Head-to-head reliability
Dodge Viper vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Dodge Viper 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
Dodge Viper vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Viper averages 3.1 complaints per year with 9 recalls, while the Silverado averages 822.7 complaints per year with 101 recalls. Both have serious safety complaints, but the Silverado's volume is far higher. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Dodge Viper or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Dodge Viper
The Dodge Viper is a low-volume sports car, averaging just 3.1 complaints per year over a decade. Owners report electrical gremlins like smoke from the rear and no-start conditions, plus air bag and suspension issues. With only 31 complaints total, problems are infrequent but can be serious when they occur.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a high-volume truck with 8,227 complaints over 10 years, or about 823 per year. Owners frequently report engine, powertrain, electrical, and brake problems, including sudden engine shutdowns and brake loss. The sheer number of complaints and 101 recalls means many owners experience issues.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Dodge Viper | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 31 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 9 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 10 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 3.1 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 6 Better | 160 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 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.
Dodge Viper
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM10
- 02AIR BAGS8
- 03SUSPENSION6
- 04STRUCTURE5
- 05STEERING4
Owners report smoke filling the rear of the car and a rubber/electrical smell, as well as no-start conditions where pushing the start button kills power. These can leave you stranded or risk a fire.
Complaints include difficulty getting recall work done because dealers fear breaking dash parts, and one owner described a crash event. Unrepaired air bags may not deploy properly in a crash.
A clunk from the rear wheel well and a leaking rubber boot on the suspension knuckle are reported. Ignoring this can lead to worn components and poor handling.
The driver's door can fail to open when battery power is out due to a broken latch cable, and the passenger window may roll down and door open while driving. This is a safety risk, especially for children or pets.
“I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND SOMETHING LIKE A RUBBER/ELECTRICAL SMELL WAS NOTICED. I LOOKED IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR AND SEEN I HAD SMOKE FILLING THE REAR OF THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER. GOT OUT AND OPENED THE REAR LIFT GATE AND AS I LOOKED TO SEE WHAT WAS GO…”
“VEHICLE BEGAN HAVING ISSUES AT 10, 500 MILES BY NOT STARTING. PUSH THE START BUTTON ONE TIME AND THE CAR WOULD GO DEAD. IF I LIFTED UP ON THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE, THE CAR WOULD START WITH NO ISSUES. LET GO OF THE CABLE AND THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN THIS FIRST…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners of 2026 models report engine shutdowns while driving and diesel particulate filter soot accumulation requiring dealer service. Sudden loss of power can be dangerous in traffic.
Complaints include the vehicle suddenly shifting into neutral and the engine shutting off with less than 300 miles. This can leave you unable to accelerate or move the truck.
Owners report severe loss of braking with a firm pedal and engine shut-off while driving, with messages like 'Return to Neutral'. These electrical faults can disable critical safety systems.
Sudden loss of normal braking and the truck shutting off completely in a parking lot are reported. Brake failure dramatically increases crash risk.
“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.
Dodge Viper — 9 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Dodge Viper vehicles manufactured October 1, 2012, to February 6, 2014. Moisture may get into the door switch, resulting in the driver or passenger door opening unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion.
The risk: If the driver or passenger door opens unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion, there is an increased risk of a crash and injury.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door handle assemblies and top covers, free of charge. The recall began on July 10, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500, 2015 Chrysler 200, Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Challenger, 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Cherokee, and Dodge Durango, and 2013-2015 Dodge Viper vehicles. The affected vehicles are equip…
The risk: Exploitation of the software vulnerability may result in unauthorized remote modification and control of certain vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Chrysler will notify and mail affected owners a USB drive that includes a software update that eliminates the vulnerability, free of charge. Optionally, owners may download the update to their own USB drive from http://www.driveuconnect.co…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500, 2015 Chrysler 200, Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Challenger, 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Cherokee, and Dodge Durango, and 2013-2015 Dodge Viper vehicles. The affected vehicles are equip…
The risk: Exploitation of the software vulnerability may result in unauthorized remote modification and control of certain vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Chrysler will notify and mail affected owners a USB drive that includes a software update that eliminates the vulnerability, free of charge. Optionally, owners may download the update to their own USB drive from http://www.driveuconnect.co…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Dodge Viper vehicles manufactured October 1, 2012, to February 6, 2014. Moisture may get into the door switch, resulting in the driver or passenger door opening unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion.
The risk: If the driver or passenger door opens unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion, there is an increased risk of a crash and injury.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door handle assemblies and top covers, free of charge. The recall began on July 10, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this…
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
Dodge Viper or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Dodge Viper has far fewer issues per year (3.1 vs. 822.7), but both have serious safety-related complaints. In practice, a Viper owner may face fewer problems overall, while a Silverado owner is much more likely to encounter engine, brake, or electrical failures.
Key differences
- The Viper averages 3.1 complaints per year; the Silverado averages 822.7, a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- Viper complaints center on electrical smoke/no-start, air bag recall access, and door latch failures; Silverado complaints focus on engine shutdowns, brake loss, and transmission neutral drops.
- The Silverado has 101 recalls versus 9 for the Viper, meaning more potential safety fixes.
- Both have crash-related complaints (10 for Viper, 233 for Silverado) and injuries (6 vs. 160), but the Silverado's higher volume means more reported incidents.
- Check for electrical burning smells or smoke from the rear, and test the start button for no-start issues.
- Inspect the driver's door latch cable for fatigue and ensure the passenger window and door do not operate unexpectedly.
- Test drive for sudden engine shutdowns, especially at low speeds, and check for 'Return to Neutral' messages.
- Verify brake function under firm pedal pressure and look for any loss of braking assistance.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls are completed, especially air bag recalls on the Viper and fuel pump or brake recalls on the Silverado.
- Have a mechanic inspect the Viper's electrical system, suspension boots, and door latches.
- For the Silverado, scan for engine fault codes, test the transmission for sudden neutral shifts, and check brake operation.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly for diesel particulate filter service on Silverado diesels.
- Test drive both vehicles in varied conditions, including stops, starts, and parking maneuvers, to replicate reported failure scenarios.
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 | Dodge Viper | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 0 | 1154 |
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 Dodge Viper or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Dodge Viper vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Dodge Viper total complaints
- 31
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Dodge Viper total recalls
- 9
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Dodge Viper avg complaints/year
- 3.1
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Dodge Viper
- Dodge Viper top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE