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Chevrolet Silverado 1500 key fob problems

54 of the 18,180 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 describe key fob or push-button start problems, most of them for the 2014 model year.

owner complaints
54
worst model year
2014
typical mileage
56,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2026
    2
  • 2025
    3
  • 2024
    3
  • 2023
    3
  • 2022
    6
  • 2021
    4
  • 2020
    4
  • 2018
    1
  • 2017
    2
  • 2016
    3
  • 2015
    3
  • 2014
    9
  • 2011
    1
  • 2008
    7
  • 2007
    2
  • 2005
    1

What owners say

Filed Oct 6, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MS

I am reporting a safety concern involving my 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country equipped with the 6.2L V8 engine. I purchased the vehicle new on August 3, 2026. The engine has unexpectedly shut off on two separate occasions while the vehicle was still moving at low speed. The first incident occurred within approximately the first week of ownership, when the truck had less than approximately 1,000 miles on it. I was slowly driving through the parking lot at McB’s when the engine unexpectedly shut off while the vehicle was still moving. The instrument panel displayed “Press Brake to Start.” The engine did not automatically restart, and I had to stop the vehicle and manually restart the engine. The second incident occurred on September 18, 2026, while I was slowly driving through a parking garage. Again, the vehicle was still moving when the engine unexpectedly shut off. The instrument panel displayed the same “Press Brake to Start” message. The engine did not automatically restart, and I again had to manually restart the vehicle. I have a video recording of this incident. This vehicle is equipped with automatic engine Stop/Start. During normal Stop/Start operation, “AUTO STOP” is indicated on the instrument panel when the system shuts the engine off. During neither of these two incidents did the instrument panel indicate “AUTO STOP.” Instead, the engine unexpectedly shut off while the vehicle was moving, displayed “Press Brake to Start,” and required a manual restart. Both incidents occurred while maneuvering at low speed in parking areas. I am concerned that the same failure could occur at a higher speed, while entering or crossing traffic, or in another situation where an unexpected loss of engine power could cause a collision. The vehicle has also experienced intermittent electrical/electronic issues, including radio interruptions, remote-start problems, a “Key Not Detected” message, memory-seat/seat-recall problems, and an intermittent power running-

Filed Sep 27, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · NC · crash

The specific cause has not been identified. On XXX6, my 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Custom LT Trail Boss unexpectedly rolled away while parked and unoccupied, striking another parked vehicle. The truck remains at Modern Chevrolet and is available for inspection. GM/ESIS opened a safety and product liability investigation and is arranging inspection/data retrieval. I parked at Walmart in [XXX], shut the truck off, exited, locked it, and walked away. Shortly afterward, I heard a sound resembling the key-fob-left-inside warning. My key fob was in my pocket, so I returned and saw the truck moving with no driver. Another person and I tried to stop it. I entered through the driver’s door and pressed Start/Stop several times, but it would not start while moving. It continued moving and struck another parked vehicle. Vehicle dropped off on XXX and Modern Chevrolet could not reproduce the incident or identify the cause. The service advisor stated it “came out of gear but don’t know why” and escalated it to GM. GM/ESIS plans to retrieve SDM/airbag data, and I requested any Tech II/MDI scan data. No warning lights, messages, or chimes were observed during the incident. I did not see/hear “SHIFT TO PARK,” and I was able to lock the truck with the key fob outside. In a later controlled test, I left the truck in Drive and shut it off. It displayed “SHIFT TO PARK” and sounded a warning chime. Opening the driver’s door also produced a key-fob-left-inside-type alert, which did not occur on XXX. The truck did not automatically shift to Park or engage the electronic parking brake and slight movement was felt during the test. No further testing occurred by me after XXX. I have also experienced infotainment freezing after software updates and random electronic parking brake application when shutting off, and remains engaged after restart. The truck received an oil change/tire rotation at Modern Chevrolet on XXX. Cause still remains UNKNOWN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 24, 2026 · Brakes, Steering · IN

