Head-to-head reliability
Hyundai Ioniq vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Hyundai Ioniq 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 Ioniq vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Ioniq averages 94 complaints per year with 13 recalls, while the Silverado averages 823 complaints per year with 101 recalls. Ioniq issues often involve electrical warnings and brake controls; Silverado issues include engine shutdowns and transmission failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Hyundai Ioniq or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Hyundai Ioniq
The Hyundai Ioniq is a compact hybrid or electric car that tends to generate far fewer owner complaints than a full-size truck, averaging about 94 complaints per year over six years. The pattern is dominated by electrical gremlins, especially warnings tied to the auto-hold and electronic parking brake, plus some power-train reports of lost reverse or bucking. There are 13 recalls and 25 crash-related complaints, with 15 injuries and no deaths reported. For a used-car buyer, this suggests a car that is generally less trouble-prone but still needs a close look at its electrical and brake-control systems.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup that sees very heavy use, and its complaint volume reflects that: about 823 complaints per year over ten years, with 101 recalls. The biggest trouble spots are the engine and power train, followed by electrical and brake complaints. Owners report serious issues like sudden engine shutdowns, loss of braking, and transmission problems even on low-mileage trucks. There are 233 crash-related complaints, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths, so a used Silverado deserves a thorough mechanical inspection.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Hyundai Ioniq | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 566 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 13 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 25 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 94.3 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 15 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.
Hyundai Ioniq
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM369
- 02POWER TRAIN102
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM100
- 04SERVICE BRAKES58
- 05ENGINE57
Owners frequently report dashboard warnings about the auto-hold and electronic parking brake, sometimes within months of purchase. These warnings can disable the auto-hold feature and may point to sensor or control-module faults that are annoying and potentially safety-related.
Some owners describe unexpected reverse acceleration, loss of reverse, and a bucking loss of power while driving. These symptoms suggest transmission or hybrid-control problems that can leave a driver stranded or in a dangerous situation.
Complaints include high-voltage isolation faults (DTC P0AA6) and sudden deceleration. For a hybrid or EV, these can mean expensive battery or inverter repairs and should be checked with a diagnostic scan before buying.
The auto-hold feature may randomly display 'conditions not met' and deactivate the electronic parking brake. Owners also report braking and acceleration control issues, such as the car continuing to move after the brake pedal is pressed.
“06/08/21 first day I brought my new car Hyundai Ioniq 2021 model at Hyundai Lincolnwood. After use the car about 2 months, the engine light has been showing up that something wrong about the auto hold and EPB. So I made an appointment for inspect in the next…”
“06/08/21 first day I brought my new car Hyundai Ioniq 2021 model at Hyundai Lincolnwood. After use the car about 2 months, the engine light has been showing up that something wrong about the auto hold and EPB. So I made an appointment for inspect in the next…”
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, sometimes with a 'Return to Neutral' message, and diesel models have repeated excessive soot accumulation in the particulate filter. These can cause sudden loss of power and require dealer repairs.
Complaints include a vehicle suddenly shifting into neutral while driving slowly, and transmission or drivetrain failures on low-mileage trucks. This can leave the driver unable to accelerate or move the truck out of traffic.
Reports describe a sudden loss of normal braking with a firm pedal, and engines shutting off while driving with screens going blank. These electrical faults can affect braking and engine operation, making the truck hard to control.
Owners report that the truck may completely shut off and lose braking assistance, or that braking becomes ineffective even with the pedal pressed. This is a serious safety concern because it can happen at low speeds in parking lots or at stop signs.
“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 Ioniq — 13 recalls
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Ioniq electric vehicles. An unstable electrical ground may cause the vehicle to enter a fail-safe mode with reduced acceleration and power. In certain conditions while in fail-safe mode, the vehicle may accelerate after the gas pedal is…
The risk: Unexpected acceleration following gas pedal release can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the EPCU (Electric Power Control Unit) software and repair the ground wiring, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyund…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Ioniq electric vehicles. An unstable electrical ground may cause the vehicle to enter a fail-safe mode with reduced acceleration and power. In certain conditions while in fail-safe mode, the vehicle may accelerate after the gas pedal is…
The risk: Unexpected acceleration following gas pedal release can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the EPCU (Electric Power Control Unit) software and repair the ground wiring, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyund…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Kona Electric and 2020 Ioniq Electric vehicles. The lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery may short-circuit.
The risk: An electrical short in the Li-ion battery increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the interim action is complete. Hyundai will notify owners, and as an interim action, owners have the option to follow provided instructions to perform a batt…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019 Ioniq Hybrid and 2020 Elantra vehicles. The right-side rear wheel lug nuts may have been insufficiently tightened, allowing the wheel to detach from the vehicle.
The risk: A wheel detaching from the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, tighten the lug nuts, free of charge. The recall began November 15, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-251-0871. Hyundai's number for this reca…
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 Ioniq or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Hyundai Ioniq has far fewer complaints per year (about 94 vs. 823 for the Silverado) and fewer recalls (13 vs. 101). In practice, that means a used Ioniq is likely to need less frequent repair visits, while a used Silverado demands more vigilance for engine, transmission, and brake problems.
Key differences
- The Ioniq averages about 94 complaints per year; the Silverado averages about 823, so the truck generates roughly nine times more owner complaints annually.
- Ioniq complaints center on electrical warnings and brake-control quirks; Silverado complaints center on engine shutdowns, transmission failures, and loss of braking.
- The Silverado has 101 recalls and 3 deaths reported; the Ioniq has 13 recalls and 0 deaths, though both have injury reports.
- Silverado owners describe sudden engine shut-offs and neutral drops even on new, low-mileage trucks, while Ioniq owners more often describe warning lights and intermittent power loss.
- Check for any stored diagnostic trouble codes related to the high-voltage battery isolation fault (P0AA6) or hybrid inverter, as these can be expensive to fix.
- Test the auto-hold and electronic parking brake repeatedly during a test drive; watch for 'conditions not met' warnings or failure to engage.
- Look for any history of engine shut-off while driving or 'Return to Neutral' messages, especially on 2026 models with the 6.2L or 6.6L Duramax diesel.
- Test the brakes at low speed and check for a firm pedal with reduced stopping power, which owners have reported as a sudden loss of normal braking.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and ask for all dealer service records, focusing on electrical, brake, and transmission repairs.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, including a scan for diagnostic trouble codes on both the Ioniq and Silverado.
- For the Ioniq, specifically test the auto-hold, electronic parking brake, and reverse gear engagement during the test drive.
- For the Silverado, test drive at low speeds in a parking lot and on a highway, checking for sudden engine shutdowns, transmission slips, and brake performance.
- Verify that all open recalls have been completed by checking the NHTSA recall database with the VIN before purchase.
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 Ioniq | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 433 | 1390 |
| 2021 | 33 | 961 |
| 2020 | 1 | 868 |
| 2019 | 32 | 2003 |
| 2018 | 17 | 597 |
| 2017 | 50 | 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 Ioniq or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Hyundai Ioniq vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Hyundai Ioniq total complaints
- 566
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Hyundai Ioniq total recalls
- 13
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Hyundai Ioniq avg complaints/year
- 94.3
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Hyundai Ioniq
- Hyundai Ioniq top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE