Head-to-head reliability

Pontiac Pursuit vs Chevrolet Silverado

How the Pontiac Pursuit and Chevrolet Silverado compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

Pontiac Pursuit2 complaints · 2 recalls Fewer issues per year
Chevrolet Silverado5,105 complaints · 100 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

Pontiac Pursuit averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Pontiac Pursuit has 2 complaints and 2 recalls on record; Chevrolet Silverado has 5,105 complaints and 100 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategoryPontiac PursuitChevrolet Silverado
Total complaintsAll model years combined2 Better5,105
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns2 Better100
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints1 Better117
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years1.0 Better510.5
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints2 Better104
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints0 Better1

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 Pursuit

  1. 01STEERING1
  2. 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
  3. 03TIRES1
In owners' words — STEERING

I AM ACTUALLY FROM OTTAWA, ONTARIO CANADA. I COULD NOT ENTER THAT BELOW. THIS IS A PERSISTENT ISSUE. IT OCCURS APPROX. TWICE A MONTH. MY CAR AT RANDOM INTERVALS OF TIME WILL BEEP FOUR TIMES AND MY READOUT ON THE DASHBOARD WILL GIVE ME A POWERSTEERING MESSAGE.…

Chevrolet Silverado

  1. 01ENGINE1,698
  2. 02POWER TRAIN1,453
  3. 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM982
  4. 04SERVICE BRAKES691
  5. 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER542
In owners' words — ENGINE

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 Pursuit — 2 recalls

Electrical System — Ignition — Switch
#14E021000

The defect: UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year…

The risk: If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.

The fix: UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should cont…

Electrical System — Ignition — Switch
#14E021000

The defect: UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year…

The risk: If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.

The fix: UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should cont…

Chevrolet Silverado — 100 recalls

Latches/Locks/Linkages — Tailgate — Latch
#24V060000Jan 2024

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…

Steering
#23V549000Mar 2023

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…

Latches/Locks/Linkages — Tailgate — Latch
#24V894000

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…

Seat Belts — Front — Anchorage
#23V786000

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 /…

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 Pursuit or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

Pontiac Pursuit vs Chevrolet Silverado — comparison facts
Comparison
Pontiac Pursuit vs Chevrolet Silverado
Pontiac Pursuit total complaints
2
Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
5,105
Pontiac Pursuit total recalls
2
Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
100
Pontiac Pursuit avg complaints/year
1.0
Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
510.5
More reliable overall
Pontiac Pursuit
Pontiac Pursuit top complaint area
STEERING
Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
ENGINE