Head-to-head reliability
Honda Pilot vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Honda Pilot 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 Pilot averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Honda Pilot has 3,613 complaints and 66 recalls on record; Chevrolet Silverado has 7,787 complaints and 100 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda Pilot | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3,613 Better | 7,787 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 66 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 75 Better | 225 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 361.3 Better | 778.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 68 Better | 150 |
| 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 Pilot
- 01ENGINE1,087
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,020
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER619
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE433
- 05POWER TRAIN396
“recall has been open since December of that year I have documentation that I took it last year to get this recall fix and your web site is stating that it is incomplete. today 11/12 at 7:30am my engine caught on fire there was a lot of witness at the elementa…”
“My vehicle has already had recalls on the fuel system and brake pin. Now I have an auto idle stop system problem. The indicator light is constantly flashing. Two days ago I was stopped at a red light on a two lane road in the city. When I pushed in the brake…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,308
- 02POWER TRAIN2,215
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,437
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,193
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER832
“At approximately 3,000 miles, the engine began making a loud knocking noise that became progressively worse while driving. The truck was diagnosed as needing a complete engine replacement. No warning lights, no check engine light, nothing. For someone inexper…”
“Truck has less than 1800 miles. Was at a stop light and the vehicle started shaking and making metal tin rattling sounds. Stopped for gas, started the vehicle all noises went away. Got onto the freeway and about 1 mile down the road the truck lost power at 70…”
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 Pilot — 66 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Pilot vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the gear box assembly may contain a loose ball bearing, which can result in a loss of steering control or steering lock-up.
The risk: A loss of steering control or steering lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the electric power steering rack, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FFX.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Honda Accord, Accord Hybrid, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Pilot, and 2024 HR-V, Acura Integra and Acura Integra Type S vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may not have been tightened properly, which can result in an unsecured se…
The risk: An unsecured driver's seat may not adequately restrain the driver during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the driver's seat cushion frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Passport and 2023-2025 Pilot vehicles. The fuel filler neck tube and fuel filler pipe may separate, allowing fuel to leak.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the fuel filler neck tube and pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this r…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Acura MDX Type-S, 2023-2025 Honda Pilot, and 2021-2025 Acura TLX Type-S vehicles. A software error in the fuel injection electronic control unit (FI-ECU) may cause an engine stall or a loss of power.
The risk: An engine stall or loss of power can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the FI-ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are EL1 and AL0.
Chevrolet Silverado — 100 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV electric vehicles. After experiencing an electronic stability control (ESC) system malfunction, the ESC malfunction warning light may not illuminate on the next key cycle. As such, these vehicles fail to com…
The risk: An indicator light that does not illuminate may fail to warn the driver of an ESC system issue, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The EBCM software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 15, 2025. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or G…
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 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 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yuko…
The risk: Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contac…
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 Pilot | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 71 |
| 2025 | 166 | 130 |
| 2024 | 105 | 490 |
| 2023 | 124 | 412 |
| 2022 | 132 | 1270 |
| 2021 | 410 | 899 |
| 2020 | 472 | 820 |
| 2019 | 872 | 1959 |
| 2018 | 429 | 584 |
| 2017 | 903 | 1152 |
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 Pilot or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda Pilot vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Honda Pilot total complaints
- 3,613
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 7,787
- Honda Pilot total recalls
- 66
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- Honda Pilot avg complaints/year
- 361.3
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 778.7
- More reliable overall
- Honda Pilot
- Honda Pilot top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE