Head-to-head reliability
Nissan Sentra vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Nissan Sentra 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 Sentra vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Sentra averages 116 complaints per year with 25 recalls, while the Silverado averages 823 complaints per year with 101 recalls. Silverado owners report engine shutdowns and brake loss; Sentra owners report electrical glitches and acceleration delays. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Nissan Sentra or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Nissan Sentra
The Nissan Sentra is a compact car that averages about 116 owner complaints per year over the past decade, with 25 recalls. The most common trouble spots are electrical glitches, vague 'unknown' issues, and powertrain delays, plus a notable number of forward-collision-avoidance complaints. Owners describe problems like static-filled CarPlay calls, delayed acceleration, and fluid leaks, which can be frustrating but are generally less severe than major engine or brake failures.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup that generates roughly 823 complaints per year—about seven times the Sentra's rate—along with 101 recalls. The dominant complaints involve engine and powertrain failures, often on very low-mileage trucks, plus electrical and brake problems that can cause sudden shutdowns or loss of braking. These are serious, safety-critical issues that owners report even on brand-new vehicles, making the Silverado a higher-risk used purchase.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Nissan Sentra | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,162 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 25 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 99 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 116.2 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 79 Better | 160 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 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 Sentra
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM259
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER226
- 03POWER TRAIN210
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE183
- 05STEERING165
Owners report static and cutouts when using Apple CarPlay, making phone calls unintelligible, and some describe early engine/electrical malfunctions at low mileage. These glitches can distract the driver and may require repeated dealer visits to diagnose.
Complaints include a delay in acceleration after idling, which owners say creates a safety risk when merging or pulling out. This hesitation can make the car feel unresponsive at the worst possible moment.
Owners report intermittent dashboard and infotainment malfunctions, with diagnostic trouble codes that dealers sometimes fail to fix, leading to repeated replacements. This undermines confidence in the very system meant to prevent crashes.
Some owners find dark oily fluid spots under the car shortly after purchase, and others report door locks that fail, trapping occupants inside. These issues point to build-quality lapses that can be both messy and inconvenient.
“I am submitting a vehicle defect complaint pursuant to 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 regarding a potential safety related defect involving engine, electrical, and powertrain systems. The vehicle experienced early engine and electrical malfunction at relatively low mi…”
“When my iPhone is connected to Apple CarPlay in my vehicle, a loud static sound occurs during phone calls, and music playing. This static causes the audio to cut in and out, making conversations unintelligible. Because of this, I am unable to safely use the h…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners of 2026 Silverados with the 6.2L or 6.6L Duramax report engine shutdowns while driving and repeated diesel particulate filter soot accumulation events at low mileage. An engine that quits on the road is a severe safety hazard, especially at highway speeds.
Complaints describe the truck suddenly shifting into neutral and losing power, sometimes with less than 300 miles on the odometer. This can leave a driver stranded or unable to accelerate out of harm's way.
Owners report a sudden loss of normal braking—the pedal stays firm but the truck won't stop—and instances where the engine shuts off with a 'Return to Neutral' message. These electrical faults directly affect control of the vehicle.
Complaints include the truck completely shutting off in a parking lot, with all screens going blank and no ability to accelerate, requiring a restart. Brake and power loss at low speeds can still cause property damage or injury.
“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 Sentra — 25 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Titan, Frontier, Infiniti QX60, Pathfinder, 2023-2024 Sentra, Versa, Kicks, Infiniti QX50, and 2023 Rogue vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the driver's air bag inflator may absorb moisture, and cause the air bag to deploy improper…
The risk: An air bag that deploys improperly may not protect the driver as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the front driver's air bag assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PD103, PD10…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Sentra vehicles. The driver's seat frame may not be fully secured to the outer side of the seat track. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 207, "Seating Systems,"…
The risk: An unsecured driver's seat may not adequately restrain the driver during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's side lower seat frame assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Sentra vehicles. The windshield glass may have visible air bubbles, which can obscure the driver's visibility. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 205, "Glazing Mat…
The risk: Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PMA58…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Altima, Sentra, 2025-2026 Frontier, and 2026 Kicks vehicles. The door strikers may have been improperly welded and break, allowing the door to open while moving. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Mot…
The risk: A door that opens unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion increases the risk of injury or a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the door strikers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PD185 and PMA61. Vehicle Iden…
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 Sentra or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Nissan Sentra has far fewer complaints per year (about 116 vs. 823) and fewer recalls (25 vs. 101), so it is the lower-risk choice on paper. In practice, the Silverado's reported issues—engine shutdowns, brake loss, and sudden neutral—are more severe and can happen at very low mileage, while the Sentra's problems tend to be annoying rather than catastrophic.
Key differences
- The Silverado has about seven times as many complaints per year as the Sentra, with engine and powertrain issues dominating.
- Silverado owners report sudden engine shutdowns, loss of braking, and unintended neutral shifts—problems that can cause crashes; Sentra complaints are more often about static audio, delayed acceleration, and fluid leaks.
- The Sentra's top complaint category is electrical (259), but the Silverado's top category is engine (2,521), a much more costly and safety-critical area.
- Both have recalls, but the Silverado has 101 versus 25 for the Sentra, including fuel pump and forward-collision warning recalls.
- Check for delayed acceleration or hesitation when pressing the gas after idling—test drive from a cold start and after sitting in traffic.
- Inspect for dark oily fluid spots under the car and test every door lock, especially the passenger door, to ensure it opens from inside and out.
- Look for any history of engine shutdowns or 'Return to Neutral' messages—ask for a diagnostic scan and test drive at highway and parking-lot speeds.
- Test the brakes firmly at low speed and check for any warning lights related to the braking system or diesel particulate filter (on Duramax models).
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and ask for all dealer service records, focusing on electrical, powertrain, and brake repairs.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, including a scan for stored trouble codes on the Sentra's forward-collision system and the Silverado's engine and brake modules.
- Test drive the Sentra in stop-and-go traffic to feel for acceleration delays, and test the Silverado at highway speeds and in parking lots to check for sudden shutdowns or brake loss.
- Verify that all open recalls have been completed, especially the Sentra's airbag inflator and the Silverado's fuel pump and forward-collision warning recalls.
- For the Silverado, specifically ask about diesel particulate filter history if it's a Duramax, and for the Sentra, check for CarPlay static and door lock function.
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 Sentra | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 16 | 120 |
| 2025 | 30 | 157 |
| 2024 | 41 | 527 |
| 2023 | 20 | 450 |
| 2022 | 81 | 1390 |
| 2021 | 132 | 961 |
| 2020 | 205 | 868 |
| 2019 | 222 | 2003 |
| 2018 | 185 | 597 |
| 2017 | 230 | 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 Sentra or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Nissan Sentra vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Nissan Sentra total complaints
- 1,162
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Nissan Sentra total recalls
- 25
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Nissan Sentra avg complaints/year
- 116.2
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Nissan Sentra
- Nissan Sentra top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE