Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 50% | — |
| 2025 | 2 | 17% | — |
| 2024 | 3 | 6% | — |
| 2023 | 4 | 25% | — |
| 2022 | 4 | 15% | 67,000 miles |
| 2021 | 3 | 7% | — |
| 2020 | 7 | 17% | 40,000 miles |
| 2019 | 6 | 27% | 60,000 miles |
| 2018 | 7 | 37% | 23,000 miles |
| 2017 | 2 | 15% | 58,000 miles |
| 2016 | 6 | 12% | 50,000 miles |
| 2015 | 8 | 15% | 96,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 10% | 18,000 miles |
| 2013 | 5 | 19% | 56,000 miles |
| 2012 | 4 | 17% | 29,000 miles |
| 2011 | 6 | 21% | 112,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 50% | 202,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 20% | 76,000 miles |
| 2008 | 4 | 13% | 19,000 miles |
| 2007 | 8 | 21% | 30,000 miles |
| 2006 | 3 | 6% | 35,000 miles |
| 2005 | 4 | 9% | 3,000 miles |
| 2004 | 6 | 15% | 46,000 miles |
| 2003 | 5 | 12% | 69,000 miles |
| 2002 | 8 | 16% | 40,000 miles |
| 2001 | 24 | 33% | 65,000 miles |
| 2000 | 3 | 4% | — |
| 1999 | 7 | 15% | 50,000 miles |
| 1998 | 4 | 6% | 191,000 miles |
| 1997 | 6 | 10% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The Engine Cooler has a know defect that GM has put out service bulletins for. The engine cooler is cracking, mixing oil and antifreeze that is creating a sludge that runs thru the entire system. GM wants techs to attempt to clean/flush the engine before they approve a new engine to be ordered under warranty. GM is aware of the problem and there should be a recall out on the problem according to the service manager I spoke with at the dealership my truck is at currently. I was told the expected time frame is up to 3 months for the work to be completed, with no loaner available that is equivalent to the vehicle that went to the shop. The recall is necessary because if the engine has a major failure while driving it could cause an accident, if the vehicle is hauling a heavy trailer that could be detrimental because the truck can haul up to 40,000 GCWR.
The engine oil cooler failed causing engine oil to leak into the coolant system on my 2024 Chevy Silverado 3500HD. This requires a full replacement of the coolant system. In addition, excessive sludge buildup inside the motor is caused. This is a known issue with GM for 2024 Diesel vehicles. GM has released a service bulletin but is fighting my local dealership on the required repairs.
The 2023 Chevy High Country Diesel vehicle for 89,000 has failed tremendously, without any warning whatsoever. I've had my vehicle serviced on a 6 to 8 weeks bases at the dealership. on March 28, 2025 I was driving in SD and the truck just failed all the suddenly. The information stated to shift to neutral and restart which I did. The truck never started and had to be towed. The first diagnosis was the high pressure fuel pump which contaminated the entire fuel systems with metal shavings. Thereby, the CP4 failed and damage all components of the fuel system costing 11,750.00 for the repair. In addition to this, during further inspecting the shop informed me the engine camshaft and lifter were also an issued and contributed to the dilemma. I then got General Motors involved informing them that now way possible this should have transpired with a new truck having only 126,000 miles. …
We bought a Chevrolet Silverado from 2023 as a new car in October 2024. It is an imported vehicle, as we live in Germany. After 7146km we broke down on the highway on [redacted] with engine damage. There were no signs or warnings beforehand. The Chevrolet simply stalled while driving and indicated that the start/stop button should be pressed. However, this had no effect. The whole vehicle came to a standstill. Not even the wheels were still rolling. A call to the seller (GeigerCars in Munich/Germany) immediately revealed that it was probably engine damage, as the problem is known. The vehicle was then towed to the seller's workshop and has now been there for over 5 weeks without spare parts, as according to the seller these are not supplied by GM. We have not yet received a rental car or anything similar and have to rent a car every week at our own expense. …
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated after parking the vehicle at his garage, he heard an abnormal noise and saw smoke and fire exiting the passager side tire from the engine. The contact stated he extinguish the fire on the engine with a fire extinguisher he had available. A fire report was not filed nor did he call the fire department. The contact stated no one was injured nor sought medical attention. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment before the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the intercooler pipes and turbo intercooler hoses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.
Was driving my 3500 (an 8000# truck capable of towing 20k#) and suddenly the vehicle lost power and steering, forcing me to the shoulder of a curvy mountain road, going downhill. Truck then started blinking lights and telling me to restart. upon restart, the truck would not engage the transmission. Truck was in drive but the motor was just rev'ing. I turned truck off and then back on and it seemed to return to normal. Am not comfortable driving truck at this time. GM has been notified of the issue, and, has not diagnosed an issue, as of this writing.
I was driving down the highway at speed limit when the dash lights came on and the truck started jerking went to a mechanic and he stated it was a fuel ejector after getting it replaced the issue still occurs often check engine light comes on and off and this the only transportation I have for work
Related recalls (1)
Engine
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500, 5500 and 6500 vehicles and 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with Duramax 6.6 liter diesel engines and an optional engine-block heater.
Remedy: GM will contact owners, dealers will replace the engine block heater, free of charge. Additionally, in Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles, dealers will install a new rerouted heater cord.
NHTSA investigations
Crank position sensor failure - stall
In a letter dated November 7, 2007, general motors (GM) reported to the office of defects investigation (odi) that it will conduct a safety recall (07v-521) to replace the crank position sensor (ckp) in approximately 12,000 model year (my) 2001 Chevrolet silverado and GMC sierra vehicles equipped with 8.1 liter engines manufactured on or before November 15, 2000.according to GM, the ckp can fail intermittently or…
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Silverado 3500 years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (24), 2002 (8), 2007 (8), 2015 (8) and 1999 (7) model years. Engine complaints make up 33% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Silverado 3500 engine problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 19V-328 (engine, Apr 25, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Silverado 3500 engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles; 51% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (11 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline (9).
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.