Head-to-head reliability
Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen 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 Jetta Sportwagen averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen has 2,469 complaints and 6 recalls on record; Chevrolet Silverado has 7,904 complaints and 100 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,469 Better | 7,904 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 6 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 86 Better | 229 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 411.5 Better | 790.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 58 Better | 159 |
| 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 Jetta Sportwagen
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM685
- 02ENGINE440
- 03POWER TRAIN383
- 04FUEL SYSTEM314
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM292
“First owner, brought brand new, serviced the car every 5k, current 61000 mileage, no prior repair or accident. Nov 16, 2022 Jetta’s engine light went on suddenly, next day engine light off, then it went on and off for a couple of days. Drove to the dealership…”
“Hello, Recently error codes P309D and 01314-013 were detected via a code reader. Translation of codes indicate Powertrain System and/or ABS ECM. The vehicle will lose power upon downshifting which requires the engine turned off and back on. Once the car reach…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,352
- 02POWER TRAIN2,254
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,452
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,198
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER838
“My 2025 Chevy Silverado 1500 6.2L V8 experienced an internal engine failure at approximately 16,500 miles, requiring replacement of the entire long block under the factory powertrain warranty. The authorized Chevrolet dealership diagnosed internal cylinder wa…”
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine in my 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 experienced a catastrophic internal failure caused by a failed thrust bearing in the crankshaft assembly. The fai…”
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 Jetta Sportwagen — 6 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are avail…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Volkswagen Jetta A5 Sedan, 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Eos, GTI, Rabbit and Audi A3 vehicles, and 2010 Volkswagen Golf A6 vehicles. The Antilock Brake System (ABS) control unit may fail during ABS or Elec…
The risk: A loss of vehicle control can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control module software to improve the module's self-testing abilities. Any module that fails the new diagnostic test will be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charg…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are avail…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are avail…
Chevrolet Silverado — 100 recalls
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…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025 Chevrolet Silverado EV work trucks. The pedestrian alert sound system may not produce sound at a sufficient volume. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 141, "Minimum So…
The risk: A vehicle that fails to make sufficient sound may result in pedestrians being unaware of an approaching vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the software in the body control module (BCM), free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 22, 2025. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N24…
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, 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…
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 Jetta Sportwagen or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen total complaints
- 2,469
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 7,904
- Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen total recalls
- 6
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen avg complaints/year
- 411.5
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 790.4
- More reliable overall
- Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen
- Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE