Head-to-head reliability
Hyundai Elantra N vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Hyundai Elantra N 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 Elantra N vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Elantra N has 38 complaints over 5 years (7.6/year) and 6 recalls, while the Silverado has 5,105 complaints over 10 years (510.5/year) and 100 recalls. The Silverado also reports 104 injuries and 1 death, versus none for the Elantra N. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Hyundai Elantra N or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Hyundai Elantra N
The Hyundai Elantra N is a sporty compact sedan with a relatively low complaint volume: 38 over five years, about 7.6 per year. Owners report serious issues like stalling and breakdowns, often linked to electrical or engine problems, but the overall rate is low. There are 6 recalls covering airbags, fuel pump, transmission, and camera, and 3 crash-related complaints but no injuries or deaths. Living with it means dealing with occasional electronic glitches and potential transmission limp modes, but most owners may not experience these.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a very high complaint volume: 5,105 over ten years, averaging 510.5 per year. Owners frequently report engine, power train, electrical, and brake problems, with many complaints involving sudden loss of power, braking issues, and transmission failures. There are 100 recalls and 104 injuries plus one death reported. This suggests a higher likelihood of encountering significant reliability and safety issues.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Hyundai Elantra N | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 38 Better | 5,105 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 6 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 3 Better | 117 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 7.6 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.
Hyundai Elantra N
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9
- 02ENGINE8
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
- 04POWER TRAIN6
- 05STEERING4
Owners report stalling and breakdowns, sometimes on the highway, requiring tows. One complaint describes the car as a 'ticking time bomb' due to repeated stalls. This matters because a sudden loss of power can leave you stranded and potentially in danger.
Complaints include stalling and breakdowns, as well as issues after software updates where steering wheel buttons reset and exhaust valves open randomly. These can affect drivability and require dealer visits.
Owners report transmission error messages, limp mode, and loss of gears (e.g., not going into 2nd or 4th). One complaint describes complete clutch and transmission failure at 517 miles. This can lead to costly repairs and unsafe driving conditions.
Issues include inoperable horns and clutch/transmission failure at low mileage. A non-working horn can be a safety risk, and early transmission failure is a major reliability concern.
“The car is a ticking time bomb and dangerous to the public. My car has stalled and broke down in the highway several times. Had to wait for 3-6 hours tow trucks in between. The latest one, I reported to the service advisor that my car stalled all of a sudden…”
“To the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration I am submitting this formal safety complaint regarding a persistent and dangerous pattern of mechanical and electronic failures in my 2025 Hyundai Elantra N. These issues have rendered the vehicle unsafe f…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE1,698
- 02POWER TRAIN1,453
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM982
- 04SERVICE BRAKES691
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER542
Owners report rough running, loss of power, and diesel particulate filter soot accumulation requiring dealer service. One complaint describes a 6.2L engine failure during a family trip. These issues can cause breakdowns and expensive repairs.
Complaints include sudden shifting into neutral and transmission failures. One owner experienced the vehicle going into neutral while driving slowly uphill. This can lead to loss of control and accidents.
Reports include sudden loss of braking, loud pinging from the engine, and loss of motive power, brakes, and steering. These are severe safety issues that could result in crashes.
Owners describe sudden, severe loss of normal braking with a firm pedal but ineffective braking. This is a critical safety hazard that could prevent stopping in an emergency.
“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 Elantra N — 6 recalls
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Elantra N, 2026 Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), and Elantra vehicles. The B-pillar impact sensors may have been misassembled, which can delay air bag deployment.
The risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the impact sensor(s), as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 11, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer service at 855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 2…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Elantra N and 2022-2023 Elantra vehicles. The emblem on the cover of the driver's front air bag may not have been welded properly, which can result in the emblem detaching upon deployment.
The risk: A detached air bag cover emblem may strike a vehicle occupant, which can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 14, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 234.
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Veloster N, 2019-2023 Genesis G70, 2022-2023 Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The fuel pump may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update engine control module software. In addition, dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pump assembly, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning Septembe…
The defect: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Sonata, Veloster N, 2022 Santa Cruz, Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete l…
The risk: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2023. Owners…
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
Hyundai Elantra N or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Hyundai Elantra N has far fewer complaints per year (7.6 vs. 510.5) and no reported injuries or deaths, while the Silverado has 104 injuries and 1 death. In practice, the Elantra N is likely to have fewer reported problems, but both have serious issues; the Silverado's much higher volume means a greater chance of encountering a defect.
Key differences
- Complaint volume: Elantra N averages 7.6 per year vs. Silverado's 510.5 per year, a massive difference in reported issues.
- Safety outcomes: Silverado has 104 injuries and 1 death reported; Elantra N has 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
- Common failure types: Elantra N complaints center on electrical stalling and transmission limp mode; Silverado complaints often involve engine power loss, brake failure, and transmission shifting to neutral.
- Recalls: Silverado has 100 recalls vs. 6 for Elantra N, indicating more widespread safety-related defects.
- Check for any history of stalling or electrical issues, especially after software updates, as owners report random button resets and exhaust valve changes.
- Test the transmission thoroughly for limp mode or error messages, and listen for unusual noises; some owners experienced complete clutch failure at very low mileage.
- Inspect brake function carefully; owners report sudden loss of braking with a firm pedal, which is a severe safety risk.
- Check for engine issues like pinging, loss of power, and diesel particulate filter problems, especially on 6.2L and 6.6L Duramax models.
Before you buy
- Run a VIN check for open recalls on both vehicles and ensure they are remedied.
- Take a lengthy test drive including highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic to check for stalling, transmission issues, and brake performance.
- Ask for service records; frequent dealer visits for electrical or transmission problems are a warning sign.
- For the Silverado, have a mechanic inspect the brake system and engine for any signs of failure.
- For the Elantra N, verify that all software updates have been applied and test all electronic features, including the horn.
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 Elantra N | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 98 |
| 2025 | 7 | 150 |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | 14 | 0 |
| 2022 | 16 | 1340 |
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 Elantra N or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Hyundai Elantra N vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Hyundai Elantra N total complaints
- 38
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 5,105
- Hyundai Elantra N total recalls
- 6
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- Hyundai Elantra N avg complaints/year
- 7.6
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 510.5
- More reliable overall
- Hyundai Elantra N
- Hyundai Elantra N top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE