Head-to-head reliability
Honda FCX Clarity vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Honda FCX Clarity 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 FCX Clarity vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Clarity has 0 complaints and 5 airbag recalls over 10 years, while the Silverado has 5,105 complaints, 100 recalls, and 117 crash-related reports. The Silverado averages 510.5 complaints per year, mostly engine and power train issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda FCX Clarity or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda FCX Clarity
The Honda FCX Clarity is a hydrogen fuel-cell sedan produced in very small numbers, so owner-reported data is extremely limited. Over 10 years, NHTSA logged 0 complaints, meaning there is no pattern of owner-reported failures to describe. However, it has 5 recalls, all for the passenger-side frontal airbag inflator module, which is a serious safety defect that can cause the airbag to rupture. Living with this car means dealing with a major recall and virtually no public complaint history to gauge other reliability issues.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a high volume of owner complaints: 5,105 over 10 years, averaging about 511 per year. The most common problem areas are the engine, power train, electrical system, and service brakes. Owners report serious issues like sudden loss of braking, engine failure, and transmission problems, often on very new trucks. There are also 100 recalls and 117 crash-related complaints, with 104 injuries and 1 death reported.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda FCX Clarity | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 5,105 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 5 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 117 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 Better | 510.5 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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 FCX Clarity
No component data available.
All 5 recalls for the Honda FCX Clarity involve the passenger-side frontal airbag inflator module. This part can explode with too much force, sending metal fragments into the cabin. For a buyer, this means checking that the recall repair has been done before driving.
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE1,698
- 02POWER TRAIN1,453
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM982
- 04SERVICE BRAKES691
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER542
Owners report engine problems like rough running, loss of power, and diesel particulate filter soot accumulation requiring dealer service. Some complaints describe engine failure on new trucks with low mileage, leaving drivers stranded.
Complaints include sudden shifting into neutral while driving, transmission failure, and loss of motive power. These issues can happen at low speeds or on the highway, creating a risk of crashes.
Owners report sudden loss of normal braking, with a firm brake pedal but poor stopping, as well as engine pinging and loss of steering and brakes at speed. These electrical faults can disable critical safety systems.
Brake problems include reduced braking effectiveness and warning system failures. One recall involves a brake fluid low warning switch, which could fail to alert drivers to low fluid.
“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 FCX Clarity — 5 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX, ZDX, Honda Accord Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot vehicles, 2011-13 Acura TSX Sportswagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord,, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles and 2013 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV veh…
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 passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 16, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississip…
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 passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Acura TSX, 2011-2012 Acura TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Acura ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2012 Honda Accord Crosstour and Honda Insight, 2009-2012 Honda Fit, 2009-2012 Pilot, 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2012 Honda FCX Clarity and 2006-2011 Hon…
The risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The manufacturer has mailed an interim notification, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Owners may con…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Acura TSX, 2011 TSX Wagon, 2010-2011 Acura ZDX, 2008-2011 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid, and Civic GX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2010-2011 FCX Clarity and Insight, and 2009-2011 Fit, and Pilot…
The risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle 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 is KA4, KA5, KA6, and KA7.
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 FCX Clarity or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Honda FCX Clarity has far fewer owner complaints per year (0 vs. about 511 for the Silverado), but it has a major airbag recall with no complaint history to assess other issues. The Silverado has a large number of complaints and recalls, with reports of serious safety failures. In practice, the Clarity appears less likely to have reported problems, but its airbag recall is a critical safety concern.
Key differences
- The Honda FCX Clarity has 0 owner complaints but 5 airbag inflator recalls; the Chevrolet Silverado has 5,105 complaints and 100 recalls, including engine, power train, and brake issues.
- Silverado owners report sudden loss of braking and transmission shifting to neutral, while the Clarity has no reported complaint patterns beyond the airbag recall.
- The Silverado has 117 crash-related complaints, 104 injuries, and 1 death; the Clarity has 0 in all these categories.
- The Clarity is a low-production fuel-cell sedan with limited real-world data; the Silverado is a high-volume pickup with extensive owner feedback showing recurring safety defects.
- Confirm that the passenger-side frontal airbag inflator recall has been repaired; if not, the airbag could rupture and cause injury.
- Check for any signs of prior airbag deployment or dashboard damage, as the recall may not have been completed.
- Test the brakes thoroughly for sudden loss of braking or a firm pedal with poor stopping, as owners report this electrical/brake issue.
- Listen for engine pinging or rough running, and check for transmission slipping or sudden neutral engagement during a test drive.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to see if the Honda FCX Clarity's airbag inflator recall or the Silverado's many recalls have been fixed.
- For the Silverado, ask for service records related to engine, transmission, and brake repairs, and take a long test drive including highway speeds.
- For the Clarity, verify the airbag recall completion and inspect the passenger-side dashboard for any signs of repair.
- Have a mechanic inspect the Silverado's brake system, transmission, and electrical components for the reported failure patterns.
- Check the Silverado's diesel particulate filter history if equipped with the Duramax, as owners report soot accumulation events.
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 FCX Clarity or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda FCX Clarity vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Honda FCX Clarity total complaints
- 0
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 5,105
- Honda FCX Clarity total recalls
- 5
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- Honda FCX Clarity avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 510.5
- More reliable overall
- Honda FCX Clarity
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE