Last updated: 2026-03-04

Chevrolet Silverado vs Tesla Cybertruck: Reliability Compared

Choosing between the Chevrolet Silverado and the Tesla Cybertruck? 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 59/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

Verdict

The Chevrolet Silverado is more reliable than the Tesla Cybertruck, scoring 71/100 vs 59/100.

Key Differences

  1. 1Tesla Cybertruck has 78 fewer total recalls
  2. 2Chevrolet Silverado has 19.9 fewer complaints per 10k sold
  3. 3Chevrolet Silverado scores 12 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

2Chevrolet Silverado
1Tesla Cybertruck
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Chevrolet Silverado vs Tesla Cybertruck: Which Is More Reliable?

Chevrolet Silverado vs Tesla Cybertruck at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricChevrolet SilveradoTesla Cybertruck
Reliability Score71/10059/100
Years Tracked93
Total Recalls9113
Complaints per 10k Sold3.823.7
Safety RatingNHTSA overall
2026 NHTSA
2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins20

What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Silverado and Tesla Cybertruck?

Chevrolet Silverado vs Tesla Cybertruck common problem areas comparison
ComponentChevrolet SilveradoTesla Cybertruck
STRUCTURE0.1Very Low6Average
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM0.5Very Low2.4Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER0.2Very Low2.6Low
STEERING0.2Very Low2.4Low
VISIBILITY/WIPERNone2.4Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTINGNone1.6Low
POWER TRAIN1Very LowNone
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCENone1Very Low
ENGINE0.7Very LowNone
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLNone0.6Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTIONNone0.4Very Low
LANE DEPARTURENone0.4Very Low
TIRESNone0.4Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES0.2Very LowNone
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING0.2Very LowNone
AIR BAGS0.1Very LowNone
SUSPENSION0.1Very LowNone
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMNoneNone
FUEL SYSTEMNoneNone

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

How Does Chevrolet Silverado vs Tesla Cybertruck Reliability Compare by Year?

Chevrolet Silverado vs Tesla Cybertruck year-by-year reliability scores
YearChevrolet SilveradoTesla CybertruckEdge
202585/1001R / 76C65/1002R / 13CChevrolet Silverado
202473/1009R / 367C52/10010R / 104CChevrolet Silverado
2026(predicted)78/100(predicted)59/100(predicted)Chevrolet Silverado

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Chevrolet Silverado scored 85/100 and the 2025 Tesla Cybertruck scored 65/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Chevrolet Silverado vs Tesla Cybertruck: Common Questions

Is the Chevrolet Silverado more reliable than the Tesla Cybertruck?
Based on our data, the Chevrolet Silverado is more reliable with an average score of 71/100 compared to 59/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Silverado or the Tesla Cybertruck?
The Chevrolet Silverado has more recalls (91) compared to the Tesla Cybertruck (13). 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 Tesla Cybertruck?
Adjusted for sales volume, the Chevrolet Silverado has a lower complaint rate at 3.8 per 10,000 sold versus 23.7 for the Tesla Cybertruck. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Is the Chevrolet Silverado or Tesla Cybertruck safer?
Both the Chevrolet Silverado and Tesla Cybertruck received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

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

1

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.

2

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

3

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.

4

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.

See incorrect data? Report an issue