Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Problems by Year

We compared every Chevrolet Silverado 2500 model year from 1997–2026 using 4,085 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 44 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2024, 2022, 2020, 2015 and 2025, which drew far more complaints than other Silverado 2500 years at the same age. The best years are 2014, 2012 and 2013.

30model years
4,085complaints
44recalls
2024, 2022worst years
2014, 2012best years

Complaints by model year

’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’2664738113238835144936826917820419161211045351401791235453741088897471432912
Owner complaints per model year, Chevrolet Silverado 2500. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
2026121.5×2BrakeFew
2025291.9×1TransmissionCaution
20241436.5×4ElectricalAvoid
2023471.4×1TransmissionAverage
2022972.2×3ElectricalAvoid
2021881.8×6TransmissionCaution
20201082.1×10TransmissionAvoid
2019741.3×7EngineAverage
201853−23%5ElectricalAverage
201754−43%5ElectricalGood
20161231.6×6SteeringCaution
20151792.0×6ElectricalAvoid
201440−68%2Fuel SystemGood
201351−57%3Fuel SystemGood
201253−63%3ElectricalGood
2011104−16%4AirbagAverage
201021−83%5AirbagGood
200961−59%5AirbagGood
20081912.1×4AirbagAvoid
20072041.7×3AirbagCaution
20061782.1×—BrakeAvoid
20052692.9×—ElectricalAvoid
20043683.4×—BrakeAvoid
20034493.5×—BrakeAvoid
20023512.6×1BrakeAvoid
20013883.0×1BrakeAvoid
2000132−32%1BrakeAverage
199981−52%—BrakeGood
199873−29%—BrakeAverage
199764−44%—BrakeGood

* Complaints compared with the median Silverado 2500 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Chevrolet Silverado 2500 problems

Latest Chevrolet Silverado 2500 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.

Tires

NHTSA recall 26V-530 · Aug 13, 2026 · 8 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and GMC Sierra 2500 vehicles equipped with the enhanced towing option and 20-inch accessory tire/wheel package.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect, update the engine control module (ECM) software, apply a tire label overlay, inflate tires to the correct pressure, and perform a tire pressure monitor system (TPMS) re-learn process as necessary,…

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.

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 44 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 should you avoid?

2024, 2022, 2020, 2015, 2025 and 2021 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Silverado 2500 years at the same age, led by electrical system problems in the 2024.

What is the best year for the Chevrolet Silverado 2500?

2014 has the fewest complaints compared with other Silverado 2500 years at the same age, followed by 2012 and 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 2500 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the brakes (1,330), electrical system (704) and engine & cooling (479). Brake complaints peak in the 2003 model year.

How many recalls has the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 had?

44 recalls across 1997–2026. The model year with the most is 2020. See all Chevrolet Silverado 2500 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.