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 averaged about 22 complaints per year with 0 recalls, while the Silverado averaged about 823 complaints per year with 101 recalls. Mazda owners often report air bag and differential issues; Silverado owners report engine, transmission, and electrical problems. 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 a compact pickup that averaged about 22 complaints per year over a decade, with no recalls on record. The most common owner-reported problem is air bags, often tied to Takata inflator recalls or faulty wiring that triggers a dashboard warning light. Other reports include rear differential play, random engine stalling, and cruise control issues. For a buyer, this suggests a truck with a handful of recurring but generally manageable trouble spots.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup that generated roughly 823 complaints per year over the same period, along with 101 recalls. Owners frequently report engine problems such as rough running or diesel particulate filter soot accumulation, transmission issues like sudden neutral engagement, and electrical faults that can cause braking loss or engine shutdown. These patterns point to a more complex vehicle with a higher volume of serious-sounding complaints.
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 | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 21 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 22.3 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 24 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.
Mazda B Series
- 01AIR BAGS106
- 02POWER TRAIN20
- 03ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING19
- 04VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL16
- 05SERVICE BRAKES15
Owners report intermittent air bag warning lights from faulty wiring harnesses and Takata inflator recalls that require dealer service. A buyer should verify that any open recall has been completed, because an unfixed air bag may not deploy in a crash.
Complaints describe noticeable play in the rear differential and transmission leaks or failures, sometimes with burning smells. These issues can lead to costly repairs and may affect drivability if ignored.
Reports include internal cooling system corrosion causing heater failure and random engine stalling without warning. Stalling can be dangerous in traffic, and cooling problems may leave you without heat in cold weather.
Owners mention cruise control recall notices where dealers deactivated the switch but did not complete repairs for months. This means the cruise control may be disabled, and you should confirm whether the fix was ever finished.
“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 VEHICLE IS A 2002 MAZDA B4000 TRUCK. PROBLEM: INTERMITTENT AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON DASH. TOOK TO LOCAL DEALER ON 6-29-06 AND DIAGNOSTIC ANALYSIS SHOWED A FAULTY AIR BAG HARNESS. WARRANTY PURCHASE DATE WAS 03-31-03 WITH 3 YEAR EXPIRATION 03-31-06. CURRE…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners of newer Silverados report engine shutdowns while driving and diesel particulate filter soot accumulation requiring dealer service. These can leave you stranded and may indicate expensive emissions or fuel system repairs.
Complaints include sudden shifting into neutral and transmission problems even on low-mileage trucks. A transmission that slips into neutral can cause loss of power and increase crash risk.
Reports describe sudden loss of normal braking, engine shut-off while driving, and dashboard messages like 'Return to Neutral.' Electrical glitches that affect braking or engine operation are serious safety concerns.
Owners report a firm brake pedal but reduced braking effect, sometimes after electrical faults. This means the brakes may not respond as expected, which is a critical issue for any driver.
“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 — 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
Mazda B Series or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Mazda B Series has far fewer complaints per year (about 22 vs. 823) and no recalls, while the Silverado has many more complaints and 101 recalls. In practice, the Mazda may be simpler to own, but the Silverado's higher volume reflects its popularity and a wider range of reported issues, some of which sound more severe.
Key differences
- The Mazda B Series has no recalls on record, while the Silverado has 101 recalls covering fuel pumps, tires, and forward collision warnings.
- Mazda owners most often complain about air bag warning lights and Takata inflator recalls; Silverado owners report engine shutdowns and transmission slipping into neutral.
- The Silverado has about 37 times more complaints per year than the Mazda, with many reports involving electrical or brake failures that could affect control of the vehicle.
- Mazda complaints include rear differential play and cooling system corrosion, while Silverado complaints include diesel particulate filter soot and sudden loss of braking.
- Check for an illuminated air bag warning light and confirm whether the Takata inflator recall was completed by a Mazda dealer.
- Listen for whining or clunking from the rear differential and test the heater thoroughly, as owners report internal cooling system corrosion.
- Test drive at low speeds and in parking lots to see if the transmission unexpectedly shifts into neutral or the engine shuts off.
- Check for any dashboard messages about braking or 'Return to Neutral,' and verify that all open recalls, especially fuel pump and brake-related ones, have been repaired.
Before you buy
- Ask for a written recall history from a dealer and confirm all open recalls are closed before purchase.
- Take a long test drive that includes highway speeds, stop-and-go traffic, and parking lot maneuvers to feel for transmission or engine issues.
- Have a mechanic inspect the air bag system, rear differential, and cooling system on the Mazda B Series.
- For the Silverado, have a mechanic scan for stored engine and transmission codes and check the diesel particulate filter if equipped.
- Review the NHTSA complaint database for the specific model year you are considering to see if the reported issues apply.
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
- 8,227
- Mazda B Series total recalls
- 0
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Mazda B Series avg complaints/year
- 22.3
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Mazda B Series
- Mazda B Series top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE