Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 33% | 2,000 miles |
| 2024 | 19 | 37% | 1,000 miles |
| 2023 | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2022 | 5 | 19% | 50,000 miles |
| 2021 | 13 | 32% | 2,000 miles |
| 2020 | 5 | 12% | 52,000 miles |
| 2019 | 5 | 23% | — |
| 2018 | 3 | 16% | 28,000 miles |
| 2017 | 1 | 8% | 22,000 miles |
| 2016 | 6 | 12% | 27,000 miles |
| 2015 | 16 | 31% | 22,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 10% | 38,000 miles |
| 2013 | 4 | 15% | 137,000 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 9% | 51,000 miles |
| 2011 | 2 | 7% | 119,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 50% | 202,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 10% | 6,000 miles |
| 2008 | 6 | 19% | 230,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 5% | 5,000 miles |
| 2006 | 3 | 6% | 128,000 miles |
| 2005 | 9 | 20% | 40,000 miles |
| 2004 | 4 | 10% | 71,000 miles |
| 2003 | 6 | 14% | 111,000 miles |
| 2002 | 1 | 2% | 40,000 miles |
| 2001 | 4 | 6% | 72,000 miles |
| 2000 | 5 | 6% | 79,000 miles |
| 1999 | 2 | 4% | — |
| 1998 | 3 | 4% | — |
| 1997 | 3 | 5% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The vehicle was driven to a job site in Gowanda NY. The computer indicated it neede to clean the exhaust filter. The truck was parked in an open area on a blacktop parking area. The truck finished a Regen approximately 30 minutes later. The vehicle was shut down and left unattended. Approx 30 minutes later, the driver, heard noises, came around a structure and saw the vehicle was on fire. The driver did attempt to use a fire extinguisher to no avail. They then called 911 and the fire department was dispatched. The department put out the fire but the vehicle is a total loss. As this was a work site, the vehicle was towed to our shop and stored inside. The inland marine insurance company hired a fire investigator, and they looked at the vehicle. They determined the fire originated on the lower firewall in the engine compartment. …
The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and towing a trailer or an RV, the brake pedal was depressed, and the trailer brake failed to engage. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact stated that the manual trailer brake was able to activate, and the trailer brake engaged to slow the trailer or the RV. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the tow hitch wiring harness needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the tow hitch was factory installed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,500.
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and towing a camper, upon coming to a complete stop, the message "Brakes Disconnected" was displayed. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No other warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure a failure with the brake control module. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who again diagnosed a failure a failure with the brake control module. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 200.
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and towing a trailer, the trailer brake light turned off, indicating that the trailer brakes were no longer functioning. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the brake control module. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 500. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH with a trailer hitched to the vehicle, the trailer brake failed to respond on and off independently. Neither an independent mechanic nor a dealer was contacted. The trailer brake failure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with N232414840 - Customer Satisfaction Program (Equipped with BRK APL CTRL FEATURE-INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE); however, the VIN was not included in the program. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. No assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated while the vehicle was in park(P), the tailgate opened unintendedly. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was with the tailgate electronic switch. The contact was concerned that the vehicle could present a hazard for other drivers on the roadway should the tailgate open unintendedly. The dealer was not contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
Driving home from work 7/1/2024 approx 5:15PM Smelled burning smell, no noise or dash lights, thought it was another car. 1 minute later, heard a thump from under hood and "Charging System Failure" came on dash. Decided to take to Chevy dealer, which was 5 minutes away. Within next 2 minutes steering failed. As I came to next intersection, brakes failed, went thorough red light, luckily not hit by another vehicle. Coasted to stop and called tow service.Engine was still running until I turned it off. Had towed to local Chevy dealer. AC compressor had locked up, broken belt. Steering and brakes failed. Dealer agreed both failed, but would not list the brake failure on the invoice. I was originally invoiced 2900.00 to repair, even though truck had only 29244 miles. That was reduced to 1160.00. Was told it was 2 months past 36 month warranty. …
Water entered tailgate through drainage hole in tailgate cap. The water then dripped on the tailgate switch causing it to short out. This short circuit caused my tailgate to open and close randomly without pressing any switches or buttons or key fobs. May tailgate has a small ding it it now from where it kept hitting the wall while parked in the garage. I took the truck to the dealership to get repairs done and was charged 308.88 for the tailgate switch and diagnosis that should have been under a recall for this truck. Safety Recall N232426400 Tailgate May Open Unexpectedly issued May 2024. I called the customer service number [redacted] to try and get reimbursed for the repairs and they told me there is no recall on my truck. I had this problem and it clearly states the year, make and model of my truck in the recall, but because my vin wasn't included I'm out of luck? …
Related recalls (2)
Electrical system
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500/3500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2007, to June 22, 2011, and GMC Sierra HD 2500/3500 trucks manufactured January 22, 2007, to June 21, 2011, and equipped with an auxiliary battery.
Remedy: GM will notify owners and dealers will replace the jumper harness with one that includes a 40 amp inline fuse, and provide the owner with supplemental Owner Manual information, free of charge.
Electrical system
GM is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Buick, lucerne; Cadillac dts; Hummer h2; model year 2008-2009 Buick enclave; Cadillac cts; model year 2007-2009 Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; Chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; GMC acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon xl; Saturn outlook; and model year 2009…
Remedy: Dealers will permanently disable and remove the heated washer fluid module. An updated page for the owner manual will be provided and inserted in the owner manual to document that the feature has been permanently…
NHTSA investigations
Non-crash engine compartment fires
In response to an information request letter sent by the office of defects investigation(odi) during preliminary evaluation pe08-010, GM provided odi with 41 allegations of non-crash engine compartment fires including 16 allegations of fires originating with the ignition in the off position.one of the fires was determined to be caused by an arson event.odi has also received 5 reports, 4 of which are of duplicative…
Non-crash engine compartment fires
In a letter dated August 27, 2008, general motors corp. (GM) notified NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA recall number 08v-441) to address a safety relateddefect that can result in engine compartment fire in approximately 850,000 vehicles equipped with a heated windshield washer fluid option.the subject vehicles of this investigation comprise over three-quarters of the recall population.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Silverado 3500 years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2024 (19), 2015 (16), 2021 (13), 2005 (9) and 2003 (6) model years. Electrical complaints make up 37% of all complaints for the 2024.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Silverado 3500 electrical problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 14V-407 (electrical system, Jul 2, 2014); 10V-240 (electrical system, Jun 4, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Silverado 3500 electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles; 54% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the integrated trailer brake control (18 mentions), followed by the instrument cluster/panel (8).
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.