Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Silverado vs Chevrolet Equinox
How the Chevrolet Silverado and Chevrolet Equinox 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 vs Chevrolet Equinox: The Silverado averages 823 complaints per year and has 101 recalls, while the Equinox averages 205 complaints per year with 33 recalls. Both show engine and brake issues, but the Silverado's higher counts suggest more frequent problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Silverado or Chevrolet Equinox more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup that sees heavy use, and its 10-year complaint record shows an average of about 823 complaints per year. The most common trouble spots are the engine and power train, with owners describing sudden engine shutdowns, transmission failures, and brake problems. There are also 101 recalls and 233 crash-related reports, so a used Silverado needs a careful mechanical inspection.
Chevrolet Equinox
The Chevrolet Equinox is a compact SUV with a much lower complaint rate—about 205 per year over the same period. Owners frequently report engine stalls, fuel pump failures, and brake issues that can cause a loss of power or braking. With 33 recalls and 126 crash-related reports, it still demands attention, especially for stalling and brake defects.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Silverado | Chevrolet Equinox |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 8,227 | 2,045 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 101 | 33 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 233 | 126 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 822.7 | 204.5 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 160 | 96 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 3 | 2 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 Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners report sudden engine shutdowns while driving, sometimes with a 'Return to Neutral' message, and diesel models suffer from repeated diesel particulate filter soot accumulation. These failures can leave you stranded or cause a loss of power in traffic.
Complaints describe the transmission suddenly shifting into neutral or losing engagement, even at low speeds in parking garages. This can make the truck impossible to move and may lead to a crash if it happens on the road.
Drivers report a sudden loss of normal braking, with a firm pedal but reduced stopping power, as well as engine shut-offs and blank screens. These electrical glitches can disable critical safety features without warning.
Owners describe the brake pedal going firm but braking effectiveness dropping sharply, and in some cases the truck shuts off entirely during low-speed maneuvers. Brake problems on a heavy truck are a serious safety concern.
“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…”
Chevrolet Equinox
- 01ENGINE556
- 02SERVICE BRAKES423
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM322
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM319
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER293
The fuel pump can fail, causing the engine to jerk and shut off, and some owners report power loss during acceleration or turns. A stalling engine in traffic is dangerous and can leave you unable to move.
Complaints include the brake pedal going to the floor with little resistance and messages like 'Brake System Failure.' This means the vehicle may not stop as expected, which is a critical safety issue.
Owners report sudden engine stalls and loss of motive power in intersections and other high-traffic areas. These failures happen without warning and can immobilize the vehicle in dangerous spots.
Electrical problems include muted or non-working heated seats, park assist and cruise control disengaging on their own, and infotainment reboots. While less critical, these issues point to ongoing electronic reliability problems.
“The fuel pump on my 2023 Chevrolet Equinox began malfunctioning on [XXX] when the check engine light came on. Less than 24 hours later, the light went out. On [XXX], while leaving a CVS pharmacy, the vehicle jerked, then the engine shut off. After putting the…”
“My 2023 Equinox RS losses power during quick acceleration for lane changes or passing. It will also lose power during some turns at normal speed. It will also accelerate and deaccelerate at a low speed making it feel like the gears are slipping. Auto stop on…”
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 — 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…
Chevrolet Equinox — 33 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and 2022 GMC Terrain vehicles. The driver's seat may have a stripped or loose bolt at the seat frame height-adjust pivot.
The risk: A seat with a missing or loose bolt may not properly restrain the occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the driver's seat and replace the seat cushion frame, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 4, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC cus…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles equipped with ventilated front passenger seats. The Occupant Classification System may not properly disable the front passenger air bag when there is a small child or child restraint detected in the seat.
The risk: In the event of a crash, a front passenger air bag that deploys with a child or infant in the front passenger seat can increase their risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the passenger presence system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's nu…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The four rear-seat lower child seat LATCH anchorage bars may have excessive powder coating, which could prevent a child seat from being installed with the anchorage bars. As such, these vehicles fail…
The risk: The inability to install a child seat with the LATCH anchorage bars could result in an unsecured child seat, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised to install child seats using the vehicle's rear seat belts until the remedy is complete. Dealers will inspect the latch anchorage bars, and remove and replace the finish, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Blazer, Blazer EV, Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The door strikers may fracture, resulting in the door opening unexpectedly.
The risk: A door opening while the vehicle is being driven can increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace all four door strikers and attaching bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2024. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462…
Buyer analysis
Chevrolet Silverado or Chevrolet Equinox: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet Equinox has far fewer complaints per year (about 205 vs. 823 for the Silverado) and fewer recalls (33 vs. 101). In practice, that means an Equinox is likely to spend less time in the shop for major failures, though both models have serious safety-related complaints that require a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
Key differences
- The Silverado has about four times as many complaints per year as the Equinox, with engine and power train problems dominating.
- Silverado owners report sudden transmission shifts into neutral and engine shutdowns, while Equinox owners more often report fuel pump failures and brake pedal going to the floor.
- The Silverado has 101 recalls versus 33 for the Equinox, covering areas like fuel pumps and forward collision warnings.
- Both vehicles have crash-related complaints, but the Silverado's higher counts (233 vs. 126) suggest a greater overall safety risk to investigate.
- Check for any history of engine stalling or transmission slipping, especially during test drives at low speeds or when shifting into gear.
- Inspect the brake system for a firm pedal with reduced stopping power, and ask if any electrical gremlins like blank screens or random shut-offs have occurred.
- Test the fuel pump by listening for unusual noises and checking for hesitation or stalling during acceleration and turns.
- Look for brake problems by pressing the pedal firmly—if it feels soft or goes to the floor, walk away, and check for dashboard warnings like 'Brake System Failure.'
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed, especially for fuel pump and brake issues.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the engine, transmission, and brakes for the specific failure patterns reported by owners.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any hesitation, stalling, or unusual transmission behavior at low and high speeds.
- Check for electrical issues by testing all accessories, infotainment, and driver-assist features for proper operation.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and be wary if the vehicle has a history of repeated repairs for the same problem.
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 | Chevrolet Equinox |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 120 | 82 |
| 2025 | 157 | 228 |
| 2024 | 527 | 79 |
| 2023 | 450 | 95 |
| 2022 | 1390 | 173 |
| 2021 | 961 | 96 |
| 2020 | 868 | 309 |
| 2019 | 2003 | 302 |
| 2018 | 597 | 408 |
| 2017 | 1154 | 273 |
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 or Chevrolet Equinox in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Silverado vs Chevrolet Equinox
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Chevrolet Equinox total complaints
- 2,045
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Chevrolet Equinox total recalls
- 33
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- Chevrolet Equinox avg complaints/year
- 204.5
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet Equinox
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Chevrolet Equinox top complaint area
- ENGINE