Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Chevrolet Silverado owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving at highway speeds the interior lights began flickering on the dash and in the cabin. Approximately 45 seconds to one minute after the initial dash and light issues the check engine light came on and a notice of battery charging failure occurred, within a few seconds of this occurrence I began to slow down and pull over. The engine shut off before this could occur. By the time I coaxed the vehicle onto the shoulder the electrical system and door locks were no longer working. Smoke and flames began to enter the cockpit and I immediately exited the vehicle. The interior of the vehicle was fully engulfed in less than a minute and the entire truck, bed, and gas tank soon followed. The truck was completely consumed and is now a total loss.
Noticed that cruise control did not work while driving. Took vehicle to auto shop to have problem fixed, was told brake lights remained on even when brakes were not being applied (did not remain on when ignition was off), had the brake light switch replaced and problem was fixed. A few months later, a fellow drive told me that my brake lights were staying on while driving and then I noticed that the cruise control was not working again. Took back to auto shop, was told that the brake light switch was OK. Took vehicle to GM dealership and was told that the body control module needs to be replaced. I did some research and noticed that GM had a recall in May 2014 for passenger cars with similar problems.
Tl contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado purchased pre-owned in 2009. While driving in reverse attempting to park the vehicle, he noticed that the driver's side door panel began smoking. Once the smoking ceased, he noticed that all of the electrical components on the door failed, including the power windows, mirror adjuster and power locks. The manufacturer was contacted and would not assume liability for any of the repairs. The current and failure mileages were under 65,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked when a fire began under the hood. The fire department appeared on the scene to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an auto repair yard. The manufacturer was made aware and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 08V441000 (electrical system). The approximately failure mileage was 16,000.
Tl contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the ignition key would not turn. The vehicle only started when the contact used the wireless vehicle starter. The contact stated that the failure recurred continuously. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but there was no diagnosis or repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
On May 26 2008 my Chevy Silverado wires caught on fire I was able to get it put out pretty quick with only a minor burn to my finger but GM does not want to admit there is a problem with the truck they cant say why it happened there trying to blame it on me I hope you can look into this so maybe if there is a problem with there trucks some one don't get hurt of die.
Dashboard light flickering. ABS,tire pressure, and air bag lights come on and off. Radio comes on and off. Did this for 40 miles constantly. Outside light working fine. Signal light would not work inside, but were working outside. Gauges (fuel, speedometer, throttle, etc) would stop working or would stick on whatever reading they were on when the flicker happens.
I am a fire investigator working for an insurance company. I recently investigated a fire loss involving a 2007 Chevy Silverado classic which originated beneath the bench seat and involved the electrical wiring, which is attached to the driver side of the seat. Fortunately the 85 year old owner of the vehicle was not in the truck at the time of the fire.
2007 Chevrolet Silverado z71, 18,355 miles still under factory warranty. Driving down the road today at 45 MPH, A/C on high since it was 90 degree's out and out of no where the cab starts filling up with smoke and a burning plastic smell coming from the passenger side vents and from under the dash on the passenger side. I quickly pulled over shut the truck off, took the keys out of the ignition, popped the hood and noticed the A/C was still on as I was getting out. I looked under the hood seen nothing. I went to the passenger side opened the glove compartment and smoke started rolling. A passer by stopped and luckily had a socket set so I asked to use it to disconnect the battery to get the A/C to shut off. …
Vehicle has dual air condition (A/C) controls. The driver side starts blowing hot (heater hot) air all of a sudden. The passenger side is okay, stays cold. Even when the A/C is turned off it still blows hot air. Even with the windows open, it is still hot air coming out of the vents; like as if the heater is on. Close the vents but still blows hot. Have to stop a few minutes and something must reset because it works okay for a while. Sometimes have to stop several times to get home or pull off to the side of the road. I live and drive in south texas... It gets 105 in the shade... 120 in a vehicle. I decided to file this because I have read on the internet many others have this same problem and now a friend of my wife's has the same problem on her Chevrolet. This is an opportunity to fix something that I believe is a design issue. …
Related recalls
Electrical system
GM is recalling 857,735 my 2006-2008 Buick lucerne; Cadillac dts; Hummer h2; my 2007-2008 Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; Chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; GMC acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon xl, Saturn outlook; and my 2008 Buick enclave vehicles equipped with a heated wiper washer fluid system.
Remedy: Dealers will install a wire harness with an in-line fuse free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2008. Owners May contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080; Cadillac at 1-800-982-2339 or http://www.Cadillac.com;…
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.
Electrical complaints in other Silverado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2007 Chevrolet Silverado?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the electrical system of the 2007 Chevrolet Silverado, 21% of the model year's 183 complaints. The component named most often is 12v/24v/48v battery (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Chevrolet Silverado electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 08V-441 (electrical system, Aug 28, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2007 Chevrolet Silverado electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 8 fires and 1 injury to electrical system 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.