Check a VIN

Chevrolet Silverado problems by year

Owners have filed 8,746 complaints about the Chevrolet Silverado since 1990, and 46 recalls have been issued. The 2001 model year has 876 complaints, more than any other year, led by brakes and engine problems.

5 years to avoidWorst: 2001
Owner complaints
8,746
Recalls
46
Worst year
2001
Best year
2014
Model years
1990-2017

Chevrolet Silverado years to avoid

More than twice the Silverado's typical complaint count for a model year.

Best Chevrolet Silverado years

Fewest owner complaints among the last 20 model years, counting only those with at least four years on the road.

Chevrolet Silverado complaints by model year

Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.

199019952000200520102017

How we calculate this

Year to avoidFewest complaintsOther years

Most common Chevrolet Silverado problems

All model years combined.

  • Brakes
    3,412
  • Transmission
    758
  • Electrical
    729
  • Visibility
    667
  • Engine
    620
  • Steering
    541
  • Body
    497
  • Airbags
    478
  • Suspension
    398
  • Tires
    387
  • Fuel system
    378
  • Acceleration
    366

Most reported problems on the Chevrolet Silverado

Steering noise 67

Chevrolet Silverado problems year by year

Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.

YearScoreComplaintsTop problemTypical mileageRecallsCrashes
201775125Brakes32,000013Fewest complaints
2016955Airbags21
20157976Engine6,00073
201469124Transmission4,9131314Fewest complaints
20138364Airbags10,10038
20128168Airbags20,48229
20118275Body54,00027
20108662Engine44,12002
20098376Electrical59,00005
200864162Airbags66,000113Fewest complaints
200760183Airbags57,000110
200659182Brakes59,80048
200536316Brakes54,000814Avoid
200411622Brakes47,000856Avoid
20039695Brakes44,506642Avoid
200210710Brakes46,567475Avoid
20015876Brakes49,008493Avoid
2000-1,305Brakes57,6658140
1999-1,659Brakes64,0005100
1998-279Brakes75,000016
1997-272Brakes85,000016
1996-186Visibility80,000013
1995-263Visibility130,000013
1994-210Visibility123,00007
1993-69Seats187,00001
1992-40Visibility160,00001
1991-17Brakes00
1990-25Brakes04

Recalls 46

See all 46 recalls for the Chevrolet Silverado

Questions about the Chevrolet Silverado

What years of the Chevrolet Silverado should you avoid?

2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. Each has more than twice the Chevrolet Silverado's typical number of owner complaints for a model year; 2001 alone has 876, mostly about brakes and engine.

What is the best year for a used Chevrolet Silverado?

2014, 2017 and 2008 have the fewest owner complaints among model years that have been on the road for at least four years (124, 125 and 162).

What is the most common problem with the Chevrolet Silverado?

Brakes, with 3,412 complaints across all years, followed by transmission (758) and electrical (729).

How many recalls does the Chevrolet Silverado have?

46 recalls between 1990 and 2017. The 2014 model year has the most, with 13.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used Chevrolet Silverado?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN