Head-to-head reliability
Mclaren P1 vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Mclaren P1 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 P1 vs Chevrolet Silverado: the P1 has 0 complaints and 4 recalls over 10 years, while the Silverado has 8,227 complaints, 101 recalls, 233 crash-related reports, and 160 injuries. Silverado owners report engines shutting off, sudden neutral shifts, and loss of normal braking. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mclaren P1 or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mclaren P1
The Mclaren P1 is a limited-production hybrid hypercar, and in NHTSA's data it shows zero owner complaints over ten years. That sounds ideal, but it mostly reflects how few were built and how little they are driven in normal daily use. The four recalls on record are for the passenger-side frontal air bag inflator and the hood latch, both safety-related hardware items. For a buyer, the main takeaway is that there is almost no public complaint history to learn from, so a pre-purchase inspection by a marque specialist matters more than usual.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup built in huge numbers and used for everything from commuting to heavy towing. NHTSA logs 8,227 complaints over ten years, about 823 per year, with 233 crash-related reports, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths. The most common complaint areas are the engine, power train, electrical system, and service brakes. Owners describe serious drivability and braking symptoms, including engines shutting off while driving, sudden loss of normal braking, and transmissions dropping into neutral.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mclaren P1 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 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 P1
No component data available.
Recalls cover the front passenger-side air bag inflator module. A defective inflator can deploy incorrectly in a crash, so buyers should confirm the recall repair was completed.
Recalls also cover the hood latch and linkage. If the latch fails, the hood could open while driving and block the driver's view, so the latch should be checked and the recall closed.
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners report engines shutting off while driving, with dashboard messages telling them to return to neutral and press start. Others report repeated diesel particulate filter soot accumulation events on the 6.6L Duramax that require dealer service.
Complaints describe the truck suddenly going into neutral at low speed, such as in a parking garage, leaving the driver unable to accelerate. This can strand a driver in traffic or in a confined space.
Owners report sudden, severe loss of normal braking with a firm brake pedal but reduced stopping effect, as well as screens going blank and the truck shutting off in a parking lot. These electrical faults can affect braking and basic control.
Brake complaints mirror the electrical reports: the pedal stays firm but the truck does not stop normally. Because this can happen shortly after starting a trip, it is a serious safety concern for a buyer.
“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 P1 — 4 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 model year 2014-2015 P1 hybrid vehicles manufactured March 1, 2013, to October 31, 2015. The affected vehicles have a secondary hood latch that may not properly re-engage. As a result, if the primary latch is released inadvertently, the…
The risk: If the hood opens while driving it may increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: McLaren will notify owners, and dealers will replace the hood latch with a newly-designed latch, free of charge. The recall began on January 18, 2016. 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 model year 2014-2015 P1 hybrid vehicles manufactured March 1, 2013, to October 31, 2015. The affected vehicles have a secondary hood latch that may not properly re-engage. As a result, if the primary latch is released inadvertently, the…
The risk: If the hood opens while driving it may increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: McLaren will notify owners, and dealers will replace the hood latch with a newly-designed latch, free of charge. The recall began on January 18, 2016. 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 P1 or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Mclaren P1 has far fewer issues per year in NHTSA's data, averaging 0.0 complaints annually versus about 822.7 for the Chevrolet Silverado. In practice, that means the Silverado has a large, well-documented pattern of engine, transmission, electrical, and brake complaints, while the P1 has almost no public complaint record at all. The difference is not just volume; it is the type of problem, with Silverado owners describing sudden shutdowns and braking loss.
Key differences
- The Silverado has 8,227 complaints over ten years, while the Mclaren P1 has 0, so the Silverado has a much larger public record of owner-reported problems.
- Silverado complaints include engines shutting off while driving and transmissions suddenly going into neutral, symptoms the P1 does not have in NHTSA's complaint text.
- Silverado owners report sudden loss of normal braking with a firm pedal, a serious symptom that appears in both electrical and service brake complaint categories.
- The P1's only NHTSA records are four recalls for the passenger air bag inflator and hood latch, with no owner complaint text to describe real-world failure patterns.
- Confirm both the passenger-side frontal air bag inflator recall and the hood latch recall were completed, and ask for documentation.
- Inspect the hood latch and linkage for proper engagement, since a failed latch could let the hood open while driving.
- Test drive at low speed in a parking lot and watch for any sudden shift into neutral or engine shutdown, which owners report.
- Check for stored codes or dealer service records related to diesel particulate filter soot accumulation if the truck has the 6.6L Duramax.
Before you buy
- Ask for a full NHTSA recall history by VIN and confirm all open recalls, especially air bag and hood latch on the P1 and fuel pump or forward collision warning recalls on the Silverado, were repaired.
- For the Silverado, request dealer service records for engine, transmission, electrical, and brake repairs, and scan for stored fault codes before purchase.
- For the P1, arrange a pre-purchase inspection with a Mclaren specialist who can check the air bag system, hood latch, and hybrid hardware.
- Test drive the Silverado in conditions that match the complaints: slow parking-lot maneuvering, steady braking, and a cold start followed by a short drive.
- Verify the vehicle identification number and model year, because the complaint data covers multiple model years and not every issue applies to every truck.
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 P1 | 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 P1 or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mclaren P1 vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Mclaren P1 total complaints
- 0
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Mclaren P1 total recalls
- 4
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Mclaren P1 avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Mclaren P1
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE