Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Problems by Year

We compared every Chevrolet Silverado 1500 model year from 1996–2026 using 18,084 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 55 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2019, 2021, 2014, 2022 and 2024, which drew far more complaints than other Silverado 1500 years at the same age. The best years are 2012 and 2013.

31model years
18,084complaints
55recalls
2019, 2021worst years
2012, 2013best years

Complaints by model year

’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’2675553615876144685098057975253598499144443635632163011.4k1.1k7977145211.1k747847650388316106119
Owner complaints per model year, Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20261195.5×3EngineAvoid
20251061.9×—EngineCaution
20243164.2×2EngineAvoid
20233883.8×3EngineAvoid
20226504.2×6EngineAvoid
20218475.0×8EngineAvoid
20207474.0×12EngineAvoid
20191,0965.4×10EngineAvoid
20185212.2×7TransmissionAvoid
20177142.5×7TransmissionAvoid
20167972.7×12BrakeAvoid
20151,1103.5×11BrakeAvoid
20141,4364.5×6SteeringAvoid
2013301−36%2AirbagAverage
2012216−53%2AirbagGood
20115631.5×4AirbagCaution
2010363−20%3AirbagAverage
2009444−13%3AirbagAverage
20089141.4×3AirbagCaution
2007849−22%2AirbagAverage
2006359−19%—BrakeAverage
20055251.4×—ElectricalAverage
20047971.8×—BrakeCaution
20038051.6×—BrakeCaution
2002509−29%—BrakeAverage
2001468−38%—BrakeAverage
2000614−22%—BrakeAverage
1999587−23%—BrakeAverage
19983611.2×—BrakeAverage
19975551.8×—SteeringCaution
19967−99%—BrakeGood

* Complaints compared with the median Silverado 1500 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems

Latest Chevrolet Silverado 1500 recalls

Air bags › Side/window › Curtain › Inflator

NHTSA recall 26V-611 · Sep 24, 2026 · 1,559 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500, GMC Sierra 2500/3500 vehicles, and 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The left-side or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.

Remedy: Dealers will replace both RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 9, 2026.

Air bags

NHTSA recall 26V-325 · May 21, 2026 · 4,315 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles. The left-side or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.

Remedy: Dealers will replace both RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 24, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.

Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)

NHTSA recall 26V-289 · May 7, 2026 · 66 vehiclesDo not drive

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge.

Air bags

NHTSA recall 26V-166 · Mar 19, 2026 · 2,819 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 Crew Cab vehicles. The left or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right-side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026.

Equipment › Other › Owners/service/other manual

NHTSA recall 26V-114 · Feb 26, 2026 · 5,861 vehicles

General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette Convertible…

Remedy: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner's manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026.

All 55 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 should you avoid?

2019, 2021, 2014, 2022, 2024 and 2020 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Silverado 1500 years at the same age, led by engine & cooling problems in the 2019.

What is the best year for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

2012 has the fewest complaints compared with other Silverado 1500 years at the same age, followed by 2013. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the brakes (4,605), engine & cooling (3,101) and electrical system (2,696). Brake complaints peak in the 2003 model year.

How many recalls has the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 had?

55 recalls across 1996–2026. The model year with the most is 2016. See all Chevrolet Silverado 1500 recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.