Head-to-head reliability
Cadillac XTS vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Cadillac XTS 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
Cadillac XTS vs Chevrolet Silverado: The XTS averages 31 complaints per year with 15 recalls, while the Silverado averages 823 complaints per year with 101 recalls. Silverado owners more often report engine shutdowns and brake loss, while XTS issues include suspension and electrical glitches. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Cadillac XTS or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Cadillac XTS
The Cadillac XTS is a luxury sedan that averages about 31 complaints per year over seven years, with 15 recalls. The most common owner complaints involve electrical glitches, suspension failures, and brake problems. While the overall complaint count is low, the nature of the issues—like a trunk that opens on its own or a rear suspension that can drop suddenly—can be unsettling and costly to fix.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup that generates a much higher volume of complaints—about 823 per year over ten years—and has 101 recalls. Owners frequently report engine, power train, electrical, and brake issues, some of which occur at very low mileage. The sheer number of complaints and the potential for sudden loss of power or braking make it a vehicle that demands careful inspection before purchase.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Cadillac XTS | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 218 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 15 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 5 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 31.1 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 2 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.
Cadillac XTS
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM79
- 02SUSPENSION41
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER39
- 04SERVICE BRAKES17
- 05ENGINE16
Owners report the trunk opening by itself, sometimes while parked and locked, and other times while driving. There are also complaints of the car refusing to move or turn off, and displays going black. These glitches can be distracting and may lead to safety risks if they occur while driving.
The rear air suspension can fail without warning, causing the rear end to drop unexpectedly even while driving at highway speeds. Owners describe the rear end bouncing on uneven roads, which can affect steering control. This is a costly repair and a potential safety hazard.
Some owners report brakes failing to completely stop the vehicle, such as when backing out of or pulling into a parking spot. There are also complaints of engine dying while driving and multiple electrical issues affecting brakes. Brake problems are always a serious concern.
Engine-related complaints include the engine dying while driving, leaving the car totally dead even with a new battery. This can strand drivers and is a significant reliability worry.
“PROBLEM #1 - TRUNK OPENS BY ITSELF (SOMETIMES WHILE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY & LOCKED (I.E., PARKED FOR THE NIGHT - ENGINE OFF); OTHER TIMES THE TRUNK OPENS BY ITSELF WHILE I AM DRIVING/MOVING (ENGINE OBVIOUSLY ON); OTHER TIMES WHILE THE ENGINE IS ON AND THE VEH…”
“PURCHASED MY 2017XT5 9/13/2017. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A MAIN STREET, I STOPPED FOR A LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. COULD NOT TURN IT OFF NOR COULD I TRY TO PUT IT IN ANOTHER GEAR. A KIND GENTLEMAN, WHO WAS BEHIND ME, GOT OUT OF HIS…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners of newer Silverados report engine shutdowns while driving, sometimes with messages like 'Return to Neutral' or 'Press Start.' There are also cases of excessive soot accumulation in diesel particulate filters requiring dealer service. These issues can leave drivers stranded and are dangerous if they occur in traffic.
Complaints include the vehicle suddenly going into neutral while driving slowly, such as in a parking garage, and the engine shutting off. This loss of power can be frightening and may lead to accidents.
Owners report sudden loss of normal braking, with a firm brake pedal but reduced braking effect. Also, the engine may shut off while driving, and screens go blank. These electrical faults can compromise critical safety systems.
Braking problems include a sudden, severe loss of normal braking shortly after starting to drive, and the truck completely shutting off in a parking lot with no ability to accelerate. 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.
Cadillac XTS — 15 recalls
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insu…
The risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrole…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Cadillac XTS vehicles. The front seat belt buckles may be missing a rivet that secures the buckle head to the cable mounting strap.
The risk: If the securing rivet is missing, the buckle may separate from the cable mounting strap in the event of a crash, preventing the occupant from being properly restrained, thereby increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat buckle assemblies, replacing them if the rivets are missing, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2019. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006.…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator may rupture upon its deployment.
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of one or both of the side impact air bags, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not properly inflate. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike the vehicle occupan…
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side impact air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-102…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Cadillac XTS vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to August 22, 2014, and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured November 5, 2012, to September 2, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the electronic parking brake piston actu…
The risk: Brake pads that remain partially engaged with the rotors may cause excessive brake heat that may result in a fire.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the electronic parking brake software, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-…
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
Cadillac XTS or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Cadillac XTS has far fewer complaints per year (about 31) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (about 823). In practice, this means the XTS owner is less likely to experience frequent trips to the dealer, but the issues reported—like suspension and electrical glitches—can still be serious. The Silverado's much higher complaint rate suggests a higher probability of encountering problems, some of which involve sudden loss of power or braking.
Key differences
- The Cadillac XTS averages about 31 complaints per year, while the Chevrolet Silverado averages about 823 per year—a huge difference in reported problem frequency.
- Silverado owners frequently report engine shutdowns and transmission going into neutral while driving, whereas XTS complaints center on electrical glitches like the trunk opening by itself and suspension failures.
- The Silverado has 101 recalls and 233 crash-related complaints, compared to the XTS's 15 recalls and 5 crash-related complaints.
- Brake issues appear in both, but Silverado reports include sudden loss of braking and complete shutdowns, while XTS reports include brakes failing to fully stop at low speeds.
- Test the rear suspension: bounce the rear of the car and listen for air leaks or unusual noises; check if the rear end sags overnight, as air bag failures are common.
- Check all electrical functions: trunk release, radio display, headlights, and seat adjustments; ensure the trunk does not open on its own and that the car starts and shifts properly.
- Scan for engine and transmission codes: look for stored codes related to engine misfires, fuel pump, or transmission issues; test drive at various speeds to check for sudden shutdowns or hesitation.
- Inspect brake system: check brake fluid level, pedal feel, and for any warning lights; test braking from different speeds, including low-speed parking maneuvers, as some owners report loss of braking.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the specific problem areas for each model (suspension and electrical for XTS; engine, transmission, and brakes for Silverado).
- During the test drive, pay attention to any warning lights, unusual noises, or changes in braking or steering feel.
- For the Silverado, test the transmission by accelerating gently and firmly from a stop, and check for any delay or harsh engagement.
- For the XTS, test all electronic features, including the trunk release, radio, and climate control, and listen for suspension noises over bumps.
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 | Cadillac XTS | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5 | 2003 |
| 2018 | 0 | 597 |
| 2017 | 24 | 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 Cadillac XTS or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Cadillac XTS vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Cadillac XTS total complaints
- 218
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Cadillac XTS total recalls
- 15
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Cadillac XTS avg complaints/year
- 31.1
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Cadillac XTS
- Cadillac XTS top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE