Equipment complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2 | 3% | 15,000 miles |
| 2014 | 2 | 2% | 5,000 miles |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% | 7,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% | 61,000 miles |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% | 60,000 miles |
| 2007 | 6 | 3% | 37,000 miles |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% | 1,000 miles |
| 2005 | 4 | 1% | 70,000 miles |
| 2004 | 12 | 2% | 10,000 miles |
| 2003 | 11 | 2% | 13,000 miles |
| 2002 | 8 | 1% | 40,000 miles |
| 2001 | 6 | 1% | 19,000 miles |
| 2000 | 13 | 1% | 53,000 miles |
| 1999 | 10 | 1% | 65,000 miles |
| 1998 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 1997 | 1 | 0% | 77,000 miles |
| 1996 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 1995 | 3 | 1% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accessories, trailer hitches and other equipment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that the radio failed to work intermittently which prevented the gauges to illuminate on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the radio needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 37,000 and the current mileage was 39,000. Updated 08/27/14 the consumer stated the seat belt and the door chime does not operate. Updated 09/17/2014
I've had issues with my truck from the beginning. You can say it's a lemon I had the truck for less than a year and had to have the transmission repaired, radio doesn't work, window does work, back window slider doesn't work. All lights are going on. I should not have all this issues for this truck. That's why bought a new truck.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed the spare tire cable fractured causing the spare tire to detach from the vehicle. The strands where the cable fractured were uneven and contained rust. The contact was unaware unsure what the approximate speed was when the failure occurred. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. Updated 01/13/12
Dt*: the contact stated the tonneau cover used on the bed of the pickup truck does not catch properly. The clips holding the lid in place only catch 1/8" on the bed of the truck. At highway speeds, the lid opens and the contents of the truck bed ejects. The manufacturer of the tonneau cover is steffens enterprises inc. The contact has been unsuccessful in contacting the manufacturer. Updated 05/04/06
When coming to a stop light I was applying my brakes to stop behind a vehicle, brakes went to the floor, causing an accident. Vehicle was taken to the dealer. All brake component were checked, no current technical service bulletins and contacted technical assistant. Dealer was unable to duplicate the problem.
I own a 2004 Chevy Silverado 2500hd. On 11 feb 2005 I noticed some rust on my trailer hitch. I inspected it and found that there is rust around the welds, and that one of the welds is completely cracked. I went to the dealer and was told that the only fix is to re-weld it. I told them that I did not want it welded, I wanted it replaced. This is a warranty item. I feel that if the original robotic welds were not holding, then why weaken the metal more by heating it up again and re-welding it. I expressed my concern that if the hitch was re-welded, and it failed while I was towing and caused a serious accident who would take responsibility. No answer on that question. I have researched on the internet and found that there are several people that have had this problem, and just replaced it with an after market hitch. …
When braking at any speed brake pedal would go to the floor, and there would be extended stopping distance. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. ABS displayed brake system failure. The consumer stated that the brakes failed on inclines. The consumer stated that there was an electrical short. The odometer failed and added extra mileage. The tires started separating after 300 miles. The radio became hot and shorted out. The air conditioner shorted out. The consumer stated that the new vehicle checklist was not filled out nor reviewed with him. The consumer stated that the engine knocks. The consumers fingers were burned by the radio after it got hot. The consumer stated that he heard a growling noise in the power steering. The consumer heard a buzzing noise in the transmission. The consumer had to use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle coming down a hill. …
My 1 1/2 year old 2003 Chevrolet pickup truck, after doing what it says in one of your bulletins, cd gets hot, ejects cd, and resets clock to 12:00, quit working. While I drive a lot and the truck has 54000 miles on it, the stereo has never touched the pavement, and does not have 54000 miles on it, yet, Chevrolet refuses to replace this defective stereo system. Which means, I guess, that they have a life expectancy, of their stereo systems, of 1 1/2 years. No help from the dealer, or general motors at all with this complaint. They offered to replace for 450.00, which is idiotic to get replaced if they are not going to stand behind it when it goes bad in 1 1/2 years. Highly disappointed in general motors lack of backing of their products.
Related recalls (3)
Equipment › Other › Labels
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD, Chevrolet Express, and GMC Sierra HD vehicles, and model year 2013 GMC Savana compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles that fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No.
Remedy: GM will notify owners and will send them a replacement label, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782.
Equipment
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Silverado vehicles manufactured May 15, 2013, to January 29, 2014, and GMC Sierra vehicles manufactured September 19, 2013, to February 8, 2014, and equipped with both optional accessory all-weather floor mats (option RPO VAV) and optional vinyl flooring…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and reimburse the owner for the purchase price upon their return. The owners will also be provided an insert for their owners manual instructing them not to use floor mats, free of charge.
Equipment › Other › Labels
Certain trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were shipped with tire and loading information labels listing an inacccurate vehicle capacity weight.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with corrected labels and installation instructions. At the customer's option, a dealer can install the label for them. The recall began on March 31, 2006.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Silverado years have equipment problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (13), 2004 (12), 2003 (11), 1999 (10) and 2002 (8) model years. Equipment complaints make up 1% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Silverado equipment problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 13V-544 (labels, Oct 30, 2015); 14V-345 (equipment, Jun 18, 2014); 05V-552 (labels, Dec 7, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Silverado equipment problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 28,000 miles; 72% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the electrical › radio/tape deck/cd etc. (11 mentions), followed by the mechanical › carrier/rack (6).
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.