Head-to-head reliability
Rolls Royce DAWN vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Rolls Royce DAWN 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
Rolls Royce DAWN vs Chevrolet Silverado: the DAWN has 0 complaints over 6 years and 2 air bag recalls, while the Silverado has 5,105 complaints over 10 years, 100 recalls, 117 crash-related reports, and 104 injuries. The Silverado shows engine, power train, electrical, and brake failures; the DAWN has no owner complaint text. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Rolls Royce DAWN or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Rolls Royce DAWN
The Rolls Royce DAWN is a low-volume luxury convertible that shows zero owner complaints over six years in the NHTSA data. That clean complaint record suggests owners either experience very few problems or rarely file federal complaints, which is common for high-end, low-production cars. Two air bag recalls are the only safety actions on file, so any used purchase should confirm those were fixed. Overall, the data paints a picture of a car with little reported trouble, but also very little public feedback to rely on.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with 5,105 complaints over ten years, averaging about 511 per year. The most common complaint areas are the engine, power train, electrical system, and service brakes, with 117 crash-related reports, 104 injuries, and one death. Recalls cover tailgate latches, steering, seat belt anchors, and brake fluid warning sensors. This is a high-volume truck with a long list of owner-reported failures, so a used buyer should expect to check several systems carefully.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Rolls Royce DAWN | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 5,105 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 117 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 Better | 510.5 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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.
Rolls Royce DAWN
No component data available.
The only recall subjects on record for the DAWN are air bag issues. No owner complaint text is available, so the exact symptom is unknown, but any used DAWN should have both air bag recalls completed before purchase.
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE1,698
- 02POWER TRAIN1,453
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM982
- 04SERVICE BRAKES691
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER542
Owners report engine problems on the Silverado, including a 6.2L motor that lost power during a family trip and a 6.6L Duramax diesel that repeatedly clogged its diesel particulate filter at low mileage. These failures can leave you stranded or require repeated dealer visits.
Complaints describe the truck suddenly shifting into neutral while driving slowly uphill, and the same 6.2L engine issue also appears under power train. A loss of drive in traffic is a serious safety concern.
Owners report severe braking loss with a firm pedal, plus a 70 mph event where the engine pinged, power dropped, and steering and brakes became inoperable. Electrical faults that affect steering and braking are especially dangerous.
The same braking loss and inoperable brake reports appear under service brakes. A brake pedal that stays firm but does not stop the truck is a clear red flag for any used Silverado.
“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.
Rolls Royce DAWN — 2 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2017 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive and M4 vehicles and Rolls-Royce Dawn vehicles. The affected vehicles have seat-mounted side air bag inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash.
The risk: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began April 17, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, Mi…
The risk: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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
Rolls Royce DAWN or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Rolls Royce DAWN has 0 complaints per year versus about 511 per year for the Chevrolet Silverado, so the DAWN has far fewer reported issues per year. In practice, that means a used DAWN buyer sees almost no public complaint pattern, while a used Silverado buyer faces a well-documented mix of engine, power train, electrical, and brake problems. The difference is not about one being perfectly reliable, but about how much owner-reported trouble you are likely to find.
Key differences
- The DAWN has 0 complaints and 2 recalls, both for air bags, while the Silverado has 5,105 complaints and 100 recalls covering tailgate latches, steering, seat belts, and brake fluid warning sensors.
- Silverado owners report engine failures like a 6.2L losing power on a trip and a 6.6L diesel clogging its particulate filter at low mileage; the DAWN has no owner complaint text to review.
- Silverado power train complaints include sudden shifts into neutral while driving uphill, a failure mode not reported for the DAWN.
- Silverado electrical and brake complaints describe severe braking loss and a 70 mph event where steering and brakes became inoperable; the DAWN has no such reports on file.
- Confirm both air bag recalls have been completed by a Rolls Royce dealer and ask for written proof.
- Since there are no owner complaints, inspect the air bag system and warning lights carefully, and consider a pre-purchase inspection by a marque specialist.
- Test drive at highway speed and listen for engine pinging or power loss, especially on 6.2L and 6.6L Duramax models.
- Check for sudden neutral engagement, brake pedal feel, and any electrical warnings; scan for stored codes related to the diesel particulate filter or brake system.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to confirm all recalls are closed for the specific vehicle you are considering.
- For the Silverado, ask for service records on engine, transmission, brake, and electrical repairs, and have a mechanic scan for pending codes.
- For the DAWN, verify air bag recall completion and inspect the air bag system, since that is the only recall area on record.
- Test drive the Silverado at highway speed and in stop-and-go traffic to check for power loss, neutral shifts, and brake performance.
- Get a pre-purchase inspection from a shop familiar with the model, and budget for potential repairs based on the complaint patterns.
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 | Rolls Royce DAWN | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 | 934 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 1992 |
| 2018 | 0 | 591 |
| 2017 | 0 | 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 Rolls Royce DAWN or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Rolls Royce DAWN vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Rolls Royce DAWN total complaints
- 0
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 5,105
- Rolls Royce DAWN total recalls
- 2
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- Rolls Royce DAWN avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 510.5
- More reliable overall
- Rolls Royce DAWN
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE