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Different vehicle classes · Different segments — choice depends on use case

2009 Chevrolet Silverado vs 2009 Nissan Titan

Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.

Synced 2026-06-14 Source: NHTSA public records Reviewed by ASE-certified contributors
Quick verdict
2009 Chevrolet Silverado versus 2009 Nissan Titan — different vehicles, different jobs

These two come from different segments, which makes a direct reliability comparison less meaningful than usual. Showing the data so you can see what each one is good at and where each one breaks down. The reliability scores (3.5 versus 4.1) reflect different testing populations and use patterns — don't treat them as apples-to-apples.

2009 Chevrolet Silverado

3.5/5
Reliability score
520 complaints
0 recalls (0 critical)
$14,200 repair exposure
vs

2009 Nissan Titan

4.1/5
Reliability score
47 complaints
0 recalls (0 critical)
$8,700 repair exposure

Stories from the shop

These come from different vehicle segments, which means we're not declaring a winner here. The 2009 Chevrolet Silverado scores 3.5; the 2009 Nissan Titan scores 4.1. Different testing populations, different driving patterns, different categories of failure. Use the data below to understand what each one is good at and what each one breaks.

If you lean 2009 Chevrolet Silverado, know what you're getting into on airbags and electrical. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2009 Nissan Titan sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.

On the dollars-and-cents side, total repair exposure across the top problem areas runs 1.6x higher on the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado. That's the number to keep in mind when you're pricing the deal — a $2,000 difference in purchase price disappears the first time you're staring at a transmission rebuild.

Bottom line: these are different categories of vehicle. Pick based on what you actually need it for. We're showing the reliability data so you can factor in long-term ownership cost, not pick a winner.

— ProblemsByVin editorial team, drawing on the NHTSA data and shop experience.

Side-by-side by problem area

Category
2009 Chevrolet Silverado
2009 Nissan Titan
airbags
240 reports
severe · ~$1,100
7 reports
severe · ~$1,100
electrical
49 reports
severe · ~$850
4 reports
severe · ~$850
body
50 reports
critical · ~$1,500
No reports
engine
32 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
6 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
brakes
17 reports
moderate · ~$450
7 reports
severe · ~$450
powertrain
14 reports
moderate · ~$2,500
5 reports
moderate · ~$2,500
steering
11 reports
severe · ~$700
3 reports
moderate · ~$700
cruise control
11 reports
moderate · ~$600
No reports

Common questions

Which is more reliable, the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado or the 2009 Nissan Titan?

Based on the NHTSA data we track, the 2009 Nissan Titan comes out ahead with a reliability score of 4.1 versus 3.5. The margin is clear, so the verdict could shift if you weight specific categories differently or factor in your own use case.

What goes wrong more often on the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado?

Compared to the 2009 Nissan Titan, the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado sees more reported issues in airbags and electrical. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.

What goes wrong more often on the 2009 Nissan Titan?

On the categories we tracked, the 2009 Nissan Titan doesn't show meaningfully more complaints than the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado. The two are running close.

Which has more recalls?

Both vehicles have 0 active recalls. Total recall count alone isn't a great signal — what matters is severity. See the recall counts by severity in the comparison table.

Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?

Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $14,200 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.

Related comparisons

Reliability scores, complaint counts, and severity ratings derived from the NHTSA public records database. Verify each vehicle's federal record: 2009 Chevrolet Silverado on NHTSA · 2009 Nissan Titan on NHTSA. "Repair exposure" is the sum of average independent-shop repair costs across each vehicle's tracked problem categories and is intended as a relative comparison, not an exact prediction. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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