Head-to-head reliability

Mazda Mazda5 vs Chevrolet Silverado

How the Mazda Mazda5 and Chevrolet Silverado compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

Mazda Mazda5410 complaints · 15 recalls Fewer issues per year
Chevrolet Silverado7,904 complaints · 100 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

Mazda Mazda5 averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Mazda Mazda5 has 410 complaints and 15 recalls on record; Chevrolet Silverado has 7,904 complaints and 100 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategoryMazda Mazda5Chevrolet Silverado
Total complaintsAll model years combined410 Better7,904
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns15 Better100
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints29 Better229
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years41.0 Better790.4
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints28 Better159
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints0 Better3

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 Mazda5

  1. 01STEERING101
  2. 02TIRES59
  3. 03SUSPENSION57
  4. 04STRUCTURE36
  5. 05SERVICE BRAKES34
In owners' words — STEERING

My 2007 mazda5 power steering stopped worked abruptly while turning on a major highway. The sudden change in steering nearly caused an accident. I checked the ODB reader for codes but none were present. Then it happened again the next day in a similar situati…

I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMING ON IN MY CAR. THERE WERE TIMES THAT I HAVE HAD MY CAR PARKED OVERNIGHT, GOT UP THE NEXT MORNING TO LEAVE FOR WORK, THE LIGHT WAS STILL ON FROM THE PREVIOUS AFTERNOON. THE LIGHT HAS COME ON WHILE…

Chevrolet Silverado

  1. 01ENGINE2,352
  2. 02POWER TRAIN2,254
  3. 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,452
  4. 04SERVICE BRAKES1,198
  5. 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER838
In owners' words — ENGINE

My 2025 Chevy Silverado 1500 6.2L V8 experienced an internal engine failure at approximately 16,500 miles, requiring replacement of the entire long block under the factory powertrain warranty. The authorized Chevrolet dealership diagnosed internal cylinder wa…

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine in my 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 experienced a catastrophic internal failure caused by a failed thrust bearing in the crankshaft assembly. The fai…

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 Mazda5 — 15 recalls

Structure — Body — Hatchback/Liftgate
#16V644000Jun 2016

The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26,…

The risk: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.

The fix: Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is…

Structure — Body — Hatchback/Liftgate
#16V644000Jun 2016

The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26,…

The risk: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.

The fix: Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is…

Structure — Body — Hatchback/Liftgate
#16V644000Jun 2016

The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26,…

The risk: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.

The fix: Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is…

Structure — Body — Hatchback/Liftgate
#16V644000Jun 2016

The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26,…

The risk: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.

The fix: Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is…

Chevrolet Silverado — 100 recalls

Tires — Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
#26V530000

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…

Forward Collision Avoidance — Warnings — External/Pedestrian Alert
#24V937000

The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025 Chevrolet Silverado EV work trucks. The pedestrian alert sound system may not produce sound at a sufficient volume. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 141, "Minimum So…

The risk: A vehicle that fails to make sufficient sound may result in pedestrians being unaware of an approaching vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will update the software in the body control module (BCM), free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 22, 2025. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N24…

Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump — Control/Drive Module
#26V129000May 2026

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…

Equipment — Other — Owners/Service/Other Manual
#25V815000

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…

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 Mazda5 or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

Mazda Mazda5 vs Chevrolet Silverado — comparison facts
Comparison
Mazda Mazda5 vs Chevrolet Silverado
Mazda Mazda5 total complaints
410
Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
7,904
Mazda Mazda5 total recalls
15
Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
100
Mazda Mazda5 avg complaints/year
41.0
Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
790.4
More reliable overall
Mazda Mazda5
Mazda Mazda5 top complaint area
STEERING
Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
ENGINE