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.

Hyundai Ioniq556 complaints · 13 recalls Fewer issues per year
Chevrolet Silverado7,787 complaints · 100 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

Hyundai Ioniq averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Hyundai Ioniq has 556 complaints and 13 recalls on record; Chevrolet Silverado has 7,787 complaints and 100 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategoryHyundai IoniqChevrolet Silverado
Total complaintsAll model years combined556 Better7,787
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns13 Better100
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints25 Better225
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years92.7 Better778.7
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints14 Better150
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints0 Better3

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

  1. 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM364
  2. 02POWER TRAIN100
  3. 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM100
  4. 04ENGINE56
  5. 05SERVICE BRAKES53
In owners' words — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Following a 12V auxiliary battery replacement at Dick's Hillsboro Hyundai [XXX] , April 3, 2026), the battery hold-down bracket was left completely unsecured. The retaining bolts were absent, (later found loose in the cargo tray area). The battery terminal co…

I HAVE HAD 4 INCIDENTS SO FAR OVER THE LAST MONTH, ALL LASTING UNDER 5 SECONDS. IN EACH CASE, THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING SWITCHES TO A DIFFERENT LEVEL WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM THE USER. THIS PRESENTS AS WHAT FEELS LIKE A LEVEL 3 (STRONG) BRAKING WHEN NONE WAS ON…

Chevrolet Silverado

  1. 01ENGINE2,308
  2. 02POWER TRAIN2,215
  3. 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,437
  4. 04SERVICE BRAKES1,193
  5. 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER832
In owners' words — ENGINE

At approximately 3,000 miles, the engine began making a loud knocking noise that became progressively worse while driving. The truck was diagnosed as needing a complete engine replacement. No warning lights, no check engine light, nothing. For someone inexper…

Truck has less than 1800 miles. Was at a stop light and the vehicle started shaking and making metal tin rattling sounds. Stopped for gas, started the vehicle all noises went away. Got onto the freeway and about 1 mile down the road the truck lost power at 70…

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

Electrical System — Propulsion System — Charging — Module — Onboard (Obcm)
#21V944000Jul 2021

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…

Electrical System — Propulsion System — Charging — Module — Onboard (Obcm)
#21V944000Jul 2021

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…

Electrical System — Propulsion System — Traction Battery
#21V127000Jan 2021

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…

Wheels — Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
#19V720000Sep 2019

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 — 100 recalls

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) — Control Module — Software
#25V594000Nov 2025

The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV electric vehicles. After experiencing an electronic stability control (ESC) system malfunction, the ESC malfunction warning light may not illuminate on the next key cycle. As such, these vehicles fail to com…

The risk: An indicator light that does not illuminate may fail to warn the driver of an ESC system issue, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: The EBCM software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 15, 2025. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or G…

Equipment — Other — Owners/Service/Other Manual
#26V114000

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…

Equipment — Other — Owners/Service/Other Manual
#25V815000

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…

Power Train — Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)
#26V289000Jul 2026

The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yuko…

The risk: Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.

The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contac…

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.

YearHyundai IoniqChevrolet Silverado
20224241270
202133899
20201820
2019321959
201817584
2017491152
Years to scrutinize: the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq drew the most complaints (424); the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado drew the most (1,959). Inspect these model years especially closely.

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

Hyundai Ioniq vs Chevrolet Silverado — comparison facts
Comparison
Hyundai Ioniq vs Chevrolet Silverado
Hyundai Ioniq total complaints
556
Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
7,787
Hyundai Ioniq total recalls
13
Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
100
Hyundai Ioniq avg complaints/year
92.7
Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
778.7
More reliable overall
Hyundai Ioniq
Hyundai Ioniq top complaint area
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
ENGINE