Head-to-head reliability
Infiniti Q50 vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Infiniti Q50 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 Q50 vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Q50 averages about 32 complaints per year, while the Silverado averages about 823, with 101 recalls versus 18. Both have engine and power train issues, but the Silverado also reports many brake and electrical problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Infiniti Q50 or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Infiniti Q50
The Infiniti Q50 is a luxury sedan with a relatively low complaint volume: 318 over 10 years, averaging about 32 per year. Owners frequently report sudden engine power loss, transmission problems, air bag warning lights, and steering issues. With 18 recalls and 27 crash-related complaints, it's a car that demands attention to warning signs and regular maintenance.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume: 8,227 over 10 years, averaging about 823 per year. Common owner reports include engine and transmission failures, electrical glitches, and brake problems. With 101 recalls and 233 crash-related complaints, it's a truck that may require more frequent repairs and careful inspection.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Infiniti Q50 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 318 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 18 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 27 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 31.8 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 12 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.
Infiniti Q50
- 01ENGINE65
- 02POWER TRAIN60
- 03AIR BAGS47
- 04STEERING46
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM44
Owners report sudden loss of acceleration and engine power, often accompanied by the check engine light. Some say the vehicle shuts off while driving and may restart after cycling the ignition. This can be dangerous in traffic and points to potential ECU or fuel system issues.
Complaints include transmission problems such as the vehicle unexpectedly going into neutral or losing power while driving. One owner described the car shutting off while parked with the engine running. These issues can lead to loss of control and costly repairs.
Owners report air bag warning lights illuminating, indicating the system may not deploy in a crash. Some had seatbelt warnings activate when the seat was empty. Fixes can be expensive, especially after warranty expiration.
Steering assembly faults and intermittent locking or stiffness are reported. One owner experienced the steering wheel locking while driving, along with brake and acceleration problems. This is a serious safety concern that should be addressed immediately.
“In August 2026, while driving, the vehicle suddenly lost acceleration and engine power and would only travel at a very slow speed. The check engine light came on. The driver had to safely stop, turn the engine off, and restart it. After restarting, the vehicl…”
“Shortly after purchasing the vehicle, I began experiencing serious performance issues. While driving, the vehicle suddenly lost power, would not accelerate properly, and warning lights appeared on the dashboard. The vehicle eventually shut off while in operat…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners report engine shutdowns while driving, sometimes with messages like 'Return to Neutral' or 'Press Start.' Diesel models have experienced repeated diesel particulate filter soot accumulation events requiring dealer service. These issues can leave you stranded and lead to expensive repairs.
Complaints include the vehicle suddenly shifting into neutral or losing power, even at low speeds. One owner reported the truck shutting off in a parking garage with less than 300 miles. Such failures can cause accidents and indicate transmission or software problems.
Owners describe sudden loss of braking assistance, with the brake pedal feeling firm but ineffective. Others report the engine shutting off while driving and screens going blank. These electrical glitches can disable critical safety features.
Braking problems are frequently reported, including reduced braking power and the need for excessive pedal force. In some cases, the vehicle would not stop normally at low speeds. This is a major safety risk that requires 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.
Infiniti Q50 — 18 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Nissan Murano, INFINITI QX60, 2021 Nissan GT-R, INFINITI QX50, and Q50 vehicles. The front steering knuckle or rear axle housing may have insufficient strength due to improper heat-treatment.
The risk: The steering knuckle or rear axle could deform upon impact, such as from hitting a curb, resulting in a loss of steering control, or possible wheel separation. Both of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front steering knuckle and rear axle housing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2021. Nissan owners may contact customer service at 1-800-867-7669. INFINITI o…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (INFINITI) is recalling certain 2021 INFINITI Q50 and Q60 vehicles. After detecting rapid acceleration, the Engine Control Module (ECM) may incorrectly reduce engine power and reduce fuel supply to the engine.
The risk: A lack of fuel may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: INFINITI will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECM software, free of charge. The recall began on May 25, 2021. Owners may contact INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200. INFINITI's number for this recall is R20C5.
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021 Infinity Q50, Q60, and QX80 vehicles. A software error may deactivate the audio/video control unit screen, preventing the rear-view image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehi…
The risk: A rear-view camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 14, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R21A9.
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additio…
The risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-…
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
Infiniti Q50 or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Infiniti Q50 has far fewer complaints per year (about 32) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (about 823). This means Q50 owners report fewer problems overall, but the issues they do report—like sudden power loss and air bag warnings—can be serious. The Silverado's higher volume suggests a greater likelihood of encountering recurring engine, transmission, and brake issues.
Key differences
- The Silverado has about 26 times more complaints per year than the Q50 (823 vs. 32), indicating a much higher reported problem rate.
- Engine and power train complaints dominate both, but the Silverado also has many electrical and brake complaints, while the Q50's top issues include air bags and steering.
- The Silverado has 101 recalls versus 18 for the Q50, suggesting more widespread safety-related fixes.
- Crash-related complaints are much higher for the Silverado (233 vs. 27), though this may reflect the larger number of vehicles on the road.
- Check for any history of sudden engine power loss or transmission issues; test drive at various speeds and listen for hesitation.
- Inspect air bag warning lights and ensure they illuminate briefly then go out; a persistent light could indicate a costly fault.
- Look for signs of engine shutdowns or electrical glitches; ask if any software updates or recalls have been performed.
- Test the brakes thoroughly for firmness and stopping power; any unusual behavior could signal a serious brake issue.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on engine, transmission, and brakes.
- During the test drive, pay attention to any warning lights, unusual noises, or loss of power.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for oil changes and transmission service.
- For the Silverado, verify that any diesel particulate filter issues have been addressed if equipped with a diesel engine.
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 | Infiniti Q50 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0 | 527 |
| 2023 | 8 | 450 |
| 2022 | 1 | 1390 |
| 2021 | 6 | 961 |
| 2020 | 3 | 868 |
| 2019 | 30 | 2003 |
| 2018 | 43 | 597 |
| 2017 | 62 | 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 Infiniti Q50 or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Infiniti Q50 vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Infiniti Q50 total complaints
- 318
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Infiniti Q50 total recalls
- 18
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Infiniti Q50 avg complaints/year
- 31.8
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Infiniti Q50
- Infiniti Q50 top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE