Head-to-head reliability
Hyundai Azera vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Hyundai Azera 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
Hyundai Azera vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Azera averages 32.5 complaints per year with 19 recalls, while the Silverado averages 822.7 complaints per year with 101 recalls. Azera owners often report steering hesitation and brake alerts; Silverado owners report engine shutdowns and transmission issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Hyundai Azera or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Hyundai Azera
The Hyundai Azera is a full-size sedan with a relatively low complaint volume: 325 over 10 years, averaging 32.5 per year. The most common owner-reported issues involve steering that sticks or hesitates at highway speeds, brake problems, and engine stalling. With 19 recalls and 14 crash-related complaints, it's a vehicle that demands attention to steering and brake feel during a test drive.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint rate: 8,227 over 10 years, averaging 822.7 per year. Owners frequently report engine and power train failures, including sudden shutdowns and transmission problems, as well as electrical glitches affecting braking. With 101 recalls and 233 crash-related complaints, it's a complex truck with many potential trouble spots.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Hyundai Azera | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 325 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 19 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 14 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 32.5 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 13 Better | 160 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 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.
Hyundai Azera
- 01STEERING97
- 02SERVICE BRAKES72
- 03ENGINE53
- 04HYDRAULIC44
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM38
Owners report the steering sticks or hesitates at highway speeds, then breaks loose suddenly, making small corrections difficult. This can feel like a delay in response, which is unsettling at speed.
Complaints include brake warning lights and electronic power brake alerts, sometimes accompanied by a loss of normal braking. One owner described a front-end collision warning and brake alert on a nearly new car.
Some owners report stalling while driving, with all instrument panel lights illuminating. This can leave you stranded and may require a tow.
Electrical issues appear in complaints, though specific patterns are less clear from the sample. They can contribute to warning lights and other intermittent problems.
“DURING OUR FIRST TRIP ON THE INTERSTATE I NOTICED THAT WHEN TRYING TO CORRECT THE STEERING, EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT, THE CAR WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY RESPOND. THEN AFTER JUST A SECOND OR TWO SOMETHING WOULD BREAK LOOSE ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO RESPOND TO MY REQUEST.…”
“I'VE OWNED MY 2017 AZERA SINCE DEC 2018. I LOVE THE VEHICLE BUT THE STEERING STICKS AS MENTIONED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY ONLY HAS 38K MILES AND I USE IT FOR THE MOST PART ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS SEEMS TO ONLY HAPPEN AT SPEEDS OV…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners report engine shutdowns while driving, sometimes with a 'Return to Neutral' message, and diesel particulate filter soot accumulation requiring dealer service. These can leave you stranded or force limp-mode driving.
Complaints include sudden shifts into neutral and transmission problems, even at low miles. This can cause a loss of power to the wheels, which is dangerous in traffic.
Owners describe severe loss of normal braking with a firm pedal but reduced stopping power, as well as screens going blank and engine shut-off. These electrical glitches can affect critical safety systems.
Brake complaints often overlap with electrical issues, such as the brake pedal remaining firm but braking effectiveness reduced. This can make stopping unpredictable.
“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.
Hyundai Azera — 19 recalls
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Sonata, 2016-2018 Sonata Hybrid, 2018-2020 Accent, and 2016-2017 Azera vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Fe…
The risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 208.
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Sonata, 2016-2018 Sonata Hybrid, 2018-2020 Accent, and 2016-2017 Azera vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Fe…
The risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 208.
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2006-2011 Hyundai Azera and 2006 Hyundai Sonata vehicles. Water may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short .
The risk: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall began on February 19, 2018. Owners may call…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2006-2011 Hyundai Azera and 2006 Hyundai Sonata vehicles. Water may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short .
The risk: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall began on February 19, 2018. Owners may call…
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
Hyundai Azera or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Hyundai Azera has far fewer complaints per year (32.5 vs. 822.7) and fewer recalls (19 vs. 101), suggesting a lower overall rate of reported problems. In practice, that means a used Azera is likely to have fewer owner-reported issues to manage, though any individual car can still have problems.
Key differences
- The Azera's most common complaint is steering that sticks or hesitates at speed, while the Silverado's top complaints are engine and power train failures like sudden shutdowns or neutral drops.
- Silverado owners report electrical issues that can cause a loss of normal braking, whereas Azera brake complaints often involve warning lights and electronic brake alerts.
- The Azera averages 32.5 complaints per year; the Silverado averages 822.7, a roughly 25-fold difference in reported problem rate.
- The Silverado has 101 recalls versus 19 for the Azera, covering systems like fuel pumps, tires, and forward collision warnings.
- During a test drive, check for steering that feels sticky or unresponsive at highway speeds, then suddenly breaks loose.
- Look for any brake warning lights or electronic power brake alerts, and test braking from various speeds for a firm but ineffective pedal.
- Test drive at low speeds and in parking lots, watching for sudden shifts into neutral or engine shutdowns with 'Return to Neutral' messages.
- Check for any history of diesel particulate filter issues if considering a Duramax, and verify that all electrical systems, especially brakes, function without warning lights.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the steering and brakes for the Azera, and engine, transmission, and electrical systems for the Silverado.
- During the test drive, specifically test the symptoms owners report: highway steering feel for the Azera, and low-speed transmission behavior and brake response for the Silverado.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for brake and steering repairs on the Azera, and for any engine or transmission work on the Silverado.
- Verify that all warning lights illuminate briefly at startup and then go out, and scan for stored trouble codes with an OBD-II reader.
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 | Hyundai Azera | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 0 | 597 |
| 2017 | 12 | 1154 |
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 Hyundai Azera or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Hyundai Azera vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Hyundai Azera total complaints
- 325
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Hyundai Azera total recalls
- 19
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Hyundai Azera avg complaints/year
- 32.5
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Hyundai Azera
- Hyundai Azera top complaint area
- STEERING
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE