Head-to-head reliability
Genesis G90 vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Genesis G90 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
Genesis G90 vs Chevrolet Silverado: The G90 averages 6.7 complaints per year over 10 years, while the Silverado averages 510.5. The G90 has 29 recalls and 7 crashes, whereas the Silverado has 100 recalls and 117 crashes. Choose the G90 for fewer issues, but the Silverado for truck capability. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Genesis G90 or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Genesis G90
The Genesis G90 is a luxury sedan that, in ownership terms, promises a high-end experience but has shown a pattern of electrical and engine-related issues that can undermine that promise. Owners report problems like burning odors, blue smoke, and repeated infotainment failures, suggesting that while the car may be comfortable, its reliability can be a concern. With an average of 6.7 complaints per year over a decade, it's not a high-volume problem vehicle, but the nature of the issues—especially those tied to recalls—means buyers should be prepared for potential visits to the dealer.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup that, in ownership terms, is a workhorse but has a high volume of complaints, averaging 510.5 per year over the same period. Owners frequently report engine and powertrain failures, including sudden loss of power and transmission issues, as well as brake problems that can be safety-critical. With 100 recalls and over 5,000 complaints, the Silverado's reliability record is concerning, and buyers should expect a higher likelihood of encountering significant mechanical problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Genesis G90 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 67 Better | 5,105 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 29 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 7 Better | 117 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 6.7 Better | 510.5 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 2 Better | 104 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
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 G90
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM17
- 02ENGINE14
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER11
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM8
- 05FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE6
Owners report burning odors and blue smoke coming from under the hood, which could indicate electrical shorts or component failures. Repeated infotainment display failures are also common, requiring multiple replacements.
Complaints reference recall campaigns for engine issues, and some owners describe failures in critical safety-related components that were supposedly fixed but recurred. This suggests potential engine reliability problems that could lead to breakdowns.
There are reports of the car not responding when pressing the gas pedal from a stop, which could be a serious safety issue if it happens in traffic. This symptom points to potential fuel delivery or transmission control problems.
“ON 06/10/2017 WE PURCHASED A G90 GENESIS FROM SOUTH CHARLOTTE HYUNDAI AT 8525 SOUTH BLVD CHARLOTTE NC. THE TEAM WAS VERY CONVINCING ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE VEHICLE & THE 10-YEAR WARRANTY. THE CAR WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE CAR COSTING $74,678.47, BUT WE WERE ASSUR…”
“The contact owns a 2019 Genesis G90. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the contact became aware of an abnormal burning odor. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was blue smoke coming from underneath the ho…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE1,698
- 02POWER TRAIN1,453
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM982
- 04SERVICE BRAKES691
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER542
Owners report sudden loss of motive power, often accompanied by loud pinging sounds, and in some cases, the engine fails completely, leaving families stranded far from home. Diesel models also experience frequent diesel particulate filter clogging, requiring dealer intervention.
Transmission issues are common, with vehicles suddenly shifting into neutral while driving, which can be dangerous. This is a major concern for a vehicle that may be used for towing or hauling.
There are reports of sudden, severe loss of braking effectiveness, where the pedal is firm but the vehicle does not stop as expected. This is a critical safety issue that could lead to accidents.
“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 G90 — 29 recalls
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Genesis, 2017-2019 Genesis G80, Genesis G90, and 2019 Genesis G70 vehicles. Water may enter the starter solenoid and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
The risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a remedy relay kit in the engine junction box, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2024. Owne…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Genesis G80, 2017-2022 G90, and 2019-2022 G70 vehicles equipped with a 3.3-liter V6 turbocharged engine. The left turbocharger oil feed pipe may deteriorate and leak oil.
The risk: An oil leak in the presence of hot engine components can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the left turbocharger oil feed pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 3, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 019G. This rec…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Genesis G80, 2017-2022 G90, and 2019-2022 G70 vehicles equipped with a 3.3-liter V6 turbocharged engine. The left turbocharger oil feed pipe may deteriorate and leak oil.
The risk: An oil leak in the presence of hot engine components can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the left turbocharger oil feed pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 3, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 019G. This rec…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Genesis GV70, GV80, G80, and G90 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 inspect and replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 7, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 022G. This rec…
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
Genesis G90 or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Genesis G90 has significantly fewer issues per year (6.7) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (510.5), indicating a lower likelihood of encountering problems. In practice, this means G90 owners may face fewer unexpected repairs, but the Silverado's higher volume of complaints suggests a higher risk of major mechanical failures.
Key differences
- The G90 has far fewer complaints per year (6.7) than the Silverado (510.5), indicating a lower frequency of reported issues.
- G90 owners report electrical and engine issues like burning odors and infotainment failures, while Silverado owners face more severe engine and powertrain failures, including sudden power loss.
- The Silverado has a higher number of crash-related complaints (117) and injuries (104) compared to the G90 (7 crashes, 2 injuries), suggesting more safety-critical incidents.
- The G90's recalls focus on electrical and fuel system components, while the Silverado's recalls include brakes and tailgate latches, indicating different areas of concern.
- Inspect the electrical system for any signs of burning smells or smoke, and check the infotainment screen for consistent operation.
- Verify that all engine-related recalls have been performed, especially those involving turbochargers or fuel pumps, to avoid potential failures.
- Check the engine for any unusual noises or loss of power during a test drive, and ask about the history of any engine or transmission replacements.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, especially at higher speeds, to ensure there is no loss of braking effectiveness, and check for any active recalls on the brake system.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to see if any recalls were completed and if there are open recalls.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the engine, transmission, and electrical systems.
- Test drive both vehicles under various conditions, including highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic, to feel for any hesitation or loss of power.
- Check for any pending recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Ask for maintenance records to see if the previous owner addressed any common issues.
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 | Genesis G90 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 98 |
| 2025 | 2 | 150 |
| 2024 | 3 | 0 |
| 2023 | 5 | 0 |
| 2022 | 4 | 1340 |
| 2021 | 5 | 934 |
| 2020 | 2 | 0 |
| 2019 | 6 | 1992 |
| 2018 | 16 | 591 |
| 2017 | 24 | 0 |
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 G90 or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Genesis G90 vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Genesis G90 total complaints
- 67
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 5,105
- Genesis G90 total recalls
- 29
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- Genesis G90 avg complaints/year
- 6.7
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 510.5
- More reliable overall
- Genesis G90
- Genesis G90 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE