Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ Sprinter vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Mercedes BENZ Sprinter 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 Sprinter vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Sprinter averages 41.3 complaints per year with 10 recalls, while the Silverado averages 822.7 complaints per year with 101 recalls. Both have engine and electrical issues, but the Silverado also reports brake loss and transmission failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ Sprinter or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ Sprinter
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a commercial van often used for passenger or cargo duty. Over 10 years, it has averaged 41.3 complaints per year, with 10 recalls and 13 crash-related reports. Owners frequently describe engine shutdowns, electrical burning odors, and unintended rolling after parking. These patterns suggest that living with a Sprinter requires vigilance for both mechanical and electronic faults.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume: 8,227 over 10 years, or about 823 per year. It has 101 recalls and 233 crash-related reports, including 3 deaths. Common owner complaints include sudden engine shutdowns, transmission failures, and brake problems. This suggests that while the Silverado is popular, it has a wide range of reported reliability issues.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ Sprinter | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 413 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 10 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 13 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 41.3 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 12 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 Sprinter
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER85
- 02ENGINE84
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM70
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE62
- 05POWER TRAIN53
Owners report sudden engine shutdown and limp mode, sometimes with a countdown on the dashboard. One complaint describes idle dropping to 400 rpm with no throttle response, which can leave you stranded or moving slowly in traffic.
Complaints include an electrical burning odor and an extremely hot steering wheel, as well as governor issues that limit speed to 70 mph. These electrical faults can affect safety and drivability, and may be costly to diagnose.
The crosswind assist feature has been reported to activate unexpectedly, making the van difficult to control on the freeway. Owners say other drivers refuse to drive it due to fear of this system, which can be a major usability problem.
Several owners report the van rolling away after being parked on a mild slope, even after putting it in park. This unintended movement poses a serious risk to people and property, and suggests a potential parking pawl or brake issue.
“In August 2025, I had taken the van for a drive to charge things up, got home, put it in park and parked it in my driveway, which has a mild slope. ~ 30 seconds - 1 minute after me leaving the vehicle, it rolled backward out of the driveway, across a busy str…”
“In August 2025, I had taken the van for a drive to charge things up, got home, put it in park and parked it in my driveway, which has a mild slope. ~ 30 seconds - 1 minute after me leaving the vehicle, it rolled backward out of the driveway, across a busy str…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners of new Silverados report engine shutdowns while driving, sometimes with a 'Return to Neutral' message. Diesel models have experienced repeated diesel particulate filter soot accumulation events requiring dealer service, which can lead to unexpected downtime.
Complaints include the vehicle suddenly shifting into neutral while driving slowly uphill, and transmission problems that may leave you unable to accelerate. These issues can happen at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash in parking lots or traffic.
Owners describe a sudden loss of normal braking with a firm pedal but reduced stopping power, as well as the engine shutting off and screens going blank. These electrical glitches can disable critical safety features without warning.
Reports of severe loss of braking effectiveness, even when the pedal feels firm, are alarming. One owner experienced this shortly after dropping a child at school, highlighting the potential for brake failure in everyday driving.
“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 Sprinter — 10 recalls
The defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The airbag systems may not have been activated after vehicle production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbe…
The risk: An inactive airbag system can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to determine if the airbag systems have been activated, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. DVUSA issued owners an interim notification on November 22, 2019. The rec…
The defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Sprinter and Metris vehicles. The vehicles left the reassembly plant without the final quality inspection of safety-relevant parts or bolt connections, resulting in possible unknown safety risks.
The risk: Failure to identify loose safety related parts can increase the risk of crash and injury.
The fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and vehicles will be returned to the reassembly plant for comprehensive inspection and, if necessary, corrective action, free of charge. The recall began November 15, 2019. Owners may contact DVUSA customer servic…
The defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter 1500, 2500, 3500 and 4500 vehicles. The rear side windows may be single-pane safety glass instead of laminated safety glass.
The risk: In the event of a side impact crash or vehicle rollover, the fitted side windows may not adequately protect the rear occupants from being ejected, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner dealers will replace the single-pane safety glass with laminated safety glass., free of charge. DVUSA issued owners an interim notification on August 16, 2019. The recall began Ja…
The defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Freightliner Sprinter vehicles. The spare tire label may indicate the maximum speed at 55 kilometers per hour (kph) rather than as 34 miles per hour (mph).
The risk: With only the metric speed listed on the spare tire label, the driver could misinterpret the kph as mph and operate the vehicle with the spare tire installed at higher speeds than the tire can withstand, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: DVUSA will notify owners, and Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealers will replace it with the label with the correct maximum speed information indicated in miles per hour, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2020. Owners may c…
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 Sprinter or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has far fewer complaints per year (41.3 vs. 822.7) and fewer recalls (10 vs. 101). In practice, this means a Sprinter owner is less likely to face frequent repair visits, but the issues reported—like unintended rolling and engine shutdown—can still be serious. The Silverado's much higher complaint rate suggests a broader range of problems that could affect more owners.
Key differences
- The Sprinter averages 41.3 complaints per year, while the Silverado averages 822.7—a 20-fold difference in reported issues.
- Sprinter owners report unintended rolling after parking and crosswind assist malfunctions; Silverado owners report engine shutdowns, transmission failures, and brake loss.
- The Silverado has 101 recalls and 3 deaths reported, compared to 10 recalls and 0 deaths for the Sprinter.
- Electrical problems are prominent in both, but the Sprinter's include burning odors and hot steering wheels, while the Silverado's include brake loss and blank screens.
- Check for any history of unintended rolling: test parking on a mild slope and ensure the parking brake holds firmly.
- Inspect the electrical system for signs of overheating or burning smells, especially around the steering column and under the dash.
- Test drive at low speeds and in parking lots to check for sudden neutral engagement or transmission hesitation.
- Verify that the brakes feel responsive and that there are no warning messages about brake system faults or engine shutdowns.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the engine, transmission, and electrical systems for the specific issues reported.
- For the Sprinter, test the crosswind assist and parking brake on a slope; for the Silverado, test low-speed acceleration and braking.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission and brake services.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection that includes a scan for stored error codes related to engine, transmission, and brakes.
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 Sprinter | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 120 |
| 2025 | 0 | 157 |
| 2024 | 1 | 527 |
| 2023 | 140 | 450 |
| 2022 | 258 | 1390 |
| 2021 | 0 | 961 |
| 2020 | 0 | 868 |
| 2019 | 0 | 2003 |
| 2018 | 14 | 597 |
| 2017 | 0 | 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 Sprinter or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ Sprinter vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Mercedes BENZ Sprinter total complaints
- 413
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Mercedes BENZ Sprinter total recalls
- 10
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Mercedes BENZ Sprinter avg complaints/year
- 41.3
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ Sprinter
- Mercedes BENZ Sprinter top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE