Head-to-head reliability
Mclaren 650S vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Mclaren 650S 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
Mclaren 650S vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Mclaren 650S has 2 complaints and 3 recalls over 10 years, while the Silverado has 8,227 complaints, 101 recalls, and 3 deaths. The Mclaren's main issue is a passenger airbag inflator recall; the Silverado suffers engine, transmission, and brake failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mclaren 650S or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mclaren 650S
The Mclaren 650S is a low-volume exotic car, so it sees very few complaints—just 2 over 10 years. The main owner-reported issues are tiny spider cracks inside the headlight lenses and a passenger airbag inflator recall that some dealers couldn't fix due to missing parts. Living with it means dealing with rare but potentially serious airbag risks and cosmetic lighting flaws, not everyday breakdowns.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a high-volume pickup with 8,227 complaints over 10 years, averaging 823 per year. Owners frequently report engine problems (rough running, diesel soot buildup), transmission failures (sudden neutral), electrical glitches (brake loss, engine shutoff), and brake issues. The sheer number of complaints and 101 recalls means many trucks have had multiple repair visits, and some issues can be dangerous.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mclaren 650S | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.2 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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.
Mclaren 650S
- 01EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
- 02AIR BAGS1
One owner reported very small spider web cracks on the interior of the front headlight lenses. This is mostly cosmetic but can worsen over time and may require expensive replacement.
Owners received recall letters warning that the passenger airbag inflator may explode with shrapnel, injuring or killing the passenger. Some dealers lacked parts to perform the fix, leaving the recall unresolved.
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MCLAREN 650S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OVER TIME THE FRONT PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S HEADLIGHT LENSES HAD DEVELOPED VERY SMALL SPIDER WEB CRACKS. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE CRACKS WERE LOCATED ON THE INTERIOR SECTION OF THE LENSE…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners report engine problems like a 6.2L motor failing shortly after purchase, and a 6.6L Duramax diesel suffering repeated excessive soot buildup in the particulate filter, requiring dealer service. These can leave you stranded or cause costly repairs.
Complaints include a truck suddenly shifting into neutral while driving slowly uphill, and another with less than 300 miles doing the same. This loss of power can be dangerous in traffic.
Owners describe sudden severe loss of normal braking with a firm pedal but poor stopping, and the engine shutting off while driving with a 'Return to Neutral' message. These electrical faults can disable critical safety functions.
Reports include brake failure where the pedal stays firm but braking is ineffective, and the truck shutting off completely in a parking lot, requiring a restart. Brake problems directly affect your ability to stop safely.
“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.
Mclaren 650S — 3 recalls
The defect: McLaren Automotive Incorporated (McLaren) is recalling certain 2012-2013 MP4-12C, 2014-2016 650s, 2015-2016 675 LT, 2014-2015 P1 and 2015-2017 570 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or r…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: McLaren will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bags, free of charge. The recall began March 28, 2019. Owners may contact McLaren customer service at 1-646-429-8916.
The defect: McLaren Automotive Incorporated (McLaren) is recalling certain 2012-2013 MP4-12C, 2014-2016 650s, 2015-2016 675 LT, 2014-2015 P1 and 2015-2017 570 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or r…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: McLaren will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bags, free of charge. The recall began March 28, 2019. Owners may contact McLaren customer service at 1-646-429-8916.
The defect: McLaren Automotive Incorporated (McLaren) is recalling certain 2012-2013 MP4-12C, 2014-2016 650s, 2015-2016 675 LT, 2014-2015 P1 and 2015-2017 570 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or r…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: McLaren will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bags, free of charge. The recall began March 28, 2019. Owners may contact McLaren customer service at 1-646-429-8916.
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
Mclaren 650S or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Mclaren 650S has far fewer issues per year (0.2 complaints/year) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (822.7 complaints/year). In practice, the Silverado is much more likely to need repairs for engine, transmission, electrical, and brake problems, while the Mclaren's issues are rare but can include a serious airbag recall.
Key differences
- Complaint volume: Mclaren 650S has 2 complaints over 10 years; Silverado has 8,227, with 233 crash-related, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths reported.
- Recalls: Mclaren has 3 recalls (all passenger airbag inflator); Silverado has 101 recalls covering fuel pumps, tires, collision warnings, and more.
- Reported failures: Mclaren owners report headlight lens cracks and airbag shrapnel risk; Silverado owners report engine soot buildup, sudden neutral shifts, brake loss, and engine shutoff.
- Repair experience: Mclaren owners may face parts shortages for recalls; Silverado owners often face repeated dealer visits for engine, electrical, and brake problems.
- Check for spider web cracks inside the headlight lenses, as one owner reported this cosmetic defect that may worsen.
- Confirm the passenger airbag inflator recall has been completed; some dealers lacked parts, so ask for written proof of the fix.
- Look for signs of diesel particulate filter soot buildup (if diesel) or engine misfires/rough running, as owners reported repeated P2463 events and engine failure.
- Test drive at low speeds and uphill to check for sudden neutral shifts, and test brakes for firm pedal with poor stopping, as owners reported these dangerous faults.
Before you buy
- For the Mclaren 650S: Obtain the vehicle history report and confirm all 3 recalls (especially the airbag inflator) are closed with documentation.
- For the Silverado: Ask for service records showing any engine, transmission, or brake repairs, and check for outstanding recalls by VIN.
- During a test drive of the Silverado, listen for engine noises, feel for transmission slipping or sudden neutral, and test brakes from various speeds.
- For either vehicle, have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the model, focusing on the specific complaint areas listed.
- Verify the number of previous owners and whether the vehicle was used for towing or heavy hauling, which can worsen Silverado powertrain issues.
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 | Mclaren 650S | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 | 961 |
| 2020 | 0 | 868 |
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 Mclaren 650S or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mclaren 650S vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Mclaren 650S total complaints
- 2
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Mclaren 650S total recalls
- 3
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Mclaren 650S avg complaints/year
- 0.2
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Mclaren 650S
- Mclaren 650S top complaint area
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE