Chevrolet is a USA carmaker founded in 1911, now part of General Motors. The cars themselves are another matter: across 65 VIN prefixes on record they came off lines in 4 countries — the United States 68.9%, Canada 20%, Mexico 8.9%. 62 models are tracked here (1981–2026). Reliable? yes, on balance — 4.1 out of 5 across 62 rated models, though the spread between model years is far wider than the badge suggests (every model ranked →).
Who makes Chevrolet
Chevrolet, often abbreviated Chevy, is the American mass-market division of General Motors, headquartered alongside its parent in Detroit, Michigan. Founded by Swiss-American racing driver Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant in 1911, Chevrolet was acquired by General Motors in 1918 and has been GM's highest-volume brand worldwide ever since. Chevrolet sells passenger cars, pickup trucks, SUVs and electric vehicles across more than 100 countries. The Silverado is GM's full-size pickup competitor to the Ford F-Series and Ram, and the Corvette has been continuously produced as America's flagship sports car since 1953. The Bolt EV and Bolt EUV anchored Chevy's first wave of affordable electric vehicles, and the Equinox EV and Silverado EV represent the second-generation Ultium-platform lineup. General Motors trades on the New York Stock Exchange under GM. Chevrolet recalls are reported to NHTSA, and EPA fuel-economy ratings, IIHS crash-test scores and J.D. Power dependability studies provide third-party benchmarks. ForCar.org decodes any Chevrolet VIN against NHTSA's dataset to reveal trim, factory options, open recalls and original window-sticker MSRP.
Louis Chevrolet, a Swiss-born race-car driver, partnered with William C. Durant to launch the Chevrolet Motor Car Company in November 1911. The 1912 Series C Classic Six was the brand's first production model. Chevrolet entered General Motors in 1918 and supplanted Ford as the US sales leader in the late 1920s. The 1953 Corvette became America's first mass-produced sports car, and the 1955 Small-Block V8 set the architecture for GM performance engines for the next half-century.
| Item | Chevrolet |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1911 |
| Founded by | Louis Chevrolet, William C. Durant |
| Headquarters | Detroit, USA |
| Owned by | General Motors |
| Listed as | GM |
| Slogan | «Find New Roads» |
| Models tracked here | 49 (1981–2026) |
| Assembled in | 4 countries |
Technology it is known for: Ultium battery platform, Super Cruise hands-free highway driving, Magnetic Selective Ride Control, Small-Block V8 engines, Chevy Safety Assist.
This page covers the Chevrolet automobile brand owned by General Motors — not Louis Chevrolet personally or the Chevrolet racing engine builder.
Where Chevrolet cars are actually built
A badge says where a company is registered, not where its cars were bolted together. The first three characters of any VIN — the world manufacturer identifier — say the second thing, and that is what we counted: 124,585 vehicles on record, 65 distinct manufacturer codes.
| Assembled in | Share | VIN starts with | Years seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| the United States | 1G1, 1GN, 1GC, 1GB | 1981–2026 | |
| Canada | 2G1, 2GC, 2GN, 2CN | 1983–2022 | |
| Mexico | 3GN, 3GC, 3G1, 3GK | 1986–2026 | |
| South Korea | KL1, KL7, KL8 | 2003–2026 |
Read your own: the first character is the region, the first three together identify the plant's manufacturer. A Chevrolet beginning 1G1 was assembled in the United States.
All Chevrolet models 62
Every Chevrolet model we track, grouped by body type. Click any model for its VIN decoder, recalls, MPG, safety and ForCar Reliability Score — broken down by year.
Chevrolet SUVs & crossovers 10
| Model | Years | Recalls | Complaints | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Equinox | 2005–2026 | 52 | 9,216 | 109 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Traverse | 2009–2026 | 75 | 5,472 | 23 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Tahoe | 1995–2026 | 169 | 10,295 | 24 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Suburban | 1981–2026 | 178 | 8,329 | 23 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Chevrolet Trailblazer | 2002–2026 | 57 | 8,447 | 31 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Trax | 2013–2026 | 24 | 1,003 | 30 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Avalanche | 2002–2013 | 46 | 2,963 | 17 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Chevrolet Bolt EV | 2017–2023 | 38 | 589 | 120 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Chevrolet HHR | 2006–2011 | 28 | 3,575 | 26 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Tracker | 1995–2020 | 13 | 482 | 24 mpg | 3.5/5 |
Chevrolet Cars & sedans 25
| Model | Years | Recalls | Complaints | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Camaro | 1981–2026 | 199 | 3,459 | 25 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Chevrolet Impala | 1981–2026 | 98 | 10,373 | 28 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Malibu | 1981–2026 | 139 | 21,202 | 46 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Spark | 2008–2026 | 19 | 530 | 119 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Chevrolet Nova | 1985–1988 | 3 | 32 | 29 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 1981–2007 | 88 | 2,306 | 22 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Cruze | 2010–2026 | 45 | 3,727 | 37 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Cobalt | 2005–2010 | 35 | 7,966 | 30 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Volt | 2011–2026 | 12 | 1,874 | 42 mpg | 5.0/5 |
| Chevrolet Sonic | 2012–2026 | 23 | 953 | 32 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Caprice | 1981–2026 | 95 | 862 | 21 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Metro | 1998–2001 | 3 | 12 | 40 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Cavalier | 1981–2005 | 111 | 5,297 | 27 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Lumina | 1990–2001 | 53 | 3,568 | 21 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Aveo | 2004–2026 | 14 | 1,322 | 30 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Citation | 1981–1985 | 9 | 17 | 25 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Celebrity | 1984–1990 | 17 | 251 | 26 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Chevrolet Chevette | 1981–1987 | 12 | 17 | 36 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Beretta | 1985–1996 | 26 | 691 | 26 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Epica | 2004–2006 | — | — | 21 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Corsica | 1985–1996 | 26 | 1,092 | 25 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Malibu Limited | 2016–2016 | 1 | 803 | 27 mpg | 5.0/5 |
| Chevrolet Impala Limited | 2014–2016 | 3 | 1,686 | 22 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Cruze Limited | 2016–2016 | 1 | 240 | 33 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Optra | 2004–2009 | 5 | 10 | 23 mpg | 3.5/5 |
Chevrolet Trucks 6
| Model | Years | Recalls | Complaints | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Silverado | 1999–2026 | 445 | 15,453 | 27 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Chevrolet Colorado | 2004–2026 | 70 | 3,628 | 25 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Chevrolet SS | 2014–2026 | 24 | 99 | 85 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Chevrolet El Camino | 1981–1988 | 14 | 3 | 21 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Chevrolet SSR | 2003–2006 | 4 | 101 | 16 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Chevrolet S-10 Pickup | 1982–2005 | 12 | 6 | 29 mpg | 3.5/5 |
Chevrolet Minivans & vans 4
| Model | Years | Recalls | Complaints | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Express | 1997–2026 | 143 | 630 | 25 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Uplander | 2005–2009 | 11 | 584 | 19 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Chevrolet 3500 | 2009–2026 | — | — | 12 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Venture | 1997–2005 | 68 | 2,519 | 20 mpg | 3.5/5 |
Chevrolet More models 17
| Model | Years | Recalls | Complaints | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Corvette | 1981–2026 | 155 | 5,393 | 21 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Chevrolet Blazer | 1981–2026 | 128 | 8,955 | 104 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Chevrolet Alero | 1999–1999 | — | — | — | 4.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Astro Van | 1985–2005 | — | — | — | 4.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Orlando | 2009–2026 | — | 1 | — | 4.5/5 |
| Chevrolet BrightDrop | 2025–2026 | — | — | — | 4.5/5 |
| Chevrolet City Express | 2015–2018 | 7 | 15 | 25 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Onix | 2021–2026 | — | 1 | — | 3.5/5 |
| Chevrolet GMT-400 | 1987–2002 | — | 7 | — | 4.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Captiva Sport | 2010–2026 | 2 | — | — | 4.5/5 |
| Chevrolet C6 | 1981–2009 | 8 | — | — | 4.5/5 |
| Chevrolet U100 | 2004–2005 | — | — | — | 4.5/5 |
| Chevrolet S-10 Blazer | 1982–2000 | — | — | 23 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Chevrolet P - Series | 1981–1994 | — | — | — | 4.5/5 |
| Chevrolet C8 | 2003–2009 | — | — | — | 4.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Malibu Classic | 2004–2005 | 2 | — | — | 4.5/5 |
| Chevrolet 4500 | 2016–2026 | 1 | 1 | — | 4.5/5 |
Chevrolet by the numbers
What the federal records say about the marque. Each line links to the full breakdown by model and year.
| Topic | Chevrolet | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 2,811 campaigns | Most recalled: Exterior Lighting |
| Owner complaints | 105,708+ filed | Most reported: Malibu |
| Fuel economy | 120 mpg best | Leader: Bolt EV |
| Crash safety | ★★★★★ top rated | 8 models tested by NHTSA |
| Insurance | $1,518/yr typical | Cheapest: Express |
Compare model years like a dealer does.
