Head-to-head reliability
KIA Cadenza vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the KIA Cadenza 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
KIA Cadenza vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Cadenza averages 31 complaints per year over 7 years, while the Silverado averages 510 per year over 10 years. Both have engine and brake issues, but the Silverado's electrical failures can cause simultaneous loss of power and brakes. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the KIA Cadenza or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
KIA Cadenza
The KIA Cadenza is a large sedan that, in ownership terms, has a moderate complaint rate of about 31 per year over seven years. Owners frequently report engine oil consumption and related failures, often without warning lights, which can lead to sudden stalling or knocking. Brake issues, including a reported failure while driving slowly, and electrical problems also appear, but the overall volume is much lower than the Silverado's.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a very high complaint rate of about 510 per year over ten years. Owners report serious engine problems, including sudden power loss and diesel particulate filter clogging, as well as transmission issues that cause the truck to unexpectedly shift into neutral. Electrical and brake failures are also common, sometimes occurring simultaneously at highway speeds, which can be alarming for a buyer.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | KIA Cadenza | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 216 Better | 5,105 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 12 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 8 Better | 117 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 30.9 Better | 510.5 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 12 Better | 104 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
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.
KIA Cadenza
- 01ENGINE63
- 02SERVICE BRAKES36
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER33
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM33
- 05VISIBILITY25
Owners report oil burning and oil pressure sender failures that leak oil internally, leading to engine knocking and stalling. The oil light often does not illuminate, so drivers may be unaware of low oil until damage occurs.
There are reports of brake failure, including a slow-speed downhill incident where the pedal felt normal but braking was ineffective. ABS warning lights may flash intermittently, and a recall addresses the ABS control unit.
Electrical issues often relate to unresolved recalls and engine-related problems, such as the oil pressure sender malfunctioning. Owners also mention overheating defects that are not properly diagnosed.
“A little history, my Cadenza was placed at KIA of Bradley [XXX] 2024, I complained of oil burning, the oil sending unit light staying on and the engine dying. The Kia rep found “THE OIL PRESSURE SENDER INTERNALLY FAULTED, LEAKING OIL INTERNALLY – OIL LEAKING…”
“Multiple oil, engine/knocking issues. Drove the car unaware of loss of oil ( disguised as water from days rain) no oil light or engine light appeared. When I took to dealer the leak was fixed.Multiple times of loss of oil and only once did it show on dash.I k…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE1,698
- 02POWER TRAIN1,453
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM982
- 04SERVICE BRAKES691
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER542
Owners report sudden loss of motive power, often accompanied by loud pinging sounds, and in some cases the engine fails completely. Diesel models experience repeated diesel particulate filter clogging, requiring dealer service.
Transmission problems include the vehicle suddenly shifting into neutral while driving, which can be dangerous in traffic. This has occurred with very low mileage on new trucks.
Electrical failures can cause a simultaneous loss of engine power, brakes, and steering, as reported at highway speeds. Brake-related electrical issues also lead to reduced braking effectiveness.
Owners describe sudden, severe loss of normal braking even though the pedal feels firm. This can happen without warning, making it a critical safety concern.
“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.
KIA Cadenza — 12 recalls
The defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.
The risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an elect…
The defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.
The risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an elect…
The defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.
The risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an elect…
The defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017 Cadenza vehicles. The brake vacuum hose on the affected vehicles may kink, reducing braking performance.
The risk: Reduced braking performance can lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake vacuum hose, replacing it as necessary, free charge. The recall began on April 17, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is…
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
KIA Cadenza or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The KIA Cadenza has far fewer complaints per year (about 31) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (about 510), indicating a lower rate of reported issues. In practice, the Cadenza may offer more predictable reliability, but both vehicles have serious engine and brake concerns that require careful inspection.
Key differences
- The Cadenza's engine issues often involve oil consumption and sensor failures, while the Silverado's engine problems include sudden power loss and diesel filter clogging.
- The Silverado has a much higher complaint volume and more recalls (100 vs 12), suggesting a higher rate of reported problems.
- Brake failures are reported in both, but the Silverado's electrical system can cause simultaneous loss of brakes and steering, which is more severe.
- The Cadenza's complaints are spread over 7 years, while the Silverado's span 10 years, but the per-year rate is still much higher for the Silverado.
- Check for any signs of oil leaks or engine knocking, and verify the oil pressure sender has been replaced if there's a history of oil light issues.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, including slow-speed stops, and ensure any ABS-related recalls have been performed.
- Listen for abnormal engine noises and check for any pending recalls, especially those related to the tailgate latch, steering, or brake fluid sensor.
- Inspect the transmission behavior during a test drive, especially at low speeds, to ensure it doesn't unexpectedly shift into neutral.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been addressed for the specific VIN.
- Have an independent mechanic perform a compression test and oil consumption check on the Cadenza's engine.
- For the Silverado, ask for service records showing any diesel particulate filter cleanings or replacements.
- Test drive both vehicles at various speeds, including stop-and-go traffic, to feel for any hesitation or brake anomalies.
- Check the brake fluid level and condition, and inspect for any warning lights on the dashboard.
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 | KIA Cadenza | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 5 | 1992 |
| 2018 | 7 | 591 |
| 2017 | 32 | 0 |
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 KIA Cadenza or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- KIA Cadenza vs Chevrolet Silverado
- KIA Cadenza total complaints
- 216
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 5,105
- KIA Cadenza total recalls
- 12
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- KIA Cadenza avg complaints/year
- 30.9
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 510.5
- More reliable overall
- KIA Cadenza
- KIA Cadenza top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE