Head-to-head reliability
Honda Vtx1300 vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Honda Vtx1300 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 Vtx1300 vs Chevrolet Silverado: The VTX1300 averaged 33 complaints per year with 2 recalls, while the Silverado averaged 823 complaints per year with 101 recalls. The VTX1300's main issues are steering wobble and speedometer errors; the Silverado's are engine shutdowns and brake loss. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda Vtx1300 or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda Vtx1300
The Honda VTX1300 is a cruiser motorcycle that shows a concentrated set of owner complaints, mostly about front-end wobble and speedometer errors. Over 7 years, it averaged 33 complaints per year, with steering and suspension issues dominating. Owners report wobbles at specific speeds and dim or failing instrument lights, which can affect control and speed awareness. With only 2 recalls, both for fuel delivery, the VTX1300's main ownership burden is chassis and electrical quirks rather than major safety recalls.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup that generates a very high volume of complaints—over 8,200 in 10 years, averaging about 823 per year. Engine and power train problems are most common, with owners describing sudden engine shutdowns, transmission failures, and brake loss. There are 101 recalls and 233 crash-related complaints, indicating a wide range of safety issues. Living with a Silverado means staying on top of many potential failure points, from diesel emissions to electrical glitches.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda Vtx1300 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 231 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 6 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 33.0 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 8 Better | 160 |
| 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 Vtx1300
- 01STEERING125
- 02SUSPENSION58
- 03VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL16
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM14
- 05WHEELS13
Owners report a severe front-end wobble, especially when decelerating from 45 to 40 mph, requiring a firm grip on the handlebars. Some also note uneven front tire wear, with more wear on the left side, which can worsen handling over time.
Complaints describe a front wheel wobble that starts as low as 38 mph and is noticeable at constant speeds around 40 mph. This can make the bike feel unstable and may lead to loss of control if not addressed.
The speedometer and odometer are reported to be inaccurate by about 10%, reading high. This can cause riders to travel slower than intended, creating a risk of being tailgated or cut off in traffic.
Owners complain that the speedometer lights are too dim for night riding, making the gauge unreadable. Some also report the odometer display blacking out entirely, leaving no way to track mileage or fuel range.
“I HAVE OVER 17,000 MILES MY 2003 HONDA VTX 1300S. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR TIRES SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO WHAT SEEMED TO BE NORMAL WEAR PATTERNS. HE FRONT TIRE WEAR IS UNACCEPTABLE. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY MORE WEAR ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE TIRE. THIS H…”
“THE VTX 1300 HAS A SEVERE WOBBLE ON DECELERATION FROM 45 - 40 MPH THAT REQUIRES THE RIDER TO MAINTAIN A FIRM GRIP ON THE BARS. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH 4 DIFFERENT HONDA DEALERS AND THEY ALL SAY THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. I BELONG TO A VTX RIDERS GROUP…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners of newer Silverados report sudden engine shutdowns while driving, sometimes with messages like 'Return to Neutral' or 'Press Start.' Diesel models have experienced repeated diesel particulate filter soot accumulation events requiring dealer service.
Complaints include the vehicle unexpectedly shifting into neutral while driving slowly, such as in a parking garage, and transmission failures that leave the truck unable to accelerate. These issues can strand drivers and create dangerous situations.
Owners describe a sudden loss of normal braking, where the brake pedal remains firm but braking is ineffective. Others report the engine shutting off while driving, with all screens going blank, which can disable power steering and brakes.
Reports include severe loss of braking ability shortly after starting a trip, and instances where the truck shuts off completely during low-speed maneuvers, requiring a restart. These brake and stall events are serious safety concerns.
“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 Vtx1300 — 2 recalls
The defect: HONDA IS RECALLING 38,934 MY 2006-2007 VT600 AND MY 2007-2008 VT750 AND VTX1300 MOTORCYCLES. THE MOTORCYCLES MAY HAVE AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED FUEL CONTROL VALVE DIAPHRAGM AND THE FUEL VALVE MAY DRIP FUEL.
The risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, DRIPPING FUEL POSES THE RISK OF FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL CONTROL VALVE DIAPHRAGM ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 22, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-866-784-1870.
The defect: HONDA IS RECALLING 38,934 MY 2006-2007 VT600 AND MY 2007-2008 VT750 AND VTX1300 MOTORCYCLES. THE MOTORCYCLES MAY HAVE AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED FUEL CONTROL VALVE DIAPHRAGM AND THE FUEL VALVE MAY DRIP FUEL.
The risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, DRIPPING FUEL POSES THE RISK OF FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL CONTROL VALVE DIAPHRAGM ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 22, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-866-784-1870.
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 Vtx1300 or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Honda VTX1300 has far fewer issues per year (33 vs. 823 for the Silverado), but its problems are concentrated in steering and suspension wobbles that affect handling. The Silverado's much higher complaint rate reflects a broader range of engine, transmission, brake, and electrical failures. In practice, the VTX1300 may need chassis and instrument fixes, while the Silverado demands vigilance for sudden breakdowns and safety defects.
Key differences
- The VTX1300's top complaint is steering wobble (125 complaints), while the Silverado's top complaint is engine issues (2,521 complaints).
- The Silverado has 101 recalls and 233 crash-related complaints; the VTX1300 has 2 recalls and 6 crash-related complaints.
- VTX1300 owners report speedometer inaccuracy and dim lights; Silverado owners report sudden engine shutdowns and brake loss.
- The Silverado averages 823 complaints per year versus 33 for the VTX1300, indicating a much higher ongoing issue rate.
- Test ride at 40–45 mph and feel for front-end wobble or handlebar shake, especially on deceleration.
- Check the speedometer against a GPS and inspect the instrument cluster lights for dimness or blacked-out odometer.
- During a test drive, listen for engine stalling and watch for warning messages like 'Return to Neutral' or 'Press Start'.
- Test the brakes at low speed and in a parking lot; any firm pedal with poor stopping or sudden shutdown is a major red flag.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website for both models.
- For the VTX1300, inspect front tire wear for uneven patterns and verify the speedometer accuracy with a GPS.
- For the Silverado, scan for stored diagnostic trouble codes, especially related to the engine, transmission, and brakes.
- Take a lengthy test drive that includes highway speeds, stop-and-go traffic, and parking maneuvers to replicate reported conditions.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, focusing on fuel system repairs for the VTX1300 and engine/transmission service for the Silverado.
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 Vtx1300 or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda Vtx1300 vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Honda Vtx1300 total complaints
- 231
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Honda Vtx1300 total recalls
- 2
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Honda Vtx1300 avg complaints/year
- 33.0
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Honda Vtx1300
- Honda Vtx1300 top complaint area
- STEERING
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE