Head-to-head reliability
Saturn Astra vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Saturn Astra 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
Saturn Astra vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Astra has 82 complaints per year, with airbag issues dominating, while the Silverado has 510 per year, with engine and brake failures. The Astra has 2 recalls, the Silverado 100. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Saturn Astra or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Saturn Astra
The Saturn Astra is a compact car that, based on owner complaints, has serious reliability issues. The most frequent problems involve the airbag system, with many complaints about the Takata recall and long waits for parts. Electrical and powertrain issues are also common, including stalling, starting problems, and accelerator pedal failures. These issues suggest that the Astra may be costly and inconvenient to own, with potential safety concerns.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup truck with a high volume of complaints, but it's also a much more popular vehicle with a longer production run. The top issues are engine problems, including fuel system and diesel particulate filter issues, and powertrain problems like sudden loss of power. Electrical and brake complaints are also significant, with reports of sudden braking loss and other failures. While the number of complaints is high, the Silverado's widespread use means many owners have trouble-free experiences, but the severity of some reported issues is concerning.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Saturn Astra | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 164 Better | 5,105 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 5 Better | 117 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 82.0 Better | 510.5 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 7 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.
Saturn Astra
- 01AIR BAGS97
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM22
- 03POWER TRAIN18
- 04ENGINE8
- 05STEERING6
Owners report being notified of the Takata recall for the driver's side frontal airbag inflator, but parts were unavailable for over a year, leaving them driving with a potentially dangerous defect. This is a critical safety issue that requires immediate attention.
The car stalls while driving and has starting problems, often leading to multiple repair attempts. One owner reported repeated P2138 code and accelerator pedal failures, requiring five replacements, which indicates a persistent electronic throttle control issue.
There are reports of the vehicle suddenly losing power, with warning lights illuminating and the steering wheel seizing, and also the car rolling when in park. These issues point to transmission and drivetrain problems that can be dangerous.
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN ASTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS) FOR THE FRONTAL DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG INFLATOR; HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED TH…”
“TAKATA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 16V063. WE GOT NOTIFIED OF THE SATURN ASTRA RECALL IN FEBRUARY OF 2016, WE GOT THE LETTER STATING THE FIX HAS ARRIVED IN APRIL OF 2017. THAT'S 14 MONTHS OF NO WORD AND DRIVING AN UN-SAFE VEHICLE, THAT THE RECALL NOTICE ITSELF…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE1,698
- 02POWER TRAIN1,453
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM982
- 04SERVICE BRAKES691
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER542
Owners report severe engine issues, including a 6.2L motor failing with only 8,200 miles on it, and diesel particulate filter clogging on the Duramax diesel at low mileage. These can lead to breakdowns and expensive repairs.
The transmission can suddenly shift into neutral while driving, and there are reports of loss of motive power, which can be hazardous, especially in traffic or on highways.
There are reports of sudden, severe loss of braking effectiveness, with the brake pedal firm but the vehicle not stopping normally. This is a critical safety concern that could lead to crashes.
“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.
Saturn Astra — 2 recalls
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Saab 9-3 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2002, to February 15, 2011, 2006-2009 Saab 9-5 vehicles manufactured June 7, 2005, to May 28, 2009, and 2008-2009 Saturn Astra vehicles manufactured April 11, 2007, to July 24, 2008. Upon deploy…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator on Saab 9-3 and 9-5 vehicles and will replace the driver's frontal airbag module on Saturn Astra vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on March 1, 2…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Saab 9-3 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2002, to February 15, 2011, 2006-2009 Saab 9-5 vehicles manufactured June 7, 2005, to May 28, 2009, and 2008-2009 Saturn Astra vehicles manufactured April 11, 2007, to July 24, 2008. Upon deploy…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator on Saab 9-3 and 9-5 vehicles and will replace the driver's frontal airbag module on Saturn Astra vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on March 1, 2…
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
Saturn Astra or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Saturn Astra has far fewer complaints per year (82) compared to the Silverado (510.5), but the Astra's complaints are concentrated in safety-critical areas like airbags and electrical issues. The Silverado has a higher volume but also a larger owner base; however, the severity of engine and brake failures is alarming. In practice, the Astra may have fewer issues overall, but the Silverado's problems are more varied and can be catastrophic.
Key differences
- The Astra's top issue is airbag recalls (97 complaints), while the Silverado's top issue is engine problems (1698 complaints).
- The Astra has reports of stalling and accelerator pedal failures, while the Silverado has reports of sudden transmission neutral and brake loss.
- The Astra has 2 recalls, while the Silverado has 100 recalls, indicating a much higher recall frequency.
- The Astra has 5 crash-related complaints, while the Silverado has 117, but the Silverado also has 1 death reported.
- Check for open Takata airbag recall and ensure it has been completed with new parts.
- Inspect the accelerator pedal and throttle body for codes like P2138, and ask about any previous replacements.
- Ask about the engine type and check for any service bulletins on the 6.2L or Duramax diesel, especially regarding fuel system or DPF issues.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, including sudden stops, and check for any warning lights related to brake fluid or ABS.
Before you buy
- Run a VIN check for open recalls on both vehicles.
- Have a mechanic inspect the Astra's electrical system and throttle, and the Silverado's engine and transmission.
- Test drive both at highway speeds and in stop-and-go traffic to feel for stalling or transmission issues.
- Check the Silverado's brake system for any signs of failure, and the Astra's airbag system for any warning lights.
- Review maintenance records, especially for the Astra's electrical issues and the Silverado's engine oil changes and fuel system.
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 Saturn Astra or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Saturn Astra vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Saturn Astra total complaints
- 164
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 5,105
- Saturn Astra total recalls
- 2
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- Saturn Astra avg complaints/year
- 82.0
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 510.5
- More reliable overall
- Saturn Astra
- Saturn Astra top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE