2018 Ford F-150 vs 2018 GMC Sierra 1500
Two full-size trucks, compared on what actually matters when you're buying used:
what breaks, when it breaks, and what it costs you.
2018 Ford
F-150
6/10
Buy the 5.0L Coyote with the 10R80 and budget for a transmission fight after 60k — the engine and chassis are great, the gearbox is the gamble.
VS
2018 GMC
Sierra 1500
6/10
Great truck to drive, but the 5.3L/6.2L AFM lifters are a ticking time bomb — know that going in and negotiate accordingly.
Dead heat: both score 6/10. The tiebreaker is which specific car you find.
By the numbers
Green is the better number — higher on every score, lower on failures, complaints and recalls.
| Ford F-150 |
GMC Sierra 1500 |
| Known failure points | 6 | 5 |
| NHTSA complaints | 37 | 296 |
| Safety recalls | 19 | 7 |
| Service bulletins | 12 | 12 |
| Reliability | 58 | 55 |
| Cheap to own | 55 | 50 |
| Fun factor | 62 | 62 |
| Holds value | 70 | 68 |
| Enthusiast cred | 65 | 52 |
The most expensive thing that goes wrong
2018 Ford F-150
Cylinder head machining defect on some 3.5L EcoBoost engines (recall) causing oil starvation
$0–$6,0000k–15k mi
2018 GMC Sierra 1500
AFM lifter collapse / camshaft damage (5.3L and 6.2L EcoTec3 V8s) causing ticking noise and metal-in-oil
$4,000–$9,00020k–70k mi
If you buy one, buy this one
✅ 2018 Ford F-150
A SuperCrew Lariat or XLT with the 5.0L Coyote V8, 4x4, and the Max Trailer Tow package — proven engine, better cooling, and the most balanced ownership experience.
✅ 2018 GMC Sierra 1500
2018 Sierra Denali or SLT with the 6.2L L86 V8, Max Trailering Package, and Magnetic Ride Control — the 6.2L's extra output and slightly better reliability track record combined with the adaptive suspension make this the sweet spot.
Narrowed it down? Get the full report
This comparison is model-level.
Milo's report goes car-level — the one you're actually looking at:
- A line-by-line negotiation script
- The pre-purchase inspection checklist
- VIN-specific open recalls
- What it's really worth right now
- Your next 15,000 miles, forecast
- Hidden features & money-savers
Run my free report →
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Scores and findings blend documented NHTSA recalls and complaints with
patterns synthesized from owner communities. Always inspect the specific vehicle and
verify open recalls by VIN before buying.