Which F-150 and Silverado years should I avoid?

For the F-150, NHTSA data flags 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2018 as Avoid years, led by 2013 with a complaint index of 100. For the Silverado 1500, the Avoid years are 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, with 2014 topping the list at a complaint index of 100.

Which truck has more complaints overall?

The F-150 has 24,072 total complaints versus 14,703 for the Silverado 1500. On a per-model-year basis the F-150 averages 1,146 complaints versus 700 for the Silverado, but NHTSA does not publish sales figures so these totals are not adjusted for how many of each truck were sold.

Does either truck have a 'Best' model year?

The F-150 has no Best years and no Good-or-better year overrides its recall-driven caps beyond Good; its lowest complaint index years are 2007 (index 5) and 2006 (index 20). The Silverado 1500 does have Best years: 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2025.

How do fuel costs compare?

The F-150 averages 17.7 mpg combined across its lineup, with EPA annual fuel costs ranging from $4,300 in early years down to $3,250 in 2022. The Silverado 1500 averages 17.4 mpg combined, with fuel cost data available from 2020 onward ranging from $3,600 to $3,800.

What are the top problem areas for each truck?

For the F-150, Transmission & Powertrain complaints lead at 33% (8,009 complaints), followed by Engine at 25%. For the Silverado 1500, Engine complaints lead at 22% (3,175 complaints), followed by Brakes at 19% and Airbags at 17%.

Ford F-150 vs Chevrolet Silverado 1500: Which Years to Avoid

Ford F-150 owners filed 24,072 complaints across 21 model years (1,146 per year average) with 122 recall campaigns; avoid years are 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2018. Chevrolet Silverado 1500 logged 14,703 complaints (700 per year) with 83 recalls; avoid years are 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. Totals are not sales-adjusted, so they don't show which model is more reliable overall.

Head to head

Ford F-150

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 24,072
Per model year: 1,146
Recall campaigns: 122
Years to avoid: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018
Best years: —
Top problem area: Transmission & Powertrain
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 17.7
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: —

Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 14,703
Per model year: 700
Recall campaigns: 83
Years to avoid: 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Best years: 2010, 2012, 2013, 2025
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 17.4
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.8 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	F-150				Silverado 1500
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2005	Good	1,112	3	15	Caution	867	8	15
2006	Good	585	4	15	Good	541	4	15
2007	Good	488	2	15	Caution	1,032	3	—
2008	Good	369	1	15	Caution	1,076	4	—
2009	Good	324	2	16	Good	520	3	—
2010	Good	843	1	16	Best	425	3	—
2011	Avoid	2,189	6	17	Good	638	6	—
2012	Avoid	1,781	4	17	Best	284	4	—
2013	Avoid	2,981	3	17	Best	365	5	—
2014	Caution	1,533	8	17	Avoid	1,560	19	—
2015	Avoid	1,710	13	19.5	Avoid	1,181	18	—
2016	Avoid	2,053	13	18.5	Caution	799	13	—
2017	Caution	1,437	17	19	Caution	836	6	—
2018	Avoid	2,308	18	19	Good	520	7	—
2019	Caution	1,327	9	19.5	Avoid	1,082	10	—
2020	Caution	727	11	19	Avoid	730	12	19
2021	Caution	1,012	29	20	Avoid	825	8	17.5
2022	Caution	594	23	20	Avoid	630	6	18
2023	Caution	407	13	19	Caution	382	3	19
2024	Caution	188	11	19	Good	310	2	18
2025	Caution	104	13	19	Best	100	0	18

Complaint Index by year

Frequently asked questions

Which F-150 and Silverado years should I avoid?: For the F-150, NHTSA data flags 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2018 as Avoid years, led by 2013 with a complaint index of 100. For the Silverado 1500, the Avoid years are 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, with 2014 topping the list at a complaint index of 100.
Which truck has more complaints overall?: The F-150 has 24,072 total complaints versus 14,703 for the Silverado 1500. On a per-model-year basis the F-150 averages 1,146 complaints versus 700 for the Silverado, but NHTSA does not publish sales figures so these totals are not adjusted for how many of each truck were sold.
Does either truck have a 'Best' model year?: The F-150 has no Best years and no Good-or-better year overrides its recall-driven caps beyond Good; its lowest complaint index years are 2007 (index 5) and 2006 (index 20). The Silverado 1500 does have Best years: 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2025.
How do fuel costs compare?: The F-150 averages 17.7 mpg combined across its lineup, with EPA annual fuel costs ranging from $4,300 in early years down to $3,250 in 2022. The Silverado 1500 averages 17.4 mpg combined, with fuel cost data available from 2020 onward ranging from $3,600 to $3,800.
What are the top problem areas for each truck?: For the F-150, Transmission & Powertrain complaints lead at 33% (8,009 complaints), followed by Engine at 25%. For the Silverado 1500, Engine complaints lead at 22% (3,175 complaints), followed by Brakes at 19% and Airbags at 17%.