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 averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Subaru BRZ has 25 complaints and 4 recalls on record; Chevrolet Silverado has 7,904 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.
| Category | Subaru BRZ | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 25 Better | 7,904 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 229 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.5 Better | 790.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 159 |
| 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
- 03EXTERIOR LIGHTING3
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3
- 05POWER TRAIN2
“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
- 01ENGINE2,352
- 02POWER TRAIN2,254
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,452
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,198
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER838
“My 2025 Chevy Silverado 1500 6.2L V8 experienced an internal engine failure at approximately 16,500 miles, requiring replacement of the entire long block under the factory powertrain warranty. The authorized Chevrolet dealership diagnosed internal cylinder wa…”
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine in my 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 experienced a catastrophic internal failure caused by a failed thrust bearing in the crankshaft assembly. The fai…”
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 — 100 recalls
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…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025 Chevrolet Silverado EV work trucks. The pedestrian alert sound system may not produce sound at a sufficient volume. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 141, "Minimum So…
The risk: A vehicle that fails to make sufficient sound may result in pedestrians being unaware of an approaching vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the software in the body control module (BCM), free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 22, 2025. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N24…
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, 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…
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 | 82 |
| 2025 | 0 | 135 |
| 2024 | 3 | 498 |
| 2023 | 1 | 424 |
| 2022 | 10 | 1302 |
| 2021 | 0 | 914 |
| 2020 | 2 | 831 |
| 2019 | 1 | 1977 |
| 2018 | 1 | 588 |
| 2017 | 7 | 1153 |
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
- 7,904
- Subaru BRZ total recalls
- 4
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- Subaru BRZ avg complaints/year
- 2.5
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 790.4
- More reliable overall
- Subaru BRZ
- Subaru BRZ top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE