MotorDeets

Chevrolet Silverado problems, recalls & best years

The deets on every Silverado from 1990 to 2017: 8,748 owner complaints and 78 recalls across 28 model years.

The model years with the most owner complaints are 1999 (1660), 2000 (1305), 2001 (877). Best fuel economy: 22 mpg combined (2010).

Chevrolet Silverado
Photo: Ryan Hildebrand · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Problem areas across all years

Brakes (hydraulic)2343
Transmission & drivetrain756
Electrical729
Brakes708
Visibility (wipers, glass)652
Steering541
Body & structure496
Airbags478

Year by year

YearRecallsComplaintsBest mpg
1990025–
1991017–
1992040–
1993069–
19940210–
19950263–
19960186–
19970272–
19980279–
19995166017
20008130517
2001487717
2002471016
2003669513
2004862217
2005831617
2006418217
2007118317
2008116217
200907621
201006222
201127521
201226821
201336421
20141312420
201577620
20162520
2017012520

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the Chevrolet Silverado.

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OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

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Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

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FAQ

What is the worst year for the Chevrolet Silverado?

The model years with the most owner complaints are 1999 (1660), 2000 (1305), 2001 (877).

How many recalls has the Chevrolet Silverado had?

Across 1990–2017, NHTSA lists 78 vehicle recall campaigns by model year (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year).