Head-to-head reliability
Lincoln MKZ vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Lincoln MKZ 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
Lincoln MKZ vs Chevrolet Silverado: The MKZ averages 87.9 complaints per year, while the Silverado averages 822.7, with 66 and 101 recalls respectively. Both have brake and engine issues, but the Silverado's rate is much higher. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lincoln MKZ or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lincoln MKZ
The Lincoln MKZ is a midsize luxury sedan that, over the past decade, has generated an average of about 88 complaints per year, with 66 recalls and 34 injuries reported. Owner complaints frequently mention air bag deployment failures, engine overheating or sudden failure, and steering wobble or lock-up. While the overall complaint rate is lower than some vehicles, the nature of these issues—especially those affecting steering and brakes—means a used MKZ should be inspected carefully.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup that has accumulated an average of about 823 complaints per year over the same period, along with 101 recalls and 160 injuries. Common owner-reported problems include engine and power train failures, electrical glitches that can cause sudden braking loss or engine shutdown, and brake issues. The high volume of complaints suggests that many owners have experienced significant reliability problems, often at low mileage.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lincoln MKZ | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 879 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 66 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 54 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 87.9 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 34 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.
Lincoln MKZ
- 01AIR BAGS180
- 02ENGINE141
- 03STEERING123
- 04SERVICE BRAKES108
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM95
Owners report that air bags may fail to deploy in a crash, sometimes due to a cracked sensor bar. This is a critical safety concern because it could increase injury risk in an accident.
Complaints describe sudden engine failure, overheating, and rough running, often with warning lights. Some owners also note white smoke from the exhaust, which can indicate internal engine damage.
Drivers have experienced steering wheel wobble, especially while reversing, and in some cases the steering wheel and wheels got stuck, making the car difficult to control. This could lead to loss of steering control.
Reports include brakes locking up at low speeds and ABS warning lights flashing. Such issues can cause unexpected braking or loss of braking effectiveness.
“I had a accident almost a year ago if not longer. I hit a deer on the freeway they couldn’t understand why my airbags didn’t deploy. They say the bar was cracked in two different spots that makes the airbag deploy. Luckily my car wasn’t total for that reason.…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners report catastrophic engine failures, excessive soot accumulation in diesel particulate filters, and engines shutting off while driving. These problems can leave the truck inoperable and create dangerous situations on the road.
Complaints include transmissions suddenly shifting into neutral and loss of power, sometimes with very low mileage. This can cause the vehicle to stall or lose acceleration unexpectedly.
Drivers describe sudden loss of braking, engine shutdown while driving, and screens going blank. These electrical faults can disable critical safety features and leave the driver unable to control the vehicle.
Reports include a firm brake pedal with reduced braking effect and complete loss of normal braking. This is a severe safety hazard that could lead to crashes.
“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.
Lincoln MKZ — 66 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2…
The risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations ca…
The fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2…
The risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations ca…
The fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
The risk: A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the front brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S12.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. In the event of a crash, heat from the deployment of a seat belt pretensioner may cause a front seat belt anchor cable to fail.
The risk: A failed seat belt anchor cable cannot properly restrain the front seat occupants, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will apply a protective coating to the seat belt cable, free of charge. The recall began September 9, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 1…
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
Lincoln MKZ or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Lincoln MKZ has far fewer complaints per year (about 88) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (about 823), meaning owners of the MKZ report fewer problems overall. However, the MKZ still has serious issues with air bags, steering, and brakes that should not be ignored. In practice, the Silverado's much higher complaint rate suggests a greater likelihood of encountering reliability problems, but both vehicles require careful inspection.
Key differences
- The Silverado has about 9 times more complaints per year than the MKZ, indicating a much higher frequency of owner-reported issues.
- Silverado complaints often involve engine and power train failures that can cause sudden shutdowns or loss of power, while MKZ complaints more often involve air bag and steering problems.
- The Silverado has more crash-related complaints (233 vs 54) and more injuries (160 vs 34), though the MKZ has zero deaths reported versus three for the Silverado.
- Both vehicles have brake-related complaints, but the Silverado's electrical system issues can also cause braking loss, adding another layer of risk.
- Check for any history of air bag deployment or sensor bar damage, especially if the car has been in an accident; a cracked sensor bar can prevent air bags from deploying.
- Test the steering at low speeds and while reversing for any wobble or sticking, as owners report steering wheel and wheel lock-up.
- Look for signs of engine trouble such as rough idling, overheating, or excessive exhaust smoke, and check for diesel particulate filter issues if equipped with a diesel engine.
- Test the electrical system thoroughly, including braking and infotainment, for sudden shutdowns or loss of braking assist, which owners have reported.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on both models, especially for air bags, brakes, and engine issues.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the Lincoln MKZ's air bag system, steering components, and brakes, and the Silverado's engine, transmission, and electrical system.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any unusual noises, warning lights, or changes in steering and braking feel.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly for oil changes and any repairs related to the reported problem areas.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection from a dealer or independent shop that specializes in the respective brand.
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 | Lincoln MKZ | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 868 |
| 2019 | 20 | 2003 |
| 2018 | 35 | 597 |
| 2017 | 138 | 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 Lincoln MKZ or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lincoln MKZ vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Lincoln MKZ total complaints
- 879
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Lincoln MKZ total recalls
- 66
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Lincoln MKZ avg complaints/year
- 87.9
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Lincoln MKZ
- Lincoln MKZ top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE