Head-to-head reliability
Volvo V60 vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Volvo V60 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
Volvo V60 vs Chevrolet Silverado: The V60 has 57 complaints over 10 years (5.7/yr) with key issues like fuel pump shutdown and brake loss from sunroof drains. The Silverado has 1,340 complaints (134/yr) with transmission line failures and engine knocking. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volvo V60 or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volvo V60
The Volvo V60, with 57 complaints over 10 years (5.7 per year), is a relatively low-volume complaint vehicle. However, the pattern reveals serious electrical system failures—like a high-pressure fuel pump shutting down the car in traffic—and brake issues tied to sunroof drain clogs flooding electronics. Owners also report exploding sunroofs and camera exposure problems, suggesting a mix of safety-critical and nuisance issues.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado has 1,340 complaints over 10 years (134 per year), a much higher rate. The dominant problems are powertrain (transmission fluid line failures causing sudden leaks), service brakes (including high-voltage battery faults in EV models leading to loss of control), and engine failures (knocking, power loss at highway speeds). Recalls are numerous (100), covering engine, airbags, and fuel systems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volvo V60 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 57 Better | 1,340 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 32 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 80 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 5.7 Better | 134.0 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 Better | 33 |
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.
Volvo V60
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM19
- 02SERVICE BRAKES12
- 03VISIBILITY/WIPER7
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM6
Owners report the high-pressure fuel pump failing without warning, shutting down the engine and leaving the vehicle stranded in traffic, with no manual override to shift into neutral. This is a safety-critical failure that can cause a crash.
Brake loss can occur when sunroof drain obstructions flood internal electronics, causing simultaneous failures of brakes, airbags, and traction control. Also, the vehicle may fail to accelerate and show a low battery warning.
The sunroof can explode spontaneously while driving, shattering glass. Additionally, the backup camera system uses the front camera for exposure, making night-time reverse views unusable due to glare from headlights.
“Me and my partners safety was put at risk when the vehicle’s high pressure fuel pump went out, shut the car down, and left us stranded in the middle of two lane traffic. What was scarier was how the vehicle couldn’t be manually overridden to shift into neutra…”
“Me and my partners safety was put at risk when the vehicle’s high pressure fuel pump went out, shut the car down, and left us stranded in the middle of two lane traffic. What was scarier was how the vehicle couldn’t be manually overridden to shift into neutra…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01POWER TRAIN339
- 02SERVICE BRAKES300
- 03ENGINE257
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM214
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER146
Transmission fluid lines can fail at highway speed, causing rapid fluid loss and potential loss of drive. Owners also report sudden transmission failure while towing, leaving them stranded.
Brake issues include sudden loss of braking power, sometimes linked to high-voltage battery faults in EV models that cause the vehicle to lose control. Multiple dealer visits often fail to resolve the problem.
Engines can develop loud knocking noises and require complete replacement as early as 3,000 miles. Others experience shaking, metal rattling, and sudden power loss at highway speeds without warning lights.
“Vehicle: 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Incident Description: While driving at highway speed, the transmission fluid line failed and transmission fluid rapidly leaked from the vehicle. There were no warning lights, alerts, or messages before the failure occurr…”
“On XXX I was driving from [XXX] to my sister's house in [XXX]. I was relocating to [XXX] for a job. I was pulling a U-haul trailer (6x12) that contained significantly less weight than the truck can handle. About halfway there, on back roads, the truck suddenl…”
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.
Volvo V60 — 32 recalls
The defect: Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Volvo XC90, S90, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, XC40, XC60, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The software installed in the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) may have an error causing the Telematics and Driver Support Systems to function improper…
The risk: If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R39917.
The defect: Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front…
The risk: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.
The defect: Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Volvo XC90, S90, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, XC40, XC60, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The software installed in the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) may have an error causing the Telematics and Driver Support Systems to function improper…
The risk: If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R39917.
The defect: Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2017 S60 and S60 Cross Country, V60 and V60 Cross Country, and XC60 vehicles manufactured August 16, 2016, through October 21, 2016. The affected vehicles have driver and front passenger seat side mounted side air bags (SAB) with inflator in…
The risk: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front seat side air bags, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552.…
Chevrolet Silverado — 100 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500 and 2017-2019 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with a Duramax diesel 6.6 liter engine and an optional engine-block heater cord. An electrical short-circuit may occur in the engine-block heater cable or…
The risk: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace engine block heaters and heater cords. Vehicles that have this feature disabled as a remedy to the safety condition will be contacted and offered replacement block heaters and heater cords under a separate customer sat…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500, 5500 and 6500 vehicles and 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with Duramax 6.6 liter diesel engines and an optional engine-block heater. The engine block heat…
The risk: A short-circuit may damage the engine components and increase the risk of fire.
The fix: GM will contact owners, dealers will replace the engine block heater, free of charge. Additionally, in Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles, dealers will install a new rerouted heater cord. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2018-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 Crew Cab trucks. The left or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall m…
The risk: A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC Customer Service at 888-988-7267.…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 vehicles equipped with a dual fuel tank option. The rear fuel tank may collapse and prevent the fuel pump from transferring fuel to the front tank, resulting in an engine stall.
The risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and fuel pump module, replacing them as necessary. Dealers will also add a vent hose to the rear tank assembly. Repairs will be performed free of charge. An interim owner notification letter informing own…
Buyer analysis
Volvo V60 or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Volvo V60 has far fewer complaints per year (5.7 vs 134), indicating a lower frequency of reported issues. However, the V60's problems are often safety-critical (e.g., sudden shutdown, brake loss), while the Silverado's high volume suggests widespread powertrain and brake failures. In practice, the V60 may be less likely to leave you stranded, but both have serious risks.
Key differences
- Volvo V60: high-pressure fuel pump can shut down engine without warning; Silverado: transmission fluid lines fail at highway speed.
- Volvo V60: brake loss from sunroof drain clogs flooding electronics; Silverado: brake failure linked to high-voltage battery faults in EV models.
- Volvo V60: exploding sunroof glass; Silverado: engine knocking requiring replacement by 3,000 miles.
- Volvo V60: 5.7 complaints per year vs Silverado's 134 per year, a 23x difference in reported issue frequency.
- Check for sunroof drain clogs and test sunroof operation; inspect for any signs of water damage in the cabin electronics.
- Verify the high-pressure fuel pump has been replaced or recall performed; ask about any stalling incidents.
- Inspect transmission fluid lines for leaks or signs of repair; test drive at highway speed to check for transmission slipping.
- Listen for engine knocking at cold start and during acceleration; check service records for engine replacement or repairs.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to check for open recalls on both models.
- For the Volvo V60, have a mechanic inspect the sunroof drains and electrical system for water damage.
- For the Silverado, test the transmission under load (e.g., uphill) and check for fluid leaks.
- Ask the seller about any prior repairs to the fuel pump (V60) or engine (Silverado).
- Take both vehicles for an extended test drive including highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic.
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 | Volvo V60 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 118 |
| 2024 | 6 | 0 |
| 2023 | 3 | 0 |
| 2022 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | 6 | 0 |
| 2020 | 18 | 0 |
| 2019 | 3 | 0 |
| 2018 | 1 | 0 |
| 2017 | 6 | 1152 |
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 Volvo V60 or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volvo V60 vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Volvo V60 total complaints
- 57
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 1,340
- Volvo V60 total recalls
- 32
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- Volvo V60 avg complaints/year
- 5.7
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 134.0
- More reliable overall
- Volvo V60
- Volvo V60 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN