Head-to-head reliability
AUDI Q8 vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the AUDI Q8 and Chevrolet Silverado compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
AUDI Q8 vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Q8 averages 24 complaints per year with 26 recalls, while the Silverado averages 823 complaints per year with 101 recalls. The Q8 has fewer reported issues, but both have serious electrical and powertrain complaints. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI Q8 or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI Q8
The Audi Q8 is a luxury SUV that averages about 24 complaints per year over eight years, with 26 recalls. Owners most often report electrical failures, including complete power loss while driving, and engine issues like coolant leaks. The pattern suggests that while complaints are relatively few, the ones that occur can be serious and sudden.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup that averages about 823 complaints per year over ten years, with 101 recalls. Owners frequently report engine and transmission problems, along with electrical and brake issues that can cause sudden loss of power or braking. The high volume of complaints indicates a wide range of potential problems that buyers should be aware of.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI Q8 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 193 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 26 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 5 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 24.1 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 Better | 160 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 3 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
AUDI Q8
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM75
- 02ENGINE50
- 03POWER TRAIN50
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER19
- 05STEERING17
Owners report complete electrical failure while driving, sometimes at highway speeds, with warning lights turning red before the vehicle shuts down. Another common complaint is alternator failure, which leaves the vehicle without power and unable to restart.
Some owners experience cooling-system issues, such as a failing water pump that leads to low coolant warnings and potential overheating. Others report engine-related electrical failures that cause the vehicle to lose all functionality.
Complaints include transmission problems where the vehicle feels like it is sliding on ice or fails to accelerate on the highway, which can be dangerous. These issues may require costly repairs and affect drivability.
Owners report door locking malfunctions where doors indicate they are locked but can still be opened, increasing theft risk. There are also reports of urgent safety issues on very low-mileage vehicles.
“I wish to report a critical safety issue with our Audi Q8, which experienced a complete electrical failure while traveling at 65 mph on the freeway on [XXX]. The warning indicators transitioned from yellow to red before the vehicle lost all functionality, inc…”
“The alternator on my Audi Q8 SUV died AS I WAS DRIVING IT, leaving my vehicle with no power. I was left to coast down the 50-60 MPH highway I was driving on into a turn lane, where the vehicle stopped and could not be restarted. My safety was put at risk beca…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners of new Silverados report engine shutdowns while driving, sometimes with messages like 'Return to Neutral' and 'Press Start'. Diesel models can experience excessive soot accumulation in the particulate filter, requiring dealer service.
Complaints include the vehicle suddenly shifting into neutral while driving slowly, such as in a parking garage, and failing to accelerate. This can leave the driver unable to move the truck, posing a safety risk.
Owners report sudden loss of normal braking, where the brake pedal feels firm but braking is ineffective. Others experience the engine shutting off while driving, with all screens going blank.
Braking problems include a severe loss of braking ability shortly after starting a trip, making it hard to stop at intersections. In some cases, the truck shuts off entirely when barely applying throttle in a parking lot.
“I purchased the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado with a 6.2L motor "new" from the dealer with 5700 miles on XXX. Roughly a month and 2500 miles later, my family and I were in the vehicle, 750 miles from home, returning from a vacation to [XXX] from the [XXX]/[XXX] ar…”
“My 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 with the 6.6L Duramax diesel has experienced three separate P2463 Diesel Particulate Filter excessive soot accumulation events at approximately 4,300, 5,500, and 10,280 miles. Each event required a Chevrolet dealer to perform…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
AUDI Q8 — 26 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2023-2024 SQ8, RSQ8, Q8, Q7, and 2024 SQ7 vehicles. The driver's seat side air bag may have been improperly mounted to the seatback frame. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stand…
The risk: An improperly mounted air bag may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69GA.
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal M…
The risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (V…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Audi RS Q8, Audi Q8, Audi Q7, and Audi SQ8 vehicles. The driver and front passenger seat belt buckles may be missing a rivet that secures the buckle to the seat belt stalk.
The risk: A seat belt that is missing a rivet may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace both front seat belt buckles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2025. Owners may contact Audi at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 692K. Vehicle Identification Numbers (V…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal M…
The risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (V…
Chevrolet Silverado — 101 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles may not have received an owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, “Child Re…
The risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will provide the owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2025. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252532020. Vehicle Identifi…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and GMC Sierra 3500 vehicles with gasoline engines and dual fuel tanks (RPOs L8T and N2N). The rear fuel pump may not transfer adequate fuel to the front tank, causing an engine stall.
The risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: The vehicle's engine control module (ECM) will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782…
The defect: General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Cou…
The risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-467-970…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and GMC Sierra 2500 vehicles equipped with the enhanced towing option and 20-inch accessory tire/wheel package. The tire information label may state the incorrect rear tire pressure, resulting in underinflated tires an…
The risk: Driving with underinflated tires can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect, update the engine control module (ECM) software, apply a tire label overlay, inflate tires to the correct pressure, and perform a tire pressure monitor system (TPMS) re-learn process as necessary, free of charge. Owne…
Buyer analysis
AUDI Q8 or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Audi Q8 has far fewer complaints per year (about 24) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (about 823). In practice, this means the Q8 owner is less likely to experience frequent problems, but when issues do arise, they can still be serious. The Silverado's higher complaint rate suggests a broader range of potential faults that may require more frequent attention.
Key differences
- The Audi Q8 averages about 24 complaints per year, while the Chevrolet Silverado averages about 823 per year, indicating a much higher complaint volume for the Silverado.
- Audi Q8 owners frequently report electrical failures like alternator death and complete power loss, whereas Silverado owners report engine shutdowns and transmission slipping into neutral.
- The Silverado has 233 crash-related complaints and 160 injuries, compared to 5 crash-related and 3 injuries for the Q8, suggesting different safety risk profiles.
- Both vehicles have recalls, but the Silverado has 101 recalls versus 26 for the Q8, covering a wider array of systems including fuel pumps and forward collision avoidance.
- Check for any history of electrical system repairs, especially alternator and battery issues, as owners report sudden power loss while driving.
- Inspect the cooling system for leaks or water pump replacement, as low coolant warnings and overheating are reported.
- Test drive at various speeds and check for transmission hesitation or sudden neutral engagement, which owners report in parking garages and on highways.
- Verify that all brake and electrical systems function correctly, as complaints include loss of braking and engine shutdowns while driving.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on the NHTSA website for the specific VIN.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the electrical system, transmission, and brakes.
- For the Audi Q8, ask about any alternator or water pump replacements and check for coolant leaks.
- For the Chevrolet Silverado, test the transmission for smooth shifting and ensure the engine does not stall during the test drive.
- Review the owner's manual and ensure all safety features, such as backup cameras and forward collision warnings, are operational.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | AUDI Q8 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 120 |
| 2025 | 3 | 157 |
| 2024 | 23 | 527 |
| 2023 | 0 | 450 |
| 2022 | 0 | 1390 |
| 2021 | 30 | 961 |
| 2020 | 28 | 868 |
| 2019 | 109 | 2003 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific AUDI Q8 or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI Q8 vs Chevrolet Silverado
- AUDI Q8 total complaints
- 193
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- AUDI Q8 total recalls
- 26
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- AUDI Q8 avg complaints/year
- 24.1
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- AUDI Q8
- AUDI Q8 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE