Head-to-head reliability
Lexus ES vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Lexus ES 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
Lexus ES vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Lexus ES averages 18.4 complaints per year and has 8 recalls, while the Silverado averages 822.7 complaints per year and has 101 recalls. Owners report airbag and fuel issues on the ES, but engine, transmission, and electrical problems on the Silverado. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lexus ES or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lexus ES
The Lexus ES is a luxury sedan that, based on NHTSA data, generates relatively few complaints per year—about 18.4 over the past decade. Owners report issues with airbag deployment and recalls, fuel system lunging, engine leaks, and brake failures, but the overall volume is low. For a used-car buyer, this suggests a car that may have fewer chronic problems, though specific safety-related complaints deserve attention.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup that accumulates complaints at a much higher rate—roughly 823 per year. The most common trouble spots are the engine, power train, electrical system, and brakes, with owners describing sudden engine shutdowns, transmission failures, and brake loss. This pattern indicates a vehicle that may require more frequent repairs and 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 | Lexus ES | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 184 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 8 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 32 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 18.4 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 18 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.
Lexus ES
- 01AIR BAGS44
- 02FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM34
- 03ENGINE23
- 04SERVICE BRAKES23
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER18
Owners report airbag recalls for passenger-side inflators and instances where airbags failed to deploy in crashes, sometimes accompanied by an SRS malfunction warning. This matters because it directly affects occupant protection in a collision.
Complaints describe the car lunging forward when shifting into drive and a loss of engine power during acceleration. These symptoms can make the car feel unpredictable in low-speed maneuvers and could indicate fuel delivery or throttle issues.
Reported problems include transmission failure and timing chain cover leaks, with one owner facing a repair costing over 10% of the car's purchase price. Such repairs can be expensive and may recur if not properly addressed.
Some owners experienced brake failure, including a case where the pedal was applied but the car did not slow, requiring pumping and downshifting. Brake problems are a serious safety concern and should be checked immediately.
“I am writing to formally express my deep concern and frustration regarding the prolonged recall of the passenger-side airbag in my 2020 Lexus ES350 (VIN #[XXX]). The recall numbers are (23LA03, 23LB03 and 23V865) these were issued in December of 2023, which h…”
“On 7/25/25, I was rear-ended while driving my 2018 Lexus ES 300h with my child in the front seat. Despite the force of impact and resulting injuries, none of the airbags deployed. Moments after the crash, a “SRS Airbag System Malfunction” message appeared on…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners report engine shutdowns while driving, diesel particulate filter soot accumulation requiring dealer service, and other engine failures. These issues can leave you stranded and lead to costly repairs.
Complaints include the vehicle suddenly shifting into neutral and transmission problems. This can cause a loss of power to the wheels, which is dangerous in traffic.
Owners describe sudden loss of braking assistance and the engine shutting off with messages like 'Return to Neutral' and 'Press Start'. Electrical glitches can affect critical systems and are hard to diagnose.
Reports include a firm brake pedal with reduced braking effect and the truck shutting off entirely during low-speed maneuvers. Brake and stall issues together heighten the risk of 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.
Lexus ES — 8 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or d…
The risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's nu…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Mirai, Lexus LS500, LS500H, 2023-2024 Lexus ES250, ES300H, ES350, 2024 Lexus LC500, and LC500H vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Due to incorrect programming of the parking-assist electronic cont…
The risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the parking assist ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TA01 and 24LA0…
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
Lexus ES or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Lexus ES has far fewer complaints per year (18.4 vs. 822.7) and fewer recalls (8 vs. 101), suggesting a lower rate of reported problems. In practice, a used Silverado is likely to demand more frequent attention to engine, transmission, and electrical issues, while the ES may be less troublesome overall—though both have safety-related complaints that warrant a thorough inspection.
Key differences
- The Lexus ES averages about 18 complaints per year, while the Silverado averages over 800, a more than 40-fold difference in reported issues.
- Silverado owners frequently report engine shutdowns and transmission problems, whereas Lexus ES complaints center on airbag recalls and fuel system lunging.
- The Silverado has 101 recalls versus 8 for the Lexus ES, indicating more frequent safety-related fixes.
- Brake-related complaints appear in both, but Silverado reports include loss of braking assist and stalling, while Lexus ES reports include brake failure and lunging.
- Check for open airbag recalls, especially passenger-side inflator recalls, and confirm the SRS system has no malfunction warnings.
- Test-drive at low speeds and during acceleration to feel for lunging or power loss, and inspect for transmission or timing chain cover leaks.
- Look for signs of engine issues such as rough running, diesel particulate filter warnings, or recent repairs to the fuel pump control module.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any sudden loss of power, transmission slipping, or electrical glitches like screens going blank or brake assist failure.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic, focusing on the engine, transmission, brakes, and electrical system.
- For the Lexus ES, specifically ask about airbag recall completion and any fuel system or brake repairs.
- For the Silverado, test drive at various speeds and conditions, including parking lot maneuvers, to check for stalling or shifting problems.
- Review the owner's manual and recall notices to understand any pending safety campaigns.
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 | Lexus ES | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 120 |
| 2025 | 15 | 157 |
| 2024 | 9 | 527 |
| 2023 | 22 | 450 |
| 2022 | 23 | 1390 |
| 2021 | 28 | 961 |
| 2020 | 18 | 868 |
| 2019 | 62 | 2003 |
| 2018 | 5 | 597 |
| 2017 | 2 | 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 Lexus ES or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lexus ES vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Lexus ES total complaints
- 184
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Lexus ES total recalls
- 8
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Lexus ES avg complaints/year
- 18.4
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Lexus ES
- Lexus ES top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE