Head-to-head reliability
Mazda MX 5 vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Mazda MX 5 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 MX 5 vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Mazda MX-5 has 50 complaints over 10 years (5 per year) and 13 recalls, while the Chevrolet Silverado has 5,105 complaints (510.5 per year) and 100 recalls. The Silverado also has 117 crash-related complaints and 104 injuries, compared to 4 crashes and 4 injuries for the MX-5. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mazda MX 5 or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mazda MX 5
The Mazda MX-5 is a two-seat sports car with a relatively low complaint volume: 50 complaints over 10 years, averaging 5 per year. The most common owner-reported issues involve the power train, electrical system, steering, air bags, and visibility/wiper components. With 13 recalls and 4 crash-related complaints, it's a niche vehicle where problems tend to be mechanical or electronic rather than widespread safety defects. For a buyer, this suggests a car that can be reliable but may need attention to specific systems like the transmission and steering.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume: 5,105 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 510 per year. The most frequent owner-reported problems are engine, power train, electrical system, service brakes, and unknown issues. With 100 recalls and 117 crash-related complaints, it's a complex vehicle with many potential failure points. For a buyer, this means a higher likelihood of encountering issues, especially in the engine and braking systems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mazda MX 5 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 50 Better | 5,105 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 13 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 4 Better | 117 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 5.0 Better | 510.5 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 4 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 MX 5
- 01POWER TRAIN15
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
- 03STEERING5
- 04AIR BAGS5
- 05VISIBILITY/WIPER5
Owners report manual transmission synchronizer failures causing erratic shifting and inability to change gears, which could lead to an accident. Some also note unknown warning lights and stalling or acceleration issues when shifting in and out of drive.
Complaints include the vehicle feeling like it will stall or accelerate when going in and out of drive, and stability control not activating during tire spin. These issues can affect drivability and safety.
Owners describe sticky steering at higher speeds that requires extra pressure to break free, and warning lights for ABS and brake systems linked to a steering angle sensor. This can make steering feel unpredictable.
Reports include air bag issues in crashes, such as a low-speed loss of control where the air bag may not have deployed as expected. This is a critical safety concern.
“The contact owns a 2024 Mazda MX-5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an unknown warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. The contact stated that while driving at 60 M…”
“Manual transmission synchronizers fail, causing erratic gear shift operation and the inability to change gears, which could result in an accident. The ND Mazda Miata Owners Group on Facebook has polled its owners and found a 10% failure rate of manual transmi…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE1,698
- 02POWER TRAIN1,453
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM982
- 04SERVICE BRAKES691
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER542
Owners report severe engine problems, including loss of motive power, loud pinging sounds, and diesel particulate filter soot accumulation requiring dealer service. These can leave the vehicle undrivable and are costly to fix.
Complaints include the vehicle suddenly going into neutral while driving slowly uphill, and transmission issues that can cause loss of power. This can be dangerous in traffic.
Owners describe sudden loss of normal braking, with a firm brake pedal but ineffective braking, and loss of motive power along with inoperable brakes and steering. These are serious safety defects.
Reports include sudden, severe loss of braking shortly after driving, where the vehicle would not stop normally. This is a critical safety issue that could lead to crashes.
“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 MX 5 — 13 recalls
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Mazda MX-5 vehicles. The Traction Control System (TCS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) indicator light may fail to illuminate as intended due to a software error. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehi…
The risk: An indicator light that does not illuminate may fail to warn the driver of a TCS or DSC system issue, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the DSC unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2025. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 7425E.
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 2016-2019 MX-5 (Miata) vehicles with automatic transmissions. Due to incorrect programming of the Transmission Control Module (TCM), certain conditions may cause the vehicle to unexpectedly downshift and abruptly decelerate.
The risk: If the vehicle abruptly downshifts, the driver may lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the TCM with corrected software, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is…
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 MX 5 or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Mazda MX-5 has far fewer issues per year (5 vs. 510.5), meaning a buyer is much less likely to encounter frequent problems. However, the Silverado's higher volume reflects its popularity and complexity, so individual experiences may vary. In practice, the MX-5 may be easier to live with, but both have specific failure patterns to watch for.
Key differences
- The Mazda MX-5 averages 5 complaints per year, while the Chevrolet Silverado averages 510.5, indicating a much higher reported problem rate for the Silverado.
- Mazda MX-5 owners frequently report manual transmission synchronizer failures and sticky steering, whereas Silverado owners report engine power loss and brake failures.
- The Silverado has 100 recalls and 117 crash-related complaints, compared to 13 recalls and 4 crash-related complaints for the MX-5.
- Electrical issues in the MX-5 often involve stalling or acceleration sensations, while Silverado electrical complaints include loss of braking and steering.
- During a test drive, check for sticky steering at higher speeds and any warning lights related to ABS or brake systems, as owners report steering angle sensor failures.
- Listen for erratic shifting or difficulty changing gears in manual models, which could indicate synchronizer failure.
- Test the brakes thoroughly for any sudden loss of braking or a firm pedal with reduced stopping power, as owners report severe brake issues.
- Check for engine warning lights, unusual noises like pinging, and ensure the transmission shifts smoothly without going into neutral unexpectedly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for outstanding recalls on both models, especially the Silverado's 100 recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the Mazda MX-5's transmission, steering system, and electrical components for signs of the reported issues.
- For the Chevrolet Silverado, have a mechanic check the engine, brakes, and transmission, and scan for any stored error codes.
- Test drive both vehicles under various conditions, including highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic, to replicate potential symptoms.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and specifically inquire about any repairs related to the common complaint areas.
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 MX 5 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 98 |
| 2025 | 3 | 150 |
| 2024 | 5 | 0 |
| 2023 | 7 | 0 |
| 2022 | 5 | 1340 |
| 2021 | 1 | 934 |
| 2020 | 3 | 0 |
| 2019 | 11 | 1992 |
| 2018 | 3 | 591 |
| 2017 | 11 | 0 |
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 MX 5 or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mazda MX 5 vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Mazda MX 5 total complaints
- 50
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 5,105
- Mazda MX 5 total recalls
- 13
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- Mazda MX 5 avg complaints/year
- 5.0
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 510.5
- More reliable overall
- Mazda MX 5
- Mazda MX 5 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE