Head-to-head reliability
Nissan Maxima vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Nissan Maxima 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 Maxima vs Chevrolet Silverado: Over 10 years, the Maxima had 486 complaints and 16 recalls, while the Silverado had 5,105 complaints and 100 recalls. The Maxima averages about 49 complaints per year versus 511 for the Silverado. Both have safety-related issues, but the Silverado's higher volume means more reported problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Nissan Maxima or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Nissan Maxima
The Nissan Maxima is a large sedan with a relatively low complaint volume—about 49 per year over a decade—suggesting fewer owners report problems than with some trucks. The most common complaints involve the power train (jerking, stalling, abnormal engine noises), air bags (sensors that can trigger unwanted braking or overly forceful deployment), and electrical glitches like headlights flickering off. Recalls cover backup cameras, rear glass, and antilock brakes, so check that those fixes were done. Overall, it appears to have a more manageable complaint rate, but the issues that do appear can be serious, such as stalling in traffic.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume—roughly 511 per year—and 100 recalls over the same period. Owners frequently report engine problems (rough running, loss of power, diesel particulate filter soot accumulation), power train failures (sudden neutral, transmission jerk), and electrical/brake issues that can cause reduced braking or steering loss. Recalls address tailgate latches, steering, seat belt anchors, and brake fluid warning sensors. This is a high-volume vehicle with a wide range of reported failures, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is critical.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Nissan Maxima | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 486 Better | 5,105 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 16 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 34 Better | 117 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 48.6 Better | 510.5 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 30 Better | 104 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
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 Maxima
- 01POWER TRAIN95
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER88
- 03AIR BAGS75
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM63
- 05SERVICE BRAKES52
Owners report abnormal engine sounds, jerking, and stalling at low speeds, sometimes with no warning lights. This can leave you stranded and may indicate transmission or engine control issues that are expensive to diagnose and fix.
Complaints include collision sensors that malfunction and cause the vehicle to brake on its own while reversing, plus air bags deploying too forcefully in low-speed crashes, breaking windshields and causing injuries. These are safety-critical faults that should be checked immediately.
Drivers report headlight system error messages and headlights that flicker off and on while driving at night. This reduces visibility and can be a sign of broader electrical gremlins.
There are 52 brake complaints and recalls for antilock/traction control issues. Owners may experience unexpected braking behavior or warning lights, so have the brake system scanned for stored codes.
“The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The vehicle jerked before stalling in the middle of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. The Police were calle…”
“I purchased my 2019 Nissan Maxima [XXX] from Hyundai of Pineville I'm Charlotte NC. Over the past months including after purchase which I made Hyundai aware. The vehicle has an ongoing noise coming from I side the front hood of the vehicle. It sounds as of a…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE1,698
- 02POWER TRAIN1,453
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM982
- 04SERVICE BRAKES691
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER542
With 1,698 complaints, owners report rough running, loss of motive power, loud pinging, and diesel particulate filter soot accumulation requiring dealer service. These can lead to sudden breakdowns and costly repairs, especially on newer models with low mileage.
Complaints include the vehicle suddenly shifting into neutral while driving slowly uphill, and transmission jerk or failure. This can cause loss of control and is a major reliability concern for a truck expected to tow or haul.
Owners describe severe loss of normal braking with a firm pedal, plus engine pinging and loss of steering assist. These electrical/electronic failures can make the vehicle undrivable and are safety hazards.
There are 691 brake complaints, including reduced braking effectiveness and recalls for low brake fluid warning sensors. Brake problems on a heavy truck are especially dangerous, so verify all brake-related recalls are completed.
“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 Maxima — 16 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additio…
The risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima, Maxima and Leaf vehicles. The rear window glass may not remain properly secured to the vehicle.
The risk: Rear window glass that separates from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the back window glass, free of charge. The recall began November 4, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC752.
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additio…
The risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Nissan Murano, 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima, and 2017-2019 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and unrepaired, or inspected and determined to not need a repair, under recall number 18V-60…
The risk: A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS actuator, free of charge. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available, currently expected to be during summer 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer s…
Chevrolet Silverado — 100 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with power-unlatching tailgates. The tailgate's electronic gate-release switch may short circuit due to water intrusion, which can result in the tailgate inadvertently…
The risk: An unlatched tailgate may open while driving and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2024. Owners may contact Chevr…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 vehicles. The steering gear shaft may fracture and disconnect from the steering arm.
The risk: A steering arm that disconnects may result in a total loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering gear, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-4…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra HD 2500, 3500 vehicles equipped with power-unlatching tailgates. The tailgate's electronic gate-release switch may short circuit due to water intrusion, which can result in the tailgate inadvertentl…
The risk: An unlatched tailgate may open and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 17, 2024. Owners may contact…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2024 GMC Hummer EV pick up, 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV, and 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV vehicles. The left or right front seat belt buckle attachment bolts may not be tightened properly.
The risk: An improperly tightened seat belt buckle may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the left and right front seat belt buckle attachment bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-833-EVCHEVY (1-833-382-4389) (TTY 711 /…
Buyer analysis
Nissan Maxima or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Nissan Maxima has far fewer complaints per year (about 49 vs. 511 for the Silverado) and fewer recalls (16 vs. 100). In practice, that means a used Maxima is likely to have fewer reported problems overall, but the Silverado's much larger sales volume means even a low complaint rate can generate many reports. The Maxima's issues tend to be less frequent, while the Silverado's are more numerous and include more engine and power train failures.
Key differences
- The Silverado has about 10 times more complaints per year than the Maxima (511 vs. 49), with engine and power train issues dominating.
- Maxima owners report stalling and air bag sensor malfunctions; Silverado owners report sudden loss of power, transmission shifting to neutral, and brake failure.
- The Silverado has 100 recalls vs. 16 for the Maxima, covering tailgate latches, steering, and brake fluid sensors.
- Both have electrical complaints, but the Silverado's include loss of braking and steering assist, which are more severe.
- During a test drive, listen for abnormal engine noises, jerking, or stalling at low speeds—common power train complaints.
- Check for air bag warning lights and test the collision sensor by reversing slowly; unwanted braking or buzzing sounds indicate a known issue.
- Look for engine pinging, rough idle, or loss of power, especially on 6.2L or diesel models; these are frequent complaints.
- Test the brakes at low speed for firmness and stopping ability, and check for any warning messages about brake fluid or steering assist.
Before you buy
- Verify all open recalls are completed by checking the NHTSA website with the VIN.
- Obtain a pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic familiar with the specific model, focusing on engine, transmission, and brakes.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially for oil changes and any transmission or brake repairs.
- Test drive at various speeds, including reversing, to check for stalling, jerking, or unusual noises.
- Scan the vehicle's computer for stored trouble codes, even if no warning lights are on.
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 Maxima | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 | 5 | 1340 |
| 2021 | 3 | 934 |
| 2020 | 21 | 0 |
| 2019 | 18 | 1992 |
| 2018 | 36 | 591 |
| 2017 | 103 | 0 |
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 Maxima or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Nissan Maxima vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Nissan Maxima total complaints
- 486
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 5,105
- Nissan Maxima total recalls
- 16
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- Nissan Maxima avg complaints/year
- 48.6
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 510.5
- More reliable overall
- Nissan Maxima
- Nissan Maxima top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE