Head-to-head reliability

Hyundai Tucson vs Chevrolet Silverado

How the Hyundai Tucson and Chevrolet Silverado compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

Hyundai Tucson2,975 complaints · 27 recalls Fewer issues per year
Chevrolet Silverado7,787 complaints · 100 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

Hyundai Tucson averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Hyundai Tucson has 2,975 complaints and 27 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 TucsonChevrolet Silverado
Total complaintsAll model years combined2,975 Better7,787
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns27 Better100
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints136 Better225
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years297.5 Better778.7
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints134 Better150
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints1 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 Tucson

  1. 01ENGINE1,279
  2. 02POWER TRAIN540
  3. 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER406
  4. 04SERVICE BRAKES375
  5. 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM337
In owners' words — ENGINE

My family’s safety is at serious risk with my 2021 Hyundai Tucson, which I’ve owned only 55 days. This vehicle has stalled three times while driving, putting me and my two young children in immediate danger. Each time, the car operated normally until a flashi…

I was driving down [XXX] from my house.My engine light started to flash.I tried to accelerate my car barely went 10 miles an hour.I got Home 2 minutes later.There was major knocking.I had the car towed to [XXX], Hyundai, the only code that is showing up on th…

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 Tucson — 27 recalls

Steering — Electric Power Assist System
#24V412000May 2024

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…

Equipment — Other — Labels
#23V556000Apr 2023

The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Tucson vehicles. The tire and loading information label may incorrectly indicate information about a spare tire. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selectio…

The risk: A label that incorrectly states spare tire pressure when there is no spare tire on-board may cause confusion during an emergency tire replacement, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the tire and loading information label, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 5, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's numbe…

Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — Control Unit/Module
#20V543000Apr 2020

The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) recalled certain 2019-2021 Tucson vehicles on September 4, 2020. On December 30, 2020, Hyundai expanded the recall population, and added certain 2016-2018 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-lock Brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) could corrode internally and cause…

The risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.

The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HECU fuse. For 2019-2021 model years, the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) software will also be updated. Recall repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners are advised to par…

Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Fluid/Lubricant — Pump
#23V526000

The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Palisade Tucson, 2023 Sonata, Elantra, and Kona vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump controller to overheat.

The risk: An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.

The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed starti…

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 TucsonChevrolet Silverado
20264971
2025266130
202487490
2023126412
20223641270
202175899
2020174820
20193701959
2018386584
201710781152
Years to scrutinize: the 2017 Hyundai Tucson drew the most complaints (1,078); 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 Tucson or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

Hyundai Tucson vs Chevrolet Silverado — comparison facts
Comparison
Hyundai Tucson vs Chevrolet Silverado
Hyundai Tucson total complaints
2,975
Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
7,787
Hyundai Tucson total recalls
27
Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
100
Hyundai Tucson avg complaints/year
297.5
Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
778.7
More reliable overall
Hyundai Tucson
Hyundai Tucson top complaint area
ENGINE
Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
ENGINE