Head-to-head reliability

Genesis G80 vs Chevrolet Silverado

How the Genesis G80 and Chevrolet Silverado compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

Genesis G80223 complaints · 30 recalls Fewer issues per year
Chevrolet Silverado5,105 complaints · 100 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

Genesis G80 vs Chevrolet Silverado: The G80 averages 22.3 complaints per year over 10 years, while the Silverado averages 510.5. Silverado owners report more severe engine and transmission failures, whereas G80 issues are often electrical. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The picture

Is the Genesis G80 or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?

A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.

Genesis G80

The Genesis G80 is a luxury sedan that, in ownership terms, shows a moderate complaint rate of about 22 per year over the past decade. Owners report issues that can affect daily usability and safety, such as electrical gremlins that knock out gauges and warning lights, and engine problems that sometimes follow recall repairs. While not as numerous as some trucks, the nature of these failures—especially those tied to recalls—means a buyer should be prepared for potential visits to the dealer.

Chevrolet Silverado

The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume, averaging over 510 per year. The dominant issues are engine and powertrain problems, including serious failures like loss of motive power and transmission issues that can leave drivers stranded. Electrical and brake complaints also appear frequently, sometimes in combination with engine failures, suggesting that the Silverado's reliability can be a significant concern for owners.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategoryGenesis G80Chevrolet Silverado
Total complaintsAll model years combined223 Better5,105
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns30 Better100
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints16 Better117
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years22.3 Better510.5
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints13 Better104
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints0 Better1

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.

Genesis G80

  1. 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM60
  2. 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER36
  3. 03ENGINE35
  4. 04SERVICE BRAKES25
  5. 05STEERING22
What these mean
Electrical System

Owners report that all warning lights illuminate and gauges stop working, including speedometer, turn signals, and tachometer. This can also disable critical safety systems like airbag warnings and electric power steering, making the car unpredictable to drive.

Engine

Some owners describe rough idling and unusual noises after a recall repair that added a relay kit to the engine compartment. Others mention a fire hazard recall, indicating potential engine compartment issues that could pose a safety risk.

Service Brakes

Brake problems include a soft or unresponsive brake pedal, as described by one owner at around 26,000 miles. This can increase stopping distances and create a dangerous situation, especially in emergency braking.

In owners' words — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

All lights warning lights illuminate and gauges stop working. Loss of functionality includes critical control and safety systems and features: •No Speedometer •No Turn Signals •No Tachometer •Odometer not recording miles •Airbag warning •Electric power steeri…

Recall number 1 from 2022 was just complete at Homer Skelton Hyundai in Olive Branch Mississippi on around [XXX]. Now this 2024 recall which is major involving over 30,000 vehicles as of today with the fire hazard is very very suspect. I received a letter 5 m…

Chevrolet Silverado

  1. 01ENGINE1,698
  2. 02POWER TRAIN1,453
  3. 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM982
  4. 04SERVICE BRAKES691
  5. 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER542
What these mean
Engine

Engine failures are frequent and severe, with owners reporting sudden loss of motive power while driving, often accompanied by loud pinging sounds. Diesel models also suffer from excessive soot accumulation in the particulate filter, requiring dealer intervention multiple times.

Power Train

Transmission issues are common, including the vehicle suddenly shifting into neutral while driving uphill, which can lead to loss of control. These problems often occur at low mileage, sometimes within the first few hundred miles.

Electrical System

Electrical problems can cause a sudden loss of braking effectiveness, as one owner experienced, where the brake pedal remained firm but the vehicle did not stop normally. Another report mentions a loss of power, brakes, and steering simultaneously at highway speed.

Service Brakes

Brake failures are reported, including a severe loss of normal braking without warning. This is a critical safety issue that can lead to crashes, especially in stop-and-go traffic or at intersections.

In owners' words — ENGINE

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.

