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 vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Routan has 781 complaints over 6 years (130 per year) and 9 recalls, while the Silverado has 8,227 complaints over 10 years (823 per year) and 101 recalls. Routan owners report sudden shutdowns and loss of steering/braking; Silverado owners report engine and transmission issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volkswagen Routan or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volkswagen Routan
The Volkswagen Routan is a minivan that owners report can shut down completely while driving, affecting the engine, power steering, and dashboard. This pattern appears in complaints about the ignition switch, which can move out of the run position and cut power to safety systems. With 781 complaints over 6 years, the Routan has a lower total than the Silverado but a higher rate per year, suggesting persistent issues. Buyers should be aware that electrical and engine stalling complaints dominate, and some are tied to recalls for the ignition switch.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a much larger complaint volume—8,227 over 10 years—but a lower annual rate than the Routan. Owners report engine and transmission problems, including sudden loss of power, rough running, and brake issues. Many complaints involve newer models with low mileage, indicating that even recent trucks can have serious defects. The high number of recalls (101) shows ongoing safety-related fixes, but the per-year complaint rate is lower than the Routan's.
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 | 781 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 9 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 16 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 130.2 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 47 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 Routan
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM454
- 02ENGINE195
- 03SERVICE BRAKES105
- 04STEERING76
- 05POWER TRAIN70
Owners report the van completely shuts down while driving, with the dashboard, engine, and power steering turning off. This is often linked to the ignition switch, which can inadvertently move to OFF or ACCESSORY, cutting power to air bags and braking. This is a critical safety concern because it can happen at highway speeds.
Complaints describe the engine dying while driving, causing loss of power steering and dashboard gauges. The engine can often be restarted after pulling over, but the sudden shutdown is dangerous. This pattern mirrors the electrical issues and may share the same root cause.
Owners link brake problems to the ignition switch issue: when the key moves out of position, the engine turns off and power braking is lost. This makes stopping much harder. Some also report brake failure after the van shuts down, compounding the risk.
Power steering loss is frequently mentioned alongside engine shutdowns. When the van dies, steering becomes very heavy, making it hard to control. This is especially dangerous in traffic or at speed.
“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
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners of newer Silverados report engine shutdowns while driving, sometimes with a 'Return to Neutral' message. Others cite diesel particulate filter issues requiring dealer service. These problems can leave drivers stranded and may recur even after repairs.
Complaints include sudden shifting into neutral while driving, even at low speeds, and transmission problems. This can cause loss of acceleration and unexpected stops. Some occur on brand-new trucks with very low mileage.
Owners report sudden loss of braking assistance and engine shut-offs with dashboard warnings. These electrical glitches can disable critical safety features like braking and stability control, making the truck hard to control.
Some complaints describe a firm brake pedal but reduced braking power, often after the engine shuts off. This suggests a loss of brake assist, requiring much more pedal effort to stop. It can happen at any speed and is a serious safety issue.
“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 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 — 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 Routan or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Volkswagen Routan has about 130 complaints per year, while the Chevrolet Silverado has about 823 per year. However, the Routan's rate is higher relative to its total, and its complaints often involve sudden shutdowns that disable steering and braking. The Silverado has more total complaints but a lower annual rate, though its issues can also be severe. In practice, both have serious safety-related complaints, but the Routan's pattern of stalling and loss of control may be more immediately dangerous.
Key differences
- The Routan has a much higher complaint rate per year (130 vs. 823 per year for Silverado, but Routan's total is lower over fewer years).
- Routan complaints frequently involve sudden engine shutdowns and loss of power steering/braking, often tied to ignition switch issues.
- Silverado complaints include engine and transmission problems, with some occurring at very low mileage on new trucks.
- The Silverado has far more recalls (101 vs. 9), indicating more widespread safety fixes, while the Routan's recalls focus on ignition and air bag issues.
- Check the ignition switch for any looseness or unintended movement; ensure it stays firmly in the RUN position and doesn't easily turn to OFF or ACCESSORY.
- Test drive at highway speeds and over bumps to see if the engine or electrical system cuts out; any stalling or loss of power steering is a major red flag.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any hesitation, rough shifting, or sudden loss of power; these could indicate engine or transmission problems.
- Check for dashboard warnings related to brakes or stability control, and test braking firmly to ensure the pedal doesn't feel unusually hard or unresponsive.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the ignition switch, electrical system, and engine for signs of stalling or shutdown issues.
- For the Silverado, test drive at various speeds and check for transmission slipping, engine misfires, or brake assist problems.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for any repairs related to the complaints listed (e.g., ignition switch, fuel pump, transmission).
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection that includes a scan for stored error codes, even if no warning lights are on.
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
- 781
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Volkswagen Routan total recalls
- 9
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Volkswagen Routan avg complaints/year
- 130.2
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Volkswagen Routan
- Volkswagen Routan top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE