Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ GLA Class vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Mercedes BENZ GLA Class 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 GLA Class vs Chevrolet Silverado: The GLA has about 16 complaints per year and 0 recalls, while the Silverado has over 800 complaints per year and 101 recalls. Both show serious issues like power loss and brake problems, but the Silverado's volume is far higher. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ GLA Class or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ GLA Class
The Mercedes-Benz GLA Class is a compact luxury SUV with a relatively low complaint volume—about 16 per year over the past decade—but zero recalls on record. Owners frequently describe sudden electrical and powertrain warnings that can cause the vehicle to lose power or go into neutral while driving. The pattern suggests that when problems occur, they can be serious and leave you stranded, even though the overall frequency is low.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a very high complaint volume—over 800 per year—and 101 recalls in the same period. Owners report a wide range of issues, from engine and transmission failures to sudden braking loss and electrical shutdowns. The sheer number of complaints and recalls means that living with a Silverado may involve more frequent trips to the dealer and a higher chance of encountering a serious defect.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ GLA Class | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 160 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 7 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 16.0 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 8 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 GLA Class
- 01ENGINE37
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER33
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM30
- 04POWER TRAIN27
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM15
Owners report engine-related warnings and stalling, including a case where multiple dashboard lights (ABS, engine, anti-skid, 4matic, transmission) illuminated and the steering locked up. Another complaint describes a loss of acceleration at highway speed, which is a serious safety concern.
Electrical glitches often trigger a cascade of warnings—transmission malfunction, ABS, and anti-skid lights—and can cause the car to lose power or shift into neutral. One owner experienced this twice on the highway, requiring a tow each time.
Power train complaints include failure to accelerate from a stop and sudden loss of power at speed, with warnings appearing on the dash. These issues can leave you unable to move the vehicle safely, especially in traffic.
While fewer in number, fuel/propulsion complaints exist and may involve stalling or hesitation, though the sample text does not provide specific details. Buyers should be aware that fuel-system faults can cause unexpected engine shutdowns.
“I own a 2022 Mercedes Benz GLA 250 2022. in [XXX], it was pouring rain and I was driving from [XXX] to attain [XXX] to drive home. It was pouring that night and driving conditions were horrible. I was in the middle lane driving roughly 55-65 mph. about 15 min…”
“The ABS Sensor light, engine light, anti skid light and 4 matic malfunction, transmission malfunction all lit up on my dashboard on Tuesday July 22, 2025. The stearing would lock up and the brakes would not break it also shifted gears into neutral. The dashbo…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Engine complaints include rough running, stalling, and in some cases complete shutdown while driving. One owner of a 2026 Silverado with the 6.2L engine reported a serious issue during a family trip, and another with the 6.6L Duramax diesel had repeated diesel particulate filter soot accumulation events requiring dealer service.
Power train problems include sudden shifting into neutral and loss of acceleration, even at low speeds. A 2026 Silverado owner reported the truck went into neutral in a parking garage with less than 300 miles on it, which is alarming for a new vehicle.
Electrical faults can cause the engine to shut off while driving, with messages like 'Return to Neutral' and 'Press Start' appearing. Another complaint described a severe loss of braking effectiveness with a firm pedal, indicating a potential brake-by-wire or electrical brake issue.
Brake complaints include sudden loss of normal braking, where the pedal remains firm but the vehicle does not stop as expected. This is a critical safety issue, and owners have reported it happening shortly after starting a trip.
“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 GLA Class
No recalls on record.
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 GLA Class or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz GLA Class has far fewer complaints per year (about 16 vs. over 800 for the Silverado) and no recalls, while the Silverado has 101 recalls and many more reported problems. In practice, this means a GLA is less likely to leave you stranded or require repeated dealer visits, but when issues do arise they can be serious electrical or power train faults. The Silverado's higher volume suggests a greater chance of encountering a defect, though its problems are spread across many components.
Key differences
- The GLA has zero recalls and about 16 complaints per year, while the Silverado has 101 recalls and over 800 complaints per year—a massive difference in reported issue frequency.
- GLA owners frequently report sudden electrical warnings that cause loss of power or neutral shifting, whereas Silverado owners report engine shutdowns, brake loss, and transmission failures across many model years.
- The Silverado's complaints include 3 deaths and 160 injuries, while the GLA has 0 deaths and 8 injuries, though these figures are not adjusted for vehicle population.
- Both vehicles have serious safety-related complaints, but the Silverado's much higher volume means a buyer is statistically more likely to encounter a problem.
- Check for any stored transmission or ABS codes and test-drive at highway speeds to ensure no sudden loss of power or warning lights appear.
- Inspect the electrical system for intermittent dashboard warnings, especially the combination of ABS, engine, anti-skid, and transmission lights.
- Verify that all open recalls have been performed, especially those related to fuel pump control, tire pressure monitoring, and forward collision warnings.
- Test the brakes thoroughly at low and high speeds for any loss of braking effectiveness, and check for messages about engine shutdown or 'Return to Neutral'.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been remedied, especially for the Silverado.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any warning lights, hesitation, or unusual shifting, and test the brakes firmly.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model, focusing on electrical and power train systems.
- For the GLA, scan for stored codes related to transmission, ABS, and engine; for the Silverado, check for diesel particulate filter issues if equipped with the Duramax.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and whether any recurring electrical or brake problems have been addressed.
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 GLA Class | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 120 |
| 2025 | 0 | 157 |
| 2024 | 0 | 527 |
| 2023 | 8 | 450 |
| 2022 | 4 | 1390 |
| 2021 | 23 | 961 |
| 2020 | 10 | 868 |
| 2019 | 30 | 2003 |
| 2018 | 51 | 597 |
| 2017 | 34 | 1154 |
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 GLA Class or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ GLA Class vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Mercedes BENZ GLA Class total complaints
- 160
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Mercedes BENZ GLA Class total recalls
- 0
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Mercedes BENZ GLA Class avg complaints/year
- 16.0
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ GLA Class
- Mercedes BENZ GLA Class top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE