Head-to-head reliability
FORD Mustang MACH E vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the FORD Mustang MACH E 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
FORD Mustang MACH E vs Chevrolet Silverado: the Mach-E logged 665 complaints over 6 years (about 111 per year) and 42 recalls, while the Silverado logged 8,227 complaints over 10 years (about 823 per year) and 101 recalls. The Mach-E's reports skew electrical and software; the Silverado's skew engine, powertrain, and brakes. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD Mustang MACH E or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD Mustang MACH E
The Mustang Mach-E is an electric SUV that generates a moderate but steady stream of owner complaints, averaging about 111 per year over six model years. The pattern is dominated by electrical-system issues, with software and 12-volt/battery-charging problems appearing repeatedly in owner reports. Forward-collision-avoidance complaints are the second-largest group, and several owners describe sudden warning-light storms or unintended acceleration. It is a vehicle where electronics, not the drivetrain, are the recurring ownership headache.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Silverado is a full-size pickup with a very high complaint volume, averaging roughly 823 per year over ten years, concentrated in engine and powertrain. Owners report serious failures on low-mileage trucks, including engines shutting off while driving, sudden loss of braking, and transmissions dropping into neutral. Electrical and brake complaints round out the top areas. It is a high-volume truck where the sheer number of reports means individual problems are common rather than rare.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD Mustang MACH E | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 665 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 42 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 40 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 110.8 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 17 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.
FORD Mustang MACH E
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM317
- 02FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE156
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER113
- 04POWER TRAIN113
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM88
Owners report door locks that won't open from outside, batteries that won't charge, and a frunk (front hood) that unlatched and flew open while driving, blocking the view. These are access and safety concerns, not cosmetic glitches.
Drivers describe sudden bursts of alerts (cross-traffic, crash alert, ABS failure, parking brake fault) and at least one report of the car accelerating on its own while stopped. Buyers should treat warning-system behavior as something to test carefully.
Reports include high-voltage battery and powertrain failures that put the car into limp mode with 'Reduced Power' alerts, plus charging errors before failure. This matters because a stranded EV is a costly tow and repair.
Owners flag driving-mode and one-pedal-braking behavior, including the frunk-opening incident filed under this category. These reports suggest software and body-hardware quirks worth verifying.
“[XXX] @ [XXX] The door locks are not opening from the outside. The battery will not charge. I cannot get my items out. I have a [XXX] work & personal electronics, along with personal items for myself & my family, inside that I cannot access. It's early Sunday…”
“On Thursday, May28 I was driving my 2025 Ford Mach-2 on Schrock Rd. in Columbus, Ohio at approximately 3:30 PM when the hood (the "frunk") of the car unexpectedly unlatched and opened, flying up to a vertical position and obscuring my view of traffic. I was d…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners of low-mileage trucks report engine shutdowns while driving, with dash messages telling them to return to neutral and press start. Diesel owners also report repeated excessive soot accumulation in the particulate filter requiring dealer service.
Reports include a truck that suddenly went into neutral while driving slowly uphill, and a 6.2L truck with a major failure far from home. Transmission and drivetrain faults on new trucks are a real ownership risk.
Owners describe sudden severe loss of normal braking with a firm pedal but poor stopping, and engines shutting off while driving with screens going blank. These electrical faults affect core safety functions.
Complaints describe braking that would not stop the truck normally and instances where the vehicle shut off entirely in a parking lot. Brake-related failures on a heavy pickup deserve close inspection.
“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.
FORD Mustang MACH E — 42 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Mustang Mach E vehicles. The park rod may fail to engage when the vehicle is placed in the park (P) position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protecti…
The risk: A park rod that fails to engage can result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the transmission park rod assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C25.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Mustang Mach E vehicles. In the event of a low battery charge, the electronic door latches may remain locked once the driver or front passenger exits and shuts the door, possibly trapping someone who is unable to use the inside door release h…
The risk: The inability to enter or exit the vehicle in an emergency increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and the Secondary On-Board Diagnostic Control Module C (SOBDMC) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed to 2021-2025 Mustang Mach-E owners September 12, 2025.…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Mustang Mache E vehicles that received a new Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) during a prior repair. The battery energy control module software may cause an incorrect state of charge to display in the vehicle, or lead to an increased risk…
The risk: An inaccurate state-of-charge reading can lead to an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of crash. Additionally, a high voltage battery fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the BECM software, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 18, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in December 2026. Owners…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Mustang Mache E vehicles that received a new Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) during a prior repair. The battery energy control module software may cause an incorrect state of charge to display in the vehicle, or lead to an increased risk…
The risk: An inaccurate state-of-charge reading can lead to an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of crash. Additionally, a high voltage battery fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the BECM software, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 18, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in December 2026. Owners…
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
FORD Mustang MACH E or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Mustang Mach-E has far fewer complaints per year (about 111 versus about 823 for the Silverado), and its issues cluster around electronics and software rather than engines and brakes. In practice, the Mach-E owner is more likely to face warning-light and charging annoyances, while the Silverado owner faces a higher chance of engine, transmission, and brake problems that can strand or endanger them.
Key differences
- Complaint volume: Mach-E averages about 111 per year; Silverado about 823 per year over ten years.
- Failure type: Mach-E reports center on electrical/software and warning systems; Silverado reports center on engine shutdowns, transmission faults, and brake loss.
- Severity pattern: Silverado complaints include engines cutting off while driving and brakes that won't stop the truck; Mach-E complaints include frunk opening and limp-mode battery faults.
- Recall profile: Mach-E recalls focus on park pawl, body control software, and battery management software; Silverado recalls include fuel pump control and tire pressure monitoring.
- Test the door locks, charging cycle, and 12-volt/battery behavior, and ask whether battery-management software recalls were performed.
- Check the frunk latch and hood operation, and confirm forward-collision and cross-traffic alerts behave normally on a test drive.
- Ask for service records on the diesel particulate filter (soot accumulation) and confirm any fuel-pump control recall was completed.
- Test braking firmly at low speed and watch for engine shutdown or 'return to neutral' messages; scan for stored powertrain and brake codes.
Before you buy
- Pull the full NHTSA complaint and recall history for the specific model year and VIN.
- Confirm all open recalls were completed, especially battery-management and park-pawl items on the Mach-E and fuel-pump items on the Silverado.
- On the Mach-E, test charging, door locks, frunk latch, and driver-assist alerts during the test drive.
- On the Silverado, test brakes firmly, watch for engine stalling, and request diesel particulate filter service records if equipped.
- Have an independent mechanic scan stored codes and inspect brakes, transmission, and electrical grounds before buying.
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 | FORD Mustang MACH E | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 120 |
| 2025 | 12 | 157 |
| 2024 | 44 | 527 |
| 2023 | 123 | 450 |
| 2022 | 138 | 1390 |
| 2021 | 347 | 961 |
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 FORD Mustang MACH E or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD Mustang MACH E vs Chevrolet Silverado
- FORD Mustang MACH E total complaints
- 665
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- FORD Mustang MACH E total recalls
- 42
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- FORD Mustang MACH E avg complaints/year
- 110.8
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- FORD Mustang MACH E
- FORD Mustang MACH E top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE