Chevrolet Silverado 3500 overheating problems

Filed Jul 14, 2026 · Brakes · CA

Since repair work was performed on this vehicle in late 2025, it has intermittently experienced sudden, complete brake lockup on all four wheels without any pedal input. This has occurred during sharp turns and during straight, steady highway driving, both suddenly and after gradual buildup; regardless of the pattern leading up to it, the lockup itself is abrupt and unexpected. On March 25, 2026, driving approximately 70 mph on the Glendale Freeway (SR-2) between Mountain Ave and Foothill Blvd, at approximately 39,900 miles, all four brakes suddenly applied with no pedal input, causing the truck to skid toward a stop while traffic continued to pass at highway speed. Smoke was visible from the front wheels and in my mirrors. No crash, fire, injury, or fatality occurred, but the vehicle poses an ongoing risk of sudden, uncommanded loss of control, especially hazardous at highway speed with surrounding traffic. The dealership's inspection found blue thermal discoloration on all four brake rotors, consistent with extreme, sustained overheating, and recommended full brake system replacement estimated at $23,875.25. I am retired, on a fixed income, and cannot readily absorb a repair of this magnitude for an intermittent but serious safety defect. This vehicle uses a Hydro-Boost brake system. GM has published service information (Bulletin PIT3665J) describing a known condition on this platform where the brake pedal can move or self-apply, caused by the internal dump valve failing to seat due to steering system contamination. This bulletin covers Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks across model years 1998-2020, among other GM platforms. Given the severity of this failure and the number of vehicles affected across more than two decades, I believe this warrants review as a potential safety defect.

Filed Feb 8, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · OH

My 2021 chevy 3500hd diesel had the engine light come on and the service emissions system popped up in the info screen. It said in so many miles speed would be limited. I took it to the dealer and they said the def tank would need replaced because the tank wiring connector overheated and would cost me over $2k.

Filed Sep 9, 2024 · Brakes · NC

Front right brake overheated.

Filed Sep 9, 2023 · Engine · TX

Fan pulley broke in half, snapped fan belt, damaged fan and caused truck to overheat. Truck would not turn off when overheated, even when fan was not working, so truck kept getting hotter. Dealer said this is the 3rd one they've seen this week

Filed Nov 22, 2019 · Body, Electrical · 27,000 miles · MO

While driving on the highway, vehicle filled with smoke accompanied by a strong burning odor. At the same time the HVAC blower stopped functioning and the windshield fogged up. After stopping the vehicle, burned wires and melted harness connectors where found at the HVAC blower the HVAC blower motor overheated due to a short caused by repeated water intrusion from defective and missing body seams along the roof, cowl, and numerous other locations. Safety belt warning chimes repeatedly for no apparent reason, many other electronic components intermittently fail or operate erratically when it rains or snows. Vehicle floor fills with water frequently. Mold has started growing under carpet. Repeated issues from date of purchase, issues continue to be unresolved, dealership has been unable to identify all leak sources to stop water intrusion.

Filed Oct 7, 2008 · Brakes · 200 miles · MD

We have had a problem with squealing brakes since about not even a week of owning it. We called it in and took it in to koons chevrolet of white marsh in which they took it for less then 2 mile test drive and didn't even remove the tires (we could tell because its a dually and not 1 finger print on the dirty hubcap). They cleared ticket out and claimed no noise. We took it home still having problems with the squealing and we told them so and expressed our disgust that they didn't even check the wheels. Took it in for repair again and took for about 1 mile test drive and said they didn't hear anything, this time we took off work to watch and make sure they removed the tires. Once removed we looked at rotors and all which appeared blue as if they overheated (owner of vehicle works for meineke, brake specialist!!) this time after wasting our whole day they said they would turn the rotors (truck not even 2 months old, to ignorant to replace) however that don't matter because after wasting the whole day they decide to tell us they don't have the tools to fix it??? This is where we bought it and they cant service it and told us they already helped us more then they should have and this was straight from christian the service manager!

Filed Sep 12, 2008 · Engine, Fuel system · 70,800 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 cheverolet silverado 3500. On april 20, 2008,while driving approximately 70 MPH up hill, the vehicle downshifted on its own. The engine lost power. The contact pulled over to the side of the road to check the engine. The engine was still running when he opened the hood and he noticed oil and diesel fuel all over the engine. The vehicle was towed to a chevrolet dealer. The mechanic tested the cylinder by blowing air into it and the air traveled to the crank case. After the mechanic performed this test, he informed the contact that the piston was cracked and a hole was present. The mechanic also stated that the fuel injector failed and caused the cylinder to fill up with an excessive amount of fuel. The failure caused the engine to overheat and blow. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 70,800.

Filed Feb 8, 2008 · Engine, Steering · 1,613 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet silverado 3500. While driving 5 MPH, the power steering fails. The failure becomes more severe after the vehicle has been running for some time or during warm weather. The vehicle was taken to the dealer over ten times and they replaced the power steering pump and steering gear box. The contact was finally informed that the tires had insufficient air. The failures have not been corrected. The engine also overheats when driving uphill, pulling a trailer, and during warm weather. The dealer replaced the cooling fan and the intake system. The contact stated that there was a tsb (1980030) regarding the engine overheating. The current mileage was 21,500 and failure mileage was 1,613. Updated 3/4/08 *cn updated 03/04/08

Filed Dec 28, 2005 · Engine · 33,000 miles · CA

2002 -coolant leaking from engine at approx 33,000 miles. Diagnosed as intake manifold gasket and corrected by chevrolet dealer under warranty. 2005 64000 miles -coolant leaking from engine compartment, discovered cracked radiator, replaced at my expense. 2005 66,000 miles -coolant leaking from engine compartment, replaced water pump. My expense. 2005 70,000 miles-coolant leaking from engine compartment, diagnosed intake manifold gasket again, replaced at my expense. Since purchase I have done everything I can to properly maintain vehicle. Cooling system was supposed to remain sealed for 5 years or 150,000 miles per dealers instructions.

Filed Aug 17, 2005 · Engine, Transmission · 500 miles · CA

I believe my 2005 chevrolet silverado 3500, duramax/allison was equiped with under designed cooling systems; both transmission and engine. On slow mountain type roads I can run my unloaded truck into near overheat conditions. I believe these issues may be common to other '04.5 and '05 lly gm and chevrolet trucks like mine and gm has not provided it's dealer network with solutions to remedy the problem (most of them are simple, that the other 2 majors seem to understand: air flow control throught the cooling stack and cold air to the intake)