Head-to-head reliability

Mercedes BENZ CLA Class vs Chevrolet Silverado

How the Mercedes BENZ CLA Class and Chevrolet Silverado compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

Mercedes BENZ CLA Class161 complaints · 0 recalls Fewer issues per year
Chevrolet Silverado7,904 complaints · 100 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

Mercedes BENZ CLA Class averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Mercedes BENZ CLA Class has 161 complaints and 0 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.

CategoryMercedes BENZ CLA ClassChevrolet Silverado
Total complaintsAll model years combined161 Better7,904
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns0 Better100
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints13 Better229
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years16.1 Better790.4
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints15 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.

Mercedes BENZ CLA Class

  1. 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM32
  2. 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER29
  3. 03ENGINE24
  4. 04POWER TRAIN22
  5. 05AIR BAGS21
In owners' words — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

“1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The trunk latch system failed, causing the trunk to open unexpectedly. Yes, the component is available for inspection upon request. 2.How was your safety or…”

“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The instrument cluster display intermittently failed, either showing incorrect information or going completely blank while driving. Yes, the component is still…”

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 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…”

“At approximately 3,000 miles, the engine began making a loud knocking noise that became progressively worse while driving. The truck was diagnosed as needing a complete engine replacement. No warning lights, no check engine light, nothing. For someone inexper…”

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.

Mercedes BENZ CLA Class

No recalls on record.

Chevrolet Silverado — 100 recalls

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…

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
#26V114000

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…

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…

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.

YearMercedes BENZ CLA ClassChevrolet Silverado
2026082
20250135
20240498
20236424
202241302
20215914
202023831
2019511977
201845588
2017271153
Years to scrutinize: the 2019 Mercedes BENZ CLA Class drew the most complaints (51); the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado drew the most (1,977). Inspect these model years especially closely.

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 Mercedes BENZ CLA Class or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

Mercedes BENZ CLA Class — full reportMercedes BENZ CLA Class reliability & problems 161 complaints · all years · NHTSA
Chevrolet Silverado — full reportChevrolet Silverado reliability & problems 7,904 complaints · all years · NHTSA
Mercedes BENZ CLA Class vs Chevrolet Silverado — comparison facts
Comparison
Mercedes BENZ CLA Class vs Chevrolet Silverado
Mercedes BENZ CLA Class total complaints
161
Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
7,904
Mercedes BENZ CLA Class total recalls
0
Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
100
Mercedes BENZ CLA Class avg complaints/year
16.1
Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
790.4
More reliable overall
Mercedes BENZ CLA Class
Mercedes BENZ CLA Class top complaint area
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
ENGINE
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)