Chevrolet Silverado 3500 engine failure problems

Filed Sep 8, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

The Engine Cooler has a know defect that GM has put out service bulletins for. The engine cooler is cracking, mixing oil and antifreeze that is creating a sludge that runs thru the entire system. GM wants techs to attempt to clean/flush the engine before they approve a new engine to be ordered under warranty. GM is aware of the problem and there should be a recall out on the problem according to the service manager I spoke with at the dealership my truck is at currently. I was told the expected time frame is up to 3 months for the work to be completed, with no loaner available that is equivalent to the vehicle that went to the shop. The recall is necessary because if the engine has a major failure while driving it could cause an accident, if the vehicle is hauling a heavy trailer that could be detrimental because the truck can haul up to 40,000 GCWR.

Filed Apr 1, 2026 · Transmission · 121,000 miles · LA

The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. While at a stoplight the transmission malfunctioned and the vehicle failed to drive forward or reverse. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle was reversed into a nearby service station. The vehicle was later towed to the local auto repair shop, which replaced the brake actuator and the brake pads. Shortly after retrieving the vehicle, the failure had reoccurred, and the brakes seized. The vehicle was towed to a local transmission service center. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not contacted. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V797000 (POWER TRAIN). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 121,000.

Filed Oct 27, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · CA

At approximately 35,126 miles the oil cooler cracked and flooded my engine cooling system with over 2.5 gallons of oil causing catastrophic engine failure.

Filed Sep 9, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 96,000 miles · FL

Cp4 fuel pump failure and engine failure- started truck that morning, 5 min later it shut off and hasn't started again. Hub exploded making 4wheel drive impossible when driving down hey. Ac blender stopped working AC vents blow hot air on right side of dash while in motion.

Filed May 17, 2019 · Fuel system · 120,000 miles · KY

The 2014 chevy silverado 3500hd duramax diesel comes equipp ed with the bosch cp4 injection fuel pump. This pump is prone to failure at anytime mileage wise. The pump was used in european diesel engines with success since their fuel has a higher content of lubricity. Due to the ultra-low sulfur fuel mandated for us diesel engines this pump has a history of catastrophic results when used in the 2011-2016 duramax 6.6l chevy engines.metal to metal wear causes small metal fragments to enter the fuel system thereby causing engine failure. This event can happen without warning. If the engine has stopped while in motion this presents an accident waiting to happen. My concern is that I tow a 14000lb rv 5th wheel trailer with my truck. How can it be stopped safely with out the engine providing power to the braking system?. This engine is very popular among rv'ers, boaters, flatbed haulers etc; basically anyone moving a heavy load down the highway.if this incident happens when the vehicle is out of warranty the repairs can cost $8 to 12k. Many websites contain information about the cp4 failure. My son had 2 such vehicles in a small trucking fleet costing him over $20k to repair. I feel general motors should issue a recall or provide owners of this vintage truck additional coverage. This pump was also used by ford & dodge in the mid 2012-2014 with the same results. The may 2019 issue of "trailer life" magazine contains an article about the bosch cp4 on pages 77-81. To date my vehicle has not had this problem yet. My sons trucks blew up in july 2017

Filed Jun 17, 2016 · Engine · 50,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet silverado 3500. The contact stated that there had been extreme hesitation with the engine power. The service engine warning light randomly illuminated for years and the part failed to function properly. The contact replaced the engine twice by a certified mechanic and, due to the failure continuing, the vehicle was diagnosed by a mechanic who stated that the part would need to be replaced a third time. A mechanic stated that there were five stress fractures in the engine block prematurely. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no solution. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 08/16/16*lj consumer stated lot of problems with the engine. Every mechanic consumer spoken to about the 6.5 chevy turbo diesel said the same thing "they are junk" the blocks crack and they don't last. Since I have contacted you the engine has been pulled and there are 12 stress cracks in the engine instead of 5. Updated 06/12/18

Filed May 27, 2015 · Engine · 55,325 miles · MA

Traveling at 60 MPH while towing a 35' fifth wheel the engine started to shudder a bit. When we pulled over and put the engine into neutral the engine stopped running. We tried to start the truck but it would not turn over but there was juice to the battery to run the lights and windows. After being towed to a local garage, as we were out of state, then to another in our town we were informed it is a bad crankshaft and a new engine is needed. The engine has 55 thousand miles on it with no modifications. After many searches on the internet I have found many cases where this has occurred. I have contacted chevy and their response is it is out of the warranty period, five years even though it is well under the 100,000 mile cap. This needs to be addressed as it could have caused a major accident had we not been in the right lane and been able to pull over before losing complete power on a major highway.

Filed Sep 3, 2010 · Engine · 62,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 chevrolet c3500 diesel truck. While driving approximately 30 MPH the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was pushed to the side of the road. The contact stated that she waited approximately 15 minutes and the vehicle started. The failure was intermittent. Chevrolet replaced the engine in may of 2002 at 63,000 miles. In july 2003, the dealer replaced the fuel injections at 67,000 miles. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer several times for of the failure. The vehicle was at an authorized dealer when the report was filed. The dealer ordered a fuel pump for the vehicle but the manufacturer would not pay for it. The failure mileage was 62,000 and the current mileage was 75,000 miles.

Filed Jun 21, 2010 · Brakes, Engine · 27,990 miles · NC

Chassis engine failed on single lane highway hill climb. Seemed like engine cut off allowing driver to quickly turn into" hole in the wall "quick stop store parking area. Engine turned over but would not run. *tr the consumer stated he experienced two parking brake failures within 3,000 miles of travel. Each repair, consisted of replacing switches and adjustments. The last repair consisted of the replacement of the drum associated with the brake pads, switches and wheel brake disc. It was also discovered that the park assembly had burned up, when the brake assembly failed to release. In addition, a 10 amp fuse had blown when a short was discovered in a pressure switch. The park brake assembly and both pressure switches were replaced. Updated ivoq 12/19/12 the consumer stated while filling re-fueling the motor home, a passerby informed him gasoline was draining from the motor home. He quickly removed the hose and saw a large puddle of fuel under the gas tank. The consumer was not sure, where it was coming from, but it did appear to flow from a connecting pipe at the very rear of the motor home filling section and about 4 inches at the tank interface. The consumer stated the motor home is currently in storage. Updated 04/30/13

Filed Oct 13, 2008 · Fuel system · 97,745 miles · MO

I have a duramax diesel engine. I experienced the injectors failed causing my fuel to mix with the oil in my crankcase which caused my motor to seize. Gm has stated that the injectors did fail but will not fix the other damage that was caused by the injector failure. I received a letter from gm last year letting all duramax owners know of this exact problem. The letter said 'don't do anything unless they fail". Well they failed and gm will not fix my engine. They want to replace it to a tune of $13,000 to me!!!!!! Please help me. I have talked to many other duramax owners who have experienced the same engine failure.