Head-to-head reliability
Volvo XC60 vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Volvo XC60 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 XC60 vs Chevrolet Silverado: The XC60 averages 105.2 complaints per year, mostly electrical and false braking, while the Silverado averages 134, with powertrain and brake failures. The XC60 has 44 recalls, the Silverado 100. Neither has reported deaths. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volvo XC60 or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volvo XC60
The Volvo XC60, a compact luxury SUV, shows a high complaint rate of 105.2 per year over the past decade, with electrical system issues dominating. Owners report sudden deceleration, phantom auto-braking, and infotainment blackouts, suggesting software and sensor gremlins that can affect daily drivability. While no deaths are reported, 71 injuries and 70 crashes indicate these failures can lead to real hazards.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado, a full-size pickup, averages 134 complaints per year, with powertrain and brake problems leading. Owners describe transmission line failures causing fluid loss, sudden engine knocking requiring replacement, and brake system faults that can disable the vehicle. With 100 recalls and 80 crashes, the Silverado shows a pattern of mechanical breakdowns that can leave owners stranded.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volvo XC60 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,052 Better | 1,340 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 44 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 70 Better | 80 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 105.2 Better | 134.0 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 71 | 33 Better |
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 XC60
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM388
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER193
- 03SERVICE BRAKES161
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE143
- 05ENGINE85
Owners report the start/stop support battery failing, causing a 'service required' message, and the battery's location makes replacement costly. Others describe the vehicle decelerating independently without warning, a dangerous loss of control.
The City Safety auto-braking system activates for no reason, slamming the brakes to a full stop when no obstacle is present. This can cause rear-end collisions or panic in traffic.
Brake issues include defective rear rotors needing replacement after one day, and the start/stop system causing confusion when the car restarts unexpectedly while the driver thinks it's off.
“The support battery for start/stop started to show on the dash and tells me that service is required about 2 weeks ago. "THE LOCATION OF THE BATTERY IS MY CONCERN". A month ago, the air coming out from the vent of the ac/heater started to smell like a rotten…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 VOLVO XC60. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY AND SHE DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STAT…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01POWER TRAIN339
- 02SERVICE BRAKES300
- 03ENGINE257
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM214
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER146
Transmission fluid lines fail at highway speed, rapidly leaking fluid without warning, leading to loss of drive. Some trucks lose power suddenly while towing, stranding the driver.
Brake system faults can disable the vehicle entirely, with owners unable to shift out of park or experiencing loss of braking power. High-voltage battery faults in EV models also cause loss of vehicle control.
Engines develop loud knocking noises at low mileage (around 3,000 miles) requiring complete replacement, often without any warning lights. Others lose power at highway speed with metal rattling sounds.
“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 XC60 — 44 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 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.…
The defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, C40, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40 and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply wi…
The risk: A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for…
The defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, C40, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40 and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply wi…
The risk: A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for…
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 XC60 or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Volvo XC60 has fewer complaints per year (105.2 vs 134.0) and fewer recalls (44 vs 100), suggesting a lower overall failure rate. However, its issues are more safety-critical, involving sudden braking and deceleration, while the Silverado's problems are more mechanical and drivetrain-related. In practice, the XC60 may be less reliable in daily driving due to unpredictable electronic glitches.
Key differences
- Volvo XC60: Electrical system and forward collision avoidance issues cause sudden, unexpected braking and deceleration; Silverado: Powertrain and brake failures lead to loss of power or inability to move.
- Volvo XC60: 44 recalls vs Silverado's 100, indicating fewer factory-acknowledged defects.
- Volvo XC60: 71 injuries from 70 crashes; Silverado: 33 injuries from 80 crashes, suggesting XC60 failures more often result in harm.
- Silverado: Engine knocking requiring replacement at low miles is a major red flag; XC60's battery location and start/stop problems are less catastrophic but annoying.
- Check for any 'service required' messages related to the start/stop battery, and verify the battery's condition and replacement history.
- Test the City Safety auto-braking system in a safe area to see if it engages falsely; ask the owner if they've experienced phantom braking.
- Inspect the transmission fluid lines for leaks or signs of repair; ask if the transmission has ever been serviced or replaced.
- Listen for engine knocking during a cold start and test drive; check service records for any engine work or replacement.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full service history and check for any open recalls on both vehicles using the NHTSA website.
- Test drive the Volvo XC60 on a route with intersections to see if the auto-braking engages unexpectedly.
- For the Silverado, perform a highway test drive to check for transmission shudder or loss of power.
- Inspect the Volvo's infotainment screen for blackouts or lag, especially when using the backup camera.
- Check the Silverado's brake pedal feel and ensure no warning lights appear after starting.
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 XC60 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 13 | 70 |
| 2025 | 30 | 118 |
| 2024 | 44 | 0 |
| 2023 | 196 | 0 |
| 2022 | 340 | 0 |
| 2021 | 124 | 0 |
| 2020 | 80 | 0 |
| 2019 | 102 | 0 |
| 2018 | 108 | 0 |
| 2017 | 15 | 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 XC60 or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volvo XC60 vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Volvo XC60 total complaints
- 1,052
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 1,340
- Volvo XC60 total recalls
- 44
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- Volvo XC60 avg complaints/year
- 105.2
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 134.0
- More reliable overall
- Volvo XC60
- Volvo XC60 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN