Head-to-head reliability
Infiniti I35 vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Infiniti I35 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
Infiniti I35 vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Infiniti I35 has 206 complaints over 3 years (about 69 per year), while the Silverado has 5,105 over 10 years (about 511 per year). Both have serious safety complaints, including stalling and brake issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Infiniti I35 or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Infiniti I35
The Infiniti I35 is a luxury sedan with a modest complaint volume: 206 complaints over 3 years, averaging about 69 per year. Owners frequently report engine-related stalling and sudden shutdowns, often linked to sensors like the throttle position or crank position sensor. Airbag issues also appear, including non-deployment in crashes and warning lights. With 13 recalls, many for airbag inflators, living with this car means staying on top of safety recalls and being alert to stalling symptoms.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume: 5,105 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 511 per year. Owners report a wide range of problems, from engine and transmission failures to electrical glitches and brake issues. Many complaints involve newer models with low mileage, suggesting some issues appear early. With 100 recalls, this truck demands regular recall checks and careful attention to powertrain and brake behavior.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Infiniti I35 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 206 Better | 5,105 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 13 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 13 Better | 117 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 68.7 Better | 510.5 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 15 Better | 104 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 11 | 1 Better |
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.
Infiniti I35
- 01ENGINE60
- 02ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING48
- 03AIR BAGS32
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM23
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL21
Owners report sudden stalling while driving, sometimes at highway speeds, often traced to sensors like the crank position or throttle position sensor. This can cause loss of power steering and braking assist, which is dangerous.
Complaints include the vehicle shutting off without warning, with causes like timing control sensor failure. This can leave a driver stranded and may require costly sensor replacements.
Some owners say airbags failed to deploy in a crash, and others report the airbag warning light staying on due to a faulty sensor. Repair estimates can run $800 to $1,000, and non-deployment raises serious safety concerns.
Multiple reports describe the car shutting off while driving, with owners unable to steer or control the vehicle until restarting. This points to electrical faults that can cause sudden loss of power.
“I OWN A 2002 INFINITI I35. WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR, MAKING A LEFT TURN, I WAS HIT ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE (T-BONED). NON OF MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND I WAS SEVERELY INJURED. I SUSTAINED INJURIES TO MY NECK, BOTH SHOULDERS AND M…”
“I HAD RECENTLY HAD SOME WORK DONE ON MY CAR TO REPLACE THE RIGHT BEARING WHEEL AND THE POWER STEERING LINE, AS THERE WAS A LEAK AND LOUD ROARING NOISE WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AS CONFIRMED BY THE MECHANIC. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE1,698
- 02POWER TRAIN1,453
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM982
- 04SERVICE BRAKES691
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER542
Owners of newer Silverados report severe engine issues, including loss of motive power and loud pinging sounds, sometimes with brakes and steering becoming inoperable. Diesel models have had repeated diesel particulate filter soot accumulation events requiring dealer service.
Complaints include transmissions suddenly shifting into neutral while driving, even at low speeds, which can leave the driver unable to accelerate. This is especially concerning in new vehicles with very low mileage.
Reports describe sudden loss of normal braking, with a firm pedal but reduced stopping power, as well as engine pinging and loss of power. These electrical faults can affect critical safety systems.
Owners report braking effectiveness dropping suddenly, making it hard to stop at intersections. This is a serious safety issue that could lead to crashes if not addressed immediately.
“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.
Infiniti I35 — 13 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles ar…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 o…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2011 Nissan Versa vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Missis…
The risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2017. All owners should receive a second notice by May 15, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer s…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2003-2005 FX35 and FX45, and 2006 M35 and M45 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registere…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-70…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles ar…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 o…
Chevrolet Silverado — 100 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with power-unlatching tailgates. The tailgate's electronic gate-release switch may short circuit due to water intrusion, which can result in the tailgate inadvertently…
The risk: An unlatched tailgate may open while driving and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2024. Owners may contact Chevr…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 vehicles. The steering gear shaft may fracture and disconnect from the steering arm.
The risk: A steering arm that disconnects may result in a total loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering gear, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-4…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra HD 2500, 3500 vehicles equipped with power-unlatching tailgates. The tailgate's electronic gate-release switch may short circuit due to water intrusion, which can result in the tailgate inadvertentl…
The risk: An unlatched tailgate may open and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 17, 2024. Owners may contact…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2024 GMC Hummer EV pick up, 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV, and 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV vehicles. The left or right front seat belt buckle attachment bolts may not be tightened properly.
The risk: An improperly tightened seat belt buckle may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the left and right front seat belt buckle attachment bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-833-EVCHEVY (1-833-382-4389) (TTY 711 /…
Buyer analysis
Infiniti I35 or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Infiniti I35 has far fewer complaints per year (about 69) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (about 511). In practice, this means the Infiniti may have fewer reported problems overall, but both vehicles have serious safety-related complaints. The Silverado's higher volume likely reflects its popularity and wider model range, but the frequency of powertrain and brake issues is notable.
Key differences
- The Infiniti I35 has 206 complaints over 3 years, while the Silverado has 5,105 over 10 years, a much higher annual rate.
- Infiniti owners report stalling and airbag non-deployment; Silverado owners report transmission slipping into neutral and sudden brake loss.
- The Silverado has 100 recalls versus 13 for the Infiniti, meaning more potential safety fixes to track.
- Both have crash-related complaints, but the Silverado has more injuries (104 vs 15) and fewer deaths (1 vs 11) reported, though these numbers are raw and not rates.
- Check for any history of stalling or sudden shutdown; test drive at highway speeds and listen for engine hesitation.
- Inspect the airbag warning light and ask if the airbag sensor or inflator recalls have been addressed.
- Test the transmission for any hesitation or sudden neutral engagement, especially at low speeds or in parking garages.
- Check brake pedal feel and braking performance; any firmness or reduced stopping power could indicate a serious issue.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to see all open recalls for the specific vehicle and confirm they were fixed.
- Ask for a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the model, focusing on engine sensors (Infiniti) or transmission and brakes (Silverado).
- During the test drive, include highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic to check for stalling, transmission slipping, or brake problems.
- Review service records for any repeated engine or electrical repairs, which may indicate ongoing issues.
- Verify that the airbag system (Infiniti) or brake system (Silverado) has no active warning lights or pending 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 Infiniti I35 or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Infiniti I35 vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Infiniti I35 total complaints
- 206
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 5,105
- Infiniti I35 total recalls
- 13
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- Infiniti I35 avg complaints/year
- 68.7
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 510.5
- More reliable overall
- Infiniti I35
- Infiniti I35 top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE