Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs Honda Accord
How the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Honda Accord compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs Honda Accord: The Silverado averages 540.8 complaints per year, with engine failures and powertrain lock-ups being common. The Accord averages 443.8 complaints, but many involve false activations of forward collision avoidance. Both have electrical issues, but the Silverado's problems are more severe. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a full-size pickup that owners rely on for work and daily driving, but the complaint data reveals a pattern of serious mechanical and electrical failures that can leave you stranded or facing costly repairs. Engine problems dominate, with reports of catastrophic internal failures requiring complete engine replacement, often at low mileage. Powertrain issues, including sudden lock-ups at highway speeds, are particularly alarming. Electrical gremlins and brake system failures add to the picture of a vehicle that may not be as dependable as its rugged image suggests.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize sedan known for fuel efficiency and comfort, but the complaint data shows a different story: a high number of issues with advanced driver assistance systems and electrical components. Owners report false activations of forward collision avoidance and intermittent warning lights, which can be both annoying and concerning. Engine complaints, while fewer than the Silverado, still include instances of power loss and warning lights. The Accord's overall complaint count is lower, but the nature of the issues—especially those affecting safety systems—should give buyers pause.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 5,408 | 4,438 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 55 | 38 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 145 Better | 160 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 540.8 | 443.8 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 102 Better | 144 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 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.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 01ENGINE1,823
- 02POWER TRAIN1,565
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM907
- 04SERVICE BRAKES768
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER541
Owners report catastrophic internal engine failures, such as a failed thrust bearing in the crankshaft, leading to complete engine replacement. This can happen at low mileage (around 16,500 miles) and is a major expense if out of warranty.
Sudden transmission or drivetrain lock-ups while driving at highway speeds have been reported, causing the vehicle to stop abruptly and posing a serious safety risk. This is often accompanied by warning lights and loss of power.
Repeated electrical failures, including abnormal odors, water intrusion under the dashboard, and multiple warning lights, are common. These issues can affect various systems and are difficult to diagnose and fix.
Brake system failures, such as loss of braking power and illuminated warning lights, have been reported. In some cases, power steering also fails simultaneously, making the vehicle hard to control.
“My 2025 Chevy Silverado 1500 6.2L V8 experienced an internal engine failure at approximately 16,500 miles, requiring replacement of the entire long block under the factory powertrain warranty. The authorized Chevrolet dealership diagnosed internal cylinder wa…”
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine in my 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 experienced a catastrophic internal failure caused by a failed thrust bearing in the crankshaft assembly. The fai…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE985
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM863
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE821
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER725
- 05SERVICE BRAKES592
Engine issues include unusual noises and, in some cases, a sudden loss of power accompanied by warning lights for brake, hill descent, and ABS systems. This can occur during highway driving and is concerning for safety.
Electrical problems range from tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warnings to rodent damage to wiring harnesses. Some owners report catastrophic tire failures shortly after service, though the link to electrical issues is unclear.
The forward collision avoidance system can activate unexpectedly, causing the vehicle to brake suddenly without any obstacle. This can be startling and may lead to rear-end collisions. Other driver assistance features also show intermittent malfunctions.
Brake-related complaints include warning lights and a feeling that the brakes are not responding properly. Some owners report a loss of braking ability, which is a critical safety concern.
“I purchased this vehicle at 0 miles in July 2025 from Honda Accord in Pensacola Florida. I reported in July 2025 that there was a noise and I was unhappy with the vehicle and would like to exchange the vehicle within the 30 days months later, the noise got lo…”
“Vehicle drove normally in the morning commute. In the afternoon commute it started normally and as i approached highway speeds the alarms started showing up. the Brake, hill descent system, abs, critical failure. the vehicle started losing speed and could not…”
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 Silverado 1500 — 55 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 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 is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, 3500, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles that may have been repaired incorrectly under recall 24V797. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to…
The risk: Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicles and update the transmission control software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 6, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service a…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yuko…
The risk: Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contac…
Honda Accord — 38 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Honda Accord Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the integrated control module (ICM) central processing unit (CPU) may reset while driving, causing a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the ICM CPU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is TN2. Vehicle Identificati…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2026 CR-V Hybrid, Accord Hybrid, and 2025-2026 CR-V Fuel Cell EV vehicles. When using the tire repair kit, pressure may build within the sealant bottle, causing the bottle cap to detach.
The risk: A detached bottle cap can become a projectile and strike the user or others nearby, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the tire repair kit nozzle or sealant bottle, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipat…
The defect: Honda (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 Civic, Acura RDX, Acura Integra, and 2022 Honda Accord vehicles. A ball valve in the vehicle stability assist (VSA) modulator may leak brake fluid, which can result in unintended vehicle movement when the brake hold feature is engaged or an…
The risk: Unintended vehicle movement or an unexpected increase in brake pedal travel can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the VSA modulator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are OEJ, XEK, AEY, XEX and OEW.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura R…
The risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls ar…
Buyer analysis
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Honda Accord has fewer complaints per year (443.8) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (540.8), indicating a lower rate of reported issues. However, the Accord's problems often involve advanced safety systems, which can be just as concerning. In practice, the Silverado's engine and powertrain failures are more severe and costly, while the Accord's issues are more electronic and may be less expensive but still affect daily usability.
Key differences
- The Silverado has significantly more engine complaints (1823) than the Accord (985), with reports of complete engine failure requiring replacement.
- The Accord has a high number of forward collision avoidance complaints (821), which are not present in the Silverado's top issues.
- The Silverado has more powertrain complaints (1565) including sudden lock-ups, while the Accord's powertrain issues are less prominent.
- Both vehicles have electrical system issues, but the Silverado's are more varied, including water intrusion and multiple warning lights.
- Inspect the engine for any signs of unusual noise or oil leaks, and check the service history for any engine repairs or replacements.
- Test the brakes and steering for any warning lights or loss of power, and ask about any recalls related to brake fluid warning or transmission software.
- Check the forward collision avoidance system by test driving at moderate speeds to ensure it does not activate without reason.
- Look for any electrical issues such as warning lights or malfunctioning TPMS, and ask about the condition of wiring harnesses, especially if the vehicle has been parked outdoors.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on the specific VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the engine, transmission, and brakes.
- Test drive both vehicles on the highway to check for any unusual vibrations, warning lights, or sudden braking.
- Ask the seller for all service records and verify that any recalls have been addressed.
- Consider the cost of potential repairs: engine replacement on the Silverado can be very expensive, while the Accord's safety system repairs may also be costly.
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 | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 87 | 5 |
| 2025 | 96 | 101 |
| 2024 | 298 | 214 |
| 2023 | 368 | 224 |
| 2022 | 610 | 238 |
| 2021 | 807 | 226 |
| 2020 | 719 | 355 |
| 2019 | 1073 | 677 |
| 2018 | 514 | 1864 |
| 2017 | 836 | 534 |
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 Silverado 1500 or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs Honda Accord
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 total complaints
- 5,408
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,438
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 total recalls
- 55
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 avg complaints/year
- 540.8
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 443.8
- More reliable overall
- Honda Accord
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE