YearToAvoid

Chevrolet Best and Worst Years by Model

46 Chevrolet models, 100,955 NHTSA owner complaints and 731 recall campaigns for model years 2005–2025. Pick a model to see which years to avoid and which are the safest bets.

Chevrolet models ranked by owner complaints

Sorted by popularity. Years to avoid / best years come from each model’s own Complaint Index.

Verdicts are based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, compared within each model. This is not a reliability rating. How the Complaint Index works.

ModelYearsComplaintsRecallsYears to avoidBest yearsTop issue
Chevrolet Equinox2005–20259,066312010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 20252021, 2023, 2024Engine
Chevrolet Tahoe2005–20255,982612007, 2008, 2011, 2015, 2021, 20232014, 2018, 2020Airbags
Chevrolet Traverse2009–20255,437312009, 2010, 2011, 2019, 20252013, 2021, 2022, 2023Engine
Chevrolet Silverado 15002005–202514,703832014, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2021, 20222010, 2012, 2013, 2025Engine
Chevrolet Corvette2005–20253,044272005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2017, 20192012, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022Fuel System
Chevrolet Trax2013–2025943112019, 2024, 20252022Engine
Chevrolet Suburban2005–20253,465552007, 2008, 2015, 2016, 2021, 20232012, 2013, 2014Airbags
Chevrolet Camaro2010–20241,726172010, 2011, 2015, 20172021, 2022, 2023Electrical System
Chevrolet Colorado2005–20253,239292005, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2023, 20242010, 2011, 2012Steering
Chevrolet Sonic2011–2020953162012, 2013, 20152018, 2019Engine
Chevrolet Malibu2005–202513,193422008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 20162021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025Steering
Chevrolet Impala2005–20206,135202007, 2008, 2009, 20142017, 2018, 2019, 2020Electrical System
Chevrolet Cruze2010–20193,720262011, 2012, 20142018, 2019Engine
Chevrolet Trailblazer2005–20253,953142005, 2006, 20072025Electrical System
Chevrolet Captiva2011–201531512013, 2014—Electrical System
Chevrolet Aveo2005–20121,11632007, 20092011Electrical System
Chevrolet Spark2013–202250292013, 2014, 20202016, 2018Engine
Chevrolet Avalanche2005–20131,566182007, 2008, 20112012Airbags
Chevrolet Blazer2005–202575892019, 2020, 2021—Electrical System
Chevrolet HHR2006–20113,57472006, 20092010, 2011Steering
Chevrolet Volt2011–20191,86282012, 2013, 20172011, 2015Electrical System
Chevrolet Silverado 25002005–20252,153392005, 2007, 2008, 2015, 2020, 20242010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017Electrical System
Chevrolet Uplander2005–200958452005, 2006—Structure & Body
Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid2008–20129302008, 2009—Electrical System
Chevrolet Equinox EV2024–20252707——Visibility & Wipers
Chevrolet Cobalt2005–20177,677102005, 2006, 2007—Steering
Chevrolet Monte Carlo2005–201027922005, 2006—Electrical System
Chevrolet Bolt EV2017–2023973132017, 2020—Electrical System
Chevrolet Silverado 35002005–2025610402006, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2024, 20252014, 2017, 2018Electrical System
Chevrolet Bolt EUV2022–20231444——Electrical System
Chevrolet Express2005–2025248542009, 2010, 2012, 2020, 20212011, 2015Brakes
Chevrolet Blazer EV2024–2025966——Collision Avoidance & Cameras
Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid2008–20199312009, 2016—Electrical System
Chevrolet SS2014–20171021220142017Steering
Chevrolet Express 35002005–20247922005, 2006, 2007—Fuel System
Chevrolet Malibu Maxx2005–20076404——Steering
Chevrolet Cobalt SS2008–20102940——Brakes
Chevrolet Cavalier20052870——Electrical System
Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext 3702005–20062530——Electrical System
Chevrolet Trailblazer Ext20061896——Fuel System
Chevrolet Corvette Z062005–200814612008—Engine
Chevrolet Malibu Classic2005–20081281——Electrical System
Chevrolet Trailblazer 3602005–200911802005, 2007—Electrical System
Chevrolet Malibu Eco2013–2014991——Electrical System
Chevrolet Captiva Sport2012–2014952——Electrical System
Chevrolet Express 15002005–20145332005, 2007, 2014—Airbags

Chevrolet model years with the most complaints

Raw complaint counts (not adjusted for age or sales). Click through for the breakdown.

  1. 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt · 2,330 complaints · 5 recalls Avoid
  2. 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt · 1,649 complaints · 5 recalls Avoid
  3. 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt · 1,564 complaints · 5 recalls Avoid
  4. 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · 1,560 complaints · 19 recalls Avoid
  5. 2009 Chevrolet Malibu · 1,509 complaints · 5 recalls Avoid
  6. 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer · 1,466 complaints · 2 recalls Avoid
  7. 2010 Chevrolet Malibu · 1,361 complaints · 3 recalls Avoid
  8. 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · 1,181 complaints · 18 recalls Avoid
  9. 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe · 1,177 complaints · 4 recalls Avoid
  10. 2006 Chevrolet Malibu · 1,115 complaints · 6 recalls Caution

How we rank Chevrolet years

For each model we compare its own model years using the Complaint Index: complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and “Do Not Drive” recalls reported to NHTSA, adjusted for how long each year has been on the road. The top quarter of a model’s years is marked Avoid, the bottom quarter Best. Because NHTSA publishes no sales data, models are not ranked against each other. Full details in the methodology.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.