Head-to-head reliability
Nissan 370Z vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Nissan 370Z 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
Nissan 370Z vs Chevrolet Silverado: The 370Z has 41 complaints and 1 recall over 10 years, while the Silverado has 8,227 complaints and 101 recalls. The 370Z's main issue is clutch failure; the Silverado's are engine and transmission problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Nissan 370Z or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Nissan 370Z
The Nissan 370Z is a two-seat sports car that, over the past decade, has generated a relatively small number of complaints—41 total, or about 4 per year. The most common trouble spot by far is the power train, especially clutch and transmission failures that can leave the car stuck in gear. Air bag and brake complaints also appear, but the overall volume suggests that major failures are not an everyday event for most owners. Still, when they happen, they tend to be serious and expensive.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup that has racked up 8,227 complaints over ten years—roughly 823 per year—along with 101 recalls. The biggest categories are engine and power train, with many reports of stalling, sudden loss of power, and transmission problems even on very low-mileage trucks. Electrical and brake issues also show up frequently, and the data includes 233 crash-related complaints and 3 deaths. This is a high-volume vehicle with a correspondingly high volume of reported problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Nissan 370Z | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 41 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 1 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 3 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 4.1 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 4 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.
Nissan 370Z
- 01POWER TRAIN22
- 02AIR BAGS6
- 03SERVICE BRAKES4
- 04ENGINE4
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
Owners report the concentric slave cylinder (CSC) failing abruptly, which can leave the clutch pedal on the floor and the car stuck in gear. This is a serious safety issue because you may not be able to shift or stop normally in traffic.
There are complaints of air bags deploying violently or erroneously, sometimes in low-speed impacts like rolling into a hitch. A recall for side/window air bags is also listed, so buyers should verify that recall work was completed.
Some owners report brake failure or warning messages like 'front radar obstruction' that persist even after sensor replacements. Brake problems on a sports car can be especially dangerous if they occur during hard driving.
A few complaints describe the engine stalling or failing to accelerate after a stop, sometimes with the check engine light on. This can leave you stranded or unable to move with traffic, which is a major concern for any used car.
“SUMMARY: THE VEHICLE CONCENTRIC SLAVE CYLINDER (CSC), A COMPONENT OF THE TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH, FAILED ABRUPTLY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, LEAVING THE VEHICLE FORCED IN-GEAR AND UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF GEARS OR TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT DAMAGING THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A…”
“AS I BEGAN TO START MY VEHICLE ONE DAY, THE CLUTCH PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE GROUND BECAUSE IT HAD NO PRESSURE ON IT. I FOUND THAT THE CLUTCH FLUID WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY AND REFILLED IT. AFTER IT REBUILT PRESSURE, IT WAS OPERABLE AGAIN FOR SEVERAL MONTHS UNTI…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Many owners report engine shutdowns while driving, sometimes with messages like 'Return to Neutral' or 'Press Start.' Others describe excessive soot accumulation in the diesel particulate filter on Duramax models, requiring repeated dealer visits. These issues can happen even on brand-new trucks with very low mileage.
Complaints include the vehicle suddenly shifting into neutral or losing power while driving, sometimes in parking garages or at low speeds. This can be frightening because you lose acceleration and may not be able to move out of harm's way.
Owners report sudden loss of normal braking, with a firm pedal but reduced stopping power, as well as screens going blank and the engine shutting off. Electrical glitches like these can affect critical safety systems and are hard to diagnose.
Braking problems appear both as a loss of braking effectiveness and as the truck shutting off while barely applying throttle. Since brakes are fundamental, any reported issue here deserves a thorough inspection before purchase.
“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.
Nissan 370Z — 1 recall
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018 Nissan 370Z vehicles. The driver's side curtain air bag may have been installed incorrectly during production, possibly affecting its deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safet…
The risk: The incorrect curtain air bag installation can prevent the air bag from deploying correctly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the curtain air bag, correcting its installation as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 1, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
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
Nissan 370Z or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Nissan 370Z has far fewer complaints per year—about 4 versus roughly 823 for the Silverado—so in raw frequency, the 370Z looks less troublesome. However, the Silverado's much higher sales volume means the comparison isn't apples-to-apples. In practice, the 370Z's issues tend to be concentrated in the clutch and transmission, while the Silverado's problems span engine, transmission, electrical, and brakes, often on very new trucks.
Key differences
- The 370Z's most common complaint is a failing clutch slave cylinder that can leave the car stuck in gear; the Silverado's most common complaints are engine shutdowns and transmission problems that can occur at very low mileage.
- The Silverado has 101 recalls versus 1 for the 370Z, covering fuel pumps, tires, forward collision alerts, and more.
- The 370Z has 3 crash-related complaints and 4 injuries; the Silverado has 233 crash-related complaints, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths.
- The 370Z averages about 4 complaints per year; the Silverado averages about 823 per year, though sales volume differs greatly.
- Check the clutch pedal feel and ask for service records on the concentric slave cylinder (CSC); a soft or sticking pedal could mean an imminent failure.
- Verify that the side/window air bag recall has been performed, and test all air bag warning lights during a test drive.
- Look for any history of engine stalling or 'Return to Neutral' messages, and scan for stored trouble codes related to the fuel pump control module or diesel particulate filter.
- Test the brakes carefully for any loss of effectiveness or unusual pedal behavior, and check for electrical gremlins like blank screens or random shutdowns.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls have been remedied, especially the 370Z's air bag recall and the Silverado's fuel pump and forward collision alerts.
- For the 370Z, have a mechanic inspect the clutch system, including the CSC, and check for any transmission damage from prior clutch failures.
- For the Silverado, ask for a diagnostic scan to check for engine, transmission, and brake control module codes, and test drive at various speeds to feel for hesitation or stalling.
- Take a long test drive that includes stop-and-go traffic, highway merging, and braking from speed to reproduce any intermittent issues.
- Budget for a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model, and consider an extended warranty if buying the Silverado.
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 | Nissan 370Z | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0 | 1390 |
| 2021 | 0 | 961 |
| 2020 | 0 | 868 |
| 2019 | 1 | 2003 |
| 2018 | 2 | 597 |
| 2017 | 5 | 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 Nissan 370Z or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Nissan 370Z vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Nissan 370Z total complaints
- 41
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Nissan 370Z total recalls
- 1
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Nissan 370Z avg complaints/year
- 4.1
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Nissan 370Z
- Nissan 370Z top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE