Head-to-head reliability
Mazda Mazda2 vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Mazda Mazda2 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 Mazda2 vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Mazda2 has 31 complaints and 6 recalls over 10 years, while the Silverado has 8,227 complaints and 101 recalls. The Mazda2 averages 3.1 complaints per year versus 822.7 for the Silverado. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mazda Mazda2 or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mazda Mazda2
The Mazda Mazda2 is a subcompact car with a relatively low complaint rate of about 3.1 per year over the past decade. Owners frequently report steering and suspension noises, such as knocking or vibration, often at low speeds. Air bag and seat issues also appear, including a seat that rocks back and forth. Overall, it's a small car that may need attention to front-end components and interior hardware.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume, averaging about 823 per year. The most common trouble spots are the engine and powertrain, with reports of stalling, rough running, and transmission problems. Electrical and brake issues also generate many complaints, some involving sudden loss of braking or engine shutdown. This suggests that Silverado ownership can involve more frequent and potentially serious repairs.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mazda Mazda2 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 31 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 6 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 3 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 3.1 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 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 Mazda2
- 01STEERING9
- 02SUSPENSION5
- 03AIR BAGS5
- 04SEATS4
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3
Owners describe shaking, vibration, and loud popping or clicking noises from the steering, sometimes at low speeds or when turning. One complaint mentions a 'hitch' in steering, and another cites a recall for steering knuckle separation. These symptoms can make the car feel unstable and may indicate worn or defective steering parts.
Reports include a vibration from the front driver's side at lower speeds and loud knocking noises during low-speed turns. Some owners link this to a steering recall, suggesting the suspension and steering systems may share failure points. Persistent vibrations can affect ride comfort and tire wear.
One owner reported that air bags failed to deploy in a rollover crash, resulting in a chest injury. Another complaint ties air bag issues to violent steering vibration when braking. Non-deployment in a crash is a serious safety concern that buyers should be aware of.
A owner reported that the seat height adjuster mechanism became loose, causing the seat to rock back and forth. This matches a recall on older models, but the 2013 model exhibited the same issue. A rocking seat can be uncomfortable and may affect driving position.
“I bought this 2014 Mazda 2 Sport HB on Thursday January 26, 2023. Upon driving it home, this vehicle with only 41,280 miles on it, shook, vibrating , hearing a very loud popping clicking sounds. Like body metal clanging. It was hard to see. I don’t know if th…”
“MY 2012 MAZDA HAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000 MILES ON IT. I PURCHASED IT USED IN 2013 WHEN IT HAD 35,570 MILES ON IT. WHEN I BOUGHT IT USED FROM A RENTAL-CAR SALE LOT, I NOTICED A SLIGHT "HITCH" IN THE STEERING IF THE WHEELS WERE TURNED FAR TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. BU…”
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, sometimes with messages like 'Return to Neutral' or 'Press Start.' Others describe diesel particulate filter soot accumulation requiring dealer service. These issues can leave a driver stranded and may require costly repairs.
Complaints include a vehicle suddenly going into neutral while driving slowly uphill, and transmission problems that may cause loss of power. Such failures can be dangerous in traffic and often need immediate attention.
Reports describe a sudden loss of normal braking with a firm pedal but reduced stopping power, as well as the engine shutting off while driving. These electrical glitches can disable critical safety systems and are alarming for any driver.
Owners report severe loss of braking effectiveness, sometimes accompanied by the vehicle shutting off completely. In one case, the truck shut off in a parking lot and would not accelerate. Brake failures are among the most serious safety risks.
“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 Mazda2 — 6 recalls
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 2, 2015, 2013-2014 Mazda2 vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to August 8, 2014, 2014-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2013, to December 2, 2015, and 2013-201…
The risk: If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower mounting nuts and bolts that secure the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle. If the bolts are loose, they will be replaced and then correctly tightened, free of charge.…
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 2, 2015, 2013-2014 Mazda2 vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to August 8, 2014, 2014-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2013, to December 2, 2015, and 2013-201…
The risk: If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower mounting nuts and bolts that secure the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle. If the bolts are loose, they will be replaced and then correctly tightened, free of charge.…
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 Mazda2 or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Mazda Mazda2 has far fewer complaints per year (about 3.1) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (about 823). In practice, this means a Mazda2 owner is less likely to experience frequent or severe problems, while a Silverado owner may face more visits to the shop and potentially higher repair costs. However, the Silverado's larger size and capability may still be necessary for some buyers.
Key differences
- The Mazda2 averages about 3 complaints per year, while the Silverado averages over 800, a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- Mazda2 issues often involve steering and suspension noises, which are annoying but rarely catastrophic; Silverado complaints include engine shutdowns and brake loss, which can be dangerous.
- The Silverado has 101 recalls versus 6 for the Mazda2, indicating more widespread safety-related fixes over time.
- Crash-related complaints are much higher for the Silverado (233 vs. 3), though this may reflect the larger number of vehicles on the road.
- Listen for popping, clicking, or knocking noises from the front end when turning at low speeds, which could indicate steering or suspension wear.
- Check the driver's seat for any rocking or looseness in the height adjuster, as this has been reported and may be a safety concern.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any hesitation, stalling, or warning messages like 'Return to Neutral' or 'Press Start' that could indicate engine or electrical problems.
- Test the brakes thoroughly for firmness and stopping power; any unusual pedal feel or reduced braking should be investigated immediately.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website for both models.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a certified mechanic, focusing on the Mazda2's steering and suspension and the Silverado's engine, transmission, and brakes.
- For the Mazda2, test drive on varied roads and listen for front-end noises; for the Silverado, test drive at highway speeds and check for smooth shifting and braking.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for the Silverado's transmission and brake services.
- Verify that any recall repairs have been completed, particularly the Mazda2's steering recall and the Silverado's fuel pump and brake-related recalls.
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 Mazda2 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 | 961 |
| 2020 | 0 | 868 |
| 2019 | 0 | 2003 |
| 2018 | 0 | 597 |
| 2017 | 0 | 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 Mazda Mazda2 or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mazda Mazda2 vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Mazda Mazda2 total complaints
- 31
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Mazda Mazda2 total recalls
- 6
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Mazda Mazda2 avg complaints/year
- 3.1
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Mazda Mazda2
- Mazda Mazda2 top complaint area
- STEERING
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE