Head-to-head reliability
Lexus LS vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Lexus LS 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 LS averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Lexus LS has 18 complaints and 11 recalls on record; Chevrolet Silverado has 7,904 complaints and 100 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lexus LS | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 18 Better | 7,904 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 11 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 229 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.8 Better | 790.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 159 |
| 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 LS
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
- 02WHEELS4
- 03SEATS3
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
- 05ENGINE2
“APEAL AGAINST THE RECALL DONE BY LEXUS TOYOTA ON MAY 16TH, 2019, I TOOK MY CAR LEXUS 2018 LS 500 TO THE DEALER, LEXUS OF WOODLAND HILLS, WHERE I BOUGHT IT, FOR BEING RECALLED BY THE COMPANY. (NHTSA RECALL NO. 19V-134) AFTER RECALL DEFECTS WERE FIXED, I DROVE…”
“THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM BLOWS FUSES AND STOPS WORKING, BUT THE LIGHT ON THE DASH CONTINUES TO INDICATE THAT EVERYTHING IS WORKING. IN OTHER WORDS, THERE IS NO WAY TO LEARN THAT THE COLLISION SYSTEM IS OFFLINE UNLESS YOU'RE WILLING TO SIMULATE A NEAR CE…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,352
- 02POWER TRAIN2,254
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,452
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,198
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER838
“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…”
“At approximately 3,000 miles, the engine began making a loud knocking noise that became progressively worse while driving. The truck was diagnosed as needing a complete engine replacement. No warning lights, no check engine light, nothing. For someone inexper…”
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 LS — 11 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Lexus LS500 and 2018-2020 Lexus LS500 Hybrid vehicles equipped with the "Executive Package." The front passenger seat may have been assembled with interference between internal parts that can cause the Occupant Classif…
The risk: Incorrect detection of an occupant may result in improper air bag deployment during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the front passenger seat, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 7, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 2…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Lexus LS500 and 2018-2020 Lexus LS500 Hybrid vehicles equipped with the "Executive Package." The front passenger seat may have been assembled with interference between internal parts that can cause the Occupant Classif…
The risk: Incorrect detection of an occupant may result in improper air bag deployment during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the front passenger seat, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 7, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 2…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Lexus LS vehicles equipped with run-flat tires with a sidewall reinforcement layer inside the tire. The tire-on-wheel assembly process may have caused the reinforcement layer to crack, possibly resulting in the tire tread l…
The risk: If the tire tread layer separates from the vehicle, vehicle handling and stability may be affected, increasing the risk of crash.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and Lexus dealers will replace the affected tires, free of charge. The recall began April 26, 2019. Owners may contact Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. The Toyota number for this recall is KLC.
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Lexus LS500 and 2018-2020 Lexus LS500 Hybrid vehicles equipped with the "Executive Package." The front passenger seat may have been assembled with interference between internal parts that can cause the Occupant Classif…
The risk: Incorrect detection of an occupant may result in improper air bag deployment during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the front passenger seat, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 7, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 2…
Chevrolet Silverado — 100 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…
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 LS | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 82 |
| 2025 | 1 | 135 |
| 2024 | 0 | 498 |
| 2023 | 1 | 424 |
| 2022 | 0 | 1302 |
| 2021 | 5 | 914 |
| 2020 | 0 | 831 |
| 2019 | 1 | 1977 |
| 2018 | 10 | 588 |
| 2017 | 0 | 1153 |
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 LS or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lexus LS vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Lexus LS total complaints
- 18
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 7,904
- Lexus LS total recalls
- 11
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- Lexus LS avg complaints/year
- 1.8
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 790.4
- More reliable overall
- Lexus LS
- Lexus LS top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE