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 510.5 complaints per year with 100 recalls. The XTS's top issues are electrical and suspension; the Silverado's are engine and power train. 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 issues. Living with an XTS means dealing with frequent electronic malfunctions and potential air suspension problems that can affect ride and control. While it has fewer complaints than the Silverado, the types of failures reported can be sudden and safety-related.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup that averages about 510 complaints per year over ten years, with 100 recalls. Owners frequently report engine, power train, electrical, and brake problems, including severe issues like loss of motive power and brake failure. The high volume of complaints and recalls suggests a higher likelihood of encountering significant problems. This truck demands more attention to maintenance and safety checks.
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 | 217 Better | 5,105 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 15 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 5 Better | 117 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 31.0 Better | 510.5 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 2 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.
Cadillac XTS
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM79
- 02SUSPENSION40
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER39
- 04SERVICE BRAKES17
- 05ENGINE16
Owners report the trunk opening by itself while parked or driving, and cars refusing to move or turn off. These glitches can be unpredictable and may leave you stranded or compromise security.
Rear air suspension failures cause the rear end to drop unexpectedly, leading to bouncing and loss of control, sometimes at highway speeds. This is a serious safety concern that can occur without warning.
Complaints include brakes failing to fully stop the vehicle when backing out or pulling into parking spots. Such failures increase the risk of low-speed collisions.
Some owners report engine dying while driving, which can be dangerous. This adds to the list of sudden failures that make the XTS a risky used purchase.
“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
- 01ENGINE1,698
- 02POWER TRAIN1,453
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM982
- 04SERVICE BRAKES691
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER542
Owners of newer Silverados report severe engine issues like rough running, loss of power, and diesel particulate filter problems requiring dealer service. These can lead to costly repairs and unsafe driving conditions.
Complaints include the vehicle suddenly going into neutral and losing power, even at low speeds. This can leave you unable to accelerate or move, posing a risk in traffic.
Reports describe sudden loss of braking, with a firm pedal but ineffective stopping, and loss of motive power along with inoperable brakes and steering. These are critical safety failures.
Owners report severe loss of braking ability, where the vehicle won't stop normally. This is a major safety defect that could lead 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.
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 — 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
Cadillac XTS or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Cadillac XTS has far fewer complaints per year (31 vs. 510.5) and fewer recalls (15 vs. 100), but its reported issues are often sudden and safety-related. The Silverado's higher volume means more frequent problems, but many are engine and powertrain related. In practice, the XTS may have fewer overall incidents, but the Silverado's issues are more numerous and varied.
Key differences
- The XTS has 31 complaints per year on average, while the Silverado has 510.5, indicating a much higher complaint rate for the truck.
- The XTS's top issues are electrical and suspension, with reports of trunk opening randomly and rear suspension dropping; the Silverado's top issues are engine and power train, with reports of loss of power and brake failure.
- The Silverado has 100 recalls versus 15 for the XTS, suggesting more widespread safety defects.
- Both vehicles have crash-related complaints, but the Silverado has 117 crashes and 104 injuries compared to 5 crashes and 2 injuries for the XTS, though these numbers are not adjusted for sales volume.
- Check the rear air suspension for leaks or failure, as owners report sudden dropping and bouncing.
- Test all electrical functions, especially the trunk release, and look for any signs of random opening or electrical glitches.
- Inspect for engine issues like rough running or loss of power, and check for diesel particulate filter problems if equipped with a diesel engine.
- Test the brakes thoroughly for any loss of braking ability, and check for electrical problems that could affect braking and steering.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website.
- Have a mechanic inspect the specific problem areas: for the XTS, suspension and electrical; for the Silverado, engine, transmission, and brakes.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any unusual noises, warning lights, or changes in braking and steering feel.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for the XTS's air suspension and the Silverado's engine and transmission services.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a dealer or independent shop familiar with these models to uncover hidden issues.
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 | 1992 |
| 2018 | 0 | 591 |
| 2017 | 24 | 0 |
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
- 217
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 5,105
- Cadillac XTS total recalls
- 15
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- Cadillac XTS avg complaints/year
- 31.0
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 510.5
- More reliable overall
- Cadillac XTS
- Cadillac XTS top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE