Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Chevrolet Silverado 1500 options? We analyzed 10 model years (2017–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has 5,209 owner complaints and 55 safety recalls across model years 2017–2026. The most reported issue area is ENGINE. 2019 drew the most complaints; 2026 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Chevrolet
- Model
- Silverado 1500
- Model years analyzed
- 2017–2026 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 5,209
- Safety recall campaigns
- 55
- Crash-related complaints
- 141
- Fire-related complaints
- 62
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2019 (1,044 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2026 (62 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ENGINE
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Chevrolet Silverado 1500: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 has 5,209 NHTSA complaints and 55 recalls on record. 141 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 5,209 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 55 federal recall campaigns
- 141 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
55 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
TIRES
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
TIRES
SEAT BELTS
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 5,209 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
5,209 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
I suspect the automatic emergency braking suddenly activated while backing into my driveway. The truck abruptly stopped as if i crashed into something. The driveway was completely empty there was no reason for the vehicle to activate that system if that's even what happened. The dealer was no help i figuring out the issue they made no attempt to even try and diagnose it. I've since deactivated automatic emergency cross traffic braking and it has not happened since.
While using the adaptive cruise on the highway the truck will rapidly slow down as is there is something in it path even though nothing is there. This has happened multiple times on the expressway now and I can no longer use adaptive cruise for fear of what it will try and do.
The engine (6.2 liter) on my Chevrolet Silverado fail with less than 2335 miles. It was confirmed my the Chevrolet dealership(Hendricks Chevrolet ). No warning lamps appeared in the dash or warning from my onstar maintenance notification.
On XXX I leased this 2026 Silverado and I have discovered that this truck tramlines, basically rocks side to side on roads with longitudinal grooves in the concrete, meaning lines that go the same way you're driving, the truck will violently swag side to side. I have been pushed into oncoming traffic from this. On 7/17.26 I took my truck to Fox Chevrolet of [XXX] to get service about this issue. I took the general manager of theirs, Marc and he confirmed the issue. He said he would send the DOT number to GM and wait for their reply. He called me on 7/20 saying that GM informed him that this has been reported by others and there's nothing GM is willing to do and to just deal with it. I told him that I find that unacceptable and it needs to be looked at my someone higher up. He passed this to his service manager since he's going on vacation for the next week, Ron. Ron called me and said that he talked to the local dealer rep and that he claims there's a law that says GM can't change tires that didn't come on the truck and that this is a known issue with these tires and again to just deal with it. This is completely unacceptable and flat out dangerous! I had a 2024 Silverado before this truck and it never did it. It had different tires than this truck and that's my argument is the tires are the problem. The manufacturer, Michelin even said that the solution is to get different tires and it's known on these ones. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
At approximately 3,000 miles, the engine began making a loud knocking noise that became progressively worse while driving. The truck was diagnosed as needing a complete engine replacement. No warning lights, no check engine light, nothing. For someone inexperienced with vehicles, you could easily be in big trouble on the highway and a potentially life threatening situation. My primary concern is that there was no warning that such a major engine failure was about to occur. An engine that fails with so few miles raises concerns about the possibility of sudden loss of power, loss of acceleration, or engine seizure while driving in traffic, on highways, or while towing. A failure under those conditions could significantly increase the risk of a crash. The vehicle has been out of service while I continue making loan and insurance payments on a brand-new truck that I cannot use. The replacement engine is on national backorder, leaving me without a clear repair timeline. After researching this issue, I found numerous reports from other owners describing similar failures involving the 6.2L V8 engine. Based on the volume of owner complaints, there appears to have been a significant increase in reported engine failures involving 2026 model-year vehicles. This suggests the problem may not be an isolated incident but instead could indicate a broader defect that deserves investigation. As a result of this experience, I no longer feel confident or safe driving this vehicle, even if the engine is replaced. I purchased a brand-new truck expecting long-term reliability and peace of mind, but instead I experienced catastrophic engine failure at only 3,000 miles. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate these engine failures to determine whether a safety-related defect exists and whether further action is necessary to protect consumers. I have requested a buyback, but GM completely denies it. Such a horrible Expy with manufacture.
A.The engine is stalling while driving. This has happened four different times. Three times while towing, and one time while backing up a small hill. This is a scary situation because three of the four times almost caused an accident. 1.We were driving to Texas, pulling a pontoon boat. While exiting the highway, we were entering into an intersection at a speed of about 10 miles per hour, and the truck shut down. The truck said, “Start the motor and place it into gear.” Or something similar to that. 2.We were in stop-and-go traffic on the highway, and the truck shut down. Once again, I had to restart the motor and shift into gear. 3.We were entering a parking lot from the main road, and the truck shut down. Again, I had to restart the motor and shift into gear. 4.The three times above are during a time when we were towing. The fourth time is when we were backing up a small hill. The rear tires lost traction and spun for a second or two, and then the truck shut down and started to roll forward. Once again, I had to restart the motor and place it into gear.
Read 14 more owner reports
I have been having issues with my vehicle for the last 1,000 miles or so where it appears to be losing power while accelerating normally, i'm not sure if the issue lies with the engine or powertrain/transmission. I took to dealer last week and they were unable to reproduce. The issues have been getting more frequent and intially were only occuring after the vehicle warmed up, now it has started while vehicle is cold. Feels like the power drops (rpms drop) during a normal acceleration. As of 7/16 I now have a check engine light on, onstar indicates an issue with my engine, transmission, electrical. This is putting myself at safety risk along with others as during my normal drive the engine is losing power and could either leave me stranded or cause an accident.
The forward collision warning is excessively sensitive to vehicles and pedestrians. I've had the alert go off recently for something so simple as pulling into a parking spot. It goes off frequently just driving past pedestrians and throughout what I consider to be normal driving where I am not coming close to a collision with a vehicle. It is very unsettling and startling when the alert goes off indicating that I am coming close to a collision with a vehicle or a pedestrian. I had a 2023 Silverado 1500 LT/2.7 Turbomax engine and it was not this sensitive. I fear that this may actually cause an accident at some point or if the emergency braking were to activate with another vehicle behind me.
On Monday, June 29, 2026, I was getting off the New Jersey Garden State Parkway. I was halfway down the exit ramp and the engine and the engine just stopped. I coasted to the bottom of the exit ramp and luckily had just enough shoulder to pull over to get out of traffic. Once stopped, I attempted to start my 2026 Chevy Silverado, but all attempts at starting the engine were fruitless, as the engine would not even turn over when tried. I contacted On Star and a tow truck was sent to tow my truck to Burke, the GM dealer I purchased the truck from. It was confirmed by Burke GM on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, that the truck needed the engine replaced. The truck is currently at Burke GM and I have been there to get belongings out of the truck so yes, I would say it’s safe to assume that it is available for inspection. There were no warning signs of any problem with the motor at all.
On XXX I was driving from [XXX] to my sister's house in [XXX]. I was relocating to [XXX] for a job. I was pulling a U-haul trailer (6x12) that contained significantly less weight than the truck can handle. About halfway there, on back roads, the truck suddenly slowed significantly and the gas pedal was unresponsive. The light in the dashboard read Reduced Acceleration - Drive with caution. Pulled over, turned off truck, opened driver side door, to reset the truck (read this on google). We had to do this a couple times, because it would just go back to that behavior after a bit. We made it to my sister's house to stay the night. In the morning, XXX, I called the local Chevy Service Dept in [XXX] and asked if I could bring it in, I described the problem. During the drive to the shop, the same issue occurred. Upon arriving at the service dept, the Trailer app was giving a warning that the load may be heavier than max. Which cannot be true. The dealer techs said they had never seen anything like it before, but they seemed to know what to look for. They then informed me that they could not loan me a car because I was traveling out of state. I had a deadline, so my only option was to rent a U Haul box truck, unload the back of my truck into it, hitch the trailer I already had to it, and drive to [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2026 SILVERADO ENGINE BLOWED UP AT 6,413 MILES. THIS IS THE 6.2 L87 ENGINE..
While driving my truck returning from a camping trip I received the following warnings in the dash: Service ESC, Service traction control, forward collision system unavailable. Check engine light was flashing. I made the assumption that the Check engine light was due to the warnings listed above. I continued to drive the vehicle until I began to feel a very noticeable shudder at idle, at low speeds, and also loss of power at higher speeds. The truck has the 5.3 ecotec engine with DFM. After researching the symptoms, I found that these symptoms are identical to the know lifter problem with that engine. The truck is a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado Trail boss with approx. 3454 miles on it. It's currently at the dealership waiting for them to "diagnose" the problem. I was told that it may just be a "faulty sensor", but after reading other people's experience with this engine I believe that the real problem is a damaged lifter/lifter pin due to the poor design and engineering of the DFM system
The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH and attempting to depress the accelerator pedal, the vehicle lost motive power, the contact attempted to start the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as intended. The check engine warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The dealer cleared the codes, and the vehicle was then taken to another dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ground strap needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the part was on back order and might take six months for the part to do the repair to be available. The approximate failure mileage was 4,000.
This incident occurred 24, June 2024. Time was approx 1745hrs and temperature was 93 and humid. Was stopped at a stop sign, attempted to make a phone call and reached to temporarily turn off the air conditioner by pushing the on/off button. When I pushed the button, it turned off the vehicle engine completely! When I was startled as to what had just happened, I pushed the air conditioner button a second time; It STARTED the truck's vehicle engine! I repeated this test three times in the presence of my spouse who was also in the truck. We then drove approximately one mile and at a second stop again was able to duplicate the engine turned off/on by pushing the air conditioner on off again! It was if the air conditioner on/off button was the vehicle start stop button. I did not try to duplicate this under roadway speed, fearing if the engine did in fact turn off, simply by pushing the on/off air conditioner button. It would most assuredly result in the complete loss of driver inputs for steering, brakes and control.
Service brake assist warning came on the day before a severe audible engine knock started. Drove to nearest dealer and they immediately diagnosed as a probable engine failure/engine bearing/connecting rod. 6.2 liter engine 9500 miles
The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while reversing, the back over prevention camera failed to function as needed. The contact stated that there was no image displayed while shifted into reverse. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 3,000.
Normal driving then heard a knocking and squealing. Was told it was a spun main bearing on the crack shaft.
Defect: Engine failure caused by lifter and camshaft failure at 114 miles (5.2 engine hours). The vehicle is at the dealership undergoing warranty repairs. The service department confirmed a seized lifter, necessitating the replacement of all lifters and the camshaft. The incident occurred at highway speeds on the interstate when the engine suddenly began knocking loudly. Immediately after the knocking started, the check engine light illuminated, followed by consecutive "Service Anti-Collision System" and "Service ESC (Electronic Stability Control)" warning messages.
Vehicle purchased new December 2026 and vehicle experienced loss of power and abnormal shifting while driving at only 9000 miles. Engine produced clicking noises and was immediately brought to the closest dealership. Vehicle has been out of service since May 8, 2026, with no repair completion date due to parts availability. Owner continues making payments and insurance payments while without use of the vehicle. Owner has not been given a comparable vehicle which is a huge hardship for the family, especially during farming season. Concern exists regarding ongoing reliability and reports of similar failures involving GM 6.2L engines.
Auto wash truck quit, dead would not restart, tow service disconnected battery and reset. Okay after. Visit to dealer service they said nothing wrong. Driving yesterday in the rain quit 4 times on the road driving, it would restart each time. Warning on the dash would flash at times "Hands on the wheel" while driving ? This is a serious safety issue. Intermittent when it gets wet, new truck, 1,800 miles, no alterations. Dealer service no help, it has hard codes, CAN Bus communication issue, water intrusion likely cause, we are afraid to operate on the road, help please.
Showing 20 of 5,209 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Chevrolet Silverado 1500
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Chevrolet Silverado 1500, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has 5,209 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has 55 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 141 of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500's 5,209 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
Check a Chevrolet Silverado 1500 by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Chevrolet Silverado 1500.
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Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliable?
Poor. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has 5,209 NHTSA owner complaints and 55 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ENGINE. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Chevrolet Silverado 1500 years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2019 (1,044 complaints), 2017 (835 complaints), 2021 (774 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems?
Top reported issues: ENGINE (1,713 complaints); POWER TRAIN (1,513 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (881 complaints).
Does the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have recalls?
Yes — 55 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.