Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Silverado LD vs Toyota Camry
How the Chevrolet Silverado LD and Toyota Camry 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 LD vs Toyota Camry: The Silverado LD has 822 complaints per year and 0 recalls, while the Camry has about 214 per year and 31 recalls. The Camry also has 181 crash-related reports versus 24 for the Silverado. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Silverado LD or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Silverado LD
The Chevrolet Silverado LD is a full-size pickup that, in this one-year data snapshot, shows a very high complaint rate of 822 per year. Owners most often report power train, engine, brake, and electrical problems, with many complaints describing sudden transmission shudder, brake failure, and electrical glitches that can cause the truck to slow down or lose power. With no recalls on record for this period, buyers should be aware that these issues may not have a formal fix and could be costly to repair.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a much lower complaint rate of about 214 per year over ten years, but it has 31 recalls and more crash-related reports. Common owner complaints include transmission grinding, sudden acceleration, brake failure, and air conditioning problems. The higher number of recalls means some issues have been addressed, but buyers should still check for open recalls and inspect for the specific problems owners describe.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Silverado LD | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 822 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 24 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 822.0 | 214.3 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 13 Better | 163 |
| 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.
Chevrolet Silverado LD
- 01POWER TRAIN255
- 02ENGINE219
- 03SERVICE BRAKES179
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM159
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER91
Owners report persistent shuddering from the 8-speed automatic transmission, often linked to a failing torque converter, and some say the transmission fails entirely. This matters because a shudder can worsen over time and lead to a costly replacement.
Complaints describe severe electrical and mechanical problems, including the parking brake locking on, check engine and ABS lights coming on, and the truck suddenly slowing down. These symptoms can leave a driver stranded or create a dangerous situation on the road.
Drivers report clicking and clacking noises, multiple warning lights, and the truck slowing to 20-25 mph on the highway. Brake problems like these are a serious safety concern because they affect the ability to stop or control speed.
Owners describe the ECU or power train failing, causing the check engine light and traction light to come on and multiple dashboard warnings. Electrical faults can be hard to diagnose and may lead to repeated shop visits.
“GM says my Vin was not part of the recalls, The Vin wasn't the problem,It was the Transmission!!! letter I sent to GM : Transmission Failure on 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Dear General Motors Customer Assistance, I am writing to formally express my conce…”
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The 8-speed automatic transmission is experiencing a persistent shudder during normal driving conditions. The problem appears to stem from a failing torque conv…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the front end during acceleration, which dealers have confirmed as transmission issues needing replacement. Some also mention sudden acceleration, which is a serious safety risk.
Complaints include uncontrollable sudden acceleration that led to a crash, and a coolant valve bypass issue that triggers a maintenance light. These engine problems can be dangerous and may not be covered by a recall for every VIN.
Drivers describe the brake pedal having no response when pressed, such as while going down a steep hill. This is a critical safety failure because it can prevent the car from stopping.
Owners report air conditioning problems, including a condenser damaged by a rock and a persistent mildew or vinegar smell from the vents. These issues are annoying and can be expensive to fix, though not usually safety-related.
“I turned into a restaurant’s parking lot, found a spot and slowly drove into the lot, I eased off the gas pedal and gently applying the brake as the lot has a slight downward slope. When I reach the chunk (the parking block), I added more force to the brake,…”
“Grinding noise coming from front end upon acceleration. Brought to dealership who confirmed noises coming from transmission. Transmission needs to be replaced per dealer recommendation. Recalls on 2021 Toyota Camry for same issue. Transmissions on backorder a…”
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 LD
No recalls on record.
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
Chevrolet Silverado LD or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Toyota Camry has far fewer complaints per year (about 214 vs. 822 for the Silverado LD), but it has many more recalls (31 vs. 0) and more crash-related reports. In practice, the Camry may have more issues that get formal fixes, while the Silverado LD's problems are more frequent and may lack a recall remedy.
Key differences
- The Silverado LD has 822 complaints per year with no recalls, while the Camry has about 214 per year but 31 recalls, meaning Camry issues are more likely to have a formal fix.
- Silverado LD owners frequently report transmission shudder and brake failure, while Camry owners report transmission grinding, sudden acceleration, and brake pedal failure.
- The Camry has 181 crash-related complaints and 163 injuries, compared to 24 crashes and 13 injuries for the Silverado LD, though the Silverado's rate is higher given its one-year window.
- Electrical problems are a top complaint for the Silverado LD (159 complaints), often causing multiple warning lights and power loss, while the Camry's electrical complaints (246) are lower per year but still notable.
- During a test drive, feel for any shudder or hesitation from the 8-speed automatic transmission, especially at steady speeds, as owners report torque converter failure.
- Check for warning lights on the dashboard (check engine, ABS, traction) and ask if the parking brake has ever locked on unexpectedly, which owners describe as a sudden failure.
- Listen for grinding noises from the front end when accelerating, as owners report this indicates transmission problems that may require replacement.
- Test the brakes on a downhill slope or at low speed to ensure the pedal responds firmly, since some owners report no brake response at all.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls, especially on the Camry, using the VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the transmission for shudder (Silverado) or grinding (Camry) and scan for stored trouble codes.
- Test drive both vehicles in conditions that mimic your daily route, including highway speeds and steep hills, to check for brake and acceleration issues.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly for transmission fluid changes and any prior repairs related to the complaints described.
- For the Camry, check the air conditioning system for proper cooling and any unusual odors, as owners report condenser damage and mildew smells.
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 LD | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 822 | 393 |
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 LD or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Silverado LD vs Toyota Camry
- Chevrolet Silverado LD total complaints
- 822
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Chevrolet Silverado LD total recalls
- 0
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Chevrolet Silverado LD avg complaints/year
- 822.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Camry
- Chevrolet Silverado LD top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN