Head-to-head reliability
KIA K5 vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the KIA K5 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 K5 vs Chevrolet Silverado: The K5 averages 82.8 complaints per year with 20 recalls, while the Silverado averages 822.7 complaints per year with 101 recalls. Both have 3 deaths, but the Silverado has 160 injuries versus 53. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the KIA K5 or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
KIA K5
The KIA K5 is a midsize sedan that has averaged about 83 complaints per year over six years, with 20 recalls. Owners frequently report fuel tank expansion, electrical glitches like audio system screaming, and sudden engine shutdowns. These issues can be alarming and costly, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is essential.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup that has averaged about 823 complaints per year over ten years, with 101 recalls. Common owner reports include engine problems such as rough running and diesel particulate filter issues, transmission failures, and brake loss. The high complaint volume suggests that many owners experience significant reliability problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | KIA K5 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 497 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 20 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 35 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 82.8 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 53 Better | 160 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 3 | 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.
KIA K5
- 01FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM119
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM97
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER92
- 04ENGINE85
- 05POWER TRAIN59
Owners report fuel tank expansion and gasoline spitting out from the filler neck, sometimes accompanied by a pop and sensor malfunctions. This can lead to fuel leaks and potential fire hazards, making it a critical safety concern.
Complaints include the audio system intermittently blasting at extremely high volume, making it impossible to hear the radio or phone, and sometimes causing driver distraction. Such electrical glitches can be frustrating and expensive to diagnose.
Some owners describe the car suddenly feeling as if the brakes were slammed, stopping in the middle of the road. This can be terrifying and may indicate a serious engine or transmission fault that could lead to a crash.
Reports of the car stopping unexpectedly in traffic and audio system screaming fall into this category. These vague but dangerous symptoms highlight the need for a comprehensive diagnostic check before buying.
“On 10/20/25 as a rideshare driver one of my riders told me that the right side back seat was lifting. I could not believe what the rider was telling me until one of my family members told me the same thing. I immediately for safety reasons parked the car and…”
“The fuel tank expanded, the car was spitting out gas from where you are supposed to insert gas nozzle. my fuel tank expanded so bad from pressure my vehicle sensors malfunctioned my car did not tell me something was wrong, I heard a pop and my car was telling…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners report engine shutdowns while driving, requiring a restart, and diesel particulate filter soot accumulation events that need dealer service. These issues can leave you stranded and lead to costly repairs.
Complaints include the vehicle suddenly going into neutral and the engine shutting off, even at low speeds. This loss of power can be dangerous in traffic and may indicate transmission or software problems.
Owners describe sudden loss of normal braking with a firm pedal, as well as engine shut-off and messages like 'Return to Neutral'. These electrical faults can compromise braking and engine function, posing serious safety risks.
Reports of severe loss of braking effectiveness and the truck shutting off completely in parking lots. Brake failure is a critical safety issue that should be addressed immediately if experienced.
“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 K5 — 20 recalls
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 K5 vehicles. The left and right rear window trim pieces may loosen and detach.
The risk: Detached trim pieces can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the C-pillar trim assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2024 K5 vehicles. A damaged check valve can allow air to enter the fuel tank, causing it to expand and contact hot exhaust components, melting the tank.
The risk: A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the check valve. The fuel tank will be inspected for damage and replaced as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 16, 2026. Owners may contact Kia custo…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 K5 vehicles. A software error in the Power-net Domain Controller (PDC) may cause the parking lights to flicker. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108, "Lamps, Reflective Dev…
The risk: Parking lights that fail to illuminate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The PDC software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 24, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this re…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 K5 vehicles. The left and right rear window trim pieces may loosen and detach.
The risk: Detached trim pieces can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the C-pillar trim assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is…
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
KIA K5 or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The KIA K5 has far fewer complaints per year (about 83) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (about 823), suggesting the K5 may have fewer reported issues overall. However, the K5 still has notable fuel and electrical problems, while the Silverado's higher volume includes many engine and brake complaints. In practice, the K5 might be less likely to leave you stranded, but both require careful inspection.
Key differences
- The KIA K5 averages about 83 complaints per year, while the Chevrolet Silverado averages about 823 per year, a tenfold difference.
- KIA K5 owners frequently report fuel tank expansion and electrical audio blasts, whereas Silverado owners report engine shutdowns and brake loss.
- The Silverado has 101 recalls over 10 years, compared to 20 recalls for the K5 over 6 years, indicating more widespread safety actions for the truck.
- Both vehicles have 3 reported deaths, but the Silverado has 160 injuries versus 53 for the K5, reflecting the higher complaint volume.
- Check for fuel tank expansion or gasoline odor around the filler neck, as owners report spitting fuel and pressure buildup.
- Test the audio system at various volumes for sudden loud blasts or interference, a common electrical complaint.
- Look for signs of engine misfires, rough idling, or diesel particulate filter warnings, especially on Duramax models.
- Test the brakes for firmness and stopping power, and check for any messages about neutral or engine shutdown during a test drive.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the fuel system, electrical components, and engine for both models.
- During a test drive, listen for unusual audio noises and test all electrical features, including brakes and transmission engagement.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for oil changes and any transmission or fuel system repairs.
- For the Silverado, specifically check for diesel particulate filter service records and any software updates related to engine or braking.
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 K5 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 13 | 120 |
| 2025 | 51 | 157 |
| 2024 | 30 | 527 |
| 2023 | 107 | 450 |
| 2022 | 129 | 1390 |
| 2021 | 167 | 961 |
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 K5 or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- KIA K5 vs Chevrolet Silverado
- KIA K5 total complaints
- 497
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- KIA K5 total recalls
- 20
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- KIA K5 avg complaints/year
- 82.8
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- KIA K5
- KIA K5 top complaint area
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE