Head-to-head reliability
Lincoln Zephyr vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Lincoln Zephyr 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 Zephyr vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Zephyr has 229 complaints per year and 5 recalls, with airbag inflators dominating. The Silverado averages 822.7 complaints per year and 101 recalls, led by engine and power train issues. Both have injury reports, but the Silverado's higher volume means more total incidents. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lincoln Zephyr or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lincoln Zephyr
The Lincoln Zephyr is a one-year model with 229 complaints, 5 recalls, and 12 injuries reported to NHTSA. The dominant issue is airbag inflators, with 142 complaints and multiple recalls, often leaving owners frustrated by parts availability and dealer service. Other reported problems include peeling wheels causing air leaks, brake concerns, and structural issues like scratched windows. Overall, the complaint pattern suggests a vehicle with a concentrated set of safety-related faults that can be costly and inconvenient to resolve.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a high-volume truck with 8,227 complaints over 10 years, 101 recalls, and 3 deaths reported. The most common complaints involve engine and power train failures, often on very new trucks with low mileage, including sudden shutdowns and transmission problems. Electrical and brake issues also appear frequently, with some owners reporting severe loss of braking. The data indicates a wide range of potential problems, though the sheer number of trucks on the road means many owners may not experience them.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lincoln Zephyr | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 229 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 5 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 9 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 229.0 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 12 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 Zephyr
- 01AIR BAGS142
- 02WHEELS26
- 03SERVICE BRAKES13
- 04STRUCTURE13
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11
Owners report that recalled airbag inflators have not been replaced, with some waiting years and being turned away by dealers. This matters because a defective inflator can fail to deploy or deploy incorrectly in a crash, increasing injury risk.
Complaints describe peeling chrome plating on wheels that prevents tires from sealing, causing repeated air leaks and blowouts. Buyers should expect to replace wheels or constantly add air, which is a safety and maintenance headache.
Reports include brake pedals that are slow to respond, especially in snow, and recalls for hydraulic control unit issues. Some owners also face rust-related refusal for recall repairs, leaving braking performance compromised.
Owners report windows scratching due to poor fit in door panels, even after technical bulletins, and one case of unintended movement leading to a crash. These issues affect visibility and can indicate assembly quality problems.
“SINCE 2 YEARS AGO FORD RECALLED THESE AIRBAGS AND DO NOTHING! I WENT TO 2 DEALERS LINCOLN IN MY AREA BECAUSE I RECEIVED LETTER FROM FORD STATING THAT THEY WILL PAY FOR A RENTAL CAR UP TO 45$/DAY UNTIL THIS RECALLED CAR IS DONE AND NONE OF DEALERS WANTED TO PR…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN ZEPHYR. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S WHEELS SPUN AS IF THE VEHICLE WERE IN NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BACKFIRED. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO T…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners of new Silverados report engine shutdowns while driving, sometimes with messages like 'Return to Neutral,' and diesel particulate filter soot accumulation requiring dealer service. These failures can strand drivers and are dangerous if they occur in traffic.
Complaints include sudden shifting into neutral and loss of acceleration, even at low speeds in parking garages. This can leave the truck unable to move, posing a risk in tight spaces or when merging.
Reports describe a firm brake pedal with reduced braking effect and engine shut-offs while driving, often accompanied by dashboard warnings. These electrical glitches can disable critical safety systems without warning.
Owners report sudden, severe loss of normal braking, with the pedal remaining firm but braking ineffective. This is a serious safety concern that could lead to crashes if not addressed immediately.
“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 Zephyr — 5 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 9, 2021 for the passenger side, and November 14, 2022 for th…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles. The valves within the ABS Hydraulic Control Units (HCU) may react with brake fluids containing specific corrosion preventative additives. This reaction may cause the valves to not c…
The risk: If the valves do not properly close, additional brake pedal travel may be required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will flush the brake system with DOT 4 fluid and install a new brake fluid reservoir cap. In addition, the HCU will be tested to detect a possible stuck valve condition, replacing the HCU as necessary.…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Maria…
The risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners of the recall an…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registe…
The risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Ford mailed interim letters informing owners that…
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 Zephyr or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Lincoln Zephyr has 229 complaints per year, while the Chevrolet Silverado averages 822.7 per year, but the Silverado is sold in far greater numbers. In practice, the Zephyr's issues are more concentrated on airbags and wheels, while the Silverado's are spread across engine, transmission, and brakes. Neither is problem-free, but the Zephyr's lower annual complaint count may reflect its limited production and single model year.
Key differences
- The Lincoln Zephyr's most common complaint is airbag inflators (142 complaints), while the Silverado's top complaint is engine issues (2,521 complaints).
- The Zephyr has 5 recalls, including multiple airbag inflator recalls, whereas the Silverado has 101 recalls covering a wide range of systems.
- Silverado owners report sudden engine shutdowns and transmission failures on new trucks, while Zephyr owners report peeling wheels and brake response issues.
- The Zephyr has 12 injuries and 0 deaths reported, while the Silverado has 160 injuries and 3 deaths, though these numbers are influenced by the much larger number of Silverados on the road.
- Check if the airbag inflator recall has been completed; if not, confirm parts availability and dealer willingness to perform the repair.
- Inspect all four wheels for peeling chrome plating and test tire pressure retention; look for signs of repeated air leaks or blowouts.
- Test drive at various speeds and listen for engine stalling or hesitation; check for any stored codes related to fuel pump or diesel particulate filter.
- Verify that all recalls, especially those for brakes and fuel system, have been performed; ask for documentation.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls have been addressed by a dealer.
- Have a mechanic inspect the specific problem areas: airbags and wheels for the Zephyr; engine, transmission, and brakes for the Silverado.
- For the Zephyr, check for rust on brake components and undercarriage, as some owners reported dealers refusing recall work due to rust.
- For the Silverado, scan for diagnostic trouble codes and test the electrical system, including infotainment and driver-assist features.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and any repair invoices related to the reported issues.
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 Zephyr or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lincoln Zephyr vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Lincoln Zephyr total complaints
- 229
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Lincoln Zephyr total recalls
- 5
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Lincoln Zephyr avg complaints/year
- 229.0
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Lincoln Zephyr
- Lincoln Zephyr top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE