Head-to-head reliability
Volkswagen ID4 vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Volkswagen ID4 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 ID4 vs Chevrolet Silverado: The ID4 averages 168 complaints per year with 41 recalls, while the Silverado averages 823 complaints per year with 101 recalls. The ID4 has 0 deaths and 72 injuries reported, compared to 3 deaths and 160 injuries for the Silverado. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volkswagen ID4 or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volkswagen ID4
The Volkswagen ID4 is an electric SUV that has averaged about 168 complaints per year over six years, with 41 recalls. The most common complaints involve the electrical system, often tied to high-voltage battery recalls and software glitches. Owners also report forward collision avoidance and vehicle speed control issues, including sudden unintended acceleration and braking failures. While there have been no reported deaths in the data, 72 injuries and 110 crash-related complaints suggest these are not isolated incidents.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup that has averaged about 823 complaints per year over ten years, with 101 recalls. The most frequent complaints involve the engine and power train, with reports of engine shutdowns, transmission problems, and diesel particulate filter issues. Electrical system and service brake complaints are also common, including sudden loss of braking and screens going blank. The data shows 3 deaths and 160 injuries, indicating that some failures have severe consequences.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volkswagen ID4 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,005 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 41 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 110 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 167.5 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 72 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.
Volkswagen ID4
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM504
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER228
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE151
- 04VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL123
- 05STRUCTURE117
Owners report high-voltage battery defects, such as misaligned electrodes, leading to recalls and repeated dealer visits. There are also complaints of sudden braking and connectivity failures with the CARNET system, which can be distracting and potentially dangerous.
Complaints include unintended acceleration while parking and complete loss of braking, where the brake pedal and electronic parking brake fail to stop the vehicle. These failures can lead to crashes, as reported by owners.
Sudden unintended acceleration incidents have been reported, sometimes resulting in crashes. Owners describe the vehicle accelerating unexpectedly after parking or while driving slowly, which is a serious safety concern.
Recall subjects include door handle and air bag inflator issues, which could affect occupant protection in a crash. While complaints are fewer, these are safety-critical components that should be addressed promptly.
“I own one of 311 vehicles specifically identified in this recall regarding "misaligned electrodes" and "shifted cathodes" in the high-voltage battery. I am formally requesting that Volkswagen replace all battery modules within the high-voltage pack of the aff…”
“On 9/2/25, I gave my car to my local dealership to complete routine maintenance and to remedy a safety recall that had been initiated a few months prior. It was supposed to take one day to complete, but I was told that they were having trouble with a certain…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners report engine shutdowns while driving, requiring restart, and diesel particulate filter soot accumulation events that need dealer service. These issues can leave drivers stranded and are especially concerning for a new vehicle.
Complaints include the vehicle suddenly shifting into neutral and losing power, even at low speeds. This can happen in parking lots or on inclines, increasing the risk of a collision.
Reports of sudden loss of braking where the pedal remains firm but braking is ineffective, and screens going blank while driving. These electrical glitches can compromise critical safety functions.
Owners describe brake failures where the vehicle does not stop normally, sometimes leading to crashes. The brake pedal may feel normal but the vehicle continues moving, which is a severe safety defect.
“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 ID4 — 41 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023-2024 ID.4 vehicles. The interior sunshade for the panoramic glass roof may be insufficiently fire retardant. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 302, "Fl…
The risk: In a fire, fabric that is not fire retardant may further fuel a fire, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will apply flame retardant to the sunshade fabric, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 ID4 vehicles. The fasteners securing the passenger frontal air bag inflator may be loose.
The risk: An improperly secured air bag inflator may not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 10, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagens number for this recall is 69…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2024 ID.4 vehicles. The door handles may allow water to enter the circuit board assembly, which can cause the doors to open unexpectedly.
The risk: A vehicle door that opens unexpectedly while driving increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Volkswagen dealers will inspect and replace the door handles as necessary, and update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 27, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024-2025 AUDI Q4 E-Tron SUV, AUDI Q4 E-Tron Sportback, and 2024 ID.4 vehicles. The on-board charger (OCDC) may fail and stop charging the 12-volt battery, which can result in a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the OCDC, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 20, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for thi…
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
Volkswagen ID4 or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Volkswagen ID4 has far fewer complaints per year (about 168) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (about 823), but both have serious safety-related complaints. The ID4's issues are more concentrated in electrical and software systems, while the Silverado's are spread across engine, power train, and brakes. In practice, the ID4 may require fewer dealer visits overall, but the Silverado's higher complaint rate suggests a greater likelihood of encountering problems.
Key differences
- The ID4 averages about 168 complaints per year, while the Silverado averages about 823 per year, indicating a much higher complaint rate for the Silverado.
- ID4 complaints often involve high-voltage battery recalls and sudden unintended acceleration, whereas Silverado complaints frequently involve engine shutdowns and transmission failures.
- The Silverado has 3 reported deaths and 160 injuries in the data, while the ID4 has 0 deaths and 72 injuries, though both have crash-related complaints.
- Both vehicles have brake-related complaints: ID4 owners report complete loss of braking, and Silverado owners report sudden loss of braking with a firm pedal.
- Check for any open recalls related to the high-voltage battery, as owners report misaligned electrodes and shifted cathodes that require module replacement.
- Test the forward collision avoidance and braking systems thoroughly, including the electronic parking brake, as some owners report complete loss of braking and unintended acceleration.
- Listen for engine noises and check for any signs of diesel particulate filter issues, especially on Duramax models, as owners report excessive soot accumulation requiring dealer service.
- Test the brakes and electrical system, including screens and warning lights, as owners report sudden loss of braking and blank screens while driving.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all safety recalls have been performed, especially for the ID4's battery and the Silverado's fuel pump and brakes.
- Take a lengthy test drive that includes highway driving, parking maneuvers, and braking from various speeds to check for unintended acceleration or brake failure.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on the ID4's high-voltage battery and software, and the Silverado's engine, transmission, and brake systems.
- Ask the seller for any service records and check if the vehicle has been repurchased under lemon law, as some owners request buybacks.
- Verify that the vehicle's software is up to date, as many complaints involve electronic glitches that may be addressed by updates.
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 ID4 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 120 |
| 2025 | 27 | 157 |
| 2024 | 48 | 527 |
| 2023 | 459 | 450 |
| 2022 | 136 | 1390 |
| 2021 | 335 | 961 |
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 ID4 or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volkswagen ID4 vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Volkswagen ID4 total complaints
- 1,005
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Volkswagen ID4 total recalls
- 41
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Volkswagen ID4 avg complaints/year
- 167.5
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Volkswagen ID4
- Volkswagen ID4 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE