Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet HHR vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Chevrolet HHR 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
Chevrolet HHR vs Chevrolet Silverado: The HHR averaged 596 complaints per year over 6 years, with steering issues topping the list, while the Silverado averaged 823 complaints per year over 10 years, led by engine problems. Both have serious safety concerns, but the Silverado's higher rate and engine shutdowns may pose greater risks. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet HHR or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet HHR
The Chevrolet HHR is a compact wagon that, based on owner complaints, can be a headache to live with due to frequent steering and electrical problems. Over six years, it averaged about 596 complaints per year, with steering being the most common issue. Many owners report that electrical glitches cause the steering to become very hard to turn, especially at low speeds, and that fuel lines can leak. These issues can make daily driving stressful and potentially costly to repair.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup that, according to owner complaints, has a range of reliability concerns, particularly with the engine and transmission. Over ten years, it averaged about 823 complaints per year, with engine and power train issues topping the list. Owners describe sudden engine shutdowns, transmission problems, and brake failures. These problems can leave drivers stranded or in dangerous situations, especially at low speeds or in traffic.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet HHR | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3,574 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 28 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 171 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 595.7 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 142 Better | 160 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 8 | 3 Better |
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.
Chevrolet HHR
- 01STEERING1,562
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM750
- 03AIR BAGS332
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM316
- 05STRUCTURE261
Owners report that electrical glitches cause the steering to become very hard to turn, especially at slow speeds, making it difficult to maintain lanes. This can happen suddenly and is a serious safety concern.
Complaints describe electrical problems that affect multiple systems, including fluctuating gauges and warning lights, and can cause the steering to fail. Some also report ignition switch sticking and fuel line leaks.
Air bag issues are reported, often linked to the same electrical glitch that affects steering. This means the air bags may not deploy properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Owners report fuel lines leaking due to corrosion, often near the left rear wheel. This can cause a strong gas smell and puddles under the car, posing a fire hazard.
“There is a serious electrical glitch that's in the computer, that causes the car to perform poorly at a slow speed, which cases the steering to become very hard to turn, and maintain lanes while driving. All lights, warnings, and gauges fluctuate back and for…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners report sudden engine shutdowns while driving, sometimes with messages like 'Return to Neutral' or 'Press Start'. This can happen at any speed and is extremely dangerous, especially on highways.
Complaints include the vehicle suddenly going into neutral while driving slowly, such as in parking garages, and transmission issues that can leave the driver unable to accelerate. This can cause loss of control.
Electrical problems can cause a severe loss of braking, where the brake pedal feels firm but the vehicle doesn't stop normally. This is a critical safety issue that could lead to crashes.
Owners describe brake failures where the pedal remains firm but braking is ineffective, often accompanied by other electrical issues. This can happen suddenly and without warning.
“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.
Chevrolet HHR — 28 recalls
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignitio…
The risk: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission…
The fix: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cu…
The defect: This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency o…
The risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later v…
The defect: UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year…
The risk: If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.
The fix: UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should cont…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignitio…
The risk: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission…
The fix: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cu…
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
Chevrolet HHR or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet HHR has fewer complaints per year (about 596) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (about 823), but both have serious safety-related issues. The HHR's problems are more focused on steering and electrical glitches, while the Silverado's issues often involve engine shutdowns and brake failures. In practice, the HHR may have fewer overall complaints, but the Silverado's problems can be more immediately dangerous.
Key differences
- The HHR's most common complaint is steering (1562 complaints), often due to electrical glitches causing hard steering, while the Silverado's top complaint is engine (2521 complaints), with reports of sudden shutdowns.
- The Silverado has more than double the annual complaint rate of the HHR (823 vs. 596), but the HHR's complaints are concentrated in fewer components.
- The HHR has 8 reported deaths and 142 injuries, while the Silverado has 3 deaths and 160 injuries, indicating different severity patterns.
- Both vehicles have electrical system complaints, but in the HHR they often affect steering, while in the Silverado they can cause brake loss and engine shutdowns.
- Test the steering at low speeds for any sudden increase in effort or warning lights, as electrical glitches can cause hard steering.
- Inspect fuel lines near the left rear wheel for corrosion or leaks, and check for a strong gas smell after driving.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any sudden engine shutdowns or messages like 'Return to Neutral' or 'Press Start' on the dashboard.
- Check for brake performance: if the pedal feels firm but the truck doesn't stop normally, it could indicate a serious electrical or brake issue.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls, especially for the HHR's ignition and steering recalls and the Silverado's fuel pump and brake recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the HHR's steering system and electrical components, and the Silverado's engine, transmission, and brakes.
- Search NHTSA complaints for the specific model year you are considering to see if common issues have been addressed.
- Test drive the vehicle in various conditions, including low-speed maneuvers and highway driving, to check for steering, braking, and engine performance.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and whether any repairs related to the reported complaints have been performed.
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 Chevrolet HHR or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet HHR vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Chevrolet HHR total complaints
- 3,574
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Chevrolet HHR total recalls
- 28
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Chevrolet HHR avg complaints/year
- 595.7
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet HHR
- Chevrolet HHR top complaint area
- STEERING
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE