Head-to-head reliability
Suzuki Esteem vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Suzuki Esteem 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
Suzuki Esteem averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Suzuki Esteem has 67 complaints and 1 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 | Suzuki Esteem | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 67 Better | 7,904 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 1 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 5 Better | 229 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 22.3 Better | 790.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 2 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.
Suzuki Esteem
- 01STRUCTURE22
- 02SUSPENSION13
- 03ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING10
- 04POWER TRAIN4
- 05SERVICE BRAKES4
“I WAS DRIVING MY 2000 SUZUKI ESTEEM HOME FROM UPTOWN WITH MY SISTER AND 8-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR WHEN A NOISE WHICH WAS FAINT OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS GREW QUICKLY LOUDER AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR JERKED TO THE RIGHT, PRACTICALLY OUT OF MY HANDS.…”
“I WAS A LICENSED MECHANIC FOR MANY YEARS WITH A LOT OF EXPERTISE. I BOUGHT MY DAUGHTER A 2000 SUZUKI ESTEEM TWO YEARS AGO. WE LIVE IN MICHIGAN AND I BOUGHT THIS PARTICULAR CAR BECAUSE IT WAS FROM VIRGINIA AND WAS IMMACULATE NOT LIKE THE CARS FROM THE RUST BEL…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,352
- 02POWER TRAIN2,254
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,452
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,198
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER838
“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…”
“At approximately 3,000 miles, the engine began making a loud knocking noise that became progressively worse while driving. The truck was diagnosed as needing a complete engine replacement. No warning lights, no check engine light, nothing. For someone inexper…”
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.
Suzuki Esteem — 1 recall
The defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER (111 MY 2002 ESTEEM, 777 MY 2002 AERIO, 2,368 MY 2003 AERIO) AND SPORT UTILITY (324 MY 2002 GRAND VITARA, 274 MY 2003 GRAND VITARA, 684 MY 2002 GRAND VITARA XL-7, AND 781 MY 2003 GRAND VITARA XL-7) VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STAND…
The risk: IF THE WINDSHIELD IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED, IT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE DURING A CRASH WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE EJECTION OF UNBELTED OCCUPANTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES. VEHICLES THAT ARE FOUND TO HAVE INSUFFICIENT PAINT ADHESION WILL EITHER HAVE THE PROBLEM REMEDIED BY REPAINTING, OR WILL BE REPLACED, OR REPURCHASED AND DESTROYED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 8, 20…
Chevrolet Silverado — 100 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…
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 Suzuki Esteem or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Suzuki Esteem vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Suzuki Esteem total complaints
- 67
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 7,904
- Suzuki Esteem total recalls
- 1
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- Suzuki Esteem avg complaints/year
- 22.3
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 790.4
- More reliable overall
- Suzuki Esteem
- Suzuki Esteem top complaint area
- STRUCTURE
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE