Head-to-head reliability
Honda Civic TYPE R vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Honda Civic TYPE R 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 Civic TYPE R vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Civic TYPE R averages about 124 complaints per year with 10 recalls, while the Silverado averages about 823 per year with 101 recalls. The Civic's main issues are steering and A/C, while the Silverado reports engine stalling and brake problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda Civic TYPE R or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda Civic TYPE R
The Honda Civic TYPE R is a sporty compact that, in the data shown, draws a moderate number of complaints per year (about 124) over nine years. The most common theme is steering that sticks or feels locked, especially at higher speeds, which owners describe as requiring force to turn. Other frequent reports involve the air conditioning system failing and electrical quirks like the start/stop button not shutting off the car. Overall, it's a car with a few recurring, well-documented trouble spots rather than a wide range of failures.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume—about 823 per year over ten years—and far more recalls (101 vs. 10). Owners frequently report engine problems, including stalling and diesel particulate filter issues, as well as power train faults where the truck suddenly goes into neutral. Braking complaints describe a firm pedal but reduced stopping power, and electrical issues include the engine shutting off while driving. This is a vehicle with many reported failure modes across major systems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda Civic TYPE R | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,119 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 10 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 46 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 124.3 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 31 Better | 160 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 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 Civic TYPE R
- 01STEERING357
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER258
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM150
- 04ENGINE111
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM100
Owners report the steering wheel sticking or feeling 'locked' in place, often after driving for a while and at speeds above 40 mph, requiring force to turn. This matters because it can make emergency maneuvers harder and is the single most complained-about area.
Many complaints describe air conditioning failures, including the condenser and compressor, sometimes with Honda denying coverage for the compressor after covering the condenser. A failed A/C is a comfort and defroster issue, and repair costs can be significant.
Reports include the engine start/stop button not turning off the car properly, leaving the radio and dash on in accessory mode. This can lead to battery drain and confusion about whether the vehicle is truly off.
Some owners report fuel injector replacements after emissions warnings, followed by stalling at stop lights or in stop-and-go traffic. Stalling while driving is a safety concern because it can leave you without power.
“I have owned my 2017 Honda Civic LX since it was new and have maintained the car consistently since purchasing it; the car is lightly driven and while over seven years old, only has 28,000 miles on it. In recent months, I had experienced some odd occurrences…”
“The steering wheel is sticking in my 2017 Civic. This problem happens more frequently after I have been driving for a while and is more common at speeds above 40 mph. The steering wheel will feel "locked" in place and require force to turn the wheel. It feels…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners describe engine shutdowns while driving, sometimes with a 'Return to Neutral' message, and diesel particulate filter soot accumulation events requiring dealer service. These can leave you stranded and are dangerous if the engine cuts out in traffic.
Complaints include the truck suddenly going into neutral while driving slowly uphill, and a case where the vehicle lost power and screens went blank. Sudden loss of drive is a serious safety risk.
Reports include a sudden, severe loss of normal braking with a firm pedal but reduced stopping effect, and the engine shutting off while driving. These electrical faults can affect critical systems like braking and propulsion.
Owners report braking that feels firm but doesn't stop the vehicle normally, sometimes after the truck shut off and restarted. This is a clear safety concern because braking performance is compromised.
“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 Civic TYPE R — 10 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Acura Integra, Civic Type R, CR-V Hybrid, CR-V, HR-V, 2022-2025 Civic, Civic Hatchback, 2024-2025 Acura Integra Type S, 2025 CR-V Fuel Cell EV, Civic Hybrid, and Civic Hatchback Hybrid vehicles. The steering gearbox assembly may have b…
The risk: Difficulty steering can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the worm gear spring and redistribute or add grease as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2024. Owners may contact Honda Customer Service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers f…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV,…
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansi…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Acura Integra, Civic Type R, CR-V Hybrid, CR-V, HR-V, 2022-2025 Civic, Civic Hatchback, 2024-2025 Acura Integra Type S, 2025 CR-V Fuel Cell EV, Civic Hybrid, and Civic Hatchback Hybrid vehicles. The steering gearbox assembly may have b…
The risk: Difficulty steering can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the worm gear spring and redistribute or add grease as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2024. Owners may contact Honda Customer Service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers f…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022…
The risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH,…
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 Civic TYPE R or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Honda Civic TYPE R has far fewer complaints per year (about 124 vs. 823) and fewer recalls (10 vs. 101), so on paper it has a lower rate of reported problems. In practice, that means a used Civic TYPE R is less likely to surprise you with a major failure, though its steering and A/C issues are still common enough to check. The Silverado's higher volume and wider range of serious failures (engine stalling, sudden neutral, brake loss) make it a riskier used buy unless you need its truck capabilities.
Key differences
- The Civic TYPE R's top complaint is steering that sticks or locks, while the Silverado's top complaints are engine and power train failures that can cause stalling or sudden neutral.
- Silverado owners report braking problems where the pedal is firm but stopping power is reduced, a safety issue not seen in the Civic samples.
- The Civic's A/C failures are a comfort and cost issue; the Silverado's engine and electrical shutdowns are immediate safety risks.
- The Silverado has 101 recalls versus 10 for the Civic, covering fuel pumps, tire pressure monitoring, and forward collision warnings, meaning more potential safety campaigns to track.
- During a test drive, turn the steering wheel at speeds above 40 mph and feel for any sticking or 'locked' sensation, especially after the car is warm.
- Check the air conditioning blows cold and ask for service records; listen for unusual noises from the A/C compressor and confirm the condenser has been replaced if applicable.
- Test drive at low speeds in a parking lot and on a slight incline, feeling for any sudden neutral engagement or loss of power; also watch for warning messages like 'Return to Neutral'.
- Brake firmly from moderate speed in a safe area and confirm the pedal feels normal and the truck stops straight; ask if any brake-related recalls or repairs have been done.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed, especially the steering recalls on the Civic and the fuel pump and forward collision recalls on the Silverado.
- For the Civic, test the steering at highway speed and check A/C operation; for the Silverado, test low-speed driving and braking, and scan for stored engine or transmission codes.
- Ask for maintenance records showing regular oil changes and, on the Silverado diesel, documented diesel particulate filter service.
- Have a independent mechanic inspect the Civic's steering rack and A/C components, and the Silverado's transmission, brakes, and electrical system before purchase.
- Search NHTSA complaints by VIN or model year to see if the specific vehicle you're considering has repeated reports in the problem areas listed above.
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 Civic TYPE R | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 120 |
| 2025 | 0 | 157 |
| 2024 | 0 | 527 |
| 2023 | 0 | 450 |
| 2021 | 0 | 961 |
| 2020 | 0 | 868 |
| 2019 | 0 | 2003 |
| 2018 | 601 | 597 |
| 2017 | 518 | 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 Honda Civic TYPE R or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda Civic TYPE R vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Honda Civic TYPE R total complaints
- 1,119
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Honda Civic TYPE R total recalls
- 10
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Honda Civic TYPE R avg complaints/year
- 124.3
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Honda Civic TYPE R
- Honda Civic TYPE R top complaint area
- STEERING
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE