Head-to-head reliability
Infiniti QX70 vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Infiniti QX70 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 QX70 vs Chevrolet Silverado: The QX70 has 23 complaints over 5 years (4.6/year) and 2 recalls, while the Silverado has 8,227 complaints over 10 years (822.7/year) and 101 recalls. The Silverado also reports 233 crash-related complaints and 3 deaths. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Infiniti QX70 or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Infiniti QX70
The Infiniti QX70 is a luxury SUV with a relatively low complaint volume—23 over five years, or about 4.6 per year. Owners report issues with the electrical system, brakes, air bags, and power train, including water leaks causing stalling, brake fluid leaking onto the ABS circuit board and starting a fire, and transmission hard shifting. These are serious but infrequent problems, and the two recalls for fuel system issues add another layer to check.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a very high complaint volume—8,227 over ten years, averaging about 823 per year. The most common trouble spots are the engine, power train, electrical system, and brakes, with owners describing engines shutting off while driving, transmissions failing to shift, and sudden brake loss. There are also 101 recalls and 233 crash-related complaints, including 3 deaths, which means many reported problems involve safety-critical failures.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Infiniti QX70 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 23 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 4.6 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 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 QX70
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
- 02SERVICE BRAKES4
- 03AIR BAGS4
- 04POWER TRAIN3
- 05STRUCTURE2
Owners report water leaking onto the driver-side floor from defective sunroof drains, which can cause the car to stall or not start after rain. Another complaint describes brake fluid leaking onto the ABS actuator circuit board, creating an electrical fire that melted the engine harness.
One owner reported that while backing out of a garage, the brakes had no effect and the car rolled across the street until it stopped near a neighbor's garage. Another complaint ties brake fluid leaks to an ABS module fire, showing that brake problems can be both mechanical and electrical.
Owners report that sensors in the passenger-side airbag system fail, sometimes requiring replacement of all three sensors, including one built into the passenger seat. Another complaint says the airbag module and occupancy classification system went bad, turning on the sensor light and potentially affecting airbag deployment.
Complaints describe the transmission failing to change gears on the highway, hard shifting at around 55 mph, and a check engine light coming on. One owner noted this happened on two different QX70s, suggesting a recurring transmission issue.
“Multiple incidents of car not starting or stalling in rain. 1. After a rainstorm while parked, noticed water on the driver side floor and dripping from the driver door side under dashboard, water coming from defective design of sunroof water drains/tubing whi…”
“Brake fluid began leaking onto the ABS actuator circuit board and created an electrical fire. This melted the engine harness and the connector to the abs module. This was confirmed by dealership technicians at Sewell Infiniti - Dallas. Dealership informed me…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners of newer Silverados report engine shutdowns while driving, sometimes with a 'Return to Neutral' message, and diesel models have repeated excessive soot accumulation in the particulate filter requiring dealer service. These failures can leave you stranded or create dangerous situations on the road.
Complaints include a brand-new truck suddenly going into neutral while driving slowly uphill in a parking garage, and transmissions that fail to shift properly or shift hard. These issues can happen at low speeds or on the highway, affecting control.
Owners report sudden, severe loss of normal braking with a firm pedal but little stopping power, as well as the engine shutting off while driving and all screens going blank. These electrical glitches can disable critical safety features without warning.
One complaint describes the truck completely shutting off in a parking lot, with no ability to accelerate, and another reports brake loss shortly after dropping a child at school. Brake and electrical failures together make the vehicle unpredictable in everyday driving.
“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 QX70 — 2 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Nissan Juke, 2012-2013 Infiniti M56, QX56, and 2014-2015 Infiniti Q70 (V8 engine vehicles only), and QX80 vehicles. The fuel pressure sensors may not have been sufficiently tightened during production. As a result, the fu…
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could cause a vehicle fire.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will re-torque the fuel pressure sensors free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Nissan Juke, 2012-2013 Infiniti M56, QX56, and 2014-2015 Infiniti Q70 (V8 engine vehicles only), and QX80 vehicles. The fuel pressure sensors may not have been sufficiently tightened during production. As a result, the fu…
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could cause a vehicle fire.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will re-torque the fuel pressure sensors free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
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 QX70 or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Infiniti QX70 has far fewer complaints per year (about 4.6) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (about 823), meaning you are much less likely to encounter a reported problem with the Infiniti. However, the Silverado's huge complaint volume reflects its much larger sales base, so the per-vehicle risk is not directly comparable. In practice, the Infiniti's issues tend to be isolated but serious, while the Silverado's are widespread and often involve safety-critical systems.
Key differences
- The Infiniti QX70 averages about 4.6 complaints per year, while the Chevrolet Silverado averages about 823 per year—a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- Infiniti owners report water leaks causing stalling and brake fluid fires, while Silverado owners report engines shutting off while driving and transmissions going into neutral.
- The Silverado has 101 recalls and 233 crash-related complaints, including 3 deaths, whereas the QX70 has 2 recalls and 1 crash-related complaint with no deaths.
- Both vehicles have brake and electrical complaints, but the Silverado's issues are far more numerous and often involve sudden loss of braking or engine power.
- Check for water leaks around the sunroof drains and driver-side floor, as these can cause electrical stalling or no-start conditions.
- Inspect the ABS actuator and brake lines for fluid leaks, which have been reported to cause electrical fires and melted wiring.
- Test drive at various speeds and listen for hard shifting or failure to shift, especially around 55 mph, and check for stored transmission codes.
- Verify that the engine does not shut off unexpectedly and that all electrical systems, including brakes and screens, function without intermittent failures.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed, especially fuel system recalls on the QX70 and the many recalls on the Silverado.
- Have a mechanic inspect the Infiniti's sunroof drains, ABS module, and transmission for leaks or shifting issues.
- For the Silverado, scan for engine and transmission fault codes and test the brakes and electrical system thoroughly during a test drive.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly for transmission fluid changes and brake system repairs.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a dealer or specialist familiar with the specific model's common complaints.
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 QX70 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 0 | 597 |
| 2017 | 8 | 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 QX70 or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Infiniti QX70 vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Infiniti QX70 total complaints
- 23
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Infiniti QX70 total recalls
- 2
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Infiniti QX70 avg complaints/year
- 4.6
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Infiniti QX70
- Infiniti QX70 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE