The forming quality, mechanical properties and failure modes of self-piercing riveting for JDA1b and HC340/590DP (JDA), AlSi10MnMg-T7 and HC340/590DP (ALSI) die-cast aluminum and high-strength steel were studied by cross-sectional microstructure analysis of riveted joints, and shearing, peeling and cross-tension tests. The results show that compared with the riveted joints of JDA group, the riveted joints of ALSI group have smaller undercut amount and worse forming quality. As the thickness of lower plate increasing, the forming quality of the riveted joints of both groups decreases. Compared with the riveted joints of JDA group, the mechanical properties and energy absorption of the riveted joints of ALSI group were weaker. As the thickness of lower plate increasing, the peak loads and energy absorption values of the riveted joints for two groups decrease in the shearing and peeling conditions, while in the cross-tension condition, the peak loads and energy absorption values of the riveted joints for two groups increase, and the changes in the peak loads and energy absorption values of the riveted joints of ALSI group are more obvious. The failure mode of the riveted joints for two groups is mainly the separation of the lower plate from the rivets, and only the cross-tensile specimen with the thickness of 2.0 mm of lower plate in the JDA group shows the upper plate fracture phenomenon.