Head-to-head reliability
Mazda B Series vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Mazda B Series 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
Mazda B Series vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Mazda B Series has 223 complaints over 10 years (22.3/yr) and no recalls, while the Silverado has 5,105 complaints (510.5/yr) and 100 recalls. Silverado owners report engine failures and electrical issues causing loss of braking, whereas Mazda issues center on air bags and transmission. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mazda B Series or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mazda B Series
The Mazda B Series is an older pickup that, in ownership terms, is a simple, utilitarian vehicle. Its complaint record is dominated by air bag issues, many tied to the Takata recall, which means owners have had to deal with notification and repair hassles. Beyond that, there are scattered reports of transmission jerking or unexpected shifting, engine power loss, and speed control problems, but the overall volume is low, suggesting that most examples are relatively trouble-free for their age.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume, reflecting its popularity and the complexity of modern trucks. Owners report frequent engine problems, especially with the 6.2L and Duramax diesel variants, including failures that can leave you stranded. Transmission issues, electrical gremlins that affect braking and steering, and brake system complaints are also common, making it a vehicle that demands careful inspection and a good warranty.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mazda B Series | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 223 Better | 5,105 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 21 Better | 117 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 22.3 Better | 510.5 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 24 Better | 104 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
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.
Mazda B Series
- 01AIR BAGS106
- 02POWER TRAIN20
- 03ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING19
- 04VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL16
- 05SERVICE BRAKES15
Owners report that Takata inflator recalls are open and that dealers sometimes refuse to complete the recall if the air bag has already deployed in a crash. This means you could be driving with a potentially dangerous air bag that won't be fixed.
Transmission problems include sudden jerking, revving, and loss of power while driving, as well as a case where the truck shifted from neutral into reverse on its own and crashed into a garage. This suggests possible internal transmission failures or linkage issues.
There are reports of unintended acceleration, where the vehicle stays at full throttle even after the driver backs off the accelerator, requiring the driver to shift to neutral to regain control. This is a serious safety concern.
“1. Received notification in February 2024 of open Takata inflator passenger airbag recall for inspection/replacement. 2. Contacted twice by online scheduler and twice by VM messages to service dept. of only listed Mazda service dealer on the Eastside of Hawai…”
“The contact owns a 2005 Mazda B-Series ZJ57. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 17V806000, 17V807000, and 23V837000 (Air Bags) however, the dealer had refused to complete the recall due to the air bags that had inflated during a cras…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE1,698
- 02POWER TRAIN1,453
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM982
- 04SERVICE BRAKES691
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER542
Engine failures are common, with reports of the 6.2L motor failing catastrophically while driving, and the 6.6L Duramax diesel experiencing repeated diesel particulate filter clogging events that require dealer service. These can lead to breakdowns and costly repairs.
Transmission issues include sudden shifts into neutral while driving, which can be dangerous in traffic. Owners also report loss of motive power, sometimes accompanied by brake and steering failure, indicating a broader drivetrain problem.
Electrical problems can cause sudden loss of braking and steering, as well as warning messages. One owner described a loud pinging sound followed by loss of power and inoperable brakes and steering, which is a critical safety issue.
Brake failures are reported, including a sudden severe loss of braking effectiveness where the pedal stays firm but the vehicle does not stop normally. This could be due to electronic brake system malfunctions or hydraulic issues.
“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.
Mazda B Series
No recalls on record.
Chevrolet Silverado — 100 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with power-unlatching tailgates. The tailgate's electronic gate-release switch may short circuit due to water intrusion, which can result in the tailgate inadvertently…
The risk: An unlatched tailgate may open while driving and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2024. Owners may contact Chevr…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 vehicles. The steering gear shaft may fracture and disconnect from the steering arm.
The risk: A steering arm that disconnects may result in a total loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering gear, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-4…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra HD 2500, 3500 vehicles equipped with power-unlatching tailgates. The tailgate's electronic gate-release switch may short circuit due to water intrusion, which can result in the tailgate inadvertentl…
The risk: An unlatched tailgate may open and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 17, 2024. Owners may contact…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2024 GMC Hummer EV pick up, 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV, and 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV vehicles. The left or right front seat belt buckle attachment bolts may not be tightened properly.
The risk: An improperly tightened seat belt buckle may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the left and right front seat belt buckle attachment bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-833-EVCHEVY (1-833-382-4389) (TTY 711 /…
Buyer analysis
Mazda B Series or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Mazda B Series has far fewer complaints per year (22.3 vs 510.5) and no recalls, making it a lower-risk choice in terms of reported issues. However, the Silverado's higher volume is partly due to its popularity, and its problems are more varied and potentially more severe, especially with engine and electrical systems.
Key differences
- Mazda B Series has 223 complaints over 10 years vs Silverado's 5,105, a 23-fold difference in volume.
- Mazda B Series has zero recalls, while Silverado has 100 recalls, including for tailgate latches, steering, seat belts, and brake fluid sensors.
- Silverado owners report engine failures and electrical issues that can cause loss of braking and steering, while Mazda B Series issues are more focused on air bags and transmission.
- Mazda B Series complaints are older and often related to the Takata air bag recall, whereas Silverado complaints involve newer models with complex systems.
- Check for open Takata air bag recalls and whether the dealer has completed the repair; if the air bag has deployed, some dealers refuse to fix it.
- Test the transmission for jerking, slipping, or unexpected shifts, and ensure the vehicle stays in park when idling.
- Inspect the engine for any signs of failure, especially if it's a 6.2L or Duramax diesel; ask for service records related to DPF cleaning or engine replacements.
- Test the brakes and electrical system thoroughly, including the brake pedal feel and any warning lights, as sudden loss of braking has been reported.
Before you buy
- For the Mazda B Series, verify the air bag recall status with the VIN and get written confirmation that any open recalls are completed.
- For the Silverado, check the VIN for all 100 recalls and ensure they are performed, especially those for brakes and tailgate latch.
- Take both vehicles for a test drive that includes highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic to feel for transmission or engine issues.
- Have a trusted mechanic do a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the engine, transmission, and electrical systems for the Silverado, and on the air bags and transmission for the Mazda.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially for the Silverado's engine and DPF system, and for the Mazda's transmission fluid changes.
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 Mazda B Series or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mazda B Series vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Mazda B Series total complaints
- 223
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 5,105
- Mazda B Series total recalls
- 0
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- Mazda B Series avg complaints/year
- 22.3
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 510.5
- More reliable overall
- Mazda B Series
- Mazda B Series top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE