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 RS 4 averages 2.0 complaints per year with suspension leaks as the top issue, while the Silverado averages 777.6 complaints per year with engine failures and transmission leaks causing 225 crashes. The RS 4 has no crash reports; the Silverado has 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 low-volume performance wagon with a modest complaint rate of 2.0 per year, but owners report a persistent suspension issue: the Dynamic Ride Control shocks leak oil and produce clunking noises. Audi has a campaign (43A9) to replace them, yet some owners say the fix doesn't restore proper tracking. Airbag recalls (five total) and a rare electrical coil failure add to the ownership concerns, but the car has no crash or injury reports.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a high-volume pickup with a heavy complaint load of 777.6 per year, dominated by engine knocking and complete engine replacements under 3,000 miles, transmission fluid line failures causing sudden leaks, and electrical system glitches that can disable the vehicle. With 225 crash-related incidents, 150 injuries, and 3 deaths, the Silverado's reliability issues have direct safety consequences.
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 | 7,776 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 5 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 225 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.0 Better | 777.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 150 |
| 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 the Dynamic Ride Control shock absorbers leak oil and make a bad clunking noise, with Audi calling it 'sweating' and refusing replacement until fully broken. Even after the 43A9 campaign, some say the car doesn't track center and pulls.
Five recalls address frontal airbag inflators on both driver and passenger sides. One owner was told no fix exists due to the limited-edition nature, leaving the vehicle unsafe for family use.
Ignition coil failures cause hesitation, check engine lights, and loss of power, requiring multiple coil replacements starting around 8,000 miles.
“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
- 01ENGINE2,302
- 02POWER TRAIN2,213
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,435
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,193
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER832
Loud knocking noises and complete engine failures occur as early as 1,800 miles, often without warning lights. Owners report sudden power loss at highway speeds and metal rattling sounds.
Transmission fluid lines fail without warning, rapidly leaking fluid and causing loss of drive. Some trucks also experience sudden transmission failure while towing, even with light loads.
High-voltage battery faults in EV models cause loss of vehicle control, and conventional models have issues with the vehicle not starting or shutting down unexpectedly.
Brake system failures are reported, often in conjunction with electrical glitches, leading to reduced stopping power or unintended braking.
“At approximately 3,000 miles, the engine began making a loud knocking noise that became progressively worse while driving. The truck was diagnosed as needing a complete engine replacement. No warning lights, no check engine light, nothing. For someone inexper…”
“Truck has less than 1800 miles. Was at a stop light and the vehicle started shaking and making metal tin rattling sounds. Stopped for gas, started the vehicle all noises went away. Got onto the freeway and about 1 mile down the road the truck lost power at 70…”
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 — 100 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV electric vehicles. After experiencing an electronic stability control (ESC) system malfunction, the ESC malfunction warning light may not illuminate on the next key cycle. As such, these vehicles fail to com…
The risk: An indicator light that does not illuminate may fail to warn the driver of an ESC system issue, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The EBCM software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 15, 2025. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or G…
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 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 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yuko…
The risk: Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contac…
Buyer analysis
AUDI RS 4 or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Audi RS 4 has far fewer complaints per year (2.0 vs 777.6) and no crash or injury reports, making it the less problematic choice. The Silverado's issues are more frequent and severe, with engine and transmission failures that can strand or endanger occupants.
Key differences
- Audi RS 4 has 2.0 complaints per year vs Silverado's 777.6 per year.
- Silverado has 225 crash-related incidents and 3 deaths; RS 4 has zero crash reports.
- RS 4's main issue is leaking suspension components; Silverado's top issues are engine failure and transmission fluid line ruptures.
- Silverado has 100 recalls vs RS 4's 5, all airbag-related.
- Check for oil residue or dampness around the Dynamic Ride Control shock absorbers, and listen for clunking noises over bumps.
- Verify that all five airbag recalls have been performed; ask for proof of completion.
- Listen for engine knocking or rattling at idle and during acceleration; check service records for engine replacement or repairs under 3,000 miles.
- Inspect transmission fluid lines for leaks or signs of repair; test drive to ensure smooth shifting and no sudden power loss.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to confirm all recalls are completed for both models.
- For the RS 4, have a mechanic inspect the suspension for leaks and test drive for pulling or clunking.
- For the Silverado, request service records for engine and transmission work, especially if under 10,000 miles.
- Test the Silverado's electrical system by starting and stopping multiple times, checking for warning lights or hesitation.
- Check NHTSA.gov for any open recalls or complaints on the specific VIN.
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
- 7,776
- AUDI RS 4 total recalls
- 5
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- AUDI RS 4 avg complaints/year
- 2.0
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 777.6
- More reliable overall
- AUDI RS 4
- AUDI RS 4 top complaint area
- SUSPENSION
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE