Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Engine Problems

Owners have filed 3,101 complaints about engine & cooling problems with the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 — 17% of all Silverado 1500 complaints. The worst model years are 2021 (442), 2019 (416) and 2022 (278). Problems typically start around 69,000 miles. One related recall has been issued.

3,101complaints
2021worst year
69ktypical miles
1related recalls
24crashes
58fires

Engine complaints by model year

’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’2613618162128213543362075514138432534199143731171114162714422781751685670
Engine complaints per model year, Chevrolet Silverado 1500.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
20267059%4,000 miles
20255653%9,000 miles
202416853%11,000 miles
202317545%40,000 miles
202227843%43,000 miles
202144252%63,000 miles
202027136%68,000 miles
201941638%67,000 miles
201811121%51,000 miles
201711716%56,000 miles
2016739%50,000 miles
201514313%60,000 miles
201419914%59,000 miles
20133411%90,000 miles
20122512%93,000 miles
2011438%114,000 miles
20103810%78,000 miles
2009419%84,000 miles
2008516%102,000 miles
2007759%70,000 miles
2006206%65,000 miles
2005367%97,000 miles
2004435%91,000 miles
2003354%121,000 miles
2002214%87,000 miles
2001286%104,000 miles
2000213%89,000 miles
1999163%110,000 miles
1998185%81,000 miles
1997366%73,000 miles
1996114%—

Which parts fail

  • Engine
    36
  • Engine › Gasoline
    30
  • Cooling system
    18
  • Exhaust system
    18
  • Cooling system › Radiator assembly
    10
  • Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
    9
  • Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
    9
  • Cooling system › Hoses/lines/piping/fittings
    8

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    24421%
  • 25k–50k
    19217%
  • 50k–75k
    21919%
  • 75k–100k
    18816%
  • 100k–150k
    22320%
  • 150k+
    777%

What owners report

The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle burst into flames. When the Police and emergency services arrived, the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames. The contact stated that an oil change was performed prior to the failure. The fire department extinguished the fire. A Police report was filed. The contact associated the failure with GM Service Update: N262568830 (Potential Oil Filter Leak). The customer service assistance at the manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000.

2026 Silverado 1500 · 11,000 miles · Sep 2026 · fire

The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, there was an abnormally loud pinging sound coming from the engine. The vehicle lost motive power, the brakes and the steering wheel became inoperable. The message "Depress Start" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was initially diagnosed that the battery failure was unsoldered. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. While being test-driven by the mechanic, the vehicle stalled. After further investigation, it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced due to the main bearing failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, opened a case and informed the contact that a case worker, near his location, would contact him in 24 hours. The failure mileage was approximately 9,025.

2026 Silverado 1500 · 9,000 miles · May 2026

The contact's daughter owned a 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LD. The contact stated that his son was parked in a parking lot and starting the vehicle when the vehicle caught on fire. The contact stated that his son reported that the fire started under the hood. The contact stated that the fire department was called and extinguished the flames. The vehicle did not have insurance, and the fire department did not investigate the cause of the fire. The contact stated that no report was filed. The contact had the vehicle towed to his residence. The contact had informed the manufacturer of the incident and had filed a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 7,000.

2025 Silverado 1500 · 7,000 miles · Dec 2025 · fire

The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the infotainment screen failed to turn off. The contact became aware that the Bluetooth had failed to remain connected. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the infotainment center had failed and needed to be replaced. The infotainment center was replaced. After having the repair completed, the contact became aware that the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the message "Engine Power Reduced" was displayed. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, who diagnosed that the engine had failed due to thrust bearing failures. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced. The vehicle was only owned for 3 months when the engine completely failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case for the failure. …

2025 Silverado 1500 · 3,000 miles · Oct 2025

The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled on several occasions. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was restarted and drove as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, but no repair was performed. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair; however, the dealer informed the contact that the manufacturer denied authorization to perform the recall inspection. The dealer informed the contact that the failure appeared to be associated with the recall and replaced the engine oil with a higher viscosity oil. The contact was provided a work order confirming that the recall repair was not completed. …

2024 Silverado 1500 · 5,000 miles · Sep 2024

The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed, the vehicle stalled, and the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the heavy fuel consumption warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact stated that the fault code had been reset. The failure reoccurred and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that there was a burning fuel odor around the exterior of the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure was persistent; however, the vehicle was taken to the dealer several times due to the failure however, the failure was not duplicated. In addition, the contact stated there was an abnormal squeaking sound coming from the front of the vehicle. …

2024 Silverado 1500 · 0 miles · May 2024

The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled with an unknown message displayed. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the dealer. Several days later that the dealer informed the contact that a new engine had been ordered and the new engine was replaced. The contact stated that after retrieving the vehicle, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled to have the vehicle serviced. The contact stated that while in a store parking lot, the vehicle failed to start after several attempts. …

2023 Silverado 1500 · 26,000 miles · May 2025

The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the engine turned off and the instrument panel became inoperable. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the message "Tailgate Open" was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and, upon inspection, noticed that the tailgate was closed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. An employee at the dealer closed and opened the tailgate several times until the message disappeared. …

2023 Silverado 1500 · 22,000 miles · May 2024

Related recalls (1)

Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical

NHTSA recall 25V-274 · Apr 24, 2025 · 597,571 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the…

NHTSA investigations

Loss of motive power due to engine failure

NHTSA investigation PE25001 · opened Jan 16, 2025 · closed Oct 23, 2025 · led to recall 25V-274

On January 16, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE25001 after receiving complaints and field reports concerning engine failures in MY2019-2024 GM's full-size truck and SUV T1XX platform equipped with the L87 6.2L V8 engine.

Loss of motive power due to engine failure

NHTSA investigation EA25007 · opened Oct 23, 2025 · open

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 1,157 reports of engine bearing failure failures in the L87 6.2L engine produced by General Motors (GM). Of the 1,157 reports received, 173 are outside of the scope of recall 25V-274.

Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy

NHTSA investigation RQ26001 · opened Jan 16, 2026 · closed Aug 20, 2026

On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001. This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V-274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement.

Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy

NHTSA investigation EA26005 · opened Aug 20, 2026 · open

On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001. This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V-274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement.

Frequently asked questions

Which Chevrolet Silverado 1500 years have engine problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2021 (442), 2019 (416), 2022 (278), 2020 (271) and 2014 (199) model years. Engine complaints make up 52% of all complaints for the 2021.

Is there a recall for Chevrolet Silverado 1500 engine problems?

Yes — 1 recall, including 25V-274 (hard parts internal/mechanical, Apr 24, 2025). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Chevrolet Silverado 1500 engine problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles; 38% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the engine (36 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline (30).

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.