Tried to start the Chevy Silverado 1500 remotely and it was unresponsive using the remote start key fob. The truck was then started with the push start button inside the truck. There was no instrument panel errors or warnings when the truck was first started and began driving it. Upon taking the truck out of park and starting to drive, the brake pedal was extremely hard to push, and the steering was extremely hard to turn. It took a long distance to stop the truck while moving very slowly in a parking lot. The truck was also very hard to steer as if all power steering assistance had failed. The truck was put in park. Immediately after the truck was shifted into park, the instrument panel reported ABS, powertrain and steering column lock errors. After being turned off for 20 minutes, it was restarted and the only error on the instrument panel was a check engine light. The brake pedal pressure returned to normal and the breaking started working. The steering was now easy to turn and working as well. It was drove slowly, a very short distance to the dealership where it has been for the last week and a half. They have diagnosed and replaced the ECM, ABS and master cylinder. They continue to receive braking system error codes.

Filed Sep 17, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · TX

While driving at about 20mph we hear a grinding noise and the truck throws itself into nuetral and then shut off. The truck seems to be on like when started with the key fob, on but not fully started. A warning message comes on the dash stating "conditions not safe to drive". The truck would not go back into gear, even after pressing the start button and truck regaining power. Pressed on the brakes to stop, put in park and then back into drive. Message warning went off and truck drove as normal again. This has happened twice since purchasing the vehicle in May 2026.

Filed Apr 17, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · CA

On 04/16/2026, while driving, vehicle received and completed a software/firmware OTA update. A second update completion prompt was received while still in motion. Shortly after, while stopped at a traffic light, the auto-start/stop system re-engaged and the vehicle appeared to restart normally. Upon stopping to refuel, remote key fob auto-start failed to respond. Vehicle was started manually and driven to the next location. On arrival, remote key fob auto-start failed again. Used interior push-to-start — vehicle started but displayed an active Check Engine Light. Connected vehicle app diagnostic scan of the Engine and Transmission System returned two WARNING flags requiring service: - Transmission System — Schedule Service Now - Engine Electrical System including Charging and Starting System — Schedule Service Now All other scanned systems (Air Induction, Fuel Management, Engine Cooling, Throttle Control, Ignition, Variable Valve Timing, 4WD, Displacement on Demand) returned OK. Both faults appeared immediately following the OTA update. Remote start failure at two consecutive locations and the Check Engine Light activation are directly correlated in timing with the update applied on 04/16/2026. No fault codes have been pulled yet — dealership service appointment pending. This is not the first instance of an issue after updates are applied, between the infotainment system blacking out, rear camera or ADAS not functioning as well as sporadic crackling sound almost like electricity arcing in the engine compartment near the steering column

Filed Mar 27, 2026 · Locks · 56,235 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the tailgate failed to lock manually, with the key fob, or automatically. While approaching the vehicle in the morning, the contact became aware that the tailgate had opened unintendedly. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact retrieved information about the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V060000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,235.

Filed Mar 27, 2026 · Electrical · FL

Tailgate opens on its own after parking truck. No buttons inside or on the key fob are pressed and the tailgate randomly opens. Caused the battery to drain as well.

Filed Mar 25, 2026 · Body, Electrical · TX

I am writing to report a serious safety concern involving my 2024 Chevrolet Silverado that resulted in a child being locked inside the vehicle with the key fob present inside the car. On March 25 2026, after parking and turning off the vehicle, I exited the driver’s seat with my key fob inside my purse, which remained in the front of the vehicle. I then walked around to remove my daughter from the back seat. During that time, she climbed into the front seat and pressed the interior door lock button, locking all doors. My daughter has autism and is not able to follow instructions or unlock the vehicle on command. As a result, she was locked inside the vehicle with the key fob present inside, and I was unable to gain access from the outside. The vehicle did not prevent the lock from engaging, nor did it allow me to open the door despite the key being inside the vehicle. This situation required emergency assistance (911) to safely remove her from the vehicle. I understand that many vehicles have “lockout prevention” features; however, in this case, the system did not account for a vulnerable occupant inside the vehicle. Allowing the vehicle to be locked from the interior while the key fob is inside—and without any external override—creates a significant child safety risk. I am requesting that Chevrolet review this design behavior as a potential safety issue, specifically: - Why the vehicle allows interior locking when a key fob is detected inside - Why there is no external override to unlock the vehicle when the key is present - Whether a software update or safety feature enhancement can address this risk This is not just a convenience issue—it is a safety hazard that can lead to dangerous outcomes, especially for children or individuals with disabilities. Please confirm receipt of this concern and advise whether this issue has been previously identified or is under review.