- Full research report on any model year
- Market chart: how this model holds value
- Exact values with mileage adjustment
- Price-drop alerts on the trims you're watching
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
Chevrolet hybrids & electric models
Chevrolet's electrified lineup — 7 hybrids and 5 electric / plug-in. Click any model for its full powertrain, MPG and range by year.
Chevrolet hybrids 7
| Model | Years | Best figure | Recalls | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Silverado | 1999–2026 | 27 | 445 | 4.0/5 |
| Chevrolet Tahoe | 1995–2026 | 24 | 169 | 4.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Corvette | 1981–2026 | 21 | 155 | 4.0/5 |
| Chevrolet Impala | 1981–2026 | 28 | 98 | 4.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Malibu | 1981–2026 | 46 | 139 | 4.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Metro | 1998–2001 | 40 | 3 | 3.5/5 |
| Chevrolet Chevette | 1981–1987 | 36 | 12 | 3.5/5 |
Chevrolet electric & plug-in 5
| Model | Years | Best figure | Recalls | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Equinox | 2005–2026 | 109 | 52 | 4.5/5 |
| Chevrolet SS | 2014–2026 | 85 | 24 | 4.0/5 |
| Chevrolet Blazer | 1981–2026 | 104 | 128 | 4.0/5 |
| Chevrolet Spark | 2008–2026 | 119 | 19 | 4.0/5 |
| Chevrolet Bolt EV | 2017–2023 | 120 | 38 | 4.5/5 |
Electrified variants from EPA fueleconomy.gov powertrain data. A model may offer gas, hybrid and electric versions across years.
Get a Chevrolet window sticker by VIN
Recreate any Chevrolet's original Monroney label — MSRP, factory options, EPA MPG and safety — free from the VIN.
Chevrolet window stickers →How to read a Chevrolet VIN
Every Chevrolet built since 1981 carries a unique 17-character VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). It encodes where and when the vehicle was made, its engine and body — here's what each part means:
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Chevrolet and the country it was built in.
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled it.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
The remaining digits — engine (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard. Our VIN lookup reads every position for you — engine code, model year, assembly plant and country of build.
Who owns Chevrolet, and what you get
Chevrolet belongs to General Motors. Chevrolet positions itself as the volume mainstream brand within General Motors, competing with Ford, Toyota and Honda across cars, trucks and SUVs. The Silverado anchors the full-size pickup lineup, the Corvette serves as the halo sports car, and the Tahoe and Suburban dominate full-size SUV sales. Chevrolet's Ultium-platform EVs (Equinox EV, Blazer EV, Silverado EV) target sub-$35,000 price points the brand has identified as essential to mass EV adoption.
| Item | Chevrolet |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | USA |
| Ownership | General Motors |
| Stock ticker | GM |
| Basic warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
| Assembly countries | United States, Canada, Mexico, South Korea |
⚠ Worth knowing before you rely on it: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, while basic cover here runs 3 years / 36,000 miles. See when Chevrolet models actually start to break →
Chevrolet — frequently asked
Is Chevrolet usa?
Chevrolet is a USA company, headquartered in Detroit and founded in 1911. The cars are a separate question: 68.9% of the Chevrolet vehicles in our records were assembled in the United States.
Where are Chevrolet cars made?
Across 65 manufacturer codes on record, assembly splits as: the United States (68.9%), Canada (20%), Mexico (8.9%), South Korea (2.1%). The first three characters of a VIN identify the manufacturer and plant country — that is where these shares come from.
Who owns Chevrolet?
Chevrolet is part of General Motors.
How many Chevrolet models are there?
We track 62 Chevrolet models spanning 1981–2026. The full list is above, ordered by how often each is searched.
What is the Chevrolet warranty?
New vehicles come with 3 years / 36,000 miles basic cover and 5 years / 60,000 miles on the powertrain. Terms vary by model year and market — confirm with a dealer.
Is Chevrolet reliable?
It depends far more on the model and year than on the badge. Every Chevrolet model is ranked by complaint rate here, along with the age at which each starts to fail.
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