Chevrolet Silverado Body Problems

Owners have filed 490 complaints about body & structure problems with the Chevrolet Silverado — 6% of all Silverado complaints. The worst model years are 2000 (94), 1999 (84) and 2001 (53). Problems typically start around 56,000 miles. 2 related recalls have been issued.

490complaints
2000worst year
56ktypical miles
2related recalls
21crashes
7fires

Body complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’1711871084945336192511623141412151491636
Body complaints per model year, Chevrolet Silverado.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
201765%3,000 miles
201534%5,000 miles
20141613%5,000 miles
2013914%12,000 miles
20121421%32,000 miles
20111520%43,000 miles
20101219%58,000 miles
20091418%55,000 miles
2008149%50,000 miles
20072313%60,000 miles
200663%54,000 miles
2005113%53,000 miles
2004254%40,000 miles
2003193%35,000 miles
2002365%50,000 miles
2001536%49,000 miles
2000947%55,000 miles
1999845%96,000 miles
1998104%70,000 miles
199773%112,000 miles
199684%13,000 miles
1995114%293,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Body › Tailgate › Hinge and attachments
    166
  • Body
    124
  • Body › Door
    39
  • Frame and members
    30
  • Body › Tailgate
    18
  • Frame and members › Underbody shields
    18
  • Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Hinge and attachments
    9
  • Body › Bumpers
    4

Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    6922%
  • 25k–50k
    8026%
  • 50k–75k
    6220%
  • 75k–100k
    3812%
  • 100k–150k
    4314%
  • 150k+
    196%

What owners report

Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, water started to leak near the driver's sun visor. The vehicle was taken to woodruff Chevrolet located at (6007 sc-101, woodruff, sc 29388), where it was diagnosed with needing antenna to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 87,594.

2017 Silverado · Body · 88,000 miles · Mar 2020

Interior driver side front driver window button not always working. At times when this happens the door ajar is lit, while the door May be shut, it doesn't latch completely. This happens when the vehicle is in motion or in park. This causes the interior lamps to stay on and drain out the battery. I did have it serviced under warranty. Problem was solved, until today 08/10/2018.

2017 Silverado · Body · Jul 2018

October 31, 2014 on my home from work I heard a bang. The truck pulled very hard to the left taking me into the concrete barrier that divides the highway. Vehicle was in motion us highway 41/45 65 MPH. After the truck was investigated at the dealer to give an estimate on the damage it was discovered the left rear axel was broken. Questioning the dealer about this issue and not getting anywhere I talked to different mechanics that I know after a week or so it was discovered there was a recal for insuffcient heat treated rear axles talking to the dealer and I was told this did not pertain to my vehicle as the recall was taken care of at the factory. I cantacted Chevrolet and was told that because I had given the OK for the dealer to make the repairs. My insurance company would need to fole paper work against Chevrolet which myself I believe is wrong . …

2015 Silverado · Body · 2,000 miles · Oct 2015 · crash

My dog was lacerated via the rear bottom corner of the driver's side door when he ran by it. Not quite sure why the design would come to such a point. A trip to the emergency vet, staples, antibiotics, and $$$ later he is now at home recovering.

2015 Silverado · Body · 5,000 miles · Jan 2016 · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated while entering their vehicle after a rainstorm, they noticed water leaking into the interior of the rear section of the vehicle. A puddle of water was on the floor. The contact stated the water seems to be seeping into the interior from the third rear brake light sealing from the outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacture was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 81,000.

2014 Silverado · Interior panels › Ceiling · 81,000 miles · Jun 2021

On approximately July 19, 2014, the hill descent mode failed on my 2014 Silverado 1500 as I was driving down a mountain in the state of washington. The truck took off when this failed and I had to manually use my brakes in order to avoid crashing into any vehicles ahead. I took the vehicle in to the dealer who, and I quote 'they couldn't duplicate the concern and there were no codes stored in the system'. Only four miles were put on the truck while it was in their shop. How can you possibly test this failure if you didn't drive it in the mountains? Next major issue was the OnStar antenna began to leak into the cab, soaking the headliner, the floor and leaking into the dash where all the electrical components are. Dealer 'didn't have the part to fix this' and it continues to leak to this day. …

2014 Silverado · Body · 1,000 miles · Jul 2014

On Tuesday March 18, 2014 I was driving a 2013 Chevy Silverado and rear ended a Chevy tahao at approximately 20 MPH without hitting my brakes. Conditions at the time were clear and dry although very windy. I was the only passenger in my truck. I was wearing my seatbelt. I hit the steering wheel with my chest. The OnStar system called to say they could see I was in an accident and help was on the way. I exchanged info with the other driver and returned to my vehicle. The seatbelt was in the extended position and would not extend further or retract. On the display panel it had an 'airbag deployed' icon and message 'service airbag'. …

2013 Silverado · Body · 18,000 miles · Mar 2014 · crash

On the way to work on Monday morning, sept 1st, 2014 as my husband approached a stop light he noticed the vehicle at the light backup lights come on. He thought they May have pulled too far up under the stop light and were just going to back up a little bit so he applied his brakes. The driver of the other vehicle proceeded to push the gas and slam in to the front of my husband's truck then drive off. My husband proceeded to the nearby pilot fuel stop looked around to see if the other vehicle was there then called the police to file a report. After that he went on to work a few miles down the road. Worked his shift, stopped and put a little gas in his truck and drove the 9 miles home. Parked in the drive went in the house and came back out a few minutes later there was smoke then fire coming from around the front tire of the truck. …

2013 Silverado · Body · 12,000 miles · Sep 2014 · crash · fire

Related recalls (2)

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and attachments

NHTSA recall 06V-066 · Mar 8, 2006 · 805,368 vehicles

Certain pickup trucks have galvanized-braided-steel tailgate support cables used to support the tailgate in the full open (horizontal) position. Over time these cables can corrode and fracture when loads are applied to them.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the galvanized support cables with stainless steel support cables. In addition, dealers are to inspect the tailgate hinge and replace it, if necessary.

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and attachments

NHTSA recall 04V-129 · Mar 17, 2004 · 3,662,211 vehicles

On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the galvanized steel tailgate support cables that retain the tailgate in the full open (horizontal) position May corrode, weaken, and eventually fracture. If both cables fractured, the tailgate would suddenly drop and strike the top surface of the rear bumper.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the cables. Interim owner notification began on April 7, 20004. The recall began on September 24, 2004, when replacement parts were available, and will continue through October 29, 2004.

Frequently asked questions

Which Chevrolet Silverado years have body problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (94), 1999 (84), 2001 (53), 2002 (36) and 2004 (25) model years. Body complaints make up 7% of all complaints for the 2000.

Is there a recall for Chevrolet Silverado body problems?

Yes — 2 recalls, including 06V-066 (hinge and attachments, Mar 8, 2006); 04V-129 (hinge and attachments, Mar 17, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Chevrolet Silverado body problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles; 48% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the body › tailgate › hinge and attachments (166 mentions), followed by the body (124).

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.