Head-to-head reliability
Lexus GS vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Lexus GS 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 GS vs Chevrolet Silverado: The GS has 16 complaints and 5 recalls over 10 years, while the Silverado has 8,227 complaints and 101 recalls. The GS averages 1.6 complaints per year versus 822.7 for the Silverado. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lexus GS or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lexus GS
The Lexus GS is a luxury sedan with a relatively low complaint rate: 16 complaints over 10 years, averaging 1.6 per year. Owners report issues with steering feel, interior materials, and fuel system components, but the volume is small. Recalls are all for the fuel pump, suggesting a known fix. Overall, it appears to be a low-volume problem vehicle, but buyers should still check for the specific issues noted.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a very high complaint rate: 8,227 complaints over 10 years, averaging 822.7 per year. Owners report serious issues with the engine, transmission, electrical system, and brakes, including crashes and injuries. With 101 recalls, it has many known problems. This suggests a vehicle that may require frequent attention and repairs.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lexus GS | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 16 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 5 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.6 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 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 GS
- 01STEERING7
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
- 04LANE DEPARTURE2
- 05VISIBILITY1
Owners of 2016-2017 GS models report a 'sticky' or 'notchy' steering feel at highway speeds and intermittent failure of lane keeping assistance on curves. This can make the car feel unpredictable and requires constant correction, which is a safety concern.
Complaints include melting dashboards and delaminating carbon fiber trim, especially in hot climates. These are cosmetic but can affect resale value and owner satisfaction.
Some owners report sudden engine surging or stalling due to low-pressure fuel pump issues, with one crash and injury reported. This is a serious safety risk, though recalls address the fuel pump.
The lane keeping assist system fails about 50% of the time on curved highways, requiring human intervention. This undermines a key safety feature and could lead to a crash if the driver relies on it.
“The system which has intermittent failure on my 2017 Lexus GS350 is the lane keeping assistance safety option. The system seems to work almost perfectly on straight highways. But highways with curves seem to fail at about a 50% rate and human intervention is…”
“I am experiencing a persistent and potentially hazardous steering issue with my 2016 Lexus GS 350 AWD (Luxury Package). At highway speeds (typically 60 mph and above), the steering exhibits a distinct "sticky" or "notchy" sensation around the center position.…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners of 2026 Silverado models report engine shutdowns while driving, rough running, and diesel particulate filter issues. These can leave you stranded and are dangerous if they occur in traffic.
Complaints include sudden shifting into neutral and loss of power, even at low speeds. This can cause loss of control and has led to crashes.
Owners report sudden loss of braking assist and engine shut-off while driving, with messages like 'Return to Neutral'. These electrical glitches can disable critical safety systems.
Some owners experience a firm brake pedal with reduced braking effect, making it hard to stop. This is a severe safety defect 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.
Lexus GS — 5 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2022 Lexus RC, 2016-2020 GS, and 2022 IS vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Toyota's cust…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2022 Lexus RC, 2016-2020 GS, and 2022 IS vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Toyota's cust…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2022 Lexus RC, 2016-2020 GS, and 2022 IS vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Toyota's cust…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2022 Lexus RC, 2016-2020 GS, and 2022 IS vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Toyota's cust…
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 GS or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Lexus GS has far fewer issues per year (1.6 vs. 822.7 complaints), meaning you are much less likely to encounter problems. However, the Silverado's issues are more severe and frequent, often involving safety-critical systems. In practice, the GS is a lower-risk used car, while the Silverado may demand more maintenance and carry higher safety risks.
Key differences
- The Lexus GS averages 1.6 complaints per year, while the Silverado averages 822.7, a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- Silverado complaints often involve engine shutdowns, transmission failures, and brake loss, leading to 233 crashes and 160 injuries; GS has 1 crash and 1 injury, mostly from fuel system issues.
- The GS has 5 recalls, all for fuel pumps; the Silverado has 101 recalls covering fuel pumps, brakes, tires, and driver assist systems.
- GS owner complaints focus on steering feel and interior trim, while Silverado complaints center on powertrain and electrical failures that can disable the vehicle.
- Check for sticky or notchy steering at highway speeds, especially on 2016-2017 models, as this is a common complaint.
- Inspect the dashboard and interior trim for melting, cracking, or delamination, particularly if the car has been in a hot climate.
- Test drive at various speeds and check for sudden engine shutdowns, transmission slipping into neutral, or loss of braking assist.
- Look for warning messages like 'Return to Neutral' or 'Press Start' on the dashboard, and ask about any history of electrical glitches.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the specific problem areas for each model.
- For the Lexus GS, test the lane keeping assist on curved roads and check steering feel at highway speeds.
- For the Silverado, test drive extensively, including highway and stop-and-go traffic, and check for any warning lights or messages.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and confirm that any recall repairs have been completed.
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 GS | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | 868 |
| 2019 | 1 | 2003 |
| 2018 | 3 | 597 |
| 2017 | 1 | 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 GS or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lexus GS vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Lexus GS total complaints
- 16
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Lexus GS total recalls
- 5
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Lexus GS avg complaints/year
- 1.6
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Lexus GS
- Lexus GS top complaint area
- STEERING
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE