Possible Ford defector...questions!

ero2 · January 8, 2020

A bit of backstory. My last 2 trucks have been F150s, first one was bought new, but stripped down (XL) in 2015. Drove it with my family (wife and 2 7 year olds) to Florida, and at 8k miles, halfway there, lost AC, Ford covered it of course, but 16 hrs in summer with no AC was rough. Traded it after I realized I wanted XLT, FX4, etc. Grabbed a slightly used 2016 (20k miles) XLT Supercrew. I realized after buying it the painted bumper had rock chips that had already started to rust through which they wouldn't cover, so had the bumper painted. On our next trip the turn signal stalk went out leaving the wipers on, on a dry windshield for about 15 hrs. (Couldn't pull fuse since it rains so much in that part of the country). Now just a week ago, still under 47k miles and the rear defroster went out, and had to have the whole rear window replaced, which still doesn't work so it's going back in tomorrow. All of that said, I'm not sure if those are just small issues I would also encounter if I purchased a new trail boss or GMC Sierra, or they would likely have less issues so early on?

My previous vehicles, Subaru WRX, VW GTI and Passat, and Ford Flex never had any issues in my entire ownership. Really contemplating trading it for something that would hopefully have less issues, and with it now out of warranty, it's definitely a concern. Reading these forums, not sure Chevrolet/GMC would leave my any better off than my current Ford, and perhaps only Toyota would, despite how dated it is?

Any thoughts much appreciated!

OnTheReel · January 8, 2020

To be honest, a lot of people here, including myself, have had issues similar to, or worse than what you’ve had on the Ford. Plenty of rear window problems here if you haven’t seen the 66 page thread.

Toyota is probably the safe bet if you can deal with buying a 13 year old brand new truck and poor fuel economy.

I do love my 2019 Chevy as far as looks, features and performance. But trouble free, she ain’t been. I don’t think Ford or Ram do any better either.

Colossus · January 8, 2020

What Reel said. Sadly there really is no domestic truck that shines with reliability and hardly any issues. Even Crapota is having issues, but probably not as many. That being said, I'd go ahead and see how your truck holds up for the next 20,000 miles or so.

Colossus · January 8, 2020

What Reel said. Sadly there really is no domestic truck that shines with reliability and hardly any issues. Even Crapota is having issues, but probably not as many. That being said, I'd go ahead and see how your truck holds up for the next 20,000 miles or so.

Colossus · January 8, 2020

What Reel said. Sadly there really is no domestic truck that shines with reliability and hardly any issues. Even Crapota is having issues, but probably not as many. That being said, I'd go ahead and see how your truck holds up for the next 20,000 miles or so before considering abandoning ship.

Moend · January 8, 2020

I had a 99 Silverado, 08 Silverado, 13 F-150, and now 19 Silverado. By far my 19 is the worst when it come to reliability actually my 99 was the most reliable and both 08 and 13 comes in second. In conclusion cars are getting more unreliable hint the only one semi reliable right now is the 13 yo tundra

ero2 · January 8, 2020

And GM vs Chevrolet makes no difference right? I grew up in Detroit, and growing up, everyone swore they were "better parts", but sure doesn't seem like it from my quick review.

RE1 · January 8, 2020

GM definitely has its share of issues.

bamorris2 · January 8, 2020

I recently came from a 2016 F150 (XLT SCrew 5.0 with 50k miles). I’m now in a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 5.3. Before that I had a 2014 F150, 2005 F150, 2004 F150 and 2000 F150. So I was a longtime Ford owner just because I was familiar with them and was always able to find good deals on them. That being said, I’m happy with the GMC, but it’s only been a month and 2,000 miles. No leaks, no horrible 8-speed issues, nothing.

