I Always Thought Ford Meant "Found On Road Dead" But I Bought An F-150: Ram And GM Have ‘Too Many Horror Stories,’ I Hope Ford Is the Lesser Headache

Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado, Ram 1500, and Toyota Tundra. Which truck would you choose?

In my three decades of covering the automotive industry, I have heard every nickname in the book. "Fix Or Repair Daily" and "Found On Road Dead" are practically ingrained in the American lexicon. But are these adages still relevant in an era where every truck manufacturer is battling complex electronic demons?

I often tell my readers that brand loyalty is fine, but blind loyalty is expensive. You have to look at the data, and sometimes, you have to listen to your gut. Recently, I came across a story that perfectly encapsulates the modern truck buyer's dilemma. It is a story of overcoming bias, analyzing the competition, and making a hard choice in a market full of expensive gambles.

Overcoming The "Found On Road Dead" Mentality

Brandon Walcott, a new member of the Ford F-150 Owners Facebook page, admits he came into his search with some serious baggage.

"I grew up with the classic line thinking that that FORD meant Found On Road Dead or Fix Or Repair Daily, and honestly, my hands-on experience supporting law-enforcement fleets (hundreds of PPV Explorers) didn't exactly help Ford's reputation in my mind, even the newer models had their fair share of issues," Brandon says.

It is a valid concern. I have documented plenty of Ford issues over the years. However, high-mileage success stories often get drowned out by the noise of complaints. For instance, in a recent report, I detailed how one owner defied the odds with a strict maintenance schedule in my story, They Said I Was Crazy For Changing My Ford F-150's Oil Every 10K Miles Since It Was New, But They Were Wrong, It Has 217K Miles, and Still Going Strong. It proves that while the "Found On Road Dead" stigma exists, proper care often negates it.

Why Chevy, GMC, and Ram Were Ruled Out

The most interesting part of Brandon's journey is not just that he bought a Ford, but why he didn't buy the competition. He did his homework.

"I ruled out the Ram 1500, Chevy Silverado, and GMC Sierra. Between the reliability data, horror stories from friends and clients with expensive repair bills, and dealership drama, they're not worth the gamble," he explains.

He is not wrong to be wary. The truck market is volatile right now. I recently covered a story about a buyer who went the other direction and might be having second thoughts, as I reported. I Traded My Ford F-150 For This 2025 Chevy Silverado Z71 Trail Boss. I've Heard Lots of Negative things About New Chevys, but I got a Great Deal. I Hope I'm Not Sorry. That buyer jumped ship to GM, but as Brandon notes, the "dealership drama" and potential for repair bills make it a toss-up.

Ford F-150 vs Ram 1500 Reliability is a hot topic. While Ram offers a luxurious ride, their electrical architecture has been a sore spot for many of my readers.

"Ford isn't perfect, but from everything I've seen, it's the lesser headache compared to the other two," Brandon adds.

This sentiment mirrors what I found in another investigation, where a Ram owner faced a nightmare scenario. You can read about the electrical gremlins that plague some Stellantis products in my article, I Was Shocked When the Dealer Told Me $10K To Fix My Ram 1500 Limited’s Air Suspension, Lucky For Me I Got the Extended Warranty, $200 Out of Pocket, Where Do I Sign. When parts are on backorder for months, "lesser headache" becomes a significant selling point for Ford.

Why The Tundra Failed The Family Test

Usually, when a buyer wants to escape American truck reliability anxiety, they run to Toyota. Brandon considered it, but the Toyota Tundra's interior space vs. the Ford F-150 comparison stopped him cold.

"The new Toyota Tundra was on my list, but the interior felt too small for what we need," Brandon says.

He hit on a crucial point that I often highlight: family practicality. The Tundra is a robust machine, but the interior layout does feel tighter than the cavernous F-150 SuperCrew. However, for those who prioritize mechanical simplicity over cabin space, the switch can still be attractive, as I discussed in my report, I Ditched My 2021 Ford F-150 For This Toyota Tundra, Now All My F-150 Repair Problems Are Fixed Forever, Goodbye, I'm Out (Now, How About That Tundra?). It is always a trade-off between space and that legendary Toyota peace of mind.

The Decision: A 2021 Ford F-150 Lariat

Brandon's final choice was driven by a specific need that many modern trucks ignore: the ability to haul people, not just plywood.

"So, I settled on a 2021 Ford F-150 Lariat 501A with the 6-seat bench (three kids + a couple friends = huge win). Well, here we go, I hope I'm not making a mistake," he concludes.

The Ford F-150 6-seat bench configuration in a Lariat trim is a rare bird these days, as most high-trim trucks force you into a center console. Finding one allows for that critical sixth passenger, making it the best family pickup truck 2025 (or in this case, a 2021) contender for larger families.

Key Takeaways

• Bias vs. Reality: The "Found On Road Dead" reputation is often outdated; maintenance matters more than the badge.
• The "Lesser Headache" Theory: Cross-shopping reveals that while Ford has issues, competitors like Ram and GM often face more severe parts availability and electrical problems.
• Interior Real Estate: The Ford F-150 SuperCrew generally offers superior usable interior space compared to the new Toyota Tundra, especially for families.
• Trim Strategy: Finding a Lariat with a bench seat maximizes utility without sacrificing luxury features.

How About F-150 Owners?

I checked whether Brandon's assessment holds up with other owners.

On Value and Space: Reddit user WinterHill notes, "I bought my first ever truck last year... went with an F-150 because IMO it's by far the best value for your money. In terms of payload, towing, fuel economy, etc."

On Comfort: Reddit user OutOfADeLorean adds, "I never realized how much more comfortable the F-150 interior, road noise, and suspension were until this comparison." 

On Reliability: A commenter on YouTube's "The Fast Lane Truck" channel mentioned, "The 2.7 EcoBoost is the hidden gem. Everyone wants the V8, but my 2.7 has 140k miles with zero issues."

Conclusion

Brandon's journey from skepticism to ownership highlights a reality of the modern truck market: there is no perfect vehicle. Every brand has its gremlins. However, by prioritizing interior space and avoiding the documented electrical pitfalls of the competition, his choice of a 2021 Ford F-150 Lariat reliability bet seems calculated and smart. He didn't just buy a truck; he bought the one that fit his life, flaws and all.

Which Truck Would You Choose?

Would you choose a bench seat Lariat over a Toyota Tundra, or is the risk of Ford reliability too high for your wallet? Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

I'm Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012, bringing over 30 years of automotive expertise to every story. My career began with a consulting role with every major car brand, followed by years as a freelance journalist, test-driving new vehicles, which equipped me with a wealth of insider knowledge. I specialize in delivering the latest auto news, sharing compelling owner stories, and providing expert, up-to-date analysis to keep you fully informed.

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Photo credit: Denis Flierl