Genesis G80 — 30 recalls

Electrical System — Instrument Cluster/Panel
#25V105000

The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain Genesis 2023-2024 G80, GV80, 2025 GV70 and 2023-2025 GV70 "Electrified" vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standar…

The risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will inspect and update the instrument panel display software, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 26, 2025. Owners may contact Genesis customer service at 844-340-9741. Hyundai's number for t…

Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
#26V229000Oct 2026

The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Genesis) is recalling certain Genesis 2022-2026 GV70, 2023-2025 G90, 2021-2025 G80, and GV80 vehicles. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the fuel pipe and fuel rail.

The risk: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.

The fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning July 20, 2026. Owners may contact Genesis customer service at 844-340-9741. Genesis' number for this…

Seat Belts — Front
#23V094000

The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Genesis GV80, 2021-2023 Genesis G80, 2022-2023 Genesis GV70, and 2023 Genesis GV60 vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.

The risk: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, strike vehicle occupants, and result in injury.

The fix: Dealers will secure the seat belt pretensioners with a cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 14, 2023. For GV60 owners, Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed April 14, 20…

Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump
#23V630000Nov 2023

The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Genesis G80, GV80, and 2022 Genesis GV70 vehicles. The fuel pump may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.

The risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 016G.

Chevrolet Silverado — 100 recalls

Latches/Locks/Linkages — Tailgate — Latch
#24V060000Jan 2024

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…

Steering
#23V549000Mar 2023

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…

Latches/Locks/Linkages — Tailgate — Latch
#24V894000

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…

Seat Belts — Front — Anchorage
#23V786000

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

Genesis G80 or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?

The Genesis G80 has far fewer complaints per year (22.3) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (510.5), indicating a lower frequency of reported issues. In practice, this means a G80 buyer is less likely to encounter major failures, but the Silverado's problems are more numerous and often more severe, affecting engine and drivetrain reliability.

Recommendation. If you prioritize a lower likelihood of major mechanical failures and are willing to deal with occasional electrical glitches, the Genesis G80 is the better choice. However, if you need the utility of a pickup truck and can accept a higher risk of engine and transmission problems, the Silverado might suit your needs, but be prepared for potential downtime and repair costs.

Key differences

  • The Silverado has over 20 times more complaints per year than the G80, indicating a much higher rate of reported problems.
  • Silverado owners frequently report sudden loss of power and transmission failures, while G80 issues are more often electrical and brake-related.
  • The G80 has had recalls for electrical and fuel system issues, while the Silverado has recalls for tailgate latches, steering, and brake fluid sensors.
  • Both vehicles have had crash-related complaints, but the Silverado has a higher number of injuries and one reported death, though this is not necessarily indicative of safety.
Watch on Genesis G80
  • Check the instrument cluster and warning lights for intermittent failures, as owners report gauges and safety systems going out.
  • Inspect the engine compartment for any signs of previous recall repairs, such as relay kits, and listen for rough idling or unusual noises.
Watch on Chevrolet Silverado
  • Test the transmission thoroughly, especially during uphill driving, to ensure it doesn't slip into neutral unexpectedly.
  • Check the brake system for any signs of reduced effectiveness, and ask about any recalls related to brake fluid sensors.

Before you buy

  • Obtain the vehicle's recall history and ensure all recalls have been performed, especially for the G80's electrical and fuel system recalls.
  • For the Silverado, ask for service records related to engine and transmission repairs, and consider a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic.
  • Test drive both vehicles at highway speeds to check for any loss of power, unusual noises, or brake issues.
  • Check the NHTSA website for the latest complaints and recalls on the specific model year you're considering.
  • Consider an extended warranty or service contract to cover potential expensive repairs, especially for the Silverado.

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.

YearGenesis G80Chevrolet Silverado
2026798
20253150
202410
202390
202271340
20219934
202000
2019271992
201895591
2017650
Years to scrutinize: the 2018 Genesis G80 drew the most complaints (95); the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado drew the most (1,992). Inspect these model years especially closely.

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 Genesis G80 or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

Genesis G80 vs Chevrolet Silverado — comparison facts
Comparison
Genesis G80 vs Chevrolet Silverado
Genesis G80 total complaints
223
Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
5,105
Genesis G80 total recalls
30
Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
100
Genesis G80 avg complaints/year
22.3
Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
510.5
More reliable overall
Genesis G80
Genesis G80 top complaint area
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
ENGINE