Chevrolet Silverado Complaints
32,421 consumer complaints on file.
- #11668311June 21, 2025ENGINE
On [XXX] I was driving in Beloit WI. Luckily I was in town and only doing 30-35mph and not another mile because I was headed for the interstate and we all would have died, because all of the sudden my parking brake locked on, my check engine light, ABS light, traction control light all came on and gray smoke just started pouring out my exhaust. Had it towed to my usual mechanic, it had 38 different codes on it, he worked on it for 8 hours and said it needed to go to a dealership. Towed it to a dealership, lifter on cylinder 5 went out and I was told "Yes camshaft is destroyed on that cylinder.. just need one. But tech would pull engine out and pull apart… or replace engine as does not include the fact that oil pump the timing chain the timing chain tensioner, the rod bearing the main bearings, and most importantly the camshaft bearings are still gonna be old and original to your engine. If you replaced just a camshaft. So later on down the road, something there could fail and more than likely the oil pump but again it’s just more money and more what else but if you are going to commit to that then you probably should commit to timing, chain, and oil pump, and everything else in which case now you start adding all the prices of that components in with labor on top of it, and an engine in my opinion would probably be better" and the engine comes with 100k mile warranty. So there's that. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11668349June 21, 2025UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Under 40,000 miles and both sides of the frame has rusted out and has made the vehicle unsafe to drive per the dealership.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11668352June 21, 2025POWER TRAIN
The automatic transmission in my 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the 4.3L V6 has experienced repeated failures and overheating events starting shortly after a scheduled dealer transmission flush at approximately 50,000 miles. Since then, the transmission has slipped under load, failed to shift properly, and routinely overheated—reaching over 270°F—without triggering a dashboard warning or entering limp mode. Multiple dealer visits confirmed internal transmission damage, including discolored fluid, metal shavings, and torque converter clutch failure. The entire transmission and torque converter were replaced under warranty, along with a redesigned bypass valve. Despite these efforts, the transmission failed again, showing further signs of overheating and debris in the fluid. The vehicle has been inspected and serviced multiple times by the dealership (Karl Chevrolet in Iowa) and GM warranty contractors. The issue persists even after complete transmission replacement. This condition poses a safety risk as loss of power and unexpected gear disengagement occurred during normal road use, including highway driving and towing. Transmission temperatures spiking well beyond GM’s Dexron VI fluid thermal limits raise further concerns about systemic cooling design flaws. Warning signs included high transmission fluid temperatures (over 270°F), RPM surging, harsh downshifts, slipping, poor throttle response, and delayed engagement from park to drive. The manufacturer has been notified, and the issue has been documented with the Attorney General of Iowa. A GM case number was also opened, but no permanent fix has been offered.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11668377June 21, 2025POWER TRAIN
Driving down the city street the vehicle shuttered, the message "Reduced Acceleration Drive with Care" message appeared. Engine RPM increased. Transmission unable to change gears. only Park, Reverse, Drive (seems to be low gear). Then "Service Transmission Now Unable to Shift Soon" message appears. Now waiting on Value Body replacement parts. This is a known issue with over six month wait for parts across the nation.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11668385June 21, 2025EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The front drivers headlight low beam keeps going out. I just received my second warning for this failure. It got dark before I got home from the store. We took it to a friend who does mechanical work back in the spring. He fixed it; but now it’s doing it again. Yes we had it inspected last November for tag renewal. There are no warning lights or signals that come on.i think it started acting up around November 2024
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11668128June 20, 2025ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that while hauling a 2020 Heartland Cyclone, the trailer brakes unexpectedly deactivated. The contact stated that the trailer brake was disconnected, and the warning light to check the trailer winch was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of failure. The vehicle was not repaired, and the failure persisted. The vehicle was returned to the dealer and the contact was informed that the trailer brake module had failed and needed to be replaced. The trailer brake module was replaced. The failure and repair were linked to an unstated Technical Service Bulletin; however, the VIN was not included. The TSB stated that the RV battery was interfering with the vehicle battery and causing the failure. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was returned to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11667867June 19, 2025UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Our Parking brake locked up and we could not go anywhere. Had to have it taken to a dealership to have it looked at. Then all our warning lights keep going off and it says acceleration speed slow down drive safely and its parked. We have had nothing but problems with the truck since we bought it. We had the transmission replaced before there was even 50,000 miles on it. I feel we got a lemon nothing but problems.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11667879June 19, 2025VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
On 7 or 8 occasions while navigating parking lots/driveway turnaround, i bumped the resume switch on the steering wheel and the truck took off accelerating rapidly from 2-4 mph speed until I disengaged with the brake. Someone with slower reactions or unaware of what is going on is going to get hurt by this. I believe it's tied to collision avoidance system and the adaptive cruise control mode. This system will allow cruise to stay engaged even as it slows you to a halt in, e.g. a rush hour slowdown, but if it slows you to some speed just greater than zero, and the traffic ahead speeds up, it will speed back up to the cruise setting. Similarly, when cruise is disengaged by brake action, but there is still a stored value in cruise control, if you accidentally hit resume at slow speeds the logic is treating it like a traffic situation. So the old 20 or 25mph minimum engagement speed no longer applies. As for why I inadvertently hit resume, it has to do with the raised momentary rocker switch at the 9 oclock position on the steering wheel. If you make a turn with your palm against steering wheel. For example, on a left turn, if the wheel is turning counterclockwise and your left palm is in the 9 o'clock position, it can rub against the raised cruise control rocker triggering the resume function, and off she will go! A flush or recessed button/switch would have been a better choice here. At this point, a software change would be the best solution to ignore the resume function below a certain speed.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11667890June 19, 2025POWER TRAIN
