Head-to-head reliability
Volkswagen Arteon vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Volkswagen Arteon 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
Volkswagen Arteon vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Arteon averages 20.6 complaints per year with 6 recalls, while the Silverado averages 510.5 complaints per year with 100 recalls. Arteon issues focus on tires and driver-assist warnings; Silverado issues include engine, powertrain, and brake failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volkswagen Arteon or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volkswagen Arteon
The Volkswagen Arteon is a low-volume sedan with an average of about 21 complaints per year over five years. Most owner complaints center on tires delaminating and driver-assist systems flashing 'Travel assist unavailable' warnings. There are also reports of unintended acceleration and electrical glitches. With only 6 recalls and no reported injuries or deaths, the Arteon's issues appear less frequent but still worth checking before purchase.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint rate—about 511 per year over ten years. Owners frequently report engine and powertrain failures, including sudden loss of power and transmission problems. Brake and electrical issues also appear, with some crashes and injuries reported. The Silverado has 100 recalls, indicating a broad range of potential safety fixes.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volkswagen Arteon | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 103 Better | 5,105 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 6 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 3 Better | 117 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 20.6 Better | 510.5 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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.
Volkswagen Arteon
- 01TIRES45
- 02FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE27
- 03LANE DEPARTURE15
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12
- 05WHEELS12
Owners report tire delamination, where the tread separates from the tire body. This can cause vibrations, blowouts, and loss of control, and is especially dangerous at highway speeds.
The 'Travel assist unavailable' warning appears randomly, often during turns after stops. This means the automatic braking and lane-keeping may not work when needed, increasing crash risk.
The same 'Travel assist unavailable' message disables lane-keeping assistance unpredictably. Drivers cannot rely on the system to keep them in their lane, which could lead to unintended lane changes.
At least one owner reported unintended acceleration, where the car speeds up without driver input. This is a serious safety concern that could cause a crash in tight spaces.
“Several of the tires showing delamination according to the dealership. Extremely hazardous to drive on tires as is. Manufacturer (Continental) advised me on 9/25/2025 they would replace 5 tires (car purchased new, came with full size spare). Continental repre…”
“Several of the tires showing delamination according to the dealership. Extremely hazardous to drive on tires as is. Manufacturer (Continental) advised me on 9/25/2025 they would replace 5 tires (car purchased new, came with full size spare). Continental repre…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE1,698
- 02POWER TRAIN1,453
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM982
- 04SERVICE BRAKES691
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER542
Owners report sudden loss of motive power, loud pinging noises, and diesel particulate filter soot accumulation requiring dealer service. These failures can leave you stranded and lead to expensive repairs.
Complaints include the vehicle suddenly shifting into neutral while driving and transmission problems. This can cause loss of control, especially at low speeds or in traffic.
Reports include severe loss of braking and inoperable brakes and steering at highway speed. These electrical faults can disable critical safety systems without warning.
Owners describe the brake pedal feeling firm but braking effectiveness severely reduced. This makes it hard to stop, especially in emergencies, and could lead to a crash.
“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.
Volkswagen Arteon — 6 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Arteon vehicles. The pressure input rod connection on the brake booster may be loose and could detach.
The risk: A detached pressure input rod will cause the brake pedal to fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the pressure input rod connection, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 28, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47R…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Arteon vehicles. The electronic brake booster pressure input rod may be installed incorrectly, possibly causing an increased actuating force or a disconnected input rod. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirem…
The risk: An increased actuating force or a disconnected input rod may affect braking, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the mounting of the pressure rod only or replace the electronic brake booster and mounting of the pressure rod, depending of the inspection results, free of charge. The re…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Arteon vehicles. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensors were incorrectly calibrated and may not detect the position of a wheel sensor after tire rotation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement…
The risk: The TPMS may misidentify a tire with low air pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wheel electronics and tire valves, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 25, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volksw…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan LWB, Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas FL and Arteon vehicles. The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze. As such, the…
The risk: A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this rec…
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
Volkswagen Arteon or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Volkswagen Arteon has far fewer complaints per year (about 21 vs. 511 for the Silverado) and no reported injuries or deaths in the data. The Silverado's higher rate and severity of issues—including engine failures and brake loss—mean it carries a greater risk of costly and dangerous problems. In practice, the Arteon is likely to be less troublesome, but both need a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
Key differences
- The Arteon averages about 21 complaints per year; the Silverado averages about 511 per year, a 24-fold difference.
- Arteon complaints focus on tires and driver-assist warnings; Silverado complaints center on engine, powertrain, and brake failures that can cause loss of power or stopping ability.
- The Silverado has 100 recalls and 117 crash-related complaints, while the Arteon has 6 recalls and 3 crash-related complaints.
- Silverado data includes 104 injuries and 1 death; Arteon data shows 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
- Check tire date codes and look for signs of delamination (cracks, bubbles, or separation) on all five tires, including the spare.
- Test the forward collision and lane departure systems; watch for 'Travel assist unavailable' warnings during turns and stops.
- Listen for engine pinging or knocking and check for diesel particulate filter warning lights, especially on Duramax models.
- Test the brakes at low and high speeds for firmness and stopping power; also check for transmission slipping or sudden neutral engagement.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all safety recalls have been performed.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the tires, brakes, engine, and transmission for the specific issues reported.
- Test-drive the vehicle in various conditions, including highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic, to check for warnings or power loss.
- For the Arteon, verify the driver-assist systems work consistently and check tire manufacturing dates.
- For the Silverado, scan for engine fault codes and check for any signs of brake fluid leaks or electrical gremlins.
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 | Volkswagen Arteon | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 39 | 0 |
| 2022 | 12 | 1340 |
| 2021 | 42 | 934 |
| 2020 | 2 | 0 |
| 2019 | 8 | 1992 |
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 Volkswagen Arteon or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volkswagen Arteon vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Volkswagen Arteon total complaints
- 103
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 5,105
- Volkswagen Arteon total recalls
- 6
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- Volkswagen Arteon avg complaints/year
- 20.6
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 510.5
- More reliable overall
- Volkswagen Arteon
- Volkswagen Arteon top complaint area
- TIRES
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE