Head-to-head reliability
Hyundai Elantra Touring vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Hyundai Elantra Touring 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 Touring vs Chevrolet Silverado: the Elantra Touring logged 454 complaints in one year with 4 recalls, while the Silverado logged 8,227 over 10 years with 101 recalls. The Elantra's issues center on steering assist; the Silverado's span engine, power train, and brakes. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Hyundai Elantra Touring or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Hyundai Elantra Touring
The Hyundai Elantra Touring is a compact wagon whose owner complaints are dominated by steering problems, especially electric power steering that clunks, clicks, or suddenly loses assist. With 454 complaints in a single year and 4 recalls, the volume is modest but concentrated in a few recurring areas. For a used buyer, the pattern suggests a car that is generally simple but needs a careful steering and electrical check before purchase.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a much larger complaint footprint: 8,227 complaints over 10 years, 101 recalls, and 233 crash-related reports. Owners most often describe engine and power train failures, including stalling, sudden loss of drive, and diesel soot/DPF problems, plus electrical and brake complaints. For a used buyer, this points to a complex truck where a thorough mechanical and software history check matters.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Hyundai Elantra Touring | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 454 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 49 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 454.0 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 53 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 Elantra Touring
- 01STEERING233
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM58
- 03AIR BAGS52
- 04SERVICE BRAKES44
- 05POWER TRAIN34
Owners report clunking or clicking noises when turning the wheel, often traced to a steering coupler or rubber damper gear, and some describe the repair itself causing grinding or column damage. Others report sudden loss of power steering assist with the EPS light on, making low-speed turning very difficult.
Complaints describe the EPS warning light coming on intermittently and power steering becoming hard to turn, sometimes resetting after restart. This matters because a steering assist failure can surprise a driver in a parking lot or at low speed.
Owners report airbag deployments in situations they did not expect, including bags deploying while the car was parked, and at least one complaint about possible SRS failure in a severe front-end collision. Buyers should treat airbag warning lights and any deployment history as serious.
Some complaints link ABS warning lights and difficult steering with brake-system warnings, and one describes multiple dash lights plus power loss. These combined electrical and brake symptoms are worth scanning for before purchase.
“Vehicle developed clunking noise in the steering. Was told it was coupler issue. The dealership, Nlorthbay Hyundai, in Petaluma, California, was negligent in the replacement, creating a grinding metal on metal noise, and damaged the steering column as well. T…”
“My 2010 Elantra just started making a clicking noise when slightly turning the steering wheel back and forth. Doing online research, I discovered it is a common problem on Hyundai, with the same symptoms as my problem, that there is a rubber star damper gear…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners of newer Silverados report engine shutdowns while driving and diesel particulate filter soot accumulation events requiring dealer service at low mileage. A truck that can shut off in motion is a serious reliability concern for a used buyer.
Complaints describe the truck suddenly going into neutral and losing drive, including at very low mileage in a parking garage. This matters because loss of propulsion can happen in slow-speed maneuvering as well as on the road.
Owners report sudden severe loss of normal braking with a firm pedal, and engine shutoff with dashboard messages like 'Return to Neutral' and 'Press Start'. These electrical/software-style failures affect basic driving functions.
Complaints describe braking effectiveness dropping suddenly and the truck shutting off with blank screens and no acceleration. For a heavy pickup, any brake or shutdown complaint deserves a close inspection and service-history check.
“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 Touring — 4 recalls
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Elantra and 2009-2011 Elantra Touring vehicles. On February 21, 2020 Hyundai expanded the recall to include 46,425 model year 2007-2008 Entourage and 2007 Santa Fe vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result…
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 April 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyu…
The defect: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Elantra Touring vehicles manufactured December 15, 2009, through May 7, 2012. The affected vehicles have a support bracket attached to the headliner that may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.
The risk: If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 117.
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Elantra vehicles manufactured June 1, 2008, to April 30, 2010, and 2009-2010 Elantra Touring vehicles manufactured November 1, 2008, to April 30, 2010. The electronic power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may sen…
The risk: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Hyundai will verify the proper operation of the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and update the EPS control unit, free of charge. The recall began April 14, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's numb…
The defect: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburo…
The risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved…
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
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 Elantra Touring or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Hyundai Elantra Touring averages 454 complaints per year, while the Chevrolet Silverado averages about 823 per year over 10 years, so the Silverado has roughly twice the complaint rate per year. In practice, the Elantra Touring's issues cluster around steering and electrical assist, while the Silverado's span engine, power train, brakes, and electrical systems, which are broader and often more costly to diagnose.
Key differences
- The Elantra Touring's complaints are heavily concentrated in steering (233 of 454), with clunking couplers and sudden loss of power assist; the Silverado's are spread across engine (2,521) and power train (2,347).
- Silverado owners report engine shutdowns while driving and sudden shifts into neutral, while Elantra Touring owners more often report steering noise and EPS warning lights.
- The Silverado has 101 recalls versus 4 for the Elantra Touring, and far more crash-related complaints (233 vs 49).
- Both show electrical and brake warning complaints, but the Silverado's involve loss of braking effectiveness and blank screens, while the Elantra Touring's often tie back to power steering assist.
- Test the steering at low speed and while parked: listen for clunking or clicking and watch for an EPS light, since owners report coupler/damper noise and sudden loss of assist.
- Check for any airbag or SRS warning light and ask whether the car has ever had airbag deployment or steering-column repair work.
- Ask for the full service history on engine and transmission work, and test-drive for any hesitation, stalling, or messages about neutral/restart, given owner reports of shutdowns and loss of drive.
- Have the brakes and electrical system inspected, including ABS and dashboard warnings, because owners describe sudden loss of braking effectiveness and multiple warning lights.
Before you buy
- Get a pre-purchase inspection focused on the steering system for the Elantra Touring, or on engine, transmission, and brakes for the Silverado.
- Pull the NHTSA recall history by VIN and confirm open recalls were completed.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially for the Silverado's diesel DPF service or engine/transmission repairs.
- Test-drive at low speed, in parking-lot conditions, and check all dashboard warning lights before and after the drive.
- Verify the airbag/SRS system and ABS operation, and scan for stored fault codes.
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 Touring or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Hyundai Elantra Touring vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Hyundai Elantra Touring total complaints
- 454
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Hyundai Elantra Touring total recalls
- 4
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Hyundai Elantra Touring avg complaints/year
- 454.0
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Hyundai Elantra Touring
- Hyundai Elantra Touring top complaint area
- STEERING
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE