Head-to-head reliability
Honda Cb650r vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Honda Cb650r 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
Honda Cb650r vs Chevrolet Silverado: the Cb650r has 0 complaints and 3 recalls over 8 years, while the Silverado has 8,227 complaints, 101 recalls, and 233 crash-related reports over 10 years. The Silverado's reported engine, brake, and electrical failures are more serious. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda Cb650r or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda Cb650r
The Honda Cb650r is a middleweight sport motorcycle with an exceptionally clean reliability record in this data: zero owner complaints over eight years. The only manufacturer actions are three recalls covering exterior lighting and a clutch lever issue. For a buyer, that means very little reported trouble, but you should still verify those recalls were completed on any used example you consider.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a very high volume of owner complaints—8,227 over ten years, or about 823 per year—and 101 recalls. Reported problems cluster around the engine, power train, electrical system, and brakes, with 233 crash-related complaints, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths noted. The sample complaints describe serious symptoms like sudden engine shutdown, loss of braking, and transmission going into neutral at low speed.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda Cb650r | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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.
Honda Cb650r
No component data available.
Two of the three recalls on the Cb650r involve exterior lighting. While no owner complaints describe the exact failure, a lighting fault can affect your visibility to other drivers, so it is worth confirming the recall repair was done.
One recall covers the clutch hand lever assembly. A problem here could make clutch operation inconsistent or difficult, which matters for control at low speeds. Check that this recall has been performed.
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners report engine-related issues including a 6.2L motor losing power during a family trip and a 6.6L Duramax diesel repeatedly accumulating excessive soot in the particulate filter, requiring dealer service. These can leave you stranded or force repeated shop visits.
Complaints describe the truck suddenly shifting into neutral while driving slowly uphill in a parking garage, and the same 6.2L engine problem also appears under power train. A transmission that drops out of gear can be dangerous in traffic.
Owners report sudden loss of normal braking with a firm pedal but poor stopping, and the engine shutting off while driving with messages like 'Return to Neutral' and 'Press Start.' These electrical faults can disable critical safety functions.
Complaints include severe loss of braking shortly after dropping a child at school, and the truck shutting off completely in a parking lot with no throttle response. Brake problems directly affect your ability to stop safely.
“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.
Honda Cb650r — 3 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Super Cub C125, CB500X, CB650R, CBR300R, CBR500R, CBR650R, Rebel 300, Rebel 500, Monkey, 2020 CRF250L, GROM, 2021 CRF300L, and CB500F motorcycles. The rear reflector lens may not reflect brightly enough. As such, these vehicles fail to…
The risk: A dim rear reflector may reduce the visibility of the motorcycle to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the rear reflector, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KM3.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2024 CB650R and CBR650R motorcycles. The fasteners of the gear shift arm may loosen and detach, resulting in the inability to shift gears.
The risk: The inability to shift gears while riding increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the gear shift arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 31, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KR7.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Super Cub C125, CB500X, CB650R, CBR300R, CBR500R, CBR650R, Rebel 300, Rebel 500, Monkey, 2020 CRF250L, GROM, 2021 CRF300L, and CB500F motorcycles. The rear reflector lens may not reflect brightly enough. As such, these vehicles fail to…
The risk: A dim rear reflector may reduce the visibility of the motorcycle to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the rear reflector, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KM3.
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
Honda Cb650r or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Honda Cb650r has far fewer issues per year—zero complaints annually versus about 823 for the Silverado. In practice, the Cb650r owner is unlikely to face recurring repair visits, while Silverado owners report frequent and sometimes safety-critical failures that require immediate attention.
Key differences
- The Cb650r has 0 complaints and 3 recalls over 8 years; the Silverado has 8,227 complaints and 101 recalls over 10 years.
- Silverado owners report sudden engine shutdown, loss of braking, and transmission going into neutral; the Cb650r has no owner complaint text on record.
- The Silverado has 233 crash-related complaints, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths; the Cb650r has 0 in each category.
- Cb650r recalls are limited to exterior lighting and a clutch lever; Silverado recalls cover fuel pump control, tire pressure monitoring, forward collision warnings, and owner's manual issues.
- Confirm the exterior lighting recall repair was completed, since two of the three recalls involve lighting.
- Check the clutch hand lever operation and ask whether the clutch assembly recall has been performed.
- Ask for proof that the fuel pump control module recall and forward collision warning recall were completed.
- Test drive at low speed and in parking lots to check for sudden neutral engagement or engine shutdown, and test braking firmly to feel for any loss of assist.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to see all open recalls for the specific Cb650r or Silverado you are considering.
- For the Cb650r, verify the lighting and clutch lever recalls were fixed and test the clutch and lights.
- For the Silverado, ask for service records on engine, transmission, brake, and electrical repairs, especially any diesel particulate filter work.
- During a Silverado test drive, include slow parking-lot maneuvers and hard braking from low speed to check for shutdown or brake loss.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the Silverado's brake system, battery/charging, and transmission before purchase.
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 | Honda Cb650r | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 120 |
| 2025 | 0 | 157 |
| 2024 | 0 | 527 |
| 2023 | 0 | 450 |
| 2022 | 0 | 1390 |
| 2021 | 0 | 961 |
| 2020 | 0 | 868 |
| 2019 | 0 | 2003 |
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 Honda Cb650r or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda Cb650r vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Honda Cb650r total complaints
- 0
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Honda Cb650r total recalls
- 3
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Honda Cb650r avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Honda Cb650r
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE