Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs Ford F-150 (2019-2024 vs 2021-2023): Which Should You Buy?

Per their documented reliability scores, the F-150 (6/10) edges the Silverado (5/10) — and the gap comes down to how each generation's worst problem resolves. The Silverado's 5.3L/6.2L V8s carry a lifter-failure risk ($2,500-6,500, severe) on top of the 6.2L L87's crankshaft/rod-bearing failure, which even after GM's 2025 recall (25V-274) is still under two open NHTSA investigations (EA25007, RQ26001) for engines that failed after the fix or were never covered — an $8,000-13,000 repair if you're outside the recall's protection. The F-150 racked up more individual recalls (20+ in 2021 alone), but nearly all of them close out cleanly and for free once the VIN shows the work done: wiper motors ($0-450), driveshafts ($0-2,600), backup camera software ($0), even the 2.7L intake-valve recall ($0-11,000, but free if the engine passes or gets replaced under 24S55). Its real out-of-pocket exposure is narrower — the 10R80's harsh shifting ($150-4,500, no recall) and, if you buy the PowerBoost hybrid specifically, electrical faults up to $8,500. Within these exact model years, both files point to the same conclusion: a diesel or late-build 5.3L Silverado from 2023-2024, or a non-hybrid, recall-clear 2023 F-150, are each their generation's "sane pick" — the risk is concentrated in the V8-gas Silverado and the hybrid F-150, not the trucks generally.

• •The Silverado's worst risk is open-ended even after repair: NHTSA is still investigating 6.2L engines that failed AFTER the 2025 recall fix (RQ26001) and ones the recall never covered (EA25007). The F-150's recalls are closed-ended — once the VIN shows the campaign done, the file treats that risk as retired.
• •Both trucks follow 'buy by engine, not by trim' logic, but for different reasons: on the Silverado, the V8s (5.3L/6.2L) carry lifter risk regardless of trim while the Duramax and 2.7L turbo don't; on the F-150, engine choice decides which recall population you're even in (the 2.7L intake-valve recall doesn't touch the 3.5L, 5.0L, or hybrid).
• •Transmission complaints are close to a wash: the Silverado's 8-speed shudder ($300-3,500, fluid-exchange fix) and 10-speed harsh shifts (TSB-covered) are comparably moderate to the F-150's 10R80 harsh shifting ($150-4,500, class-action litigation but no recall) — neither should be the deciding factor.