Head-to-head reliability
KIA Telluride vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the KIA Telluride 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 Telluride vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Telluride averages 285 complaints per year and has 33 recalls, while the Silverado averages 823 complaints per year and has 101 recalls. Telluride owners report glass shattering and electrical glitches; Silverado owners report engine shutdowns and brake loss. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the KIA Telluride or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
KIA Telluride
The Kia Telluride is a three-row family SUV that has averaged about 285 complaints per year over seven years, with 33 recalls. Owners frequently report sudden glass shattering, wiper fluid leaks, and electrical glitches that can disable safety systems. While the overall complaint rate is lower than the Silverado's, the nature of these issues—especially glass and electrical failures—can be alarming for families.
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 complaints include engine and transmission failures, sudden braking loss, and electrical shutdowns while driving. These problems often occur at low mileage and can leave drivers stranded or in dangerous situations.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | KIA Telluride | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,998 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 33 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 39 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 285.4 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 41 Better | 160 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 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.
KIA Telluride
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER470
- 02VISIBILITY/WIPER347
- 03ENGINE324
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM287
- 05EXTERIOR LIGHTING207
Owners report panoramic sunroof glass shattering with a loud bang, sending glass flying inside the cabin. This is a serious safety concern because it can happen without warning and may distract or injure occupants.
Windshield wiper system issues include fluid leaking onto the rear window and windshields cracking or shattering from minor debris. These problems impair visibility and can be costly to repair.
Some owners experience simultaneous failures of electric power steering, ABS, and stability control, often accompanied by engine control malfunctions. This can make the vehicle hard to control at speed.
Electrical glitches cause multiple dashboard warnings and can disable safety features like electronic parking brake and stability control. These failures often occur while driving, increasing crash risk.
“Was driving with my husband and granddaughter in the car and had just left the house. Horrible, loud explosive sound like a gunshot and glass sound and glanced to make sure all glass ok and our granddaughter was safe. Could see the glass flying behind us and…”
“Component: Factory forward panoramic sunroof glass, 2025 Kia Telluride, VIN [XXX]. On XXX at 8:18 a.m. ET, [XXX], 59 mph, the glass shattered with a loud bang. No object was seen hitting the roof. Sunshade open. Vehicle/photos available. Original glass may no…”
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 also suffer from excessive soot accumulation in the particulate filter, requiring dealer service.
Transmission problems include sudden shifting into neutral and loss of acceleration, even at very low mileage. This can leave the truck unable to move in traffic or parking situations.
Electrical faults cause a severe loss of braking assistance, where the brake pedal feels firm but the truck won't stop normally. Other electrical issues lead to engine shut-offs and blank instrument panels.
Owners describe sudden brake failure with a firm pedal but reduced stopping power, often shortly after starting a trip. This is a critical safety issue that could lead to a crash.
“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 Telluride — 33 recalls
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Telluride vehicles. The door belt molding trim can delaminate and detach from the vehicle.
The risk: A detached trim piece can become a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the belt molding 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…
The defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Telluride and 2026 Sorento vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with an incorrect spare tire which, when installed, can impair the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the traction control system (TCS). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the…
The risk: Anti-lock braking or traction control systems that do not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the spare wheel and tire assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC355. Vehicle Iden…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Telluride vehicles, equipped with power front seat(s). Due to a manufacturing error, the driver and passenger seat back frame assemblies may fail to properly restrain occupants in a crash.
The risk: A seat back frame that fails to properly restrain an occupant during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front seat back frame assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning April 24, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number f…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Telluride vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the wire harnesses for the second row seat side air bags may become damaged, causing them not to deploy in the event of a crash.
The risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace, or secure the air bag wire harnesses, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for thi…
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 Telluride or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Kia Telluride has far fewer complaints per year (about 285) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (about 823), and fewer recalls (33 vs. 101). In practice, this means Telluride owners report fewer overall problems, but the issues they do face—like shattering glass and electrical glitches—can still be serious. The Silverado's higher rate suggests a greater likelihood of frequent, potentially dangerous breakdowns.
Key differences
- The Telluride averages about 285 complaints per year, while the Silverado averages about 823—nearly three times as many.
- Telluride owners often report glass shattering and wiper fluid leaks; Silverado owners report engine shutdowns and brake loss.
- The Silverado has 101 recalls versus 33 for the Telluride, indicating more widespread safety fixes.
- Silverado complaints include sudden loss of braking and transmission neutral drops, which are immediate safety hazards; Telluride issues, while serious, are less frequently tied to loss of control.
- Inspect the panoramic sunroof glass for any cracks, chips, or signs of previous shattering, and ask if it has been replaced.
- Test the windshield wiper and washer system thoroughly, checking for fluid leaks onto the rear window and any unusual noises or weak spray.
- Check for any stored engine or transmission fault codes, especially related to fuel pump control, diesel particulate filter, or transmission neutral issues.
- Test the brakes at low speed and during a test drive to ensure the pedal feels normal and the truck stops without hesitation or unusual noises.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed, especially for structural, airbag, and electrical issues.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic who specializes in the brand, focusing on the specific components listed in complaints.
- During a test drive, deliberately test the brakes, transmission shifting, and all electrical features including dashboard warnings.
- For the Telluride, inspect the sunroof and windshield for any cracks or repairs; for the Silverado, listen for engine noises and check for smooth acceleration.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and whether any major components (engine, transmission, brakes) have been replaced or repaired.
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 Telluride | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 120 |
| 2025 | 116 | 157 |
| 2024 | 219 | 527 |
| 2023 | 207 | 450 |
| 2022 | 324 | 1390 |
| 2021 | 365 | 961 |
| 2020 | 767 | 868 |
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 Telluride or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- KIA Telluride vs Chevrolet Silverado
- KIA Telluride total complaints
- 1,998
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- KIA Telluride total recalls
- 33
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- KIA Telluride avg complaints/year
- 285.4
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- KIA Telluride
- KIA Telluride top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE