Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ SL Class vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Mercedes BENZ SL 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 SL Class vs Chevrolet Silverado: The SL Class has 17 complaints and 0 recalls over 10 years, while the Silverado has 8,227 complaints and 101 recalls. The SL averages 1.7 complaints per year versus 822.7 for the Silverado. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ SL Class or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ SL Class
The Mercedes-Benz SL Class is a low-volume luxury roadster with only 17 complaints over 10 years, averaging 1.7 per year. Owners report electrical gremlins that drain both batteries and disable safety features, plus engine stalls and transmission gear sticking. With zero recalls, the SL's issues are less frequent but can be expensive and frustrating, especially when electrical faults leave the car undriveable.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a high-volume full-size pickup with 8,227 complaints over 10 years, averaging 822.7 per year, and 101 recalls. Owners report serious engine and transmission failures, electrical shutdowns, and brake problems, with 233 crash-related complaints and 3 deaths. The sheer number of issues means a used Silverado carries a higher risk of costly repairs and safety incidents.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ SL Class | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 17 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 2 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.7 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 2 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 SL Class
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7
- 02ENGINE5
- 03POWER TRAIN4
- 04STEERING2
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
Owners report the electrical system drains both batteries after the car sits idle for a few hours, and if it starts, safety features like adaptive cruise and airbags may be inoperable until driven for 30–40 minutes. This can leave you stranded and without key safety systems.
Complaints include unintended deceleration and stalling while driving, such as a 2022 AMG SL55 that stalled at 55 mph without warning. This sudden loss of power is dangerous, especially at highway speeds.
Owners describe the 9-speed automatic transmission abruptly dropping from 65 mph to 40 mph, sticking in 4th or 3rd gear, and refusing to upshift, causing engine RPM to rise over 3000 with no response from the gas pedal. This can leave you unable to accelerate or maintain speed.
One owner reported the steering wheel stuck in the up position and would not adjust to the preset, requiring them to slap it downward to unstick it. If this happens while driving, it could lead to loss of control.
“My mom and I were in her car brand new Mercedes adaptive cruise was on the car started to act up with all the warning lights again, which shut all safety systems down air back seatbelts, adaptive cruise, Tronics and the engine wall between 18 wheeler and the…”
“The electrical systems drains the two batteries after the car sits idle for a few hours. If it can be started, many of the safety features are inoperable until the car is driven for 30 or 40 minutes. I've had it to multiple Mercedes dealers and all they do is…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners report engine shutdowns while driving, such as a 2026 Silverado with a 6.2L motor that stalled during a family vacation, and diesel models experiencing repeated excessive soot accumulation in the particulate filter. These failures can leave you stranded and require dealer repairs.
Complaints include a 2026 Silverado suddenly shifting into neutral while driving slowly uphill in a parking garage with less than 300 miles on it, and transmission issues that cause loss of power. This can happen at low speeds and create a rollaway risk.
Owners describe sudden loss of normal braking with a firm pedal but reduced braking effect, and the engine shutting off while driving with a 'Return to Neutral' message. These electrical faults can disable critical safety functions.
Complaints include the truck completely shutting off, screens going blank, and inability to accelerate while barely applying throttle in a parking lot. Braking problems and unexpected shutdowns increase the risk of a crash.
“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 SL 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 SL Class or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz SL Class has far fewer issues per year (1.7 vs. 822.7) and no recalls, while the Chevrolet Silverado has 101 recalls and thousands of complaints. In practice, the SL is less likely to leave you stranded, but its electrical and engine faults can be costly; the Silverado's high complaint volume means a used model may need frequent repairs and carries more safety risks.
Key differences
- The SL Class has 17 complaints and 0 recalls over 10 years, while the Silverado has 8,227 complaints and 101 recalls, indicating a much higher rate of reported problems for the truck.
- SL owners report electrical drains that disable safety features and engine stalls, whereas Silverado owners report engine shutdowns, transmission failures, and brake loss, with 233 crash-related complaints and 3 deaths.
- The Silverado's top issues are engine (2,521 complaints) and power train (2,347), while the SL's top issue is electrical (7 complaints), showing different failure patterns.
- The SL Class averages 1.7 complaints per year versus 822.7 for the Silverado, meaning the SL is far less likely to have a reported problem in any given year.
- Check for battery drain: ask if the car has been sitting idle and test if safety features like adaptive cruise and airbags work immediately after starting, as owners report they may be inoperable for 30–40 minutes.
- Test the transmission for abrupt downshifts or sticking in gear during a test drive, especially at highway speeds, and listen for engine stalls or hesitation.
- Inspect for engine shutdowns: ask if the truck has ever stalled while driving and check for recall repairs related to fuel pump or forward collision warnings.
- Test the brakes and electrical system: look for sudden loss of braking, screen blackouts, or 'Return to Neutral' messages during a test drive, and verify all safety recalls have been addressed.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been repaired, especially for the Silverado's 101 recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the electrical system and batteries on the SL Class, and the engine, transmission, and brakes on the Silverado.
- During a test drive, specifically test for the reported symptoms: electrical drains and transmission sticking on the SL, and engine stalls, brake loss, and screen blackouts on the Silverado.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and whether they have experienced any of the common complaints listed in NHTSA data.
- Check the NHTSA website for open recalls by VIN before purchase and budget for potential repairs based on the complaint patterns.
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 SL Class | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 120 |
| 2025 | 0 | 157 |
| 2024 | 0 | 527 |
| 2023 | 1 | 450 |
| 2022 | 8 | 1390 |
| 2021 | 0 | 961 |
| 2020 | 2 | 868 |
| 2019 | 0 | 2003 |
| 2018 | 2 | 597 |
| 2017 | 4 | 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 SL Class or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ SL Class vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Mercedes BENZ SL Class total complaints
- 17
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Mercedes BENZ SL Class total recalls
- 0
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Mercedes BENZ SL Class avg complaints/year
- 1.7
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ SL Class
- Mercedes BENZ SL Class top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE