Head-to-head reliability
AUDI SQ6 vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the AUDI SQ6 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 SQ6 vs Chevrolet Silverado: The SQ6 has 5 complaints and 2 recalls over 2 years, while the Silverado has 8,227 complaints and 101 recalls over 10 years. The Silverado also reports 233 crashes and 3 deaths, versus none for the SQ6. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI SQ6 or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI SQ6
The Audi SQ6 is a new electric SUV with only two years of data, showing 5 complaints and 2 recalls. Owners report electrical glitches like blank instrument panels and locking failures, plus a rare accelerator shutdown. With no crashes or injuries reported, it appears less troublesome per year than the Silverado, but the low volume means patterns are still emerging.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a decade of data: 8,227 complaints and 101 recalls. Owners frequently report engine stalls, transmission failures, brake loss, and electrical shutdowns, with 233 crashes, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths. This suggests a long history of serious, recurring problems that buyers should weigh heavily.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI SQ6 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 5 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.5 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 SQ6
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
- 03VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
- 04POWER TRAIN1
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
Owners report the instrument panel going blank and staying inoperable even after a reboot, and one complaint notes the cluster is designed to blank out for 30-60 seconds. This means you could lose speed and warning displays while driving, which is a safety concern.
One owner said the accelerator completely stopped working on the highway after driver assistance alarms, forcing them to cut across lanes. A sudden loss of power is dangerous and could leave you stranded.
A complaint mentions a defective SX6 module, a central control unit for electronic and safety systems, causing widespread failures. This could affect multiple vehicle functions at once.
An owner reported central locking malfunction where doors could not be locked at all, leaving the car vulnerable. This is a basic security failure that could put you at risk.
“The contact owns a 2025 Audi SQ6 E-Tron. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel became inoperable. The contact stated that after the vehicle performed a system reboot, the instrument panel remained inoperable, and…”
“UPDATE TO EXISTING COMPLAINT #11717767: On 2/24/2026, the Audi dealer performed a diagnosis and confirmed in writing on the attached official Repair Order that the vehicle is designed to intentionally blank out the instrument cluster and speedometer for 30-60…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners of 2026 models with the 6.2L and 6.6L Duramax report engine shutdowns while driving and repeated diesel particulate filter soot accumulation requiring dealer service. These issues can leave you stranded and lead to costly repairs.
Complaints include a vehicle suddenly going into neutral and losing power while driving slowly uphill, and another with engine shutdown at low miles. Transmission or drivetrain failures can cause loss of control.
Owners report sudden loss of braking with a firm pedal but reduced stopping power, and engine shut-off while driving with messages like 'Return to Neutral'. These electrical faults can disable critical safety systems.
One complaint describes severe loss of braking shortly after dropping a child at school, and another where the truck shut off completely in a parking lot. Brake failures are among the most dangerous defects 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 SQ6 — 2 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2025 SQ6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron vehicles. The rearview camera may show a blurry image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk: A blurry rearview image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the rearview camera. In addition, dealers will inspect and replace surround view cameras as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2025. Owners may contac…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2025 SQ6 E-Tron, SQ6 Sportback E-Tron, Q6 Sportback E-Tron, A6, A5, A6 Sportback E-Tron, Q6 E-Tron, S5, and S6 Sportback E-Tron vehicles. The automatic locking retractor may fail to engage when a child seat is installed using the seat be…
The risk: An improperly secured child seat can increase risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the right and left rear seat belt assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 16, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number f…
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 SQ6 or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Audi SQ6 has far fewer issues per year (2.5 complaints/year) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (822.7 complaints/year). In practice, this means the Silverado has a much higher likelihood of experiencing a serious defect, while the SQ6's lower rate suggests fewer problems but based on limited data.
Key differences
- The Audi SQ6 has 5 complaints and 2 recalls over 2 years, while the Silverado has 8,227 complaints and 101 recalls over 10 years.
- Silverado complaints include 233 crashes, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths; the SQ6 has zero reported crashes, injuries, or deaths.
- SQ6 owners report electrical glitches like blank instrument panels and locking failures; Silverado owners report engine stalls, transmission failures, and brake loss.
- The SQ6's issues often involve software or control modules, while the Silverado's issues frequently involve mechanical and safety-critical systems.
- Check for any history of instrument panel blanking or electrical reboots, as owners report the cluster can go dark while driving.
- Test the central locking system thoroughly to ensure all doors lock and unlock reliably, since one owner reported total locking failure.
- Listen for engine noises and check for any signs of rough running or stalling, especially in 6.2L and 6.6L Duramax models, as owners report shutdowns.
- Test the brakes at low speeds and check for any warning messages about brake system or 'Return to Neutral' errors, which indicate potential electrical or brake faults.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed, especially for the Silverado's fuel pump and brake-related recalls.
- For the Audi SQ6, ask the seller to demonstrate the instrument cluster and infotainment system for any blanking or reboot issues.
- For the Chevrolet Silverado, take a test drive that includes highway driving and braking to check for stalling, transmission slipping, or brake loss.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on the Audi's electrical system and the Silverado's engine, transmission, and brakes.
- Check NHTSA's website for any new complaints or recalls on the specific model year you are considering.
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 SQ6 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 120 |
| 2025 | 5 | 157 |
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 SQ6 or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI SQ6 vs Chevrolet Silverado
- AUDI SQ6 total complaints
- 5
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- AUDI SQ6 total recalls
- 2
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- AUDI SQ6 avg complaints/year
- 2.5
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- AUDI SQ6
- AUDI SQ6 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE