Brand record
Chevrolet Recalls by Model: Reliability and Common Problems
Every Chevrolet model in NHTSA's owner complaint file, 2010 to 2025: the recall campaigns for each model, which models and years owners complain about most, and the problems they report.
NHTSA owner complaintsChecked Oct 3, 202657,938 complaints41 models
The Silverado 1500 drew the most owner complaints of any Chevrolet in NHTSA's file for 2010 to 2025, then the Malibu and the Equinox. The Tahoe and the Silverado 1500 have the most recall campaigns, 51 and 50.
Best-sellers draw the most reports, so a high count is not a failure rate. Check one car with its VIN.
On the 2014 to 2018 Silverado 1500 and the 2015 to 2018 Tahoe and Suburban, the engine-driven vacuum pump that helps the brakes can lose vacuum over time, so the pedal takes more effort and stops get longer; recall 19V-645 reprograms the brake control module free. Recall 19V-761 reprograms the same module on 5.3-liter four-wheel-drive trucks with a 3.08 axle, where a failed wheel-speed sensor could brake one wheel on its own and pull the truck to one side.
The 2011 to 2016 Cruze, the 2010 to 2013 Equinox and the 2013 to 2015 Malibu fall under recall 16V-502, for replacement park lock levers that can let the key come out when the shifter is not in Park, so the car could roll away. Dealers check the key cylinder lock housing and replace it free if needed.
Chevrolet recalls by model
Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for each Chevrolet model, model years 2010 to 2025, read Oct 3, 2026. Each campaign counts once per model, however many years it covers. NHTSA's recall service returned no answer for Silverado 1500 2025; Traverse 2024 and 2025; Equinox 2017 and 2025; Colorado 2019 and 2020; Corvette 2010 and 2013; Camaro 2023; Impala 2016, 2017 and 2020; Volt 2014 and 2017, so those years are not counted. Recall repairs are free at the dealer; check one car with its VIN.
- TahoeMost often: airbag system51
- Silverado 1500Most often: airbag system50
- SuburbanMost often: airbag system40
- MalibuMost often: airbag system36
- Silverado 2500Most often: airbag system36
- TraverseMost often: airbag system27
- CruzeMost often: airbag system26
- EquinoxMost often: seat25
- ColoradoMost often: airbag system24
- CorvetteMost often: airbag system21
- CamaroMost often: airbag system18
- ImpalaMost often: airbag system17
- VoltMost often: airbag system8
Chevrolet complaints by model
Owner complaints to NHTSA for each Chevrolet model with at least 1,000 of them, model years 2010 to 2025, and the year that drew the most. A best-seller draws more reports than a rare model, so read these as counts, not failure rates. 28 smaller models are left out.
- Silverado 1500Most: 2014 · steering9,859
- MalibuMost: 2010 · steering7,594
- EquinoxMost: 2010 · engine6,518
- TraverseMost: 2010 · steering4,947
- CruzeMost: 2012 · engine3,710
- TahoeMost: 2015 · braking system3,525
- ImpalaMost: 2014 · electrical system2,736
- ColoradoMost: 2016 · steering2,312
- SuburbanMost: 2015 · braking system1,976
- VoltMost: 2017 · electrical system1,857
- CamaroMost: 2010 · airbag system1,713
- Silverado 2500Most: 2015 · electrical system1,232
- CorvetteMost: 2017 · wheels1,109
Chevrolet model years with the most complaints
The ten Chevrolet model years owners complained about most, with the system they named most. These are the years to inspect hardest before you buy, not a verdict on every car.
- 2014 Silverado 1500Steering28%1,433
- 2010 MalibuSteering33%1,359
- 2015 Silverado 1500Braking system32%1,098
- 2019 Silverado 1500Engine34%1,058
- 2011 MalibuElectrical system23%976
- 2012 MalibuElectrical system31%905
- 2012 CruzeEngine31%864
- 2013 MalibuElectrical system44%835
- 2016 MalibuEngine36%835
- 2016 Silverado 1500Braking system32%791
Most common Chevrolet problems
The systems owners named most across every Chevrolet model and year in the file, counted from each model year's six most-named systems.
- Engine22% of the complaints12,479
- Electrical system19% of the complaints11,041
- Powertrain14% of the complaints8,287
- Steering10% of the complaints5,690
- Braking system8% of the complaints4,371
- Airbag system7% of the complaints4,257
Our guides for these problems
Check engine codes Chevrolet owners name
The OBD-II codes owners wrote into their complaints for the 3 Chevrolet model years we have read in full, one count per complaint. Tap a code to read our guide; grey codes have no guide yet.
Common questions
Are Chevrolets reliable?
The complaint file can't grade a brand, because it counts reports, not failures per car sold. What it shows is where Chevrolet owners report trouble: the engine most, then the electrical system, and the Silverado 1500, Malibu and Equinox draw the most complaints.
Which Chevrolets should you stay away from?
No model is bad in every year. The model years with the most owner complaints are 2014 Silverado 1500, 2010 Malibu, 2015 Silverado 1500 and 2019 Silverado 1500; inspect those hardest and check their recalls before you buy.
Which Chevrolet has the most recalls?
The Tahoe, with 51 recall campaigns across model years 2010 to 2025, then the Silverado 1500 with 50.
What is the most common problem with Chevrolets?
Owners name the engine most, in 12,479 complaints, 22% of the Chevrolet record, then the electrical system, in 11,041.
How do I check if my Chevrolet has a recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN in our free recall checker or on NHTSA's recall page. It lists open recalls for that one car, and the dealer does the repair for free.