Other vehicles of this year, make and model are recalled because of transmission issues. My vehicle is experiencing shuddering, lack of power, and hard shifting. Theses issues are the same as those found in recall.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11667912June 19, 2025POWER TRAIN
There is a faulty weld on the radiator of my 2017 chevy silverado 1500 LT that cracked and began to leak coolant. Dealer stated that this is a common issue and there was no other remedy but to replace the radiator and coolant lines. i have seen bulletins and warranties for earlier models but the issue is still there.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11668006June 19, 2025UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The issue is two fold, first the seal on the rear spoiler is defective and causing water to leak into the cab. Second, the seal around the rear power sliding window is defective and is also leaking into the cab. My safety concern is the amount of black mold that could be trapped between the headliner and roof putting myself and family at grave risk.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11668007June 19, 2025POWER TRAIN
At approximately 67,000 miles I noticed upon starting and putting it in gear the motor would rev/clunk while going into gear. Shifting from one gear to another the truck would shutter. Did not feel safe driving any distance because the truck would lock up when trying to put it in gear. I had the truck looked at after reading numerous complaints about this 8 speed transmission and wanted to make sure it was safe to drive. After test driving it a couple of times during the course of a day it was determined the transmission needed to be replaced/rebuilt. At no time did any warnings appear on the display indicating there was an issue. I had the transmission rebuilt but feel like there are many complaints and no recalls regarding this same issue.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11667609June 18, 2025POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that after driving on the highway and driving uphill, the rear differential started grabbing. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Oliverio Buick (1110 Laurel Hill Rd., McDonald, PA 15057); who determined that the rear differential fluid needed to be drained and refilled. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000. The VIN was not available.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11667635June 18, 2025ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Check engine light is on, code reads emissions fail due to the Evaporative Emissions leak detection pump.( EVAP PURGE PUMP UNDERSPEED) P1467. I see this was a recall on several Chevrolet vehicles but not yet on mine.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11667710June 18, 2025ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving or while the vehicle was parked and occupied, while depress the horn, the horn failed to operate. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, but the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure started in 2023. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed and determined that the horn had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The contact stated that the vehicle had been repaired once. The horn was replaced the first time; however, with the current failure the horn was not yet replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 155,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11667764June 18, 2025SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet 1500. The contact stated that while in the driveway and reversing at a very slow speed, the brake pedal became extremely firm while depressed, and the vehicle failed to stop before striking another parked vehicle. During the failure the contact was depressing the brake pedal with added force, but the vehicle failed to stop. The parked vehicle sustained damages to the front bumper. The contact stated the brake failure had also occurred while driving and while reversing at slow speeds. The cause of the failures were not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 197,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11667788June 18, 2025ENGINE
While traveling at highway speed an engine lifter collapsed and I was left stranded with a flashing check engine light, severe engine knocking and lack of power.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11667800June 18, 2025STEERING
Lost power steering! Almost impossible to make any turns. The dash has ESC fault and power steering fault. Says drive careful! How can I drive careful if I can't turn the truck? Only 79k miles! GM must recall their bad design and replace it with a design that is proven not to fail!
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11667802June 18, 2025ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
When a Check engine light is on it's for a low voltage on the charge air coolant sensor, took to the chevy dealer, they replaced a connector to the sensor, at a cost of $600 never got off lot, light returned, they then said I need a new engine wiring harness at a cost of $10.000, the dealership said this is a problem with these trucks and GM knows about it but won't recall them. Now I'm struck with a 5-year-old truck that I can't use, When this light is on, I also receive an Emission system warning, and the truck deregulates and goes in limp mode. as speed is reduced it becomes dangerous to drive in traffic, as GM knows about this, they should recall these trucks and fix the problem, they even say it's because cutting corners on the wiring harness cover causes this problem. as a senior living on a fixed income there's no way my wife or I can get this repaired, so were forced to drive it in limp mode until it dies on us, hopefully not in heavy traffic.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11667808June 18, 2025SEAT BELTS
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while attempting to wear the front driver's side seat belt, the contact became aware that the lap belt was loose and that the seat belt lap pretensioner cable had separated. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V245000 (Seat Belts); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be covered under an unknown special coverage program due to the mileage. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0