Honestly, and I’m not sure if you’re into this or not, but the online community is the biggest difference for me. I’m a longtime f150forum.com member and that community is great for the most part. Yes F150’s have their share of problems, but that forum is much more than just issues. It’s people sharing their enthusiasm for their trucks. And people helping one another. Conversely, almost every place I find online (including FB) for GM trucks are more of just complaint boards. I do not believe these trucks have any more problems than others, but the online GM truck community seems to like to complain a lot. Even threads here that start out about something completely different, most of the time the same folks bring up leaky rear windows. Ugh!

oldmann · January 8, 2020

There are a bunch of keyboard jockys here complaining about stuff that is normal for a truck. "I got a lift and now the fuel economy sucks", "My corvette handles corners better than my silverado". Most of the complaints here are unfounded. Also, only a minuscule number of gm truck owners post here. They are the best product on the market. This is just a good place to complain and gain knowledge.

diyer2 · January 8, 2020

36 minutes ago, oldmann said:

There are a bunch of keyboard jockys here complaining about stuff that is normal for a truck. "I got a lift and now the fuel economy sucks", "My corvette handles corners better than my silverado". Most of the complaints here are unfounded. Also, only a minuscule number of gm truck owners post here. They are the best product on the market. This is just a good place to complain and gain knowledge.

True

It's Tim · January 8, 2020

11 hours ago, bamorris2 said:

but the online GM truck community seems to like to complain a lot. Even threads here that start out about something completely different, most of the time the same folks bring up leaky rear windows. Ugh!

I think the term is Munchausen syndrome by proxy.

JimCost2014 · January 8, 2020

12 hours ago, bamorris2 said:

almost every place I find online (including FB) for GM trucks are more of just complaint boards. I do not believe these trucks have any more problems than others, but the online GM truck community seems to like to complain a lot.

They are just exercising their constitutional rights to fight about oil brands on a tire thread.

It has gotten a little harder to find good info on here, but it exists.

Have you started the process of getting a new truck yet, or just asking for opinions (they are like Aholes, lots on here)?

I would (time permitting) drive all that you are interested in, gives you a chance to see, first if you like a truck, meet the staff at the dealership, see how you are treated at each, and see what they can offer you (free service and so on). All of the trucks will break, or need service at some point, so go into this with an open mind, and make the decision that works best for you and your family. Your money, your truck, and your choice to make, not ours.

PPK · January 8, 2020

ERO2 - I have had a tacoma, and a couple of toyotas before that: the 1990's toys were better.. box frames and much tougher front end, lower and upper control arms and a real gear driven transfer case, plus the 22R four. my tacoma had the 4.0 V6.. noisy engine.. cam phasor issues. i put 70k on with no big problems, other than a sore back due to the seating position.

I have just gone to a 2019 '18 sierra from a '17 Lariat. I had trouble with the ecoboost 2.7 leaking oil and blowing the radiator at 36k. I had the oil pan replaced four times. I think.. that the engine had blowby and maybe the heads leaked combustion gas into the coolant too. On paper the F150 is the best. That is why i had it.. in practice i do not know why i thought i needed two turbos to make tiny motor act powerful. 37 days in the Ford warranty shop. Mondays at the Vance Auto group there were more F150 fords than bays by three or four times.

Sierra - So far the trade - which in essence is a swap of two turbos for two additional pistons.. has worked out. i think the mpg is probably 1 or 2 mpg in favor of the sierra. The sierra has a die cast aluminum oil pan, where my F150 had four plastic oil pans. You can get a non turbo ford.. but you are still going to have lots of timing chains and cam phasors.. i think if you favor reliability the less complicated 16 valve V8 is the way to go. I think the ford handled better and was quicker. But for 37 days it would go nowhere, so that is my problem with Ford.

ero2 · January 9, 2020

Thank you all for the insight and help so far! I think I'm going to go drive a Sierra and see how I feel. I drive a LOT, and don't haul a ton other than to the dump, furniture home when we buy some, etc. so have been looking at the 2.7, as I LOVE the MPG I can pull with my Ecoboost 2.7. I'm a bit wary though, despite people's mostly positive reports so far, to go with one if longevity is my main concern, as they just haven't been around long enough yet?

If you guys hadn't gone Chevy, or are actively looking at something else, what route would you go?