Head-to-head reliability
Pontiac Aztek vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Pontiac Aztek 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
Pontiac Aztek vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Aztek averaged 100.5 complaints per year over 6 years, while the Silverado averaged 510.5 per year over 10 years. Both have brake and electrical issues, but the Silverado also shows engine and transmission failures at low mileage. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Pontiac Aztek or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Pontiac Aztek
The Pontiac Aztek is a compact SUV that averaged about 100.5 complaints per year over six years, with 18 recalls. Owners frequently report electrical gremlins like dash lights and radios quitting, fuel odors and leaks, engine issues such as blown head gaskets, and brake problems including pedal going to the floor. These patterns suggest a vehicle that can be costly to keep roadworthy, especially as it ages.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup that averaged about 510.5 complaints per year over ten years, with 100 recalls. The most common complaint areas are engine, power train, electrical system, and service brakes, with reports of sudden loss of braking, transmission shifting into neutral, and engine failures at low mileage. This volume of complaints indicates that many owners experience significant reliability problems, even on newer trucks.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Pontiac Aztek | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 603 Better | 5,105 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 18 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 29 Better | 117 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 100.5 Better | 510.5 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 34 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.
Pontiac Aztek
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM113
- 02FUEL SYSTEM102
- 03ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING84
- 04SERVICE BRAKES83
- 05GASOLINE83
Owners report dash lights and radios quitting, and in one case a new Aztek completely shut down while driving, unable to restart or remove the key. These failures can leave you stranded and are often traced to ignition or wiring faults.
Complaints include strong fuel odors inside and outside the vehicle, fuel spilling during refueling due to a fractured fuel line weld, and difficulty finding the leak. This poses a fire risk and may fail emissions tests.
A blown head gasket on a 3.4L V-6 at just over 36,000 miles was reported, with repair quotes around $1,100. Such early engine failure can mean expensive repairs and potential overheating if not addressed.
Owners describe the brake pedal traveling to the floorboard and ABS failing to respond during abrupt stops, leading to crashes. Brake fluid leaks and ABS malfunctions are serious safety concerns that require immediate attention.
“I WAS LEAVING SCHOOL AND I STARTED TO SMELL GAS, SO I STOPPED AND CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY LEAKING AND THERE WASN'T. A WEEK HAD WENT BY AND I DIDN'T SMELL THE GAS ANYMORE BUT MY RADIO AND DASH LIGHTS HAD QUIT WORKING. SO I HAD THE FUSES CHANGED AND THE…”
“I PURCHASED A NEW 2005 PONTIAC AZTEK ON JULY 1, 2005. SEVEN DAYS LATER, WITH 611 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, IT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS ON THE ROAD. I WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, TURN ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS, OR EVEN REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. WH…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE1,698
- 02POWER TRAIN1,453
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM982
- 04SERVICE BRAKES691
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER542
Reports include engine failure on a 2026 Silverado with the 6.2L motor at around 8,200 miles, and diesel particulate filter soot accumulation events on a 6.6L Duramax at low mileage. These issues can cause loss of power and require dealer repairs.
A 2026 Silverado with less than 300 miles suddenly went into neutral while driving uphill in a parking garage, and another lost motive power at 70 MPH. Transmission and drivetrain failures like these can leave you unable to accelerate or move the truck.
Owners report sudden loss of normal braking with a firm pedal but ineffective stopping, and at 70 MPH a loud pinging sound followed by loss of motive power, brakes, and steering. These electrical faults can disable critical safety systems.
Complaints include severe loss of braking shortly after dropping a child at school, where the vehicle would not stop normally at a stop sign. Brake failures like this increase crash risk and demand immediate inspection.
“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.
Pontiac Aztek — 18 recalls
The defect: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
The risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
The defect: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, CONTAMINATION ON IGNITION RELAY CONTACTS CAN CAUSE HIGH RESISTANCE. THIS CAN AFFECT SIGNALS TO THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND, COULD CAUSE INTERMITTENT VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY TIME.
The risk: THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, IT COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION RELAY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 4, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 AND BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080.
The defect: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
The risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
The defect: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
The risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
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
Pontiac Aztek or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Pontiac Aztek has far fewer complaints per year (about 100.5) than the Chevrolet Silverado (about 510.5), but both show serious safety-related patterns. In practice, the Silverado's higher volume means you are more likely to encounter a problem, while the Aztek's issues tend to be older-vehicle electrical and fuel faults.
Key differences
- The Aztek averages about 100.5 complaints per year, while the Silverado averages about 510.5 per year, a five-fold difference in reported problem frequency.
- Aztek owners commonly report fuel odors and leaks, whereas Silverado owners report engine and transmission failures at very low mileage.
- The Silverado has 100 recalls versus 18 for the Aztek, indicating more widespread safety-related fixes over its production run.
- Brake problems appear in both, but Silverado complaints include sudden loss of braking at speed, while Aztek complaints often involve pedal to the floor and ABS failure.
- Check for fuel odors or stains under the vehicle, especially near the fuel tank and lines, as owners report leaks and fractured welds.
- Test all electrical functions, including dash lights, radio, and ignition, and look for signs of previous fuse replacements or wiring repairs.
- Listen for abnormal engine noises such as pinging, and check for any loss of power or transmission slipping during a test drive.
- Test the brakes thoroughly at low and moderate speeds, and ask if any brake-related recalls or repairs have been performed.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all safety recalls have been completed.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the fuel system, brake system, and electrical components for both models.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any hesitation, unusual noises, or warning lights on the dashboard.
- For the Silverado, specifically check for transmission shifting issues and engine misfires or power loss.
- For the Aztek, verify that the ABS and brakes function properly and that there are no fuel smells inside or outside the cabin.
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 Pontiac Aztek or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Pontiac Aztek vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Pontiac Aztek total complaints
- 603
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 5,105
- Pontiac Aztek total recalls
- 18
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- Pontiac Aztek avg complaints/year
- 100.5
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 510.5
- More reliable overall
- Pontiac Aztek
- Pontiac Aztek top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE