Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Problems by Year

We compared every Chevrolet Silverado 3500 model year from 1997–2026 using 1,076 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 45 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2024, 2025, 2021, 2020 and 2022, which drew far more complaints than other Silverado 3500 years at the same age. The best years are 2014, 2017 and 2012.

30model years
1,076complaints
45recalls
2024, 2025worst years
2014, 2017best years

Complaints by model year

’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’266167478072504241465239311022923261052511319224241271651122
Owner complaints per model year, Chevrolet Silverado 3500. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
202622.0×3BodyFew
2025122.8×1ElectricalCaution
2024515.9×3ElectricalAvoid
2023161.3×1TransmissionAverage
2022272.0×3ElectricalAvoid
2021412.5×5ElectricalAvoid
2020422.4×8TransmissionAvoid
201922typical7EngineAverage
201819−33%6EngineAverage
201713−58%6TransmissionGood
2016511.6×7SteeringCaution
2015521.4×7ElectricalCaution
201410−67%3Fuel SystemGood
201326−42%4SteeringGood
201223−56%4Wheel & TireGood
201129−33%5AirbagAverage
20102−92%5AirbagGood
200910−75%6AirbagGood
200831−31%4AirbagAverage
200739−19%5AirbagAverage
2006521.4×—BrakeAverage
2005461.3×—BrakeAverage
200441typical—BrakeAverage
200342−25%—BrakeAverage
2002501.3×1BrakeAverage
2001721.4×1BrakeCaution
2000802.2×1BrakeAvoid
1999471.4×—BrakeAverage
1998671.9×—BrakeCaution
1997611.9×—BrakeCaution

* Complaints compared with the median Silverado 3500 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Chevrolet Silverado 3500 problems

Latest Chevrolet Silverado 3500 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.

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.

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump › Control/drive module

NHTSA recall 26V-129 · Mar 5, 2026 · 11,807 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and GMC Sierra 3500 vehicles with gasoline engines and dual fuel tanks (RPOs L8T and N2N). The rear fuel pump may not transfer adequate fuel to the front tank, causing an engine stall.

Remedy: The vehicle's engine control module (ECM) will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 8, 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 45 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Chevrolet Silverado 3500 should you avoid?

2024, 2025, 2021, 2020, 2022 and 2016 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Silverado 3500 years at the same age, led by electrical system problems in the 2024.

What is the best year for the Chevrolet Silverado 3500?

2014 has the fewest complaints compared with other Silverado 3500 years at the same age, followed by 2017 and 2012. 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 3500 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the brakes (314), engine & cooling (154) and fuel & propulsion system (141). Brake complaints peak in the 2000 model year.

How many recalls has the Chevrolet Silverado 3500 had?

45 recalls across 1997–2026. The model year with the most is 2020. See all Chevrolet Silverado 3500 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.