Head-to-head reliability
Honda Metropolitan vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Honda Metropolitan 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 Metropolitan vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Metropolitan has zero complaints over 10 years, while the Silverado averages 510.5 per year, with 117 crash-related incidents. Silverado owners report engine power loss, transmission neutral drops, and brake failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda Metropolitan or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda Metropolitan
The Honda Metropolitan is a small-displacement scooter, not a full-size vehicle, and its NHTSA record over the past decade shows zero owner complaints. That means there is no real-world owner feedback describing specific failures, so the practical reliability picture is one of silence—no reported issues to worry about. The nine recalls listed all target the driveshaft, but without complaint text or details, a buyer should treat them as a maintenance item to verify has been addressed. In ownership terms, this is a low-stress, low-data vehicle: you're not getting a history of problems, but you also have little owner evidence to judge long-term durability.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a dense and serious complaint history: over 5,100 complaints in ten years, averaging more than 500 per year, plus 100 recalls. Owners report real, sometimes dangerous failures: engines losing power, transmissions slipping into neutral, and sudden loss of braking effectiveness. The top problem areas are the engine, powertrain, electrical system, and service brakes, with many complaints describing incidents at highway speeds or in traffic. For a buyer, this is a vehicle that demands careful inspection and a clear-eyed understanding that major component failures are not rare outliers.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda Metropolitan | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 5,105 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 9 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 Metropolitan
No component data available.
The only component named in recalls is the driveshaft, with five separate recall actions. Since there are no owner complaints, the practical concern is whether the driveshaft has been inspected or replaced under those recalls—if not, it could be a point of failure, but there is no owner-reported symptom to describe.
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE1,698
- 02POWER TRAIN1,453
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM982
- 04SERVICE BRAKES691
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER542
Owners report engines losing motive power, sometimes with loud pinging sounds, and diesel models experiencing repeated Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) soot buildup that requires dealer service. These are not cosmetic issues—they can leave you stranded or require frequent repairs.
Transmission problems are common, including the vehicle suddenly shifting into neutral while driving uphill or at low speeds. This is a safety concern because it can happen without warning and leave you without drive power in traffic.
Electrical failures are linked to severe braking loss and loss of power steering, as described in complaints where the brake pedal stays firm but braking is ineffective. This suggests a system-level electrical fault that can disable critical safety functions.
Sudden, severe loss of normal braking is reported, often after a short period of ownership. Owners describe the pedal being firm but the vehicle not stopping, which is a terrifying and dangerous situation, especially near schools or in traffic.
“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 Metropolitan — 9 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2025 Metropolitan scooters. An improper seal between the transmission case and left-side crankcase may allow transmission fluid to leak.
The risk: A transmission fluid leak can cause the driveshaft bearings to fail, causing a sudden loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the transmission case as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KR…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2025 Metropolitan scooters. An improper seal between the transmission case and left-side crankcase may allow transmission fluid to leak.
The risk: A transmission fluid leak can cause the driveshaft bearings to fail, causing a sudden loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the transmission case as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KR…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2025 Metropolitan scooters. An improper seal between the transmission case and left-side crankcase may allow transmission fluid to leak.
The risk: A transmission fluid leak can cause the driveshaft bearings to fail, causing a sudden loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the transmission case as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KR…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2025 Metropolitan scooters. An improper seal between the transmission case and left-side crankcase may allow transmission fluid to leak.
The risk: A transmission fluid leak can cause the driveshaft bearings to fail, causing a sudden loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the transmission case as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KR…
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 Metropolitan or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Honda Metropolitan has zero complaints per year, while the Chevrolet Silverado averages over 500 complaints per year—a stark difference. In practice, the Metropolitan offers a trouble-free ownership experience based on available data, whereas the Silverado carries a high risk of encountering major engine, transmission, or brake failures. If you prioritize reliability and low stress, the Metropolitan is the clear choice.
Key differences
- The Metropolitan has no owner complaints, while the Silverado has over 5,100, including reports of sudden power loss and brake failure.
- Silverado owners report engine and transmission failures that can leave them stranded, such as the truck slipping into neutral or losing motive power at highway speeds.
- Brake failures on the Silverado are described as sudden and severe, with the pedal firm but braking ineffective—a critical safety issue not seen in the Metropolitan.
- The Metropolitan's only issue is a driveshaft recall, which is a known fix, whereas the Silverado has 100 recalls covering many systems.
- Check that all driveshaft recalls have been performed—ask for service records or contact a dealer with the VIN.
- Since there are no complaints, look for any signs of poor maintenance, like worn tires or old fluids, which could indicate neglect.
- Inspect the engine and transmission for any signs of previous repairs, and ask about DPF service history if it's a diesel.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, including a hard stop from speed, and check for any warning lights related to the electrical system.
Before you buy
- For the Metropolitan: verify recall completion for the driveshaft by calling a Honda dealer with the VIN.
- For the Silverado: get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic, focusing on engine, transmission, and brakes.
- For the Silverado: check the NHTSA website for any open recalls and ensure they are fixed before purchase.
- For the Silverado: ask for maintenance records, especially for DPF cleaning or replacement on diesel models.
- For both: take a test drive that includes highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic to feel for any hesitation or brake 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 | Honda Metropolitan | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 98 |
| 2025 | 0 | 150 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 | 1340 |
| 2021 | 0 | 934 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 1992 |
| 2018 | 0 | 591 |
| 2017 | 0 | 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 Honda Metropolitan or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda Metropolitan vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Honda Metropolitan total complaints
- 0
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 5,105
- Honda Metropolitan total recalls
- 9
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- Honda Metropolitan avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 510.5
- More reliable overall
- Honda Metropolitan
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE