Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 10 | 8% | 34,000 miles |
| 2016 | 1 | 20% | 1,000 miles |
| 2015 | 9 | 12% | 11,000 miles |
| 2014 | 20 | 16% | 8,000 miles |
| 2013 | 6 | 9% | 12,000 miles |
| 2012 | 4 | 6% | 30,000 miles |
| 2011 | 5 | 7% | 80,000 miles |
| 2010 | 8 | 13% | 29,000 miles |
| 2009 | 17 | 22% | 72,000 miles |
| 2008 | 48 | 30% | 63,000 miles |
| 2007 | 38 | 21% | 65,000 miles |
| 2006 | 14 | 8% | 50,000 miles |
| 2005 | 64 | 20% | 66,000 miles |
| 2004 | 159 | 26% | 49,000 miles |
| 2003 | 116 | 17% | 54,000 miles |
| 2002 | 25 | 4% | 55,000 miles |
| 2001 | 30 | 3% | 65,000 miles |
| 2000 | 38 | 3% | 70,000 miles |
| 1999 | 51 | 3% | 61,000 miles |
| 1998 | 20 | 7% | 127,000 miles |
| 1997 | 16 | 6% | 30,000 miles |
| 1996 | 4 | 2% | 75,000 miles |
| 1995 | 8 | 3% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shut off and the entire instrument panel started flickering. In addition, the wheel would independently turn itself. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a lot. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
The ambient temperature sensor doesn't work. It does not read the correct temperature outside. This impacts the A/C, which does not work properly when the sensor is not reading the correct external temperature. The fairfield Chevrolet service department refuses to acknowledge the issue, let alone fix or replace the sensor. I use my truck on ranches and logging properties where it is literally impossible for me to drive over 20mph for 5 minutes. And when it is 105 degrees and the A/C thinks it is only 65 outside, the A/C does not engage. The service department keeps telling me that they cannot replicate the problem so it must not be real. This is the equivalent of calling me a liar in order to avoid honoring the warranty.
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that he was able to restart the vehicle after 12-15 minutes. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the instrument panel turned black temporarily. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start later that day. The contact was able to restart the vehicle the next day. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that he would need to pay a repair fee as his VIN was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V265000 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
After sitting for two days, I went out to start my 2015 Chevrolet Silverado to drive to town and it was dead - no power, lights, horn, ignition, nothing. The vehicle was absolutely stone cold dead. Having two decades in the car restoration business, I grabbed my battery charger and hooked it up and charged the battery for 4 hours. Attempting to start the Silverado again resulted in the same thing - stone cold dead. I swapped the batteries to no avail. The vehicle still wasn't powering up. I looked for blown fuses, loose connectors, all with negative results. I had the truck towed to the dealer 106 miles away. The next day the dealer advised it started right up after a jump start. My reply was that is simply incorrect and I repeated the steps I went through. They replied they wished to keep it for a few days. …
While driving my 2014 Chevy Silverado, I have had 3 instances where the stability control light came on and I suddenly lost lost all steering and brakes. Within a 2-3 seconds the cluster and radio went dead and then the engine stopped. I had no ability to control the vehicle. I took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated the logs showed 1 1/2 pages of vehicle communications errors including loss of communications to steering, loss of communications to brakes, etc. After 8 days of analysis, the dealer notified me that this was a known issue with GM and that there is an active pi number for the issue. However, there is no known resolution for the issue. Because there is no known solution, they asked me to come pick up the vehicle and continue driving it and they will contact me when a solution is found. …
Tl contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while backing out of a parking space at approximately 5 MPH, the power seats and mirrors began to move without warning causing the contact to crash into a telephone pole. The contact did not specified if there were any injuries or if a police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that a wire connected to the seat module was pinched and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 12,855. Updated 04/10/15 updated 9/27/2017
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado. After the ignition key was turned to the on position, the vehicle failed to start without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the air intake hose needed to be tightened. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure occurred several times. The service engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel sensor needed to be reset. On another occasion, the cam shaft position sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired both times. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 33,000.
Related recalls (6)
Electrical system › Software
Genera Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, Malibu, Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles. The radio may intermittently fail to provide an audio warning when the key has been left in the ignition and the door is opened or when the driver does not fasten their seat belt.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at…
Electrical system › Ignition
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks manufactured January 24, 2014, to February 26, 2014, 2015 Chevrolet Suburban vehicles manufactured February 12, 2014 and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles manufactured February 6, 2014, to February 13, 2014.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on November 20, 2015.
Electrical system › Ignition
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015.
Electrical system
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and Sierra HD vehicles.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chassis electronic module, free of charge. The recall began on December 26, 2014.
Electrical system › Software
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, and 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban vehicles equipped with a base radio and an internal amplifier.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 2, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact GM's customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
Show 1 more recall
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Silverado years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (159), 2003 (116), 2005 (64), 1999 (51) and 2008 (48) model years. Electrical complaints make up 26% of all complaints for the 2004.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Silverado electrical problems?
Yes — 6 recalls, including 16V-084 (software, Feb 11, 2016); 15V-640 (ignition, Oct 9, 2015); 14V-827 (ignition, Dec 30, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Silverado electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles; 46% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the instrument cluster/panel (177 mentions), followed by the 12v/24v/48v battery (31).
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.