Head-to-head reliability
Mazda CX 50 vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Mazda CX 50 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 CX 50 vs Chevrolet Silverado: The CX 50 has 169 complaints over 4 years (about 42 per year) and 7 recalls, while the Silverado has 8,227 complaints over 10 years (about 823 per year) and 101 recalls. The Silverado also reports 3 deaths and 160 injuries in crash-related complaints, versus 0 deaths and 17 injuries for the CX 50. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mazda CX 50 or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mazda CX 50
The Mazda CX 50 is a compact SUV with a relatively low complaint volume: 169 complaints over four years, averaging about 42 per year. Owners most often report issues with forward collision avoidance, brakes, and the power train, including inconsistent automatic emergency braking and a battery drain that can leave the vehicle dead. There are 7 recalls and 17 crash-related complaints with 17 injuries and no deaths, suggesting that while problems exist, they are less frequent than in the Silverado.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume: 8,227 complaints over ten years, averaging about 823 per year. The most common trouble spots are the engine, power train, electrical system, and brakes, with reports of sudden engine shutdowns, transmission problems, and brake loss. There are 101 recalls and 233 crash-related complaints, including 160 injuries and 3 deaths, indicating a broader and more severe pattern of issues.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mazda CX 50 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 169 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 7 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 17 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 42.3 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 17 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 CX 50
- 01FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE32
- 02SERVICE BRAKES29
- 03POWER TRAIN26
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM21
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER21
Owners report that the automatic emergency braking can misinterpret obstacles, such as parking garage ceilings, and brake inconsistently or fail to intervene in a rear-end collision. This matters because the system may not reliably prevent accidents, and unexpected braking can startle the driver.
Complaints include the rear backup sensor warning illuminating unnecessarily and, in one case, a vehicle surging and accelerating while braking, which could lead to loss of control. These issues affect basic stopping confidence and low-speed maneuvering.
Owners describe a severe burning smell after highway driving and mountain climbs, and erratic acceleration when adaptive cruise control resumes speed. These symptoms suggest potential overheating or transmission stress that could lead to costly repairs.
A recurring battery drain issue has led some owners to replace the battery multiple times, with warnings like 'Battery Low - Drive' appearing within a month of replacement. This can leave a buyer stranded and points to a parasitic draw that is hard to diagnose.
“The contact owned a 2024 Mazda CX-50. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, after exiting the freeway, the contact was distracted, and when the contact turned to face the road, the vehicle rear-ended the vehicle in front. The contact…”
“The automatic emergency braking in this vehicle is faulty. It misinterprets obstacles and uses the emergency braking inconsistently. I park in a parking garage and I have to slowly (less than 5 MPH) drive up any ramps because it apparently sees the ceiling of…”
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' and 'Press Start,' as well as diesel particulate filter soot accumulation events requiring dealer service. These failures can strand a driver and lead to expensive repairs, especially on diesel models.
Complaints include a vehicle suddenly shifting into neutral while driving uphill in a parking garage and transmission issues that cause loss of power. This can be dangerous in traffic and may indicate internal transmission damage.
Owners describe a sudden loss of normal braking with a firm pedal but reduced stopping power, and instances where the engine shuts off and screens go blank. These electrical glitches can disable critical safety functions and leave the driver unable to control the vehicle.
Reports include complete loss of braking ability at a stop sign and the truck shutting off in a parking lot with no acceleration. Such failures directly threaten occupant and pedestrian safety and require immediate attention.
“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 CX 50 — 7 recalls
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024-2025 CX-50 vehicles equipped with Mazda Genuine Accessory trailer hitches. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may loosen and cause the assembly to separate from the vehicle body during towing or normal driving conditions.
The risk: A detached trailer hitch assembly can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the trailer hitch bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2025. Mazda's number for this recall is 7225C.
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024 Mazda 3, CX-30, and 2025 CX-50 vehicles. A malfunction in the forward sensing camera (FSC) may prevent the automatic emergency braking system and the lane-keep assist system from functioning. In addition, the headlights will not auto…
The risk: Automatic braking, steering assist, and headlight control systems that do not function as intended can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the forward sensing camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2024. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 6. Mazda's number for…
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024-2025 CX-50 vehicles equipped with Mazda Genuine Accessory trailer hitches. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may loosen and cause the assembly to separate from the vehicle body during towing or normal driving conditions.
The risk: A detached trailer hitch assembly can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the trailer hitch bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2025. Mazda's number for this recall is 7225C.
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain CX-50 Hybrid and CX-50 vehicles. Incorrectly configured module software may cause the air bag to deploy improperly.
The risk: An air bag that deploys improperly increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the module software, free of charge. Owner notifications will not be mailed due to all vehicles being under Mazda dealer control. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 6. The manufacturer's…
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 CX 50 or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Mazda CX 50 has far fewer issues per year (about 42 complaints annually) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (about 823 annually). In practice, this means a CX 50 buyer is less likely to encounter frequent or severe problems, while a Silverado owner faces a much higher chance of engine, transmission, and brake failures that could lead to costly repairs or safety risks.
Key differences
- The Silverado has 101 recalls versus 7 for the CX 50, meaning far more safety-related fixes are required over time.
- Silverado owners report sudden engine shutdowns and brake loss, while CX 50 complaints center on inconsistent automatic braking and battery drain.
- The CX 50 averages about 42 complaints per year; the Silverado averages about 823, a nearly 20-fold difference in reported problem frequency.
- The Silverado has 3 deaths and 160 injuries in crash-related complaints, compared to 0 deaths and 17 injuries for the CX 50, indicating more severe outcomes in the Silverado data.
- Check for repeated battery replacements or 'Battery Low - Drive' warnings, as owners report parasitic drain requiring multiple new batteries.
- Test the automatic emergency braking at low speeds in a parking garage or with overhead obstacles to see if it brakes unexpectedly or fails to engage.
- Look for any history of engine stalling or 'Return to Neutral' messages, and test drive at various speeds to ensure the engine does not shut off.
- Inspect brake function carefully, including a firm pedal with reduced stopping power, and check for transmission hesitation or sudden neutral engagement.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed, especially for the Silverado's fuel pump and brake issues.
- For the CX 50, have a mechanic test the battery drain and forward collision avoidance system during a test drive.
- For the Silverado, scan for stored engine and transmission codes, and test the brakes and electrical system thoroughly.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, focusing on oil changes, transmission service, and any repeat repairs for the same issue.
- Take a long test drive that includes highway speeds, stop-and-go traffic, and parking maneuvers to replicate common complaint scenarios.
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 | Mazda CX 50 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 26 | 120 |
| 2025 | 47 | 157 |
| 2024 | 33 | 527 |
| 2023 | 63 | 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 Mazda CX 50 or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mazda CX 50 vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Mazda CX 50 total complaints
- 169
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Mazda CX 50 total recalls
- 7
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Mazda CX 50 avg complaints/year
- 42.3
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Mazda CX 50
- Mazda CX 50 top complaint area
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE