Fuel System complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2024 | 4 | 8% | 19,000 miles |
| 2023 | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2021 | 5 | 12% | 16,000 miles |
| 2020 | 5 | 12% | 40,000 miles |
| 2019 | 4 | 18% | 6,000 miles |
| 2018 | 5 | 26% | 68,000 miles |
| 2017 | 2 | 15% | — |
| 2016 | 11 | 22% | 40,000 miles |
| 2015 | 15 | 29% | 114,000 miles |
| 2014 | 3 | 30% | 120,000 miles |
| 2013 | 4 | 15% | 63,000 miles |
| 2012 | 6 | 26% | 110,000 miles |
| 2011 | 6 | 21% | 11,000 miles |
| 2008 | 2 | 6% | 114,000 miles |
| 2007 | 5 | 13% | 30,000 miles |
| 2006 | 3 | 6% | 43,000 miles |
| 2005 | 8 | 17% | 58,000 miles |
| 2004 | 7 | 17% | 98,000 miles |
| 2003 | 7 | 17% | 61,000 miles |
| 2002 | 8 | 16% | 44,000 miles |
| 2001 | 7 | 10% | 96,000 miles |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% | 18,000 miles |
| 1999 | 4 | 9% | 28,000 miles |
| 1998 | 10 | 15% | 79,000 miles |
| 1997 | 7 | 11% | 83,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated, and the transmission failed to properly shift. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who discovered metal shavings inside the fuel filter and diagnosed that the High-Pressure Fuel Pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The high-pressure fuel pump was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. Later, while hauling a trailer on the highway, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that the fuel pump control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 19,000.
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 contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, he noticed smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the smoke would become more aggressive as the accelerator or brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle caught on fire however the origin was unknown. The contact and his family exited the vehicle safely and discovered unknown fluid emitting from the rear of the vehicle. The contact used a fire extinguisher to attempt to extinguish the fire however the fire kept returning a total of 4 times. The fire department was contacted and extinguished the fire. A fire report was not filed. A police report was filed however the police report number was unknown. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was destroyed and burned to the frame. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. …
Service engine light kept coming on the dash, and the code came back to a faulty DEF heater. My truck had a reduced power countdown on the dash indicating the truck was going go to into limp mode after x amount of miles. On warmer days the code would go away and there would be no reduced power. The vehicle was diagnosed at a GM dealership and confirmed the DEF heater was bad, but was notified that there is a bulletin with GM for this issue occurring in many other diesel trucks. My safety was put at risk due to the rapidly changing reduced speed milage, at any point it could drop from 100miles, to 10 miles until reduced speed. This could cause an instant car accident while driving if the truck were to randomly slow down to a speed much slower than the speed limit. …
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would independently downshift as the vehicle would fail to accelerate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal. The DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) malfunction warning light would illuminate on the instrument panel during the failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where they acknowledged the failure but informed him that the parts to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
The fuel pump driver module. I filled my truck up with diesel and it drove home fine. Later that afternoon left the house and got half mile down the road and the truck just shut off with no warning lamps or message. When this happened, you could not steer the truck and the brakes barley worked, now after the truck cut off a message came to shift in neutral. I was lucky no one was on the road at that time. Now had this happened the day before when I was coming home pulling a 40ft fifth wheel, this could have been catastrophic. When this fuel pump module goes out you have no warning the truck cuts off and you have no steering or brakes. This module needs to be recalled, and something else done to have some kind of warning before everything shuts off. …
Def pump and heater module had burned terminals. This caused failure to the def pump and heater module. This was the second instance of this happening on this truck in roughly 40,000 miles. Burned terminals can start electrical fires that are a danger to occupants and others in the vicinity. Failure of this system forces a drop in speed after so many miles that make you a danger on the road.
Driving at hiway speed and towing a 40' travel trailer the transmission failed and put my family in grave danger. GM is aware of this issue as they have issued a service bulletin due to an engineering flaw.... ( transfer case input and out put shaft failure) This needs to be a recall before someone is killed or injured ( wheels locking up at hiway speeds)
Related recalls (4)
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump › Control/drive module
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.
Fuel system, diesel › Storage › Tank assembly
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 vehicles equipped with a dual fuel tank option. The rear fuel tank may collapse and prevent the fuel pump from transferring fuel to the front tank, resulting in an engine stall.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and fuel pump module, replacing them as necessary. Dealers will also add a vent hose to the rear tank assembly. Repairs will be performed free of charge.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 GMC Sierra 3500 and Chevrolet Silverado 3500 trucks equipped with gasoline engines and dual fuel tanks. The fuel-level sensor in the front tank may stick in a low-level position, allowing the rear tank to overfill the front tank.
Remedy: GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rear-tank fuel-pump module, inspect the front tank and, if necessary, replace the front tank, free of charge. The recall began July 30, 2019.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Auxillary tank
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 and GMC Sierra 3500 trucks equipped with dual fuel tanks. The low fuel level sensor for the front tank may stick causing the rear tank to overfill the front tank.
Remedy: GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rear tank fuel pump or update the fuel-level sensor software, as well as inspect the front tank, replacing it as necessary, free of charge.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Silverado 3500 years have fuel system problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2015 (15), 2016 (11), 1998 (10), 2002 (8) and 2005 (8) model years. Fuel System complaints make up 29% of all complaints for the 2015.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Silverado 3500 fuel system problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 26V-129 (control/drive module, Mar 5, 2026); 23V-047 (tank assembly, Feb 2, 2023); 19V-088 (tank assembly, Feb 7, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Silverado 3500 fuel system problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles; 46% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the delivery › fuel pump (6 mentions), followed by the storage › tank assembly (5).
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.