Head-to-head reliability
Toyota Yaris vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Toyota Yaris 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 Yaris vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Yaris averages 14.6 complaints per year, while the Silverado averages 510.5, with 100 recalls versus 24. Silverado owners report severe engine, transmission, and brake failures; Yaris issues are often electrical or air bag warnings. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Toyota Yaris or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Toyota Yaris
The Toyota Yaris is a subcompact car with a relatively low complaint volume: 146 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 15 per year. The most common issues owners report involve air bag warning lights, electrical glitches, and occasional engine vibrations or starting problems. With 24 recalls and 36 crash-related complaints, it's a vehicle that requires attention to safety systems but is generally manageable for a budget-conscious buyer.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a very high complaint volume: 5,105 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 511 per year. Owners frequently report serious engine, power train, electrical, and brake problems, often on brand-new trucks. With 100 recalls and 117 crash-related complaints, it's a complex vehicle that can be costly to maintain and repair.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Toyota Yaris | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 146 Better | 5,105 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 24 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 36 Better | 117 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 14.6 Better | 510.5 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 40 Better | 104 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 6 | 1 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.
Toyota Yaris
- 01AIR BAGS55
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM20
- 03VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL18
- 04ENGINE16
- 05SERVICE BRAKES14
Owners report the passenger air bag warning light illuminating and the seat belt chime sounding even when no one is in the seat. This can mean the air bag may not deploy correctly in a crash, so it's a safety issue to check.
Complaints include Bluetooth connectivity failures and intermittent no-start conditions where the engine cranks but won't start. These electrical gremlins can be frustrating and hard to diagnose, potentially leaving you stranded.
Some owners describe unnecessary abrupt braking on the highway and collision-avoidance system activating when parking. This unexpected braking can be startling and may increase risk of a rear-end collision.
Reports include intense vibrations when coming to a stop and hesitation during acceleration, sometimes requiring multiple start attempts. These issues can affect driving comfort and confidence in the car's reliability.
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA YARIS. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE SEAT BELT AUDIBLE WARNING CHIME SOUNDED, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO OCCUPANT SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT…”
“The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Yaris. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the seat belt light flashed on the instrument panel, indicating that the seat belt was not being worn. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was t…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE1,698
- 02POWER TRAIN1,453
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM982
- 04SERVICE BRAKES691
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER542
Owners of new Silverados report severe engine problems, including loss of power and diesel particulate filter soot accumulation requiring dealer service. These can leave you stranded and lead to expensive repairs.
Complaints include the transmission suddenly shifting into neutral while driving and hesitation on acceleration. This can cause a loss of control, especially in traffic or on hills.
Reports describe sudden loss of braking assistance and inoperable brakes and steering at highway speeds. These are critical safety failures that could lead to a crash.
Owners report the brake pedal feeling firm but braking effectiveness severely reduced, making it hard to stop. This is a major safety concern that needs immediate attention.
“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 Yaris — 24 recalls
The defect: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota Camry, Corolla, Rav4, Sienna, and Yaris iA vehicles equipped with factory-installed floor mats. The load carrying capacity modification label may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements…
The risk: An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: SET will notify owners and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. SET's number for this recall is S…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Yaris, Yaris Hatchback, and Yaris Sedan vehicles. An impeller within the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
The risk: A fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB05 a…
The defect: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota Camry, Corolla, Rav4, Sienna, and Yaris iA vehicles equipped with factory-installed floor mats. The load carrying capacity modification label may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements…
The risk: An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: SET will notify owners and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. SET's number for this recall is S…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Yaris, Yaris Hatchback, and Yaris Sedan vehicles. An impeller within the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
The risk: A fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB05 a…
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 Yaris or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Toyota Yaris has far fewer complaints per year (about 15) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (about 511). In practice, this means Yaris owners report fewer and generally less severe problems, while Silverado owners face a much higher likelihood of encountering major issues, especially with the engine, transmission, and brakes.
Key differences
- The Silverado has over 30 times more complaints per year than the Yaris, with many involving severe engine and transmission failures.
- Yaris complaints often center on warning lights and electrical glitches, while Silverado complaints frequently describe sudden loss of power, braking, or steering.
- The Silverado has 100 recalls versus 24 for the Yaris, indicating more widespread safety-related defects.
- Crash-related complaints are higher for the Silverado (117) than the Yaris (36), despite the Yaris being smaller.
- Check that the passenger air bag warning light is not illuminated and that the seat belt chime does not sound when the seat is empty.
- Test drive at highway speeds and during parking to see if the collision-avoidance system activates unexpectedly or if the car vibrates when stopping.
- During a test drive, listen for loud pinging from the engine and feel for any loss of power or brake responsiveness.
- Ask for service records related to diesel particulate filter issues (on diesel models) and transmission repairs.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the air bag system, electrical components, and brakes on the Yaris.
- For the Silverado, insist on a pre-purchase inspection focusing on engine, transmission, and brake systems.
- Test drive both vehicles under various conditions: highway, stop-and-go traffic, and parking maneuvers.
- Ask the seller for all maintenance and repair records, especially for the Silverado's engine and transmission.
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 Yaris | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 9 | 0 |
| 2019 | 26 | 1992 |
| 2018 | 4 | 591 |
| 2017 | 15 | 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 Yaris or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Toyota Yaris vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Toyota Yaris total complaints
- 146
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 5,105
- Toyota Yaris total recalls
- 24
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- Toyota Yaris avg complaints/year
- 14.6
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 510.5
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Yaris
- Toyota Yaris top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE