Head-to-head reliability
Honda CR Z vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Honda CR Z 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 CR Z vs Chevrolet Silverado: The CR Z has 67 complaints over 6 years (about 11 per year) and 10 recalls, while the Silverado has 5,105 complaints over 10 years (about 511 per year) and 100 recalls. The CR Z's main issues are air bag recalls and door handles; the Silverado's are engine, power train, electrical, and brakes. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda CR Z or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda CR Z
The Honda CR Z is a two-door hybrid hatchback that, in ownership terms, shows a relatively low complaint volume: 67 complaints over 6 years, averaging about 11 per year. The pattern is dominated by air bag inflator recalls and complaints, plus door handle and electrical issues. Many air bag complaints center on the Takata recall and parts availability, which can leave owners waiting or unable to drive. Overall, the CR Z's issues are fewer per year but include serious safety-related recall themes.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume: 5,105 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 511 per year. The most common areas are engine, power train, electrical system, and service brakes, with reports of loss of power, transmission problems, and braking failures. Recalls cover tailgate latches, steering, seat belt anchors, and brake fluid warning sensors. For a buyer, this means a wider range of potential problems and more frequent owner reports.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda CR Z | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 67 Better | 5,105 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 10 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 7 Better | 117 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 11.2 Better | 510.5 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 7 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.
Honda CR Z
- 01AIR BAGS36
- 02STRUCTURE8
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
- 05POWER TRAIN6
Owners report Takata air bag inflator recalls, with long waits for parts and some saying they were told not to drive the car. This matters because the air bag may not deploy correctly in a crash, and parts delays can leave you without a fix for months.
Complaints describe driver-side door handles breaking or doors not opening from the outside, often after sun exposure. This can delay entry and become a safety issue if you need to get in quickly.
Owners report traction control lights flashing, jolting, and loss of control, as well as IMA (hybrid) lights and clutch sensor failures. These can affect drivability and may be hard to diagnose.
Some complaints repeat air bag non-deployment in collisions and Takata recall issues. This area often overlaps with safety concerns already noted.
“TAKATA RECALL LAST WEEK WE WERE NOTIFIED THAT OUR CAR HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY THE TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL. UP UNTIL THAT TIME OUR VIN NUMBER WAS NOT LISTED AS HAVING BEEN AFFECTED. AS OF THE END OF MARCH 2016, WE ARE TOLD IT NOW IS. WE ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO DRIVE…”
“TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM HONDA REGARDING THIS RECALL IN MARCH OF 2016. I CONSIDER MYSELF A REASONABLE MAN BUT ITS BEEN MORE THAN 5 MONTHS AND STILL NO PARTS AVAILABLE. THE LETTER STATES THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE SUMMER OF 2016. MY DEALE…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE1,698
- 02POWER TRAIN1,453
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM982
- 04SERVICE BRAKES691
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER542
Owners report rough running, loss of motive power, and diesel particulate filter soot accumulation requiring dealer service. These can leave you stranded or lead to expensive repairs.
Complaints include sudden shifting into neutral and transmission problems at low speeds. This can cause loss of control in parking lots or traffic.
Reports describe sudden loss of normal braking, loud pinging from the engine, and loss of power steering and brakes. These are serious safety issues that can happen while driving.
Owners report the brake pedal staying firm but braking effectiveness dropping, and brakes becoming inoperable after a loss of power. This matters because stopping ability is critical.
“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 CR Z — 10 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.
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
Honda CR Z or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Honda CR Z has far fewer issues per year (about 11 vs. 511 for the Silverado), but its complaints include serious air bag recall problems. The Silverado's much higher rate means you are more likely to encounter engine, transmission, electrical, or brake problems over time. In practice, the CR Z may be simpler to live with, but both need careful pre-purchase checks.
Key differences
- The CR Z averages about 11 complaints per year, while the Silverado averages about 511 per year, a much higher rate.
- CR Z complaints are dominated by air bag inflator recalls and door handle failures; Silverado complaints are spread across engine, power train, electrical, and brakes.
- The Silverado has 100 recalls over 10 years, including tailgate latches, steering, and brake fluid warning sensors; the CR Z has 10 recalls, mostly air bag inflator modules.
- Owner reports for the Silverado include sudden loss of power, transmission shifting to neutral, and brake failure; CR Z reports include air bag non-deployment and door opening problems.
- Check if the Takata air bag inflator recall has been completed; ask for proof and confirm the VIN is not under an open recall.
- Test both door handles, especially the driver's side, for stiffness or failure, and check for any electrical warning lights like IMA or traction control.
- Listen for engine pinging or rough running, and check for stored codes related to diesel particulate filter soot accumulation on diesel models.
- Test the brakes for firmness and stopping power, and check for any history of sudden loss of braking or power steering assist.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to see all open recalls and confirm they are fixed, especially air bag recalls on the CR Z and brake or tailgate recalls on the Silverado.
- Ask for a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with hybrids for the CR Z or with full-size trucks for the Silverado.
- For the CR Z, test the door handles, air conditioning, and hybrid battery behavior; for the Silverado, test transmission shifting, brake feel, and engine power.
- Request maintenance records, especially for oil changes, transmission service, and any recall repairs.
- Take a test drive that includes highway speeds, stop-and-go traffic, and parking maneuvers to feel for hesitation, warning lights, or unusual noises.
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 CR Z or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda CR Z vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Honda CR Z total complaints
- 67
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 5,105
- Honda CR Z total recalls
- 10
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- Honda CR Z avg complaints/year
- 11.2
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 510.5
- More reliable overall
- Honda CR Z
- Honda CR Z top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE