Last updated: 2026-05-15
Chevrolet Silverado vs Ram Promaster: Reliability Compared
Chevrolet Silverado
Ram Promaster
Choosing between the Chevrolet Silverado and the Ram Promaster? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two full-size trucks.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Chevrolet Silverado currently leads with an average score of 71/100 compared to 62/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Chevrolet Silverado and Ram Promaster Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Chevrolet Silverado is more reliable than the Ram Promaster, scoring 71/100 vs 62/100.
The Chevrolet Silverado demonstrates superior reliability with an average score of 71 out of 100 compared to the Ram Promaster's 62. Despite having more recalls (91 versus 54), the Silverado has a lower owner complaint rate at 3.8 per 10,000 sold, contrasting with the Promaster's 4.6. Both vehicles face issues with their power train and electrical systems, but the Silverado's higher reliability score and lower complaint rate suggest it may offer a more dependable ownership experience. While specific repair costs are not provided, these metrics indicate the Silverado is the more reliable choice overall.
Key Differences
- 1Ram Promaster has 37 fewer total recalls
- 2Chevrolet Silverado scores 9 points higher in reliability
- 3Chevrolet Silverado has 0.8 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Chevrolet Silverado vs Ram Promaster: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Chevrolet Silverado | Ram Promaster |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 71/100 | 62/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 91 | 54 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 3.8 | 4.6 |
| Year Wins | 8 | 0 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Silverado and Ram Promaster?
The Chevrolet Silverado exhibits a higher volume of complaints across all categories compared to the Ram Promaster, with notable issues in the power train (1153 complaints) and engine (830 complaints) categories. The Silverado's service brakes and electrical system also present significant safety concerns, with 14 and 10 crash-linked complaints, respectively. In contrast, the Ram Promaster's most reported problems are in the electrical system and steering, with a total of 41 and 33 complaints, respectively, but it maintains a lower incidence of crash-linked issues overall. The Silverado's more severe problem profile, particularly in crash-linked categories, indicates a greater potential for safety risks compared to the Promaster.
| Component | Chevrolet Silverado | Ram Promaster |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 1Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.5Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.7Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.2Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.2Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.2Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.2Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SUSPENSION | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| EQUIPMENT | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Chevrolet Silverado vs Ram Promaster Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Chevrolet Silverado | Ram Promaster | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 85/1001R / 76C | 62/1004R / 3C | Chevrolet Silverado |
| 2024 | 73/1009R / 367C | 62/1006R / 5C | Chevrolet Silverado |
| 2023 | 75/1004R / 299C | 63/1007R / 39C | Chevrolet Silverado |
| 2022 | 70/1008R / 514C | 61/1008R / 53C | Chevrolet Silverado |
| 2021 | 67/10013R / 720C | 58/10011R / 98C | Chevrolet Silverado |
| 2020 | 67/10020R / 693C | 62/1007R / 34C | Chevrolet Silverado |
| 2019 | 64/10020R / 1043C | 58/10010R / 60C | Chevrolet Silverado |
| 2018 | 70/10016R / 551C | 68/1000R / 1C | Chevrolet Silverado |
| 2026(predicted) | 78/100(predicted) | 62/100(predicted) | Chevrolet Silverado |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Chevrolet Silverado scored 85/100 and the 2018 Ram Promaster scored 68/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Chevrolet Silverado vs the Ram Promaster?
Chevrolet Silverado vs Ram Promaster: Common Questions
- Is the Chevrolet Silverado more reliable than the Ram Promaster?
- Based on our data, the Chevrolet Silverado is more reliable with an average score of 71/100 compared to 62/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Silverado or the Ram Promaster?
- The Chevrolet Silverado has more recalls (91) compared to the Ram Promaster (54). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Chevrolet Silverado or the Ram Promaster?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Chevrolet Silverado has a lower complaint rate at 3.8 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 4.6 for the Ram Promaster. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Chevrolet Silverado comparisons
Decided between Chevrolet Silverado and Ram Promaster? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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