Head-to-head reliability
Chrysler Sebring vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Chrysler Sebring 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
Chrysler Sebring vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Sebring has about 194 complaints per year, with frequent electrical and air bag issues, while the Silverado has about 511 per year, with more engine and transmission problems. Both have serious safety concerns, but the Sebring's air bag deployments without impact are particularly alarming. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chrysler Sebring or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chrysler Sebring
The Chrysler Sebring, a mid-size sedan/convertible, shows a high complaint rate (about 194 per year) with frequent electrical and engine issues. Owners report sudden stalling, erratic dashboard lights, and air bag malfunctions, which can be alarming and potentially dangerous. The car also has many recalls, especially for air bags, indicating systemic safety concerns.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado, a full-size pickup, has a higher total complaint count (about 511 per year) but many are related to engine and powertrain issues, particularly with newer models. Owners report loss of power, transmission problems, and brake failures, which can be serious. Despite the high number of complaints, the Silverado has fewer crash-related incidents per complaint, but still has significant reliability concerns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chrysler Sebring | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,936 Better | 5,105 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 53 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 143 | 117 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 193.6 Better | 510.5 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 134 | 104 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 7 | 1 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.
Chrysler Sebring
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM438
- 02ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING314
- 03AIR BAGS310
- 04POWER TRAIN227
- 05ENGINE164
Owners report erratic dashboard lights, sudden power loss, and stalling while driving, often without warning. This can lead to dangerous situations, especially at highway speeds.
The engine may stall unexpectedly, sometimes when braking, causing a loss of power and potential inability to restart. This is a serious safety issue.
Air bag warning lights illuminate, and in some cases, air bags deploy without a crash, which can cause injuries and indicates a faulty sensor or module.
Transmission issues can cause loss of power or sudden shifting into neutral, leading to loss of control. Owners also report stalling related to the powertrain.
“MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 2009 CHRYSLER SEBRING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MILES PER HOUR WHEN ALL THE INDICATOR LIGHTS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ALL BEGAN TO FLASH ERRATICALLY. THE CAR BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER AND THEN STALLED WHILE SHE WAS TRYING TO REMAIN IN CONTROL. S…”
“I TOOK MY SEBRING IN FOR BRAKES AND THEY PUT NEW PADS ON. THEY ASK IF I WANTED AN OIL CHANGE. I DIDN'T NEED ONE SO THEY SAID THEY WOULD CHANGE THE COMPUTER TO TAKE THE REMINDER OFF. WHEN I LEFT THE DEALER, MY RADIO NO LONGER WORKED. I TOLD THEM I WOULD BRING…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE1,698
- 02POWER TRAIN1,453
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM982
- 04SERVICE BRAKES691
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER542
Owners report engine failures, including loss of power and stalling, often with low mileage. Some engines have excessive soot accumulation in diesel models, requiring frequent dealer visits.
Transmission problems include sudden shifting into neutral, loss of drive, and jerking, which can be dangerous in traffic. Some owners report complete transmission failure.
Electrical issues can cause loss of braking and steering, as well as warning lights. Some owners report a loud pinging sound followed by loss of power and control.
Brake failure is reported, with the pedal remaining firm but braking effectiveness reduced, leading to longer stopping distances. This is a critical 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…”
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.
Chrysler Sebring — 53 recalls
The defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2001-2002 Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus vehicles, equipped with beige interiors. The affected vehicles were previously repaired for a recall issue using an incorrect part. The incorrect part may not prevent the passen…
The risk: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
The fix: Chrysler will notify the affected owners. Dealers will install the correct tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2016, owners will be sent a second email when parts are available. Owners…
The defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 20…
The risk: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
The fix: MMNA will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact MMNA custom…
The defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 20…
The risk: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
The fix: MMNA will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact MMNA custom…
The defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 20…
The risk: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
The fix: MMNA will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact MMNA custom…
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
Chrysler Sebring or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Chrysler Sebring has fewer complaints per year (about 194) compared to the Silverado (about 511), but the Sebring's issues are more likely to involve sudden stalling and air bag problems, which are serious. The Silverado has more complaints but they are spread across a larger number of vehicles, and its issues often involve engine and transmission failures that may be more predictable. In practice, the Sebring may be riskier due to unexpected electrical and air bag failures, while the Silverado's problems are more mechanical and potentially easier to diagnose.
Key differences
- The Sebring has a higher proportion of air bag complaints (310) and recalls, indicating a systemic safety issue, while the Silverado has more engine complaints (1698) but fewer air bag issues.
- Sebring owners report sudden stalling and electrical failures that can occur without warning, whereas Silverado owners report more gradual engine and transmission problems.
- The Silverado has a higher total complaint count but also a larger sales volume, so the per-vehicle rate may be lower, but the data provided does not include sales figures.
- The Sebring has more crash-related complaints (143) relative to its total complaints (1936) than the Silverado (117 out of 5105), suggesting a higher likelihood of incidents.
- Check for any history of air bag warning lights or deployments without impact, as this is a common issue.
- Inspect the electrical system for signs of intermittent failures, such as flickering lights or stalling, which could indicate a faulty computer or wiring.
- Look for signs of engine problems, such as excessive soot in diesel models or loss of power, which may indicate a failing engine or emission system.
- Test the transmission for smooth shifting and check for any warning lights related to the powertrain, as sudden neutral shifts are reported.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to check for any open recalls, especially air bag recalls on the Sebring and brake or steering recalls on the Silverado.
- Have a mechanic inspect the electrical system on the Sebring, including the instrument cluster and computer, to ensure no intermittent issues.
- For the Silverado, ask for service records related to engine and transmission, and consider a compression test or diagnostic scan for fault codes.
- Test drive both vehicles at highway speeds to see if any stalling or loss of power occurs, and check the brakes for proper response.
- Check the air bag system on the Sebring by having a professional verify the sensors and module, and on the Silverado, ensure the brake fluid warning system is functional.
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 Chrysler Sebring or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chrysler Sebring vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Chrysler Sebring total complaints
- 1,936
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 5,105
- Chrysler Sebring total recalls
- 53
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- Chrysler Sebring avg complaints/year
- 193.6
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 510.5
- More reliable overall
- Chrysler Sebring
- Chrysler Sebring top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE