Head-to-head reliability
Subaru Legacy vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Subaru Legacy 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 Legacy vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Legacy averages 57.3 complaints per year, mostly for windows and electrical issues, while the Silverado averages 134.0 complaints per year, with serious powertrain and brake failures. The Silverado also has 100 recalls versus the Legacy's 21. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Subaru Legacy or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Subaru Legacy
The Subaru Legacy is a midsize sedan that, based on NHTSA data, shows a high rate of visibility/wiper and electrical system complaints. Owners report windows rolling down on their own and windshields cracking spontaneously, which can disable the Eyesight safety system. Electrical issues like battery failures and heater malfunctions are also common, suggesting the car may have persistent gremlins that leave owners stranded or without critical features.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume, averaging 134 per year. The top issues are powertrain failures (transmission fluid line ruptures, sudden loss of power), service brake problems (including unexpected braking or loss of braking), and engine knocking requiring replacement. These are serious, potentially dangerous failures that can occur with little warning, even on low-mileage trucks.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Subaru Legacy | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 573 Better | 1,340 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 21 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 25 Better | 80 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 57.3 Better | 134.0 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 10 Better | 33 |
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 Legacy
- 01VISIBILITY/WIPER189
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM133
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER120
- 04ENGINE32
- 05FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE27
Owners report windows lowering on their own when the vehicle is off, and windshields developing stress cracks without impact. These cracks can interfere with the Eyesight driver-assist system, potentially disabling safety features.
Battery failures are common, leaving owners stranded even on nearly new cars. The heater and Eyesight system may also fail in cold weather, with multiple warning lights illuminating.
Some engines develop loud knocking/tapping noises without warning lights, making the vehicle unsafe to drive. A thermo control valve issue can lead to costly repairs, especially on rebuilt-title vehicles.
“When the vehicle is off the windows will come down on their own! This has occurred on 4 difference instances. One dealership indicated the "fix" the situation; however, they never replaced the parts which were required for the fix. A second dealership would n…”
“The component that failed is the windshield. The windshield has a 14 inch stress crack. The crack suddenly appeared, there was no impact. The crack interferes with the Subaru Eyesight Driver Assistance. The Subaru Eyesight Driver Assistance could malfunction…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01POWER TRAIN339
- 02SERVICE BRAKES300
- 03ENGINE257
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM214
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER146
Transmission fluid lines can rupture without warning, causing rapid fluid loss and potential loss of drive. Some trucks suddenly lose power while towing or at highway speeds, with no prior alerts.
Brake failures include unexpected braking or complete loss of braking ability, sometimes accompanied by warning lights. These issues can occur repeatedly even after dealer visits.
Engines may develop loud knocking and require complete replacement as early as 3,000 miles. Some trucks lose power at highway speeds with metallic rattling sounds, posing a crash risk.
“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 Legacy — 21 recalls
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. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
The risk: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
The risk: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.
The risk: An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner not…
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 Legacy or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Subaru Legacy has fewer complaints per year (57.3 vs 134.0) and fewer recalls (21 vs 100), indicating a lower overall failure rate. However, its issues are more likely to be electrical gremlins and glass problems, while the Silverado's failures are more severe, involving drivetrain and brake safety.
Key differences
- Subaru Legacy has 57.3 complaints/year vs Silverado's 134.0, a 2.3x higher rate for the truck.
- Silverado's top issues (transmission, brakes, engine) are more likely to cause loss of control or stranding than Legacy's window/electrical problems.
- Silverado has 100 recalls vs Legacy's 21, suggesting more widespread manufacturing defects.
- Legacy's windshield cracks can disable Eyesight, while Silverado's brake failures can lead to crashes.
- Check for spontaneous window operation and windshield cracks, especially around the edges.
- Test the battery and charging system; ask if the battery has been replaced under warranty.
- Inspect transmission fluid lines for leaks and check for any signs of fluid loss.
- Test brakes thoroughly at various speeds; listen for unusual noises or pedal feel issues.
Before you buy
- Review the vehicle's recall history and confirm all recalls have been performed.
- For the Legacy, test all windows and the Eyesight system; look for cracks in the windshield.
- For the Silverado, check transmission fluid level and condition; test drive at highway speeds.
- Ask for service records, especially for battery replacements (Legacy) or engine/transmission work (Silverado).
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a 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 Legacy | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 70 |
| 2025 | 6 | 118 |
| 2024 | 16 | 0 |
| 2023 | 10 | 0 |
| 2022 | 32 | 0 |
| 2021 | 31 | 0 |
| 2020 | 121 | 0 |
| 2019 | 123 | 0 |
| 2018 | 116 | 0 |
| 2017 | 118 | 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 Legacy or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Subaru Legacy vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Subaru Legacy total complaints
- 573
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 1,340
- Subaru Legacy total recalls
- 21
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- Subaru Legacy avg complaints/year
- 57.3
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 134.0
- More reliable overall
- Subaru Legacy
- Subaru Legacy top complaint area
- VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN