Head-to-head reliability
Volkswagen Routan vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Volkswagen Routan 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 Routan averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Volkswagen Routan has 780 complaints and 9 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 Routan | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 780 Better | 7,904 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 9 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 16 Better | 229 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 130.0 Better | 790.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 47 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 Routan
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM453
- 02ENGINE195
- 03SERVICE BRAKES105
- 04STEERING76
- 05POWER TRAIN70
“I'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEMS WITH MY 2012 VW ROUTAN LATELY. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, MY VAN HAS COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THE DASHBOARD, ENGINE, POWER STEERING, EVERYTHING COMPLETELY TURNS OFF AND I AM UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING UNTIL THE V…”
“THE ENGINE WILL DIE AS I'M DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THIS CAUSES ME TO LOSE POWER STEERING, ALL MY DIGITAL GUAGES ON DASH,ETC. WHEN I PULL OVER STOP AND PUT IT IN NEUTRAL I CAN THEN TURN THE KEY AND IT WILL START RIGHT BACK UP. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 6 TI…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,352
- 02POWER TRAIN2,254
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,452
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,198
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER838
“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…”
“At approximately 3,000 miles, the engine began making a loud knocking noise that became progressively worse while driving. The truck was diagnosed as needing a complete engine replacement. No warning lights, no check engine light, nothing. For someone inexper…”
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 Routan — 9 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain model year 2009 Volkswagen Routan vehicles manufactured February 7, 2008, to August 28, 2008. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.
The risk: If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury. Additionally, the air bags may inadvertently deploy, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: VW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009 Routan vehicles manufactured June 25, 2008, to July 8, 2009, and 2010 Routan vehicles manufactured October 1, 2009, to August 11, 2010. This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this reca…
The risk: If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including, but not limited to, air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of fu…
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began on June 23, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this rec…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009 Routan vehicles manufactured June 25, 2008, to July 8, 2009, and 2010 Routan vehicles manufactured October 1, 2009, to August 11, 2010. This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this reca…
The risk: If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including, but not limited to, air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of fu…
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began on June 23, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this rec…
The defect: Freedom Motors Inc., (Freedom Motors) of Savaria Vehicle Group (formerly The Liberty Motor Company) is recalling one model year 2009 Volkswagen Routan and certain model year 2008-2010 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country wheelchair accessible vehicles modified by The Liberty Motor Compan…
The risk: Failure of the rear axle may increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Freedom Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected axles, free of charge. The recall began on April 1, 2014. Owners can contact Freedom Motors at 1-800-561-9600. Freedom Motors' number for this recall is ENGF0216-3.
Chevrolet Silverado — 100 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…
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 Routan or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volkswagen Routan vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Volkswagen Routan total complaints
- 780
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 7,904
- Volkswagen Routan total recalls
- 9
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- Volkswagen Routan avg complaints/year
- 130.0
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 790.4
- More reliable overall
- Volkswagen Routan
- Volkswagen Routan top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE