Chevrolet Reliability Guide
I am a serial entrepreneur and a consumer advocate. When I’m not helping car buyers, I love working on ventures that have a positive impact.
I run a cause marketing agency and serve on the board of Vayu Global Health where we are disrupting the medical industry and preventing the needless deaths of mothers and babies during childbirth.
Chevrolet is one of the oldest American car brands. Since 2011, Chevrolet (Chevy) has been in the business of making best-selling cars.
We cannot deny Chevrolet’s recognition in the automobile industry, they have come a long way, and there is no doubt that they have some good cars to their name. Chevrolet is not limited to only Chevy trucks, they have a lot of SUVs, crossovers, and muscle cars with impressive performance and safety ratings.
But are Chevrolets reliable? Chevys are fairly reliable cars. Chevys have a mid-reliability rating, good enough to outrank Ford’s reliability.
These cars offer great engine power, amazing longevity, and high safety ratings. However, they are not the type of cars you will want to keep for a long time. With a Chevy car, you have a higher probability of visiting the mechanic for minor or major repairs.
There are many things you should know about Chevrolet’s reliability, read on to discover them.
Table of Contents
Are Chevrolets Reliable?
Chevrolets are fairly reliable cars. The reliability you will obtain from these cars depends on your driving conditions and maintenance habits.
Chevys are not averagely cheap to maintain. With an annual repair and maintenance cost of $649, you have a maintenance cost that is slightly lower than the $652 annual repair cost for all car models. However, you must understand that with a Chevy, you have a 0.4 chance of visiting a mechanic and a 15% probability of a major repair.
Chevrolet cars have reliability ratings that dangle in the middle. Consumer reports rate Chevrolet 17th out of 26 brands with a reliability score of 42. RepairPal gives Chevrolet cars a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5.0, ranking 20th out of 32 car brands.
There are quite a few good things about Chevrolet cars. They have an encouraging number of cars earning high safety ratings on IIHS and NHTSA.
As a brand, Chevrolet enjoys an impressive level of customer satisfaction, but we’ve noticed a recurring trend in their cars; most models come with unexplainable problems. From the engine, transmission, and converters, electrical issues, or unnecessary faults. You will enjoy a Chevy car if your choice falls within an SUV or a truck.
However, you might be lucky to enjoy the car if you can lay your hands on the reliable Chevy models. On an overall scale, you can rely on Chevrolet cars for fuel economy, great designs, impressive safety features, and technology.
Why Chevrolets are Considered Fairly Reliable
Here are the major reasons why Chevy cars are considered to be fairly reliable.
1. Safety and Technology
Chevrolet is good at making safe cars. Chevy has many cars earning the IIHS Top Safety Pick rating almost every year. Between 2022 – 2020, Chevrolet made safer SUVs than any of its line-ups.
Smaller Chevy cars earned high safety ratings from 2019 to later years. The safety technology package of Chevrolet is “user-focused.” However, it does not override the driver’s responsibility to keep himself and other road users safe.
Chevrolet active safety technology includes:
- Forward collision alert
- Automatic emergency braking
- Front pedestrian braking
- Lane-keep assist
- Lane departure warning
- Following distance indicator
- Rear vision camera
- High-definition surround vision
- Rear camera mirror
- Lane change alert with side blind zone alert
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Rear park assist
- Intellibeam auto high-beam assist
Chevy cars have an OnStar safety and security that offers 24/7 assistance during crashes and emergencies. There’s also the “teen driver” feature that offers strict safety operations. For instance, the car won’t move with the buckle to drive until the driver fastens the seatbelt.
You must understand that these features are limited and not readily available in all Chevy models. You must confirm with your dealer the safety technology of your preferred car.
2. Fuel efficiency
Chevrolet cars have good gas mileage, with the 2022 Chevrolet Spark posing as the Chevy car with the best gas mileage. The level of gas mileage attained on Chevrolet cars varies according to the model you choose, but on an overall scale, you will get a fuel-efficient system that you can rely on.
This includes an EPA estimate that starts from 28 MPG highway, with the 2022 Chevrolet Spark achieving 38 MPG highway.
On small (SUV) chevy cars like Malibu, Trailblazer, and Equinox, Chevrolet optimizes the use of turbo engines to achieve speed and drive efficiency without sacrificing fuel economy.
On Chevrolet trucks, you have the Duramax diesel engine technology that offers a significantly lower fuel consumption than most gas engines in other cars. You can opt for the Chevrolet electric model if you want to go green.
3. Engine and Performance
Chevy engines are quite reliable, offering a burst of power, speed, and durability. There has been much argument on the durability of Chevy engines since the inclusion of Duramax engines.
Not only do these engines provide impressive fuel economy, but they also unleash high horsepower.
As for durability, many Duramax engines are running on the road today, new and strong, even though they’ve lasted more than ten years of usage. Chevrolet engines have an average lifespan of 200,000 miles, but with proper maintenance, you should expect your Chevy engine to last up to 300,000 miles.
Chevy uses different engines for its cars, depending on the model's needs and specifications. From the efficient-high performance Ecotec four-cylinder turbocharged engine to the L78, L72, L88, and many best Chevy engines, they are all optimized to deliver an awesome driving experience, power burst, and fuel efficiency.
4. Durability
Although some Chevy models are so problematic, Chevy cars are quite durable. Most of their cars are built to last. Chevy cars have an extended lifespan of 200,000 to 300,000 miles and can last up to 10 to 20 years.
Chevrolet Reliability: Pros
- Affordable
- High safety ratings
- Durable
- Fuel economy
Chevrolet Reliability: Cons
- Cost of maintenance is not cheap, but not too expensive
- Some Chevrolet models have slow acceleration
- Engines' tendency to breakdown
Verdict
Chevrolet is your go-to brand if you want a satisfying driving experience without inflating your budget.
Chevy cars don’t have a good resale value, but you will surely enjoy them while they last. Ensure that you make inquiries on your preferred model before purchasing.
