Head-to-head reliability
Toyota Crown vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Toyota Crown 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 Crown vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Crown averaged 13.3 complaints per year over 4 years, while the Silverado averaged 510.5 per year over 10 years. The Silverado also had 100 recalls and 104 injuries reported, compared to 11 recalls and 3 injuries for the Crown. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Toyota Crown or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Toyota Crown
The Toyota Crown is a hybrid sedan that has averaged about 13 complaints per year over four years, with 11 recalls. Owners frequently report intermittent power loss or hesitation when accelerating from a stop, as well as electrical glitches like phone chargers not working. These issues can be dangerous in traffic, but the overall complaint volume is relatively low.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup that has generated over 5,100 complaints in ten years, averaging about 510 per year, with 100 recalls. Common owner reports include engine problems such as excessive diesel soot accumulation, transmission failures, and sudden brake loss. The high number of complaints and recalls suggests a higher likelihood of encountering issues.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Toyota Crown | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 53 Better | 5,105 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 11 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 5 Better | 117 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 13.3 Better | 510.5 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 Better | 104 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
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 Crown
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER13
- 02ENGINE13
- 03POWER TRAIN11
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM10
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM7
Owners report intermittent power loss or hesitation when accelerating from a stop or merging, sometimes with no error codes. This can be dangerous in traffic and may be related to a known service bulletin.
Complaints describe the vehicle jerking or hesitating after a stop, then accelerating several seconds later. Some owners have nearly been T-boned due to delayed acceleration.
Owners report issues such as phone chargers not working and unresolved electrical problems. These can be frustrating and may require repeated dealer visits.
Some owners report sudden unintended acceleration, such as a car accelerating and crashing through a garage door despite braking. This is a serious safety concern.
“While driving less than 10 mph, (slightly down hill) approaching the house garage, the car suddenly accelerated and the brake was applied to stop but the car continued and smashed through the garage door, proceeded through garage, smashed through the back of…”
“Our 2024 Toyota Crown Platinum has been experiencing random loss of power or torque when merging into traffic from a complete stop. The vehicle will be working fine; then, while attempting to accelerate from a complete stop, there is no torque or ability to a…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE1,698
- 02POWER TRAIN1,453
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM982
- 04SERVICE BRAKES691
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER542
Owners report severe engine issues, including diesel particulate filter soot accumulation requiring dealer service, and loss of motive power with loud pinging sounds. These can lead to costly repairs and unsafe driving conditions.
Complaints include the vehicle suddenly shifting into neutral while driving slowly uphill, and transmission problems. This can cause loss of control and potential accidents.
Owners report sudden loss of normal braking, with a firm pedal but ineffective braking, and loss of motive power along with inoperable brakes and steering. These are critical safety failures.
Complaints describe severe loss of braking ability, such as the vehicle not stopping normally at a stop sign. This is a major safety risk.
“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 Crown — 11 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or d…
The risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's nu…
The defect: Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain Toyota 2023 GR Supra, 2024 4 Runner, Corolla, Grand Highlander, Grand Highlander Hybrid, Land Cruiser Hybrid, Tacoma, Tacoma Hybrid, 2023-2024 BZ4X, Corolla Cross Hybrid, GR Corolla, GR86, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius Prime, Sequoia…
The risk: A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: GST will mail new labels to owners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2024. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 24R2.
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner…
The risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the instrument panel software over-the-air (OTA) for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace it, or update the software, free of charg…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or d…
The risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's nu…
Chevrolet Silverado — 100 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with power-unlatching tailgates. The tailgate's electronic gate-release switch may short circuit due to water intrusion, which can result in the tailgate inadvertently…
The risk: An unlatched tailgate may open while driving and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2024. Owners may contact Chevr…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 vehicles. The steering gear shaft may fracture and disconnect from the steering arm.
The risk: A steering arm that disconnects may result in a total loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering gear, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-4…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra HD 2500, 3500 vehicles equipped with power-unlatching tailgates. The tailgate's electronic gate-release switch may short circuit due to water intrusion, which can result in the tailgate inadvertentl…
The risk: An unlatched tailgate may open and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 17, 2024. Owners may contact…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2024 GMC Hummer EV pick up, 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV, and 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV vehicles. The left or right front seat belt buckle attachment bolts may not be tightened properly.
The risk: An improperly tightened seat belt buckle may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the left and right front seat belt buckle attachment bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-833-EVCHEVY (1-833-382-4389) (TTY 711 /…
Buyer analysis
Toyota Crown or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Toyota Crown has far fewer issues per year (about 13 complaints) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (about 510 complaints per year). In practice, this means a Crown owner is less likely to experience frequent or severe problems, though both vehicles have reported serious safety issues.
Key differences
- The Silverado has over 5,100 complaints in 10 years, while the Crown has 53 in 4 years, indicating a much higher rate of owner-reported problems for the Silverado.
- Silverado complaints often involve severe safety issues like brake loss and engine failure, whereas Crown complaints more often involve hesitation and electrical glitches.
- The Silverado has 100 recalls versus 11 for the Crown, suggesting more frequent manufacturer-identified defects.
- Crown owners report unintended acceleration in some cases, while Silverado owners report sudden loss of braking and motive power.
- Test acceleration from a complete stop multiple times to check for hesitation or jerking, as owners report this common issue.
- Check that all electrical outlets and chargers work, and ask about any unresolved electrical problems.
- During a test drive, brake firmly from various speeds to check for any loss of braking effectiveness.
- Listen for unusual engine noises and ask for service records related to diesel particulate filter issues if considering a diesel model.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website.
- Take an extended test drive that includes stops, acceleration, and braking to replicate reported issues.
- Ask the seller for all maintenance and repair records, especially for engine, transmission, and brake work.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on the engine, transmission, and brakes.
- For the Silverado, specifically inquire about any diesel particulate filter or brake system repairs.
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 | Toyota Crown | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 98 |
| 2025 | 15 | 150 |
| 2024 | 17 | 0 |
| 2023 | 20 | 0 |
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 Crown or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Toyota Crown vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Toyota Crown total complaints
- 53
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 5,105
- Toyota Crown total recalls
- 11
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- Toyota Crown avg complaints/year
- 13.3
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 510.5
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Crown
- Toyota Crown top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE