Head-to-head reliability
KIA Sportage vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the KIA Sportage 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 Sportage vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Sportage averages 122 complaints per year, while the Silverado averages 511. Engine issues dominate both, but the Silverado also has frequent power train and brake failures. Check for recalls and get a pre-purchase inspection. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the KIA Sportage or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
KIA Sportage
The Kia Sportage is a compact SUV that, in ownership terms, shows a pattern of engine-related trouble that can leave owners stranded or dealing with persistent defects. Complaints often describe sudden loss of power, stalling, or transmission issues, sometimes leading to lemon law claims. Electrical glitches, like the instrument cluster rebooting while driving, add to the sense of unpredictability. Brake problems, including rotor resurfacing and a reported brake booster failure, are also notable, making it a vehicle that may require frequent dealer visits.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a high volume of complaints, reflecting its popularity and heavy use. Engine issues dominate, with reports of catastrophic failures in the 6.2L and diesel particulate filter problems in the 6.6L Duramax. Transmission troubles, such as sudden shifts into neutral, and electrical problems that can affect braking and steering are serious concerns. Brake failures, including a sudden loss of braking power, are also reported, making it a vehicle that demands careful inspection before purchase.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | KIA Sportage | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,221 Better | 5,105 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 25 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 82 Better | 117 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 122.1 Better | 510.5 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 70 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 Sportage
- 01ENGINE513
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER247
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM212
- 04SERVICE BRAKES111
- 05POWER TRAIN102
Owners report the engine can stall or lose power, sometimes leaving the vehicle stuck in gear or unable to start. Some complaints cite persistent defects that lead to lemon law claims, indicating a chronic issue.
The instrument cluster may reboot while driving, causing a temporary loss of speed and tachometer readings. This can be distracting and potentially dangerous if it happens at speed.
Brake rotors may need resurfacing early, and there is a report of a defective brake booster causing complete brake failure. This is a critical safety concern that should be checked immediately.
Transmission issues can cause the vehicle to be stuck in gear or shift unexpectedly, leading to loss of motive power. This can be especially problematic in traffic or on highways.
“We were getting in our car to drive home from a restaurant. We attempted to start our car like any other day, and the car started. However, our car was stuck in gear, it was in parking but also not in parking. The car was not moving, the gear was in “park”, t…”
“This is an issue of nonconformity according the Florida Lemon Law: "Florida's Lemon Law protects consumers who buy or lease new or demonstrator vehicles with persistent, significant defects, known as nonconformities, within the first 24 months of ownership."…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE1,698
- 02POWER TRAIN1,453
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM982
- 04SERVICE BRAKES691
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER542
The 6.2L engine can suffer catastrophic failure, leaving owners stranded far from home. The 6.6L Duramax diesel has repeated diesel particulate filter clogging, requiring dealer intervention and potentially costly repairs.
Transmissions can suddenly shift into neutral, causing a loss of power while driving, which is dangerous in traffic. This has been reported in vehicles with very low mileage.
Electrical issues can lead to a loss of braking and steering assist, as well as engine power, often accompanied by warning messages. This can make the vehicle difficult to control.
There are reports of sudden, severe loss of braking power, with the pedal remaining firm but the vehicle not stopping effectively. This is a critical safety defect 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.
KIA Sportage — 25 recalls
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Sportage Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) and 2024-2025 Sportage vehicles equipped with a 4.2" screen and a Genuine Kia tow hitch harness accessory. Due to a software error, the instrument panel screen may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to co…
The risk: An instrument panel screen that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the tow hitch harness control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC359. Vehicle…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Sportage and 2022-2024 Carnival vehicles. The roof molding may loosen and detach.
The risk: A detached roof molding can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the roof molding and replace or secure it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024 Kia Sportage vehicles. The circuit board in the motor-driven power steering assembly may short circuit, resulting in a loss of power steering assist.
The risk: A loss of power steering assist can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the motor-driven power steering electric power pack, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 19, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC31…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Sportage Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) and 2024-2025 Sportage vehicles equipped with a 4.2" screen and a Genuine Kia tow hitch harness accessory. Due to a software error, the instrument panel screen may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to co…
The risk: An instrument panel screen that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the tow hitch harness control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC359. Vehicle…
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 Sportage or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Kia Sportage has fewer complaints per year (122.1) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (510.5), indicating a lower frequency of reported issues. However, both vehicles have serious safety-related complaints, so the difference in numbers does not guarantee reliability. In practice, the Sportage may require fewer visits to the shop, but the Silverado's issues can be more severe and costly.
Key differences
- The Sportage has a higher proportion of engine complaints (42% of total) compared to the Silverado (33%), but the Silverado has more power train complaints (28% vs 8%).
- The Silverado has a much higher overall complaint volume, which may reflect its larger sales numbers but also indicates a higher absolute number of issues.
- Both vehicles have brake complaints, but the Silverado's reports include sudden loss of braking at speed, which is more alarming.
- The Sportage has electrical issues like instrument cluster reboots, while the Silverado has electrical problems that can affect braking and steering, which are more critical.
- Check for any engine stalling or transmission issues by test driving at various speeds and inclines.
- Inspect the brake system for signs of rotor wear or brake booster problems, and ask for service records.
- Listen for abnormal engine noises and check for any warning lights, especially related to the diesel particulate filter if it's a Duramax.
- Test the brakes at highway speeds to ensure they respond properly, and check for any electrical issues that might affect steering or braking.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on engine, transmission, and brakes.
- Test drive both vehicles on the highway and in stop-and-go traffic to feel for any hesitation or unusual behavior.
- Ask for all maintenance and repair records, especially for any engine or brake work.
- Research the specific model year and engine option to see if there are known issues.
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 Sportage | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 32 | 98 |
| 2025 | 49 | 150 |
| 2024 | 68 | 0 |
| 2023 | 187 | 0 |
| 2022 | 46 | 1340 |
| 2021 | 50 | 934 |
| 2020 | 159 | 0 |
| 2019 | 69 | 1992 |
| 2018 | 162 | 591 |
| 2017 | 399 | 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 Sportage or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- KIA Sportage vs Chevrolet Silverado
- KIA Sportage total complaints
- 1,221
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 5,105
- KIA Sportage total recalls
- 25
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- KIA Sportage avg complaints/year
- 122.1
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 510.5
- More reliable overall
- KIA Sportage
- KIA Sportage top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE