Which years should I avoid for the Ford F-150 vs the Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

For the F-150, avoid 2011, 2013, 2016 and 2018, which carry complaint index values of 87, 100, 80 and 93. For the Silverado 1500, avoid 2014, 2015, 2019 and 2021, with complaint index values of 100, 87, 80 and 93.

Which truck has more reported complaints?

The F-150 has 21,194 total NHTSA complaints (1,325 per model year) versus 10,665 for the Silverado 1500 (667 per model year). NHTSA does not publish sales data, so these totals are not normalized per vehicle sold.

What are the top problem areas for each truck?

F-150 complaints center on Transmission & Powertrain (7,711 complaints, 36%) and Engine (5,102, 24%). Silverado 1500 complaints center on Engine (2,802, 26%) and Transmission & Powertrain (2,212, 21%).

How do the two trucks compare on recalls?

NHTSA lists 115 recall campaigns for the F-150 across 16 model years versus 70 for the Silverado 1500. Both trucks show do-not-drive recalls in specific years: the F-150 in 2014 and 2021, and the Silverado in 2014, 2016 and 2017.

Which truck gets better fuel economy?

The F-150's average combined MPG across covered years is 18.5, compared to 18.3 for the Silverado 1500, based on available EPA data.

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

Ford F-150 owners should be cautious with 2011, 2013, 2016 and 2018; Chevrolet Silverado 1500 owners should watch 2014, 2015, 2019 and 2021. The F-150 logs 21,194 total complaints across 16 model years (1,325/year) versus the Silverado's 10,665 (667/year), but totals aren't sales-normalized.

Head to head

Ford F-150

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 21,194
Per model year: 1,325
Recall campaigns: 115
Years to avoid: 2011, 2013, 2016, 2018
Best years: 2010, 2020, 2024, 2025
Top problem area: Transmission & Powertrain
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 18.5
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: —

Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 10,665
Per model year: 667
Recall campaigns: 70
Years to avoid: 2014, 2015, 2019, 2021
Best years: 2010, 2012, 2013, 2025
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 18.3
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
2010	Best	843	1	16	Best	423	3	—
2011	Avoid	2,189	6	17	Good	638	6	—
2012	Caution	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	Caution	1,710	13	19.5	Avoid	1,181	18	—
2016	Avoid	2,053	13	18.5	Good	799	13	—
2017	Good	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	Best	727	11	19	Caution	730	12	19
2021	Good	1,012	29	20	Avoid	825	8	17.5
2022	Good	594	23	20	Caution	630	6	18
2023	Good	407	13	19	Good	382	3	19
2024	Best	188	11	19	Caution	310	2	18
2025	Best	104	13	19	Best	100	0	18

Complaint Index by year

Ford F-150

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Frequently asked questions

Which years should I avoid for the Ford F-150 vs the Chevrolet Silverado 1500?: For the F-150, avoid 2011, 2013, 2016 and 2018, which carry complaint index values of 87, 100, 80 and 93. For the Silverado 1500, avoid 2014, 2015, 2019 and 2021, with complaint index values of 100, 87, 80 and 93.
Which truck has more reported complaints?: The F-150 has 21,194 total NHTSA complaints (1,325 per model year) versus 10,665 for the Silverado 1500 (667 per model year). NHTSA does not publish sales data, so these totals are not normalized per vehicle sold.
What are the top problem areas for each truck?: F-150 complaints center on Transmission & Powertrain (7,711 complaints, 36%) and Engine (5,102, 24%). Silverado 1500 complaints center on Engine (2,802, 26%) and Transmission & Powertrain (2,212, 21%).
How do the two trucks compare on recalls?: NHTSA lists 115 recall campaigns for the F-150 across 16 model years versus 70 for the Silverado 1500. Both trucks show do-not-drive recalls in specific years: the F-150 in 2014 and 2021, and the Silverado in 2014, 2016 and 2017.
Which truck gets better fuel economy?: The F-150's average combined MPG across covered years is 18.5, compared to 18.3 for the Silverado 1500, based on available EPA data.