Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Chevrolet Silverado owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I am writing to seek some assistance with an inferior product produced by GM. I have a Chevy 2000 Silverado z71 pick up that has piston slap starting at around 15K miles and progressively worsened which the dealer states is normal wear. This expensive vehicle also has a rear end bang into drive and then reverse again the dealer states is normal. Recently I fixed a snapped cable for the drivers window which the same kind of cable was recalled for the tail gate cables. I have replaced recall items for the tail gate cables, drive shaft yolk and the ABS sensors to which it is still not functioning properly. All of which when presented to the dealer and the response was it is normal, until the recall occurred. …
Noticed engine knock on cold start-ups as soon as vehicle was purchased. Purchased vehicle in oct. 2000, with 39,000 mi.(2nd owner) at approx. 85,000 mi., noticed engine making a rattling noise as transmission up-shifted in 1st & 2nd gears after cold engine start-up knock went away. Took vehicle to dealer and was told that cold start-up knock was normal, but rattling wasn't. Dealer gave me service bulletin #01-06-01-028 which states that cold start-up knock May be caused by an interaction between carbon on piston, piston motion, and cylinder wall. Vehicle presently has 89,000 mi. On it and approximately 80% of said mi. Are highway mi., so, carbon in my estimation, doesn't come into play! As far as the rattling sound goes, dealer found the hardness breaking down on camshaft lobes #1 and #4 (from front of engine). Dealer replaced camshaft, 2 lifters, and oil pump. …
During a utah state safety inspection last year it was found that 3 of the 12 exhaust manifold bolts were broken on my 6.0l engine. The bolt heads were completely broken off/missing. The broken bolts allow the exhaust manifolds to leak causing problems with emissions. If left undetected this problem can cause the catalytic converter to fail. Just to have the bolts repaired is a very expensive >$500 repair that could have been averted by having these faulty bolts changed out early on. Once the bolts are broken they have to be extracted which is very difficult due to the thermal deformation and corrosion. Two of the bolts were in the rear most holes which have very limited access. I have not received any notices from the manufacturer in regards to this problem. I have owned this truck since it was new. …
I have two general motors vehicles. A 2000 Silverado truck and a 97 olds silhouette. Both of these have v6 engines and now I am being told that both of them have intake manifold leaks. The antifreeze is leaking outside of the intake, and in the case of my truck, probably into the engine. I am being told three different mechanics, that this is a very common problem with the v6. And after voicing my complaint, found that my brother-in law, has had the same problem. I called the general motors number in the manual and told them that I was upset with the problems and they said that because one is a 97 with 62000 miles, it is two old and that my truck has to many miles (112000). Yet everyone tells me that it is the plastic intake manifolds that GM uses that is the problem.
The consumer took the vehicle to be inspected. This is when the mechanic noticed that the front wheel bearings on the left and right side needed to be replaced. There was three inches of looseness up and down, left and right on both wheel because of bearing failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they agreed that the bearing were worn. The vehicle had exceeded the 36000 mile warranty by about 200 miles, therefore the consumer had to pay for the repairs. The consumer was also informed that there were no grease fittings which is why the bearings had to be replaced. Manifold/gasket leaked due to poor design.
Excessive ticking and engine noice during cold start ups. I was told, by Chevrolet service the ticking was normal but should not last more than 1 minute. However after diganosing the problem, it was discovered that my 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has a bad lifter. This after only 38000 miles. I filed a claim with Chevrolet they refused to pick up any of the $1300. In repair costs. My truck has a vortex v6, which GM has been manufacturing in excess of 20 years. The bugs should be worked out by now, but after reading the numerous compliants, with regard to the same problem, the bugs clearly have not been worked out.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado. While the vehicle was stopped with the air conditioner engaged, the vehicle began to overheat. In addition, the contact stated that the temperature gauge displayed a high reading. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the water pump and anti-freeze needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Dt*: updated 10/25/2006 - everytime the vehicle was started and the engine was cold, it made a knocking noise, which continued until the engine warmed up. There were no warning signs prior to the incident. The vehicle was taken tot he service dealer who said the noise was carbon build-up on the piston. The dealer tried running cleaner into the engine twice but the noise was still there. The dealer said it was piston slap making the noise and that it was OK to drive.
Engine knocks on startup...was told by the dealer it is normal...bull@#$#...we are hard working people who must depend on our vehicle to get us to work...I do not trust this truck very far from home. Fyi to all other owners...there is a class action pending on this problem. We didn't plan on paying this much for a vehicle just for it to sound like this. Other dealers are aware of this problem..so trading it off without loosing your shirt is impossible.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while parked, he noticed a loud ticking sound. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the intake manifold bolts were fractured. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
Engine complaints in other Silverado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2000 Chevrolet Silverado?
NHTSA has 91 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2000 Chevrolet Silverado, 7% of the model year's 1,305 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (42 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Chevrolet Silverado engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2000 Chevrolet Silverado, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Chevrolet Silverado engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.