categories won | 1 | 1 |
Best Year to Buy — Each Model
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
TOP PICK
2021
Buyer Score 77/100
3 recalls · 0 complaints
Most-Reported Problems
Silverado 1500
No complaint data on record.
F-150
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
73
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
46
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
29
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
25
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
21
Complaint counts across all model years, from NHTSA owner filings. Frequency indicates how often an area is reported, not severity.
The Bottom Line
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Ford F-150 are remarkably evenly matched — splitting the 5 categories 1–1. Your decision should come down to price, body style, and the specific VIN's history rather than the model's overall track record.
Narrowed it down? Verify the actual car.
This compares models. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.