Filed Mar 7, 2026 · Fuel system · MI

I have had my vehicle to a GM dealership three times now due to the check engine light coming on and getting an emission warning. 2/13/26 was the first visit. It was right after I filled up my tank with gas that the check engine light came on when I started driving down the road. I got an appointment at a GM dealership. They put the scanner on it and received the codes. They drove it back to the service garage and I went back to work. I received information from them that they could not fix anything because the check engine light had disappeared and there were no codes available anymore. I picked up my vehicle and a week later 2/20/26 the same thing happened after I got gas. The check engine light came on and an emission warning on my Chevy app. I stopped back into the same dealership. And the same thing happened. Scanner, codes, and then they disappeared. The third time I got gas the same thing happened again with the check engine light and emission system warning. This was on 2/28/2026. I went to a different dealership and the exact same thing happened..... scanner, codes received, schedule an appointment to get it in the following week, started the vehicle and pulled out. The check engine light was still on at that time. And the check engine light disappeared once again as I was driving down the road. Each time this has happened I have been able to use my remote start via my Chevy app along with trying to use my handheld key fob remote start. The dealerships have told me this is normal for this type of check engine light emission warning. When researching this issue there are a lot of people experiencing the same thing. Scratching my head wondering why there's not a recall on this.

Filed Jan 21, 2026 · Electrical · NY

Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to formally report a safety-related defect involving the power unlatching tailgate switch on my Chevrolet 1500 truck and to request that this make and model be added to the current safety recall affecting Chevy HD vehicles. The power tailgate unlatching switch malfunctioned and would repeatedly attempt to open and close the tailgate while the truck was parked. On one occasion, this occurred continuously overnight. The following morning, my key fob was completely unresponsive, and the truck had zero battery life. The battery would not accept a charge, and the vehicle had to be towed to the dealership. Upon inspection, the dealership confirmed that the battery had been fully depleted and permanently damaged due to a short in the power tailgate switch. The faulty switch continuously drew power as it attempted to actuate the tailgate, ultimately destroying the battery. This failure created a serious safety and reliability concern, leaving me stranded with a completely inoperable vehicle. Given that this issue resulted from an electrical short and caused total battery failure, I believe it represents a significant safety defect. Based on the similarity to issues addressed in the current Chevy HD safety recall, I strongly believe this make and model should be included in that recall. I respectfully request that this matter be reviewed and addressed to prevent other owners from experiencing the same hazardous situation. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I look forward to your response. Sincerely, Charles Senn

Related recalls

Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery: cablesReported December 12, 2019 · 350,371 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks. The battery positive (B+) cable rings may have been manufactured with excessive glue, potentially causing an intermittent electrical connection between the B+ cable and alternator.
Risk
An intermittent electrical connection between the B+ battery cable and the alternator could cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash. The intermittent connection could also lead to electrical arcing, which could generate sufficient heat to damage surrounding material, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect for the presence of glue or other contamination at the B+ cable attachment to the alternator and clean the connection and reattach the B+ cable connection, as necessary. If arcing has damaged the cable, nut, or alternator, the dealer will replace the damaged components. All services will be performed free of charge. GM issued owners an interim notification on February 4, 2020. GM issued second notice and the recall began March 9, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or GMC customer service at 1‑888‑988‑7267. GM's number for this recall is N192273510.

Recall number 19V888000 · Recall details

Questions about the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 key fob

Which Chevrolet Silverado 1500 years have key fob or push-button start problems problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2014 (9 complaints), 2008 (7 complaints) and 2022 (6 complaints).

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