Head-to-head reliability
Lexus RZ vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Lexus RZ 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 RZ vs Chevrolet Silverado: The RZ averages 10.8 complaints per year with 3 crash-related reports, while the Silverado averages 822.7 complaints per year with 233 crash-related reports and 160 injuries. The RZ has 7 recalls versus 101 for the Silverado. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lexus RZ or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lexus RZ
The Lexus RZ is an electric SUV with a relatively low complaint rate of about 11 per year over four years. Most owner complaints center on the electrical system, particularly battery range loss in cold weather and sudden propulsion loss at 0% charge. There are also reports of door latches failing and HVAC issues that can leave the cabin without heat. With only 3 crash-related complaints and no injuries or deaths, the RZ appears to have fewer severe safety incidents than the Silverado, but the electric-specific issues can be disruptive.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a very high complaint volume—over 8,200 complaints in ten years, averaging about 823 per year. The most common problem areas are the engine, power train, electrical system, and service brakes. Owners report serious issues like engine shutdowns while driving, sudden loss of braking, and transmission problems. There are 233 crash-related complaints, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths, indicating a higher rate of severe outcomes.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lexus RZ | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 43 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 7 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 3 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 10.8 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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 RZ
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM29
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
- 03LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES6
- 04POWER TRAIN2
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
Owners report severe battery range loss in cold weather, requiring excessive charging, and sudden propulsion loss when the battery reaches 0% state of charge with only a soft audible alert. This can leave drivers stranded or moving slowly in traffic, a critical concern for an electric vehicle.
Some owners of the 2026 RZ-450E report the driver’s side door failing to respond when attempting to start the vehicle, with no warning light. This could prevent entry or exit, posing a safety risk in an emergency.
Complaints include HVAC system failures affecting cabin heating, which is especially problematic in cold weather, and instances where the vehicle fails to shift out of park or unexpectedly shifts into drive. These issues can compromise safe operation and comfort.
This category captures sudden propulsion loss at 0% battery charge, where the vehicle provides minimal warning. Such an event can be dangerous if it occurs at highway speeds, as the driver may not have time to react.
“I am reporting a safety concern involving a 2024 Lexus RZ300e related to battery range performance and charging requirements in cold weather. In real-world winter conditions in Massachusetts, the vehicle experiences severe range loss, requiring excessive and…”
“I am reporting a safety concern involving a 2024 Lexus RZ300e related to battery range performance and charging requirements in cold weather. In real-world winter conditions in Massachusetts, the vehicle experiences severe range loss, requiring excessive and…”
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,' and diesel particulate filter soot accumulation events requiring dealer service. These can cause loss of power and potential crashes.
Complaints include the vehicle suddenly going into neutral while driving slowly uphill, and transmission issues that may prevent the vehicle from moving. This can leave drivers stranded or unable to control speed.
Owners describe sudden, severe loss of normal braking where the brake pedal remains firm but braking is ineffective, as well as engine shut-offs while driving with blank screens. These electrical glitches can lead to dangerous situations.
Reports include complete loss of braking ability and the truck shutting off all screens while barely applying throttle, requiring a restart. Brake failures are among the most critical safety issues a driver can face.
“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 RZ — 7 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2025 bZ4X, Lexus RZ, and Subaru Solterra vehicles. During certain HVAC system faults, such as electrical compressor failure, the defroster and defogger system may become inoperative.
The risk: An inoperative defroster and defogger system can decrease the driver's visibility under certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the HVAC control ECU software, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect the electrical compressor, and replace it, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2025. Owners may conta…
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 2026 Toyota BZ, Lexus RZ, and Subaru Solterra battery electric vehicles. The electronic control unit (ECU) that controls the high voltage battery may experience a fault, resulting in a loss of drive power.
The risk: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the battery ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 17, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26LA07 and 26TA11. S…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2025 bZ4X, Lexus RZ, and Subaru Solterra vehicles. During certain HVAC system faults, such as electrical compressor failure, the defroster and defogger system may become inoperative.
The risk: An inoperative defroster and defogger system can decrease the driver's visibility under certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the HVAC control ECU software, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect the electrical compressor, and replace it, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2025. Owners may conta…
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 RZ or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Lexus RZ has far fewer issues per year (about 11 complaints annually) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (about 823 complaints annually). In practice, this means RZ owners are much less likely to experience frequent repair visits or serious safety defects, while Silverado owners face a higher probability of engine, brake, and electrical failures that can be dangerous.
Key differences
- The Lexus RZ averages about 11 complaints per year, while the Chevrolet Silverado averages about 823 per year—a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- The Silverado has 233 crash-related complaints, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths, whereas the RZ has only 3 crash-related complaints and no injuries or deaths.
- RZ complaints focus on electric-specific issues like battery range loss and sudden propulsion loss at 0% charge, while Silverado complaints center on engine shutdowns, transmission failures, and brake loss.
- The Silverado has 101 recalls versus 7 for the RZ, indicating more widespread safety-related defects requiring manufacturer fixes.
- Check the battery health and range in cold weather; ask for a state-of-health report and test drive in low temperatures if possible.
- Test all door latches, especially the driver’s side, for proper response when starting the vehicle, and verify the HVAC system heats the cabin adequately.
- Listen for engine noises and check for any history of engine shutdowns or diesel particulate filter issues; scan for stored trouble codes.
- Test the brakes thoroughly for firmness and effectiveness, and verify that the electrical system does not cause screen blanking or unexpected shutdowns.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and any available service records, focusing on electrical, engine, and brake repairs.
- For the RZ, ask the dealer to perform a battery health check and confirm range performance in cold conditions.
- For the Silverado, have a mechanic inspect the engine, transmission, and brake systems for signs of failure or pending recalls.
- Verify that all open recalls have been addressed by checking the NHTSA recall database using the VIN.
- Test drive both vehicles under various conditions (cold start, highway, braking) to observe any warning lights or unusual behavior.
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 RZ | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 18 | 120 |
| 2025 | 4 | 157 |
| 2024 | 10 | 527 |
| 2023 | 11 | 450 |
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 RZ or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lexus RZ vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Lexus RZ total complaints
- 43
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Lexus RZ total recalls
- 7
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Lexus RZ avg complaints/year
- 10.8
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Lexus RZ
- Lexus RZ top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE