Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ CLE vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Mercedes BENZ CLE 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
Mercedes BENZ CLE vs Chevrolet Silverado: The CLE averages 3.3 complaints per year with 1 recall, while the Silverado averages 822.7 complaints per year with 101 recalls. Silverado complaints include engine shutdowns and brake loss; CLE issues are mainly throttle delay and electrical glitches. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ CLE or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ CLE
The Mercedes-Benz CLE is a luxury coupe/convertible that, based on NHTSA data, shows a low complaint volume of about 3.3 per year over three years. Owners most often report throttle delay and unpredictable acceleration, which can make the car feel hesitant in traffic. Electrical glitches, such as a blank instrument cluster and audio static, also appear. With only one recall for the instrument cluster, the CLE's issues are relatively few but can be frustrating.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint rate—about 823 per year over ten years—and 101 recalls. Owners report serious problems including engine shutdowns, transmission failures, and brake loss. These issues have led to 233 crash-related complaints, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths. While many Silverados serve reliably, the volume of safety-related complaints is a significant concern for used buyers.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ CLE | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 10 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 1 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 3.3 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.
Mercedes BENZ CLE
- 01ENGINE4
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
- 04POWER TRAIN2
- 05TIRES1
Owners describe a severe throttle delay and unpredictable acceleration, especially when pulling away from intersections. This 'dead zone' can make merging or crossing traffic feel risky because the car doesn't respond immediately.
Reports include the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster going completely black while driving, leaving the driver without speed or fuel information. Another owner heard static and sparking through the speakers, suggesting audio system faults.
The same throttle lag complaints are also filed under power train, pointing to software or transmission behavior that causes delayed engagement. This can make the car feel jerky or unresponsive at low speeds.
One owner reported the entire digital instrument cluster blacking out, which removes critical driving data. Another complaint about cell phone distraction is not a vehicle defect, so it's less useful for buyers.
“SEVERE THROTTLE DELAY & UNPREDICTABLE ACCELERATION When applying pressure to the accelerator pedal at intersections or traffic lights, there is a substantial "dead zone" delay where the vehicle fails to respond or move forward. To prompt movement in normal tr…”
“THROTTLE LAG With the 2026 Mercedes CLE 300, throttle lag is driven by a combination of software programming, transmission behavior, and turbocharger dynamics working simultaneously.The following situation is when it usually occurs:Transitioning from a slow r…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners report engine shutdowns while driving, sometimes with a 'Return to Neutral' message, and diesel particulate filter soot accumulation requiring dealer service. These can leave you stranded or cause loss of power.
Complaints include the vehicle suddenly shifting into neutral and the engine shutting off, even at low speeds in parking lots. This loss of drive can be dangerous in traffic.
A severe loss of braking was reported shortly after starting a trip, with a firm pedal but poor stopping power. Another owner had the engine shut off while driving, with screens going blank.
Owners describe braking that feels normal but doesn't stop the truck effectively, and in one case the truck shut off completely during low-speed maneuvering. Brake problems are a major safety concern.
“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.
Mercedes BENZ CLE — 1 recall
The defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2024-2026 AMG GT, C-Class, E-Class, SL, CLE, and GLC vehicles. The infotainment control unit may reset while the vehicle is in motion and cause the instrument panel display to go blank.
The risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer and warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the infotainment control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 29, 2026. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2026050004. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Ve…
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
Mercedes BENZ CLE or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE has far fewer complaints per year (3.3 vs. 822.7) and fewer recalls (1 vs. 101). In practice, this means a used CLE is likely to have fewer reported safety-related issues, while the Silverado's higher volume of engine, transmission, and brake complaints suggests a greater chance of costly or dangerous problems.
Key differences
- The CLE averages 3.3 complaints per year; the Silverado averages 822.7 per year, a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- Silverado complaints include engine shutdowns, sudden neutral shifts, and brake loss, while CLE complaints center on throttle delay and electrical glitches.
- The Silverado has 101 recalls and 233 crash-related complaints; the CLE has 1 recall and 1 crash-related complaint.
- CLE issues are mostly drivability annoyances; Silverado issues often involve loss of power or braking, which are more safety-critical.
- During a test drive, check for a delay when pressing the accelerator from a stop—this is the most common complaint and can feel like a dead zone.
- Turn on the car and verify the digital instrument cluster lights up and stays on; also test the audio system for static or cutting out.
- Ask if the engine has ever shut off while driving or if the truck has shifted into neutral unexpectedly; these are reported safety issues.
- Test the brakes at low speed and check for any messages about diesel particulate filter soot accumulation if it's a diesel model.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls are completed, especially the CLE's instrument cluster recall and the Silverado's fuel pump and brake-related recalls.
- Take an extended test drive that includes stop-and-go traffic, highway merging, and low-speed parking maneuvers to feel for throttle lag or transmission hesitation.
- For the Silverado, have a mechanic inspect the engine, transmission, and brake system, and scan for stored codes related to engine shutdowns or DPF issues.
- For the CLE, test all electronics: instrument cluster, infotainment, speakers, and driver-assist features.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and check if the vehicle has been repaired for any of the common complaints listed in NHTSA data.
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 | Mercedes BENZ CLE | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 120 |
| 2025 | 1 | 157 |
| 2024 | 7 | 527 |
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 CLE or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ CLE vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Mercedes BENZ CLE total complaints
- 10
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Mercedes BENZ CLE total recalls
- 1
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Mercedes BENZ CLE avg complaints/year
- 3.3
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ CLE
- Mercedes BENZ CLE top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE