Head-to-head reliability
Volvo VNL vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Volvo VNL 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 VNL vs Chevrolet Silverado: The VNL averages 2.1 complaints per year with 2 crash-related reports, while the Silverado averages 822.7 complaints per year with 233 crash-related reports. Both have many recalls (67 vs. 101). The Silverado has far more owner-reported problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volvo VNL or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volvo VNL
The Volvo VNL is a heavy-duty commercial truck, and its complaint pattern reflects that: low annual complaint volume (2.1 per year) but a high number of recalls (67). Owners report serious issues like power train warnings, steering pull, and brake defects, often on new trucks. Living with one means dealing with frequent recall notices and potential downtime for repairs.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a massive complaint volume (822.7 per year) and 101 recalls. Owners frequently report engine and transmission problems, electrical glitches, and brake failures, sometimes on brand-new trucks. Living with one means staying on top of numerous safety campaigns and potential costly repairs.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volvo VNL | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 21 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 67 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 2 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.1 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 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.
Volvo VNL
- 01POWER TRAIN6
- 02STEERING6
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
- 04SERVICE BRAKES4
- 05ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
Owners report sudden loss of power, rear axle smoking, and warning messages like 'Stop Vehicle - Apply Parking Brake Only While at Stand Still' at highway speeds. These issues can leave a driver stranded or create a dangerous situation.
Complaints include steering wheel pulling to the passenger side and engine malfunction warnings. This can make the truck hard to control, especially at highway speeds.
Owners describe multiple electrical module failures, DEF system problems, and carbon monoxide inside the cab. These can cause a cascade of warning lights and potentially unsafe driving conditions.
Reports include brake defects causing loss of braking ability and low coolant warnings leading to reduced power. Brake failures are a critical safety concern for any vehicle.
“The contact owns a 2026 Volvo VNL(4). The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, the message "Stop Vehicle - Apply Parking Brake Only While at Stand Still" was displayed, with three unknown warning lights were illuminated, with a continuous a…”
“The contact owned a 2019 Volvo Truck VNL. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated intermittently. The contact stated that while the driver was driving approximately 50 mph when they noticed the rear axle smoking. They pulled to…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners report engine shutdowns while driving, excessive diesel particulate filter soot accumulation, and rough running. These can lead to stalling in traffic or costly repairs.
Complaints include sudden shifting into neutral, loss of acceleration, and transmission problems. This can leave a driver unable to move, especially in parking lots or at low speeds.
Owners describe sudden loss of braking, engine shut-off while driving, and messages like 'Return to Neutral' and 'Press Start'. These electrical glitches can disable critical safety systems.
Reports include brake pedal firmness with reduced braking effect and complete loss of braking. Brake failures are a severe safety risk, especially at speed.
“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.
Volvo VNL — 67 recalls
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Truck) is recalling certain 2022-2024 VNL and VHD vehicles equipped with RollTek driver seats. A missing circuit will prevent the side air bag from deploying during a crash.
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy, increases the risk of an injury.
The fix: Dealers will connect a jumper harness between the seat and main cab harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 4, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Tr…
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2022-2023 VNL vehicles. The air tank bracket fasteners were excessively tightened and may have broken.
The risk: Broken fasteners may allow the air tank to detach from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Trucks' number for this recall is RVXX2205.
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2022-2024 VNR, VNL, VHD, and VAH trucks. The windshield wiper motor gears may wear prematurely, causing the motor to fail.
The risk: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 1, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Trucks number for this recall is R…
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2022 VNL vehicles equipped with Alcoa Mirror Polish Wheels, part number ULT 391, and wheel size 22.5 x 8.25. Under certain circumstances, these wheels may not be able to support the load, which can cause the wheels to bend or break whil…
The risk: Bent or broken wheels can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: The affected vehicles have been contained by the manufacturer, and therefore no owners will be notified. Dealers will replace the wheels, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service a…
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
Volvo VNL or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Volvo VNL has far fewer complaints per year (2.1 vs. 822.7) and fewer crash-related reports (2 vs. 233), but both have many recalls. In practice, the Silverado generates vastly more owner complaints, suggesting more frequent day-to-day problems, while the VNL's lower volume may reflect its commercial use and lower production numbers.
Key differences
- Complaint volume: Silverado averages 822.7 complaints per year vs. VNL's 2.1, indicating far more owner-reported problems.
- Crash and injury reports: Silverado has 233 crash-related complaints and 160 injuries; VNL has 2 crash-related and 3 injuries.
- Common failure areas: VNL complaints center on power train, steering, electrical, and brakes; Silverado complaints are dominated by engine and power train issues.
- Recalls: Both have many recalls (67 for VNL, 101 for Silverado), but the Silverado's higher complaint rate suggests more frequent unscheduled repairs.
- Check for power train warning messages and any history of rear axle or transmission repairs, as owners report smoking axles and sudden power loss.
- Inspect steering system for pulling to one side and ensure all electrical modules and DEF system have been updated per recalls.
- Test drive for engine stalling or sudden loss of power, and check for diesel particulate filter issues if equipped with Duramax.
- Verify that all electrical and brake system recalls have been performed, and watch for warning messages like 'Return to Neutral' or brake pedal firmness.
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 power train, steering, and brakes, focusing on the specific failure patterns reported.
- For the Silverado, test drive at various speeds and check for transmission hesitation or engine shutdowns.
- For the Volvo VNL, verify that all electrical and DEF system updates have been applied and check for carbon monoxide leaks.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and any documentation of previous repairs related to complaints.
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 VNL | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 120 |
| 2025 | 2 | 157 |
| 2024 | 0 | 527 |
| 2023 | 1 | 450 |
| 2022 | 2 | 1390 |
| 2021 | 0 | 961 |
| 2020 | 0 | 868 |
| 2019 | 4 | 2003 |
| 2018 | 8 | 597 |
| 2017 | 0 | 1154 |
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 VNL or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volvo VNL vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Volvo VNL total complaints
- 21
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Volvo VNL total recalls
- 67
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Volvo VNL avg complaints/year
- 2.1
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Volvo VNL
- Volvo VNL top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE