Head-to-head reliability
AUDI SQ5 vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the AUDI SQ5 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 SQ5 vs Chevrolet Silverado: The SQ5 averages 8.6 complaints per year with 22 recalls, while the Silverado averages 822.7 complaints per year with 101 recalls. The Silverado also has 233 crash-related reports and 3 deaths, versus 4 crashes and 0 deaths for the SQ5. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI SQ5 or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI SQ5
The Audi SQ5 is a performance SUV that averages about 9 complaints per year over a decade, with 22 recalls. Owners report electrical glitches like the trunk opening while driving and brake lights failing, plus engine coolant leaks and false emergency braking. It's a complex vehicle where electronic and sensor issues can be annoying and sometimes dangerous.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a massive 8,227 complaints over 10 years—about 823 per year—and 101 recalls. Owners describe serious problems like engines shutting off while driving, sudden loss of braking, and transmission failures. These are frequent, severe issues that can leave you stranded or worse.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI SQ5 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 86 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 22 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 4 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 8.6 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 7 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 SQ5
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM19
- 02ENGINE18
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE15
- 04POWER TRAIN11
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER10
Owners report the trunk lid opening on its own while driving, and rear brake lights failing due to a control module defect. These glitches can create road hazards and make your car less visible to others.
Coolant leaks from the water pump and hoses are common, sometimes leading to engine damage like piston issues. A leaking water pump can cause overheating if ignored, leading to costly repairs.
The emergency braking system can trigger randomly when no obstacle exists, abruptly slowing the car and tightening seatbelts. This false activation is startling and could cause a rear-end collision.
Some owners experience sudden failure of the rear CV axle or driveshaft, causing a loud pop and total loss of power. This can happen during normal driving, leaving you stranded and at risk.
“THE TRUNK LID HAS OPENED ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE NIGHT TIME, SOME SMALL CARGO (MADE OF PLASTIC) FELL OUT OF THE TRUNK AND WAS DESTROYED BY THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME AND IN ADJACENT LANE WHILE CREATING SOME MINOR ROAD HAZARD. INSTANTLY…”
“The rear brake lights on my 2019 Audi SQ5 stopped functioning due to a failure of the Comfort System Central Control Module (J393). This defect is documented by Audi in Technical Service Bulletin 2055123/5 and earlier versions. The malfunction causes the “rea…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners report engines shutting off while driving, requiring a restart, and diesel particulate filter issues causing repeated dealer visits. An engine that quits in traffic is a serious safety hazard.
Transmissions can suddenly shift into neutral or fail to engage, leaving the truck unable to accelerate. This can happen at low speeds or in parking lots, increasing crash risk.
Sudden loss of braking assist and screens going blank are reported, with the engine sometimes shutting off. These electrical faults can disable critical safety features without warning.
Owners describe the brake pedal feeling firm but braking effectiveness severely reduced, making it hard to stop. This can lead to crashes if you can't stop in time.
“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 SQ5 — 22 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, R…
The risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi custome…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7…
The risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, 2018-2022 Q5, and SQ5 vehicles. A liquid spill in the rear seat, or water ingress from an insufficient body seam underneath the vehicle may allow liquid to penetrate the gateway control module, caus…
The risk: A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install a protective cover on the gateway control module and seal an underbody seam as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe,…
The risk: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 4…
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 SQ5 or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Audi SQ5 has far fewer complaints per year (about 9 vs. 823 for the Silverado), but both have serious safety-related issues. The Silverado's much higher volume means you're more likely to encounter problems, while the SQ5's issues are less frequent but still concerning.
Key differences
- The Silverado has about 823 complaints per year versus about 9 for the SQ5, a huge difference in reported problem frequency.
- Silverado owners report engines shutting off and sudden brake loss, while SQ5 owners report trunk opening and false emergency braking.
- The SQ5 has 22 recalls; the Silverado has 101 recalls, indicating more widespread safety fixes.
- Both have crash-related complaints, but the Silverado's 233 crashes and 3 deaths are far higher than the SQ5's 4 crashes and 0 deaths.
- Check for coolant leaks around the water pump and hoses, and listen for engine tapping noises that could indicate piston damage.
- Test the rear brake lights and trunk operation, and ask if the Comfort System Central Control Module has been replaced or updated.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any hesitation, sudden shutdowns, or transmission slipping, and check for stored codes related to the diesel particulate filter.
- Test the brakes firmly at low speed to ensure they engage properly, and verify that all dashboard screens and electrical functions work without flickering or blanking.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models, especially the Silverado's fuel pump and brake-related recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the Audi SQ5 for coolant leaks, electrical module faults, and emergency braking sensor calibration.
- For the Silverado, scan for engine and transmission fault codes, and test drive at various speeds to check for stalling or shifting issues.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly for water pump replacement on the SQ5 and diesel particulate filter service on the Silverado.
- Verify that all safety systems (brakes, backup camera, forward collision warning) function correctly during a test drive.
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 SQ5 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 120 |
| 2025 | 7 | 157 |
| 2024 | 6 | 527 |
| 2023 | 0 | 450 |
| 2022 | 0 | 1390 |
| 2021 | 13 | 961 |
| 2020 | 8 | 868 |
| 2019 | 19 | 2003 |
| 2018 | 24 | 597 |
| 2017 | 5 | 1154 |
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 SQ5 or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI SQ5 vs Chevrolet Silverado
- AUDI SQ5 total complaints
- 86
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- AUDI SQ5 total recalls
- 22
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- AUDI SQ5 avg complaints/year
- 8.6
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- AUDI SQ5
- AUDI SQ5 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE