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 averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Volvo VNL has 21 complaints and 65 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 | Volvo VNL | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 21 Better | 7,904 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 65 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 2 Better | 229 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.1 Better | 790.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 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.
Volvo VNL
- 01POWER TRAIN6
- 02STEERING6
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
- 04SERVICE BRAKES4
- 05ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
“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
- 01ENGINE2,352
- 02POWER TRAIN2,254
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,452
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,198
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER838
“My 2025 Chevy Silverado 1500 6.2L V8 experienced an internal engine failure at approximately 16,500 miles, requiring replacement of the entire long block under the factory powertrain warranty. The authorized Chevrolet dealership diagnosed internal cylinder wa…”
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine in my 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 experienced a catastrophic internal failure caused by a failed thrust bearing in the crankshaft assembly. The fai…”
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 — 65 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 — 100 recalls
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…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025 Chevrolet Silverado EV work trucks. The pedestrian alert sound system may not produce sound at a sufficient volume. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 141, "Minimum So…
The risk: A vehicle that fails to make sufficient sound may result in pedestrians being unaware of an approaching vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the software in the body control module (BCM), free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 22, 2025. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N24…
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, 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…
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 | 82 |
| 2025 | 2 | 135 |
| 2024 | 0 | 498 |
| 2023 | 1 | 424 |
| 2022 | 2 | 1302 |
| 2021 | 0 | 914 |
| 2020 | 0 | 831 |
| 2019 | 4 | 1977 |
| 2018 | 8 | 588 |
| 2017 | 0 | 1153 |
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
- 7,904
- Volvo VNL total recalls
- 65
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- Volvo VNL avg complaints/year
- 2.1
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 790.4
- More reliable overall
- Volvo VNL
- Volvo VNL top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE