Head-to-head reliability
Toyota Corolla Matrix vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Toyota Corolla Matrix 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
Toyota Corolla Matrix vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Matrix has 1 complaint and 42 recalls over 10 years, while the Silverado has 8,227 complaints, 101 recalls, and 233 crash-related reports. The Matrix shows far fewer reported problems, but both need recall checks. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Toyota Corolla Matrix or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Toyota Corolla Matrix
The Toyota Corolla Matrix is a compact car that, based on NHTSA data, has very few owner complaints—just 1 over 10 years—and no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths. However, it has 42 recalls, with the most recent ones focused on the passenger-side frontal air bag inflator. The single complaint describes a recall notice where the remedy part was unavailable, meaning owners may face delays in getting the free fix. Overall, the data suggests a low rate of reported problems, but the high number of recalls means you should check that all recall work is completed.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a much higher volume of owner complaints—8,227 over 10 years—and 101 recalls. The complaints include 233 crash-related reports, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths, with the most common issues in the engine, power train, electrical system, and service brakes. Owners describe serious problems like engine shutdowns while driving, sudden loss of braking, and transmission shifting into neutral. This pattern indicates that some Silverado owners have experienced safety-critical failures, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection and recall check are essential.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Toyota Corolla Matrix | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 42 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.1 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.
Toyota Corolla Matrix
- 01AIR BAGS1
The only complaint is about the passenger-side frontal air bag inflator recall, where the owner was told the repair part was not available. This matters because if the recall isn't fixed, the air bag may not deploy correctly in a crash.
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V024000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE A…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners report engine problems such as a 6.2L motor failing shortly after purchase and a 6.6L Duramax diesel experiencing repeated diesel particulate filter soot accumulation events. These can cause breakdowns and costly repairs.
Complaints include a vehicle suddenly going into neutral while driving slowly uphill and transmission issues. This can leave you unable to accelerate or move, creating a dangerous situation.
Owners describe sudden loss of normal braking with a firm pedal but ineffective stopping, and the engine shutting off while driving with messages like 'Return to Neutral' and 'Press Start'. These electrical glitches can disable critical safety functions.
Reports include a severe loss of braking shortly after dropping a child off at school, and the truck completely shutting off in a parking lot with no acceleration. Brake failures are a major safety concern.
“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.
Toyota Corolla Matrix — 42 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Loui…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Loui…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, IS-F, and GX460 vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP (Saipan)…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall b…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia,…
The risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall…
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
Toyota Corolla Matrix or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Toyota Corolla Matrix has far fewer complaints per year (0.1 vs. 822.7) and no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths, while the Chevrolet Silverado has thousands of complaints and hundreds of crash-related reports. In practice, this means the Matrix is likely to have fewer reported day-to-day problems, but both vehicles have recalls that need attention. The Silverado's higher complaint volume suggests a greater chance of encountering serious issues.
Key differences
- The Corolla Matrix has 1 complaint over 10 years, while the Silverado has 8,227 complaints, with the Silverado showing 233 crash-related reports, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths.
- Silverado owners report engine shutdowns, sudden loss of braking, and transmission shifting into neutral, whereas the Matrix's only complaint is about an air bag recall part delay.
- The Matrix has 42 recalls, mostly for the passenger air bag inflator, while the Silverado has 101 recalls covering fuel pumps, tires, and forward collision warnings.
- The Silverado's top complaint areas are engine, power train, electrical, and brakes, indicating a pattern of serious mechanical and safety failures not seen in the Matrix data.
- Check if the passenger-side frontal air bag inflator recall (NHTSA campaign 20V024000) has been completed; if not, the air bag may not work properly in a crash.
- Ask for proof that all 42 recalls have been addressed, especially any open air bag recalls, as parts may have been unavailable.
- Test drive at low speeds and in parking lots to check for sudden transmission shifts into neutral or engine shutdowns, as reported by owners.
- Inspect brake function carefully and ask if any brake-related recalls or repairs have been done, since owners report sudden loss of braking.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to see all open recalls for the specific vehicle and confirm they are fixed.
- For the Silverado, take a long test drive including highway and parking lot maneuvers to check for engine stalling, transmission issues, and brake performance.
- For the Matrix, verify the air bag recall remedy was performed and ask for documentation.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on the Silverado's engine, transmission, electrical system, and brakes.
- Ask the seller for all maintenance records and recall repair receipts to see if known issues have been addressed.
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 Toyota Corolla Matrix or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Toyota Corolla Matrix vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Toyota Corolla Matrix total complaints
- 1
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Toyota Corolla Matrix total recalls
- 42
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Toyota Corolla Matrix avg complaints/year
- 0.1
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Corolla Matrix
- Toyota Corolla Matrix top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE