Head-to-head reliability
Subaru BRZ vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Subaru BRZ 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
Subaru BRZ vs Chevrolet Silverado: The BRZ averages 2.5 complaints per year with 4 recalls, while the Silverado averages 822.7 complaints per year with 101 recalls. The Silverado also has 233 crash-related reports, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths, compared to 1 crash-related report and no injuries or deaths for the BRZ. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Subaru BRZ or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Subaru BRZ
The Subaru BRZ is a low-volume sports coupe, averaging just 2.5 complaints per year over a decade. Most owner reports center on the engine, including a known issue where excess sealant can clog the oil pickup, plus occasional fuel and lighting problems. With only 4 recalls and no reported injuries or deaths in the data, it appears to be a relatively low-incident vehicle, but the engine complaints are worth understanding before buying.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume—about 823 per year—and 101 recalls over the same period. Owner reports frequently describe engine and transmission problems, electrical glitches that can affect braking, and sudden shutdowns. The data also shows 233 crash-related complaints, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths, indicating that some reported failures may have serious consequences.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Subaru BRZ | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 25 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.5 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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.
Subaru BRZ
- 01ENGINE11
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING3
- 05POWER TRAIN2
Owners report sudden warning lights and loss of power, sometimes within months of new ownership. Another recurring complaint involves excess sealant from the oil pan or timing cover breaking loose and clogging the oil pickup tube, which can starve the engine of oil.
Some drivers describe stalling on the freeway, a check engine light, and white, sweet-smelling smoke from the engine bay. One report links this to a valve spring problem, which could lead to costly repairs if not addressed.
Multiple owners report that rear turn signals fail to activate when the sun is behind the car, causing rapid flashing and no signal. This is a safety concern because other drivers may not see your turn intention.
Complaints include Bluetooth audio cutting out and at least one crash where the vehicle was struck while crossing an intersection. While not a mechanical failure, these issues affect daily usability and highlight the importance of a thorough inspection.
“This is a new car. There’s was only 31 miles when I purchased. One day, there’s some sound when I driving the vehicle. Once I parked, all the warning lamps was on, then my car wasn’t able to move. When the incident happened, it was only 4 months of using it a…”
“These particular vehicles (and their Toyota counterpart, the GR86) have been experiencing issues with excess RTV sealant used on the oil pan and timing cover getting into the oil. Once this RTV sealant is in the oil, it clogs the oil pickup tube filter. As th…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners of newer Silverados report engine shutdowns while driving, sometimes with a 'Return to Neutral' message, and diesel models experiencing repeated excessive soot accumulation in the particulate filter. These can leave you stranded or require dealer service.
Complaints describe the vehicle suddenly shifting into neutral or losing power with very low mileage, including while driving slowly in a parking garage. This loss of drive can be dangerous in traffic.
Reports include a sudden loss of normal braking where the pedal stays firm but the truck does not stop effectively, as well as the engine shutting off while driving. Electrical faults affecting brakes or engine operation are serious safety concerns.
Owners describe brake performance issues that coincide with electrical problems, such as the truck shutting off and screens going blank while braking. Any brake-related complaint warrants immediate attention.
“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.
Subaru BRZ — 4 recalls
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Legacy, Outback, and BRZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, a software issue may cause the audio display system to not initialize, resulting in the camera display remaining blank. If this occurs, the rearview image will not display while b…
The risk: Failure to display the rearview image while backing up increases the risk of crash.
The fix: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the audio system display software, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall i…
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 BRZ and Toyota GR86 vehicles. The rear turn signals may intermittently become inoperative.
The risk: Inoperative rear turn signals may not notify other drivers of a turning vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace both rear combination lamp assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Subaru owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Toyota owners may contact Toyota cus…
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
Subaru BRZ or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Subaru BRZ has far fewer complaints per year (2.5 vs. 822.7) and fewer recalls (4 vs. 101). In practice, this means a BRZ owner is much less likely to experience a reported failure, while a Silverado owner faces a higher chance of encountering engine, transmission, or electrical problems that could require repairs or create safety risks.
Key differences
- The BRZ averages 2.5 complaints per year; the Silverado averages 822.7, a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- Silverado complaints include 233 crash-related reports, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths; the BRZ has 1 crash-related report and no injuries or deaths.
- BRZ engine issues often involve oil sealant clogging the pickup tube; Silverado engine issues include sudden shutdowns and diesel soot buildup.
- Silverado electrical and brake complaints describe loss of braking and engine shut-off while driving, which are not present in the BRZ sample.
- Check for any history of engine warning lights, unusual noises, or oil pressure issues, as sealant clogging the oil pickup is a known complaint.
- Test the rear turn signals in bright sunlight from behind the car to see if they fail to activate, a reported lighting defect.
- Ask about any episodes of the engine shutting off while driving or messages like 'Return to Neutral' or 'Press Start' appearing on the dash.
- Test the brakes carefully and inquire about any sudden loss of braking or electrical glitches that affected braking performance.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and look for repeated engine, transmission, or electrical repairs.
- For the BRZ, have a mechanic inspect the oil pickup tube and check for sealant debris if the engine has been serviced.
- For the Silverado, test drive at low speeds and in parking lots to check for sudden neutral engagement or stalling.
- Verify that all recalls have been performed, especially fuel pump and lighting recalls for the BRZ and fuel pump or brake-related recalls for the Silverado.
- Ask the seller directly about any warning lights, unusual smells, or intermittent electrical issues during your test drive.
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 | Subaru BRZ | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 120 |
| 2025 | 0 | 157 |
| 2024 | 3 | 527 |
| 2023 | 1 | 450 |
| 2022 | 10 | 1390 |
| 2021 | 0 | 961 |
| 2020 | 2 | 868 |
| 2019 | 1 | 2003 |
| 2018 | 1 | 597 |
| 2017 | 7 | 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 Subaru BRZ or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Subaru BRZ vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Subaru BRZ total complaints
- 25
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Subaru BRZ total recalls
- 4
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Subaru BRZ avg complaints/year
- 2.5
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Subaru BRZ
- Subaru BRZ top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE