Head-to-head reliability
Hyundai Santa CRUZ vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Hyundai Santa CRUZ 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 Santa CRUZ vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Santa Cruz averages about 65 complaints per year over 5 years, while the Silverado averages about 823 per year over 10 years. Both show stalling and power-loss patterns, but the Silverado also has brake-loss reports. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Hyundai Santa CRUZ or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Hyundai Santa CRUZ
The Hyundai Santa Cruz is a compact pickup that, in NHTSA data, shows a moderate complaint volume of about 65 per year over five years. The pattern is dominated by power train and engine issues, with owners describing sudden loss of power, warning lights, and stalling. Electrical glitches and false driver-attention warnings also appear. Overall, it's a newer model with fewer cumulative complaints, but the reported failures can leave you stranded.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint rate—roughly 823 per year over ten years—and a long list of recalls. Engine and power train complaints are most common, including engine shutdowns, transmission problems, and diesel particulate filter issues. Brake and electrical failures also show up, sometimes causing sudden loss of braking or engine cutoffs while driving. The volume suggests a wide range of potential problems across many model years.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Hyundai Santa CRUZ | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 323 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 13 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 11 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 64.6 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 9 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 Santa CRUZ
- 01POWER TRAIN128
- 02ENGINE78
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER52
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM41
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM32
Owners report the vehicle suddenly losing power or going into neutral while driving, and in some cases warning lights illuminate and the car won't accelerate from a stop. This can be dangerous in traffic and points to transmission or control software faults.
Complaints describe the engine dying on the highway, forcing the driver to coast to the shoulder. Multiple warning lights (check engine, immobilizer) may appear, suggesting a stall condition that could recur.
Owners cite false warnings from driver-assist systems, such as the 'Take a Break' alert firing randomly, and brake-related fault codes. These glitches are distracting and may indicate sensor or software issues.
Some complaints involve the engine dying on the highway (also listed under engine) and inability to disable the Driver Attention Warning, which can be a persistent annoyance. These issues overlap with other categories but highlight owner frustration with unexpected shutdowns and intrusive alerts.
“- Incident occurred on the interstate about a mile from the exit - Was in the right hand lane preparing to exit - Started raining very heavily, could barely see the lane lines - Continued to slow down coming to a momentary stop - When beginning to go again, e…”
“The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated while at a complete stop at a traffic light, the check engine warning light, the immobilization system warning light, and other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact depressed the accele…”
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 failures can strand you and lead to costly repairs.
Complaints include sudden shifts into neutral and loss of acceleration, even at low speeds in parking garages. This suggests transmission or control module problems that affect drivability and safety.
Reports describe severe loss of braking effectiveness with a firm pedal, and engine shutoff with blank screens. These electrical faults can disable critical systems, making the truck hard to stop or restart.
Owners experienced braking that felt normal but didn't stop the vehicle, and in some cases the truck shut off entirely during braking attempts. This is a serious safety concern that warrants immediate attention.
“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 Santa CRUZ — 13 recalls
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Tucson and Santa Cruz vehicles. The circuit board in the motor-driven power steering assembly may short circuit, resulting in a loss of power steering assist.
The risk: A loss of power steering assist can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the motor-driven power steering electric power pack, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Tucson and Santa Cruz vehicles. The console extension wiring assembly may be routed improperly, allowing the transmission to be shifted out of Park without applying the brake pedal.
The risk: A transmission that can shift out of Park without applying the brake pedal can result in a vehicle roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised to use the parking brake when parking the vehicle. Dealers will reroute the console extension wiring assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 17, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Tucson, 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2026 Genesis GV70 vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not have been installed properly, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as intended.
The risk: Side curtain air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reinstall the side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 29, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 289…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, and Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. Software in the front cameras may cause the forward collision avoidance system to activate prematurely and unexpectedly apply the brakes.
The risk: Unexpected braking increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the front camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 17, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 302. Vehi…
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 Santa CRUZ or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Hyundai Santa Cruz has far fewer complaints per year (about 65 vs. 823 for the Silverado), but both show patterns of stalling and power loss. In practice, the Santa Cruz may have fewer overall issues, but the reported failures can still be serious; the Silverado's much higher volume means a greater chance of encountering problems, especially in older models.
Key differences
- Complaint volume: Santa Cruz averages ~65/year vs. Silverado ~823/year, a roughly 12-fold difference.
- Engine issues: Santa Cruz reports highway stalling; Silverado reports engine shutdowns and diesel soot accumulation.
- Brake concerns: Silverado has multiple reports of sudden braking loss; Santa Cruz complaints focus more on power train and electrical glitches.
- Recalls: Silverado has 101 recalls vs. 13 for Santa Cruz, indicating a broader range of potential fixes over its longer production run.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any hesitation or sudden loss of power when accelerating from a stop, and check for warning lights on the dash.
- Ask if the driver attention warning system can be disabled or if it has triggered false alerts, as some owners find it distracting.
- Test the brakes at low speed and on a slope; a firm pedal with poor stopping power could indicate a brake system fault.
- Listen for unusual engine noises and check for stored codes related to the diesel particulate filter if considering a Duramax model.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed.
- Take a lengthy test drive that includes highway speeds, stops, and parking-lot maneuvers to check for stalling or braking issues.
- Have a mechanic scan for stored diagnostic trouble codes, especially in the engine, transmission, and brake systems.
- For the Silverado, specifically ask about any engine shutdowns or transmission work, and check the diesel particulate filter service records if applicable.
- For the Santa Cruz, verify that software updates for the power train and driver-assist systems have been applied.
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 Santa CRUZ | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 120 |
| 2025 | 19 | 157 |
| 2024 | 35 | 527 |
| 2023 | 79 | 450 |
| 2022 | 185 | 1390 |
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 Santa CRUZ or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Hyundai Santa CRUZ vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Hyundai Santa CRUZ total complaints
- 323
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Hyundai Santa CRUZ total recalls
- 13
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Hyundai Santa CRUZ avg complaints/year
- 64.6
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Hyundai Santa CRUZ
- Hyundai Santa CRUZ top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE