Head-to-head reliability
Porsche 718 Cayman vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Porsche 718 Cayman 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
Porsche 718 Cayman vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Cayman averages 1.1 complaints per year with 7 recalls, while the Silverado averages 822.7 complaints per year with 101 recalls and 233 crash-related reports. The Silverado also has 160 injuries and 3 deaths, versus 2 injuries and 0 deaths for the Cayman. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Porsche 718 Cayman or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Porsche 718 Cayman
The Porsche 718 Cayman is a low-volume sports car with an average of just 1.1 complaints per year over nine years, suggesting most owners don't report major problems. However, the complaints that do appear involve serious issues like engine faults, power train leaks, and seat belt problems. Recalls cover fuel system, air bags, and side window air bags, so checking recall history is essential. Overall, it's a niche vehicle where reported issues are few but can be costly.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a high-volume full-size truck with an average of 822.7 complaints per year over ten years, indicating many owners experience problems. The most common complaints involve engine, power train, electrical, and brake issues, with some reports of sudden engine shutdown and brake loss. There are also 233 crash-related complaints, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths, which is a serious concern. With 101 recalls, it's clear this truck has had widespread safety and reliability campaigns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Porsche 718 Cayman | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 10 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 7 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.1 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 2 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.
Porsche 718 Cayman
- 01ENGINE5
- 02POWER TRAIN3
- 03SEAT BELTS3
- 04SEATS1
- 05EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
Owners report engine fault errors and loss of responsiveness shortly after delivery, as well as serious burns from an excessively protruding central exhaust pipe. These issues can leave you stranded or injured, so a pre-purchase inspection should focus on exhaust placement and any stored fault codes.
Complaints include a failed CV joint grease boot clamp that leaks grease, and a clutch master cylinder return line that can disconnect from the brake fluid reservoir, causing brake fluid loss. Both can lead to mechanical damage or reduced braking, so check for leaks and loose hoses.
Owners report passenger-side seat belt retractors that become loose and rattle, and one complaint mentions a 3-point belt issue. A faulty retractor may not secure you properly in a crash, so test each belt for smooth retraction and locking.
A complaint about the passenger seat appears linked to the same seat belt retractor issue, suggesting seat hardware may be involved. Inspect seat mounting and belt anchors for looseness or noise.
“I SUSTAINED SERIOUS BURNS TO MY CALF FROM MY THE EXHAUSTS ON MY 2014 BOXSTER S, AND MY 2017 CAYMAN, ON TWO OCCASIONS. BOTH CARS SUFFER FROM THE SAME DANGEROUS DESIGN DEFECT: AN EXCESSIVELY PROTRUDING CENTRAL EXHAUST PIPE. THE FIRST INJURY WAS SUSTAINED ON FEB…”
“I received delivery of my vehicle this morning and put about 20 miles on it when I received an engine fault error and my vehicle check engine light came on while accelerating from a stop to about 15 mph before the issue occurred. I lost responsiveness and my…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners report engine shutdown while driving, requiring a restart, and diesel particulate filter soot accumulation events that need dealer service. These can cause sudden loss of power, so check for stored codes and service history.
Complaints include the vehicle suddenly shifting into neutral and losing power, even at low speeds. This can leave you unable to accelerate, so test drive and scan for transmission fault codes.
Owners report sudden loss of normal braking with a firm pedal but reduced stopping power, and engine shut-off with dashboard messages like 'Return to Neutral'. These electrical glitches can be dangerous, so verify all software updates and battery health.
Complaints describe severe loss of braking and the truck shutting off completely, with screens going blank. This is a critical safety issue, so have a mechanic inspect the brake system and electronic control modules.
“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.
Porsche 718 Cayman — 7 recalls
The defect: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2017-2019 718 Boxster, 718 Boxster S, 718 Cayman and 718 Cayman S vehicles and 2018-2019 718 Boxster GTS and 2018-2019 718 Cayman GTS vehicles. In the event of a crash, a crossmember may detach from the luggage compartment bracket, pos…
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of fire.
The fix: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will secure the crossmember with additional rivets, free of charge. The recall began April 19, 2019. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is…
The defect: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2017 911 Carrera, 911 Carrera S, 911 Carrera 4, 911 Carrera 4S, 911 Targa 4, 911 Targa 4S + GTS, 911 Carrera Cabriolet, 911 Carrera S Cabriolet, 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet, 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet, 718 Boxster, 718 Boxster S, 718 Cayman,…
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will install improved fastening screws, free of charge. The recall began March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AH01.
The defect: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain model year 2017 718 Boxster, 718 Boxster S, 718 Cayman, 718 Cayman S, 911 Carrera, 911 Carrera S, 911 Carrera S Cabriolet, 911 Carrera 4S, 911 Turbo, 911 Turbo S, 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet, and 911 Turbo Cabriolet vehicles. The seat mou…
The risk: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the side air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AG10.
The defect: Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2018 718 Boxster, Boxster S and Boxster GTS, 718 Cayman, Cayman S and Cayman GTS, 911 Carrera, Carrera T, Targa 4 GTS, Carrera 4, Carrera S, Carrera 4S, Carrera GTS, Carrera 4 GTS, Carrera Cabriolet, Carrera S Cabriolet, Carrera 4S Cab…
The risk: In the event of a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the air bag sensors, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 17, 2019. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AKA4.
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
Porsche 718 Cayman or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Porsche 718 Cayman has far fewer issues per year (1.1 vs. 822.7), but its problems can be serious and expensive. The Chevrolet Silverado has a much higher volume of complaints, including crash-related reports and deaths, meaning you're more likely to encounter safety defects. In practice, the Cayman demands careful inspection of specific components, while the Silverado requires vigilance for widespread electrical and brake failures.
Key differences
- The Porsche 718 Cayman averages 1.1 complaints per year, while the Chevrolet Silverado averages 822.7, a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- Silverado complaints include 233 crash-related reports, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths; the Cayman has 0 crash-related, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths.
- Cayman issues often involve mechanical leaks (CV boot, clutch line) and exhaust burns; Silverado issues often involve sudden engine shutdown, brake loss, and transmission neutral drops.
- The Silverado has 101 recalls covering fuel pumps, tires, and forward collision warnings; the Cayman has 7 recalls covering fuel system, air bags, and side window air bags.
- Inspect the central exhaust pipe for excessive protrusion that could cause burns, and check for any engine fault codes or loss of responsiveness during a test drive.
- Check the passenger-side CV joint grease boot for leaks and the clutch master cylinder return line for secure connection to the brake fluid reservoir.
- Test the brakes thoroughly for any sudden loss of braking power, and scan for electrical fault codes related to the brake system or engine shutdown.
- During a test drive, watch for unexpected shifting into neutral or engine shut-off, and check for dashboard messages like 'Return to Neutral' or 'Press Start'.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to confirm all recalls are repaired, especially fuel system and air bag recalls for the Cayman and fuel pump and forward collision recalls for the Silverado.
- For the Cayman, have a Porsche specialist inspect the exhaust, CV boots, clutch line, and seat belt retractors.
- For the Silverado, have a mechanic check the brake system, transmission behavior, and scan for stored engine and electrical codes.
- Ask for complete service records and verify that any software updates for engine or brake control modules have been applied.
- During a test drive, specifically test braking from speed, acceleration from a stop, and listen for seat belt rattles or unusual engine noises.
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 | Porsche 718 Cayman | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 157 |
| 2024 | 0 | 527 |
| 2023 | 1 | 450 |
| 2022 | 1 | 1390 |
| 2021 | 2 | 961 |
| 2020 | 0 | 868 |
| 2019 | 1 | 2003 |
| 2018 | 0 | 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 Porsche 718 Cayman or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Porsche 718 Cayman vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Porsche 718 Cayman total complaints
- 10
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Porsche 718 Cayman total recalls
- 7
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Porsche 718 Cayman avg complaints/year
- 1.1
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Porsche 718 Cayman
- Porsche 718 Cayman top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE