Head-to-head reliability
AUDI RS 4 vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the AUDI RS 4 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 RS 4 vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Audi RS 4 has 4 complaints over 2 years (2.0/year) and 5 recalls, while the Silverado has 8,227 complaints over 10 years (822.7/year) and 101 recalls. The Silverado also reports 233 crash-related complaints, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI RS 4 or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI RS 4
The Audi RS 4 is a high-performance luxury sedan with a very small complaint footprint: just 4 complaints over 2 years, averaging 2.0 per year. The pattern centers on suspension failures, including leaking shocks and clunking noises, plus one airbag complaint and one electrical issue. With 5 recalls, mostly for airbag inflators, this car demands attention to suspension health and recall completion. For a buyer, it's a niche, low-volume model where parts and repairs can be costly.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a massive complaint volume: 8,227 complaints over 10 years, averaging 822.7 per year. The most common areas are the engine, powertrain, electrical system, and service brakes, with reports of stalling, loss of braking, and transmission problems. There are also 233 crash-related complaints, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths, plus 101 recalls. This suggests that while many trucks may be fine, a significant number of owners experience serious reliability and safety issues.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI RS 4 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 4 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 5 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.0 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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 RS 4
- 01SUSPENSION2
- 02AIR BAGS1
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
Owners report leaking shock absorbers and a bad clunking noise, with Audi sometimes calling it 'sweating' and refusing replacement until complete failure. This can make the car feel unstable and lead to costly repairs.
One owner was told there would never be a fix for the airbag issue due to the vehicle's limited edition status, leaving them unable to use the car as a family vehicle. This highlights potential parts unavailability and safety concerns.
A owner experienced hesitation, check engine lights, and repeated ignition coil replacements starting around 8,000 miles. This suggests persistent electrical gremlins that can cause power loss and recurring repair bills.
“SUSPENSION COMPONENT FAILURE LEADING TO LEAKING SHOCK ABSORBER. PROBLEM ACKNOWLEDGED BY AUDI AS A KNOWN DESIGN DEFECT AND SHOCKS REPLACED UNDER THEIR CAMPAIGN, "43A9 DYNAMIC RIDE CONTROL SUSPENSION SERVICE". AFTER NEW SHOCKS THE CAR DOES NOT TRACK CENTER, PUL…”
“ALL SUSPENSION LEAKING OIL AND HAS A BAD CLUNKING NOISE. AUDI OF AMERICA CALLS IT ( SWEATING ). AND SAY ITS NORMAL. AND WOULD NOT REPLACE UNTIL COMPLETELY BROKEN.VEHICLE FEELS LIKE ITS GOING TO FALL APART. *TR”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners report severe engine issues, including a 2026 Silverado with a 6.2L motor breaking down during a family vacation, and a 6.6L Duramax diesel experiencing repeated diesel particulate filter soot accumulation events. These can leave you stranded and require dealer service.
Complaints include a new truck suddenly going into neutral while driving slowly uphill, and another with less than 300 miles doing the same. This loss of power can be dangerous, especially in traffic or parking garages.
Owners describe sudden loss of normal braking with a firm pedal but ineffective stopping, and the engine shutting off while driving with messages like 'Return to Neutral' and 'Press Start'. These electrical faults can disable critical safety systems.
Reports include a severe loss of braking shortly after dropping a child at school, and the truck completely shutting off in a parking lot with no acceleration. Brake failures are among the most dangerous issues a driver can face.
“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 RS 4 — 5 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet, S4 Cabriolet, A6 Avant, A6 Sedan and S6 Sedan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri,…
The risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Note: This recall has been superseded by…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Sedan, A4 Avant, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan, 2007-2008 RS4 Sedan, 2004 RS4 Cabriolet, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2005-2011 A6 Sedan, 2006-2011 A6 Avant, and 2007-2011 S6 Sedan vehicles. These vehicles are…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag with an alternate remedy part, free of charge. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet, S4 Cabriolet, A6 Avant, A6 Sedan and S6 Sedan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri,…
The risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Note: This recall has been superseded by…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure m…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Vol…
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 RS 4 or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Audi RS 4 has far fewer issues per year (2.0 vs. 822.7), but both vehicles have serious reported problems. In practice, the Silverado's much higher complaint rate means a buyer is more likely to encounter engine, transmission, or brake failures, while the RS 4's low volume means fewer overall reports but potentially expensive suspension and airbag fixes.
Key differences
- Complaint volume: Audi RS 4 has 4 complaints over 2 years; Chevrolet Silverado has 8,227 over 10 years, a massive difference in reported issues per year.
- Safety outcomes: Silverado has 233 crash-related complaints, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths; Audi RS 4 has 0 in each category.
- Common failure areas: Audi RS 4 complaints focus on suspension leaks and clunks; Silverado complaints center on engine, powertrain, electrical, and brake failures.
- Recalls: Audi RS 4 has 5 recalls, mostly airbag inflators; Silverado has 101 recalls covering fuel pumps, tires, and forward collision warnings.
- Inspect suspension for leaking shocks or clunking noises, as owners report Audi may dismiss early leaks as 'sweating' until failure.
- Check for open airbag recalls, especially passenger-side inflator modules, and confirm any limited-edition parts availability.
- Test drive for sudden loss of braking or engine shutdown; listen for messages like 'Return to Neutral' and check for hesitation or power loss.
- Inspect for diesel particulate filter issues if equipped with the Duramax, and check for transmission slipping or going into neutral unexpectedly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls are completed, especially airbag inflator recalls on the Audi and fuel pump or brake recalls on the Silverado.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the model, focusing on suspension for the Audi and engine/transmission/brakes for the Silverado.
- Test drive extensively, including highway and stop-and-go traffic, to feel for hesitation, clunking, or braking problems.
- For the Silverado, ask about any diesel particulate filter service history and check for software updates related to engine shutdown or brake issues.
- For the Audi, verify suspension components were replaced under any campaign and check for aftermarket fixes that might affect handling.
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 RS 4 or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI RS 4 vs Chevrolet Silverado
- AUDI RS 4 total complaints
- 4
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- AUDI RS 4 total recalls
- 5
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- AUDI RS 4 avg complaints/year
- 2.0
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- AUDI RS 4
- AUDI RS 4 top complaint area
- SUSPENSION
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE