Head-to-head reliability
Buick Regal Tourx vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Buick Regal Tourx 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
Buick Regal Tourx vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Tourx averages 12 complaints per year with no recalls, while the Silverado averages 510 complaints and 100 recalls. Silverado owners report engine failures and brake loss, whereas Tourx issues are more electrical. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Buick Regal Tourx or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Buick Regal Tourx
The Buick Regal Tourx is a relatively low-volume wagon with a modest complaint count—35 over three years, averaging about 12 per year. Owners report recurring electrical gremlins, such as battery drain and blank instrument panels, alongside transmission issues like the 'Shift to Park' message. Brake complaints often trace back to a known vacuum-assist issue that GM addressed with a recall on other Regal models, but the Tourx has no recalls on record. Overall, it's a vehicle with a few nagging issues rather than widespread catastrophic failures.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a high-volume pickup with a much larger complaint footprint—5,105 over ten years, averaging over 500 per year. Engine problems dominate, with owners describing sudden power loss, excessive soot in diesel particulate filters, and even complete loss of motive power at highway speeds. Transmission and electrical issues also surface, including sudden neutral shifts and brake failures. With 100 recalls and 117 crash-related complaints, the Silverado shows a pattern of serious, sometimes safety-critical defects that demand attention.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Buick Regal Tourx | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 35 Better | 5,105 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 117 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 11.7 Better | 510.5 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 104 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
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.
Buick Regal Tourx
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9
- 02POWER TRAIN8
- 03ENGINE7
- 04SERVICE BRAKES6
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
Owners report battery drain, blank instrument panels, and no-start conditions, often leading to repeated dealer visits. One owner described the car being 'dead' with no clicking sounds, suggesting a parasitic draw or faulty module.
A common complaint is the 'Shift to Park' message appearing even when the vehicle is in park, caused by a poorly designed shift position switch. This can prevent the car from shutting off and is a known GM issue.
Engine-related complaints include brake scrubbing noises (which may be misattributed) and starting failures linked to electrical problems. Some owners report persistent issues that require multiple service visits.
Brake complaints often reference a loss of vacuum brake assist, which can increase stopping distances. One owner noted a GM recall for this on other Regal models, but the Tourx itself has no recall, leaving owners to seek fixes independently.
“Dear NHTSA, I am submitting a formal complaint regarding a 2019 Buick Regal, which I purchased as a used vehicle in 2023 with approximately 19,000 miles. Since owning the car, I have added only 14,000 miles, yet I have experienced multiple significant and ong…”
“I HAVE BEEN GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 866-790-5600. I PURCHASED THE CAR 11/23/18 BRAND NEW WITH 12 MILES ON IT. I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR TO GET IT SERVICED DUE TO KEPT HEARING SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THE BRAKES KEEP SCRUBBING, IN WHICH I THE…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE1,698
- 02POWER TRAIN1,453
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM982
- 04SERVICE BRAKES691
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER542
Engine failures are the most frequent, with owners reporting sudden loss of power, loud pinging, and even complete engine failure. Diesel models face repeated diesel particulate filter clogging, requiring dealer intervention as early as 4,300 miles.
Transmission issues include sudden shifts into neutral while driving, which can be dangerous in traffic. One owner experienced this in a parking garage, and others report similar unexpected neutral events.
Electrical problems often accompany engine and brake failures, such as warning messages and loss of power to systems. One owner reported a loud pinging sound followed by loss of motive power, brakes, and steering, indicating a cascading electrical failure.
Brake complaints include sudden severe loss of braking effectiveness, with the pedal firm but the vehicle not stopping. This is a critical safety issue that has led to crashes.
“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.
Buick Regal Tourx
No recalls on record.
Chevrolet Silverado — 100 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with power-unlatching tailgates. The tailgate's electronic gate-release switch may short circuit due to water intrusion, which can result in the tailgate inadvertently…
The risk: An unlatched tailgate may open while driving and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2024. Owners may contact Chevr…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 vehicles. The steering gear shaft may fracture and disconnect from the steering arm.
The risk: A steering arm that disconnects may result in a total loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering gear, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-4…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra HD 2500, 3500 vehicles equipped with power-unlatching tailgates. The tailgate's electronic gate-release switch may short circuit due to water intrusion, which can result in the tailgate inadvertentl…
The risk: An unlatched tailgate may open and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 17, 2024. Owners may contact…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2024 GMC Hummer EV pick up, 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV, and 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV vehicles. The left or right front seat belt buckle attachment bolts may not be tightened properly.
The risk: An improperly tightened seat belt buckle may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the left and right front seat belt buckle attachment bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-833-EVCHEVY (1-833-382-4389) (TTY 711 /…
Buyer analysis
Buick Regal Tourx or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Buick Regal Tourx has far fewer complaints per year (about 12) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (over 500), indicating a lower rate of reported issues. However, the Silverado's problems are more severe, including engine and brake failures that can lead to crashes. In practice, the Tourx may offer more predictable ownership, but the Silverado's issues are more likely to be safety-critical.
Key differences
- The Tourx has zero recalls, while the Silverado has 100, including ones for tailgate latches, steering, and brake fluid sensors.
- Silverado owners report sudden loss of power and braking at highway speeds, a pattern not seen in Tourx complaints.
- The Tourx's most common issue is the 'Shift to Park' message, a nuisance, whereas the Silverado's top issue is engine failure, which can be dangerous.
- Complaint volume differs dramatically: 35 vs 5,105, reflecting both sales volume and reliability differences.
- Check for battery drain issues: ask if the battery or charging system has been replaced, and test for parasitic draws.
- Verify the transmission shift switch: see if the 'Shift to Park' message appears, and ensure the shifter feels solid.
- Inspect engine health: listen for unusual pinging or knocking, and check service records for any engine or fuel system repairs.
- Test brakes thoroughly: look for any warning lights or soft pedal feel, and ask about brake assist issues or related recalls.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on electrical systems and brakes.
- Test drive at various speeds, including highway, to detect any power loss or shifting anomalies.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially for engine and transmission services.
- Check online forums for common issues specific to the model year you're 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 | Buick Regal Tourx | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 3 | 0 |
| 2019 | 18 | 1992 |
| 2018 | 14 | 591 |
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 Buick Regal Tourx or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Buick Regal Tourx vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Buick Regal Tourx total complaints
- 35
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 5,105
- Buick Regal Tourx total recalls
- 0
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- Buick Regal Tourx avg complaints/year
- 11.7
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 510.5
- More reliable overall
- Buick Regal Tourx
- Buick Regal Tourx top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE