Head-to-head reliability
Subaru Impreza vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Subaru Impreza 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 Impreza vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Impreza averages 61.6 complaints per year, mainly for windshield cracking and poor headlights, while the Silverado averages 134.0 complaints per year, with frequent transmission and engine failures. The Silverado has 100 recalls versus the Impreza's 25. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Subaru Impreza or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Subaru Impreza
The Subaru Impreza is a compact car that, based on NHTSA data, shows a high rate of visibility and lighting complaints—windshields cracking spontaneously and headlights failing to illuminate the road. Owners also report electrical system failures, including dash outages and even a fire from a defective battery. While the average of 61.6 complaints per year is lower than the Silverado, the specific failure patterns suggest potential safety concerns with visibility and electrical reliability.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint rate of 134 per year, dominated by powertrain, brake, and engine issues. Owners report transmission line failures causing fluid loss, sudden loss of power at highway speeds, and engines needing replacement with no warning. The high number of recalls (100) and crash-related complaints (80) indicate systemic reliability and safety problems that could leave owners stranded or in dangerous situations.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Subaru Impreza | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 616 Better | 1,340 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 25 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 26 Better | 80 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 61.6 Better | 134.0 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 17 Better | 33 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 0 Better |
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 Impreza
- 01VISIBILITY/WIPER175
- 02EXTERIOR LIGHTING164
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER99
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM61
- 05ENGINE42
Windshields crack spontaneously from the defroster area in a J-shape, even on newer models, requiring replacement and potentially affecting Eyesight calibration. Owners also report loss of power and stalling when turning, which the dealer often cannot duplicate.
Headlights fail to provide adequate illumination at night, reducing the driver's ability to see the road. Steering looseness and jerking side-to-side are also reported, which could affect control.
The entire dashboard can go dark with warning messages to stop driving, and a defective battery has caused a vehicle fire. These failures can occur with very low mileage, leaving owners stranded.
“JULY 09 2021 REPORTED TO SUBARU EL PASO AT TIME OF FIRST MAINTENANCE (6000 MILES) VEHICLE LOSSES POWER AND STALLS WHEN MAKING TURNS, IT IS MORE NOTICEABLE MAKING A LEFT TURN. TECHNICIAN SAID COUDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND NO FURTER ACTION WAS NEEDED. HOWEV…”
“Front windshield spontaneous cracking from defroster area in a "J" shape. This is the second windshield since new to do this (2021 model). Available for inspection. The first windshield was inspected and replaced by Subaru at their cost minus eyesight recalib…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01POWER TRAIN339
- 02SERVICE BRAKES300
- 03ENGINE257
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM214
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER146
Transmission fluid lines fail without warning, causing rapid fluid loss and potential loss of drive. Sudden loss of power while towing or at highway speeds is also reported, which can be dangerous.
Brake systems can fail unexpectedly, including high-voltage battery faults in EV models that lead to loss of vehicle control. Owners report multiple visits to dealers without resolution.
Engines develop loud knocking noises and require complete replacement as early as 3,000 miles, often without any warning lights. Loss of power at highway speeds with metal rattling sounds is also common.
“Vehicle: 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Incident Description: While driving at highway speed, the transmission fluid line failed and transmission fluid rapidly leaked from the vehicle. There were no warning lights, alerts, or messages before the failure occurr…”
“On XXX I was driving from [XXX] to my sister's house in [XXX]. I was relocating to [XXX] for a job. I was pulling a U-haul trailer (6x12) that contained significantly less weight than the truck can handle. About halfway there, on back roads, the truck suddenl…”
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 Impreza — 25 recalls
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Impreza vehicles. The brake light switch may be improperly adjusted and illuminate the brake lights without application of the brake pedal. The vehicle may also allow drivers to start and shift the transmission out of the PARK position with…
The risk: An unintentional brake light illumination can fail to alert other motorists of actual brake application. A vehicle that shifts out of the park position unexpectedly can allow the vehicle to rollaway. Either of these scenarios can increase…
The fix: Dealers will inspect the gap between the brake light switch and stopper, adjusting the switch as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 23, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at…
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
The risk: Separation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will clean the bolt mounting surfaces of the center support brace and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Suba…
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Impreza and Outback vehicles. The incorrect paint clearcoat may have been applied, which can cause the windshield to be insufficiently bonded to the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehi…
The risk: An insufficiently bonded windshield can detach during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Subaru will offer owners a vehicle exchange or repurchase, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 21, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this rec…
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2021 Impreza vehicles. The left-front lower control arm weld may fail, allowing the control arm to separate from the crossmember.
The risk: A separated control arm may cause the tire to contact the wheel well, resulting in a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the control arm as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 3, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru…
Chevrolet Silverado — 100 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500 and 2017-2019 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with a Duramax diesel 6.6 liter engine and an optional engine-block heater cord. An electrical short-circuit may occur in the engine-block heater cable or…
The risk: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace engine block heaters and heater cords. Vehicles that have this feature disabled as a remedy to the safety condition will be contacted and offered replacement block heaters and heater cords under a separate customer sat…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500, 5500 and 6500 vehicles and 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with Duramax 6.6 liter diesel engines and an optional engine-block heater. The engine block heat…
The risk: A short-circuit may damage the engine components and increase the risk of fire.
The fix: GM will contact owners, dealers will replace the engine block heater, free of charge. Additionally, in Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles, dealers will install a new rerouted heater cord. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2018-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 Crew Cab trucks. The left or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall m…
The risk: A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC Customer Service at 888-988-7267.…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 vehicles equipped with a dual fuel tank option. The rear fuel tank may collapse and prevent the fuel pump from transferring fuel to the front tank, resulting in an engine stall.
The risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and fuel pump module, replacing them as necessary. Dealers will also add a vent hose to the rear tank assembly. Repairs will be performed free of charge. An interim owner notification letter informing own…
Buyer analysis
Subaru Impreza or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Subaru Impreza has fewer complaints per year (61.6 vs 134.0) and fewer recalls (25 vs 100), suggesting a lower overall risk of major failures. However, the Impreza's windshield cracking and electrical fires are serious safety concerns, while the Silverado's transmission and engine failures are more frequent and can leave you stranded. In practice, the Impreza may be less troublesome day-to-day, but both have significant reliability red flags.
Key differences
- The Impreza has 61.6 complaints per year vs the Silverado's 134.0, making the Silverado twice as likely to have a reported issue.
- The Impreza's top problem is windshield cracking and poor headlights; the Silverado's top problem is transmission and engine failures that can leave you stranded.
- The Silverado has 100 recalls vs the Impreza's 25, indicating more widespread safety defects.
- The Impreza has 1 reported death; the Silverado has 0 deaths but 33 injuries and 80 crash-related complaints.
- Inspect the windshield for cracks originating from the defroster area, especially on 2021 models.
- Check the electrical system for any dashboard warning messages or signs of battery corrosion, as a defective battery has caused fires.
- Check the transmission fluid lines for leaks and listen for any knocking noises from the engine, as complete engine replacements have been needed under 3,000 miles.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, including at highway speeds, for any unexpected loss of power or braking ability.
Before you buy
- Request a full service history and check for any open recalls on the specific VIN.
- For the Impreza, have a mechanic inspect the windshield for stress cracks and test the headlight brightness at night.
- For the Silverado, perform a test drive that includes highway speeds and hard braking to check for transmission or brake issues.
- Ask the seller if the Eyesight system (Impreza) or any electrical modules (Silverado) have been replaced or reprogrammed.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic familiar with these models.
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 Impreza | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 70 |
| 2025 | 4 | 118 |
| 2024 | 30 | 0 |
| 2023 | 4 | 0 |
| 2022 | 12 | 0 |
| 2021 | 14 | 0 |
| 2020 | 85 | 0 |
| 2019 | 192 | 0 |
| 2018 | 149 | 0 |
| 2017 | 125 | 1152 |
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 Impreza or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Subaru Impreza vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Subaru Impreza total complaints
- 616
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 1,340
- Subaru Impreza total recalls
- 25
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- Subaru Impreza avg complaints/year
- 61.6
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 134.0
- More reliable overall
- Subaru Impreza
- Subaru Impreza top complaint area
- VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN