Vehicle 1

Volkswagen Tiguan

1,129 complaints · 39 recalls

VS

Vehicle 2

Chevrolet Silverado

6,878 complaints · 98 recalls

📊 Based on NHTSA owner complaint & recall data
Which Should I Buy?

Volkswagen Tiguan vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Tiguan has 112.9 complaints per year and 39 recalls, while the Silverado has 687.8 complaints per year and 98 recalls. The Silverado's top issue is engine problems (2056), whereas the Tiguan's is also engine (326). Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

Category Wins

Lower numbers are better for complaints, recalls, and crashes.

4
Volkswagen Tiguan
wins all 4 categories
0
Chevrolet Silverado
no category wins
CategoryVolkswagen TiguanChevrolet Silverado
Total Complaints
All years combined
1,129
✓ lower
6,878
Safety Recalls
Federal campaigns
39
✓ lower
98
Crash Reports
Crash-related complaints
29
✓ lower
206
Avg / Year
Complaints per model year
112.9
✓ lower
687.8

Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records. Lower is better.

Top Problem Areas

Most frequently reported components across all model years.

Volkswagen Tiguan

1. ENGINE326
2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM239
3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER237
4. POWER TRAIN138
5. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE105

Chevrolet Silverado

1. ENGINE2,056
2. POWER TRAIN1,925
3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,263
4. SERVICE BRAKES1,077
5. UNKNOWN OR OTHER735
🤖
AI Buyer Analysis
DeepSeek interpretation of NHTSA data · cached result
The Verdict

The Chevrolet Silverado has far more complaints per year (687.8) than the Volkswagen Tiguan (112.9), suggesting the Tiguan may have fewer reported issues on average. However, both vehicles have significant numbers of complaints, so a thorough inspection is still important.

💡 Buyer Recommendation

If you prioritize lower complaint rates and fewer recalls, the Volkswagen Tiguan is the better choice. If you need a full-size truck and are willing to accept higher complaint numbers, the Chevrolet Silverado may suit your needs, but be prepared for more potential issues.

Key Differences
  • Silverado has 687.8 complaints/year vs Tiguan's 112.9/year.
  • Silverado has 98 recalls vs Tiguan's 39.
  • Silverado's top issue is ENGINE (2056) vs Tiguan's ENGINE (326).
  • Silverado has 206 crash complaints vs Tiguan's 29.
⚠ Watch on Volkswagen Tiguan
  • Watch for ENGINE issues (326 complaints) and FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE problems (105 complaints).
  • Check for ELECTRICAL SYSTEM issues (239 complaints).
⚠ Watch on Chevrolet Silverado
  • Watch for ENGINE issues (2056 complaints) and POWER TRAIN problems (1925 complaints).
  • Check for SERVICE BRAKES issues (1077 complaints).
✓ Before You Buy — Checklist
  • Check for open recalls on the specific vehicle using NHTSA's VIN lookup.
  • Review the vehicle's service history for engine and transmission repairs.
  • Test drive and listen for unusual engine or transmission noises.
  • Inspect electrical components (lights, windows, infotainment) for proper function.
  • For Silverado, test brakes for any pulsation or noise.

Complaints by Model Year

Years available for both vehicles (lower is better).

Volkswagen TiguanChevrolet Silverado
2026
11
45
2025
28
115
2024
46
460
2023
56
375
2022
226
1172
2021
119
844
2020
124
787
2019
174
1932
2018
273
0
2017
72
1148
Volkswagen Tiguan vs Chevrolet Silverado — comparison facts
Comparison
Volkswagen Tiguan vs Chevrolet Silverado
Volkswagen Tiguan total complaints
1,129
Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
6,878
Volkswagen Tiguan total recalls
39
Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
98
Volkswagen Tiguan avg complaints/year
112.9
Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
687.8
More reliable overall
Volkswagen Tiguan
Volkswagen Tiguan top complaint area
ENGINE
Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
ENGINE
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

Full Reliability Reports

Full Report →

Volkswagen TiguanReliability & Problems

1,129 complaints · All years · NHTSA data

Full Report →

Chevrolet SilveradoReliability & Problems

6,878 complaints · All years · NHTSA data

Buying a specific Volkswagen Tiguan or Chevrolet Silverado?

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