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Chevrolet Silverado 1500: Years to Avoid and Best Years (Engine & Transmission)
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems by model year, from 10,280 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. For each year: the share of complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system, how many there were, and the recalls.
Worst years to avoid: 2021 (75%, 605 drivetrain complaints), 2022 (69%, 432 drivetrain complaints) and 2023 (69%, 256 drivetrain complaints). 9 of the 14 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 years we score have an elevated engine, transmission or fuel-system complaint share; 5 of them are at the very high level (60% or more), where every model year we track has a documented failure behind it.
Best years on this measure: 2013 (23%), 2011 (26%) and 2012 (26%). A low share means owners complained about other things more than the drivetrain, not that nothing ever fails.
By raw volume, the 2019 drew the most drivetrain complaints (667 of 4,248 across the scored years). Volume also tracks how many were sold and how long they have been on the road, which is why the share, not the count, sets the verdict.
Engine and transmission complaint share, 2010–2023
Share of relevant owner complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system. 33% is elevated, 40% high, 60% very high. A dash means too few complaints to score.
Every Chevrolet Silverado 1500 year
| Model year | Signal | Drivetrain share | Drivetrain complaints | All complaints | Rank (1 = worst) | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Silverado 1500 | elevated | 35% | 77 | 425 | 9/14 | 3 |
| 2011 Silverado 1500 | no elevated signal | 26% | 81 | 638 | 13/14 | 4 |
| 2012 Silverado 1500 | no elevated signal | 26% | 52 | 284 | 12/14 | 2 |
| 2013 Silverado 1500 | no elevated signal | 23% | 62 | 365 | 14/14 | 2 |
| 2014 Silverado 1500 | no elevated signal | 28% | 401 | 1,560 | 10/14 | 6 |
| 2015 Silverado 1500 | no elevated signal | 27% | 293 | 1,189 | 11/14 | 11 |
| 2016 Silverado 1500 | elevated | 36% | 270 | 799 | 8/14 | 12 |
| 2017 Silverado 1500 | high | 44% | 343 | 837 | 7/14 | 7 |
| 2018 Silverado 1500 | high | 53% | 261 | 519 | 6/14 | 7 |
| 2019 Silverado 1500 | very high | 63% | 667 | 1,085 | 5/14 | 10 |
| 2020 Silverado 1500 | very high | 63% | 448 | 731 | 4/14 | 12 |
| 2021 Silverado 1500 | very high | 75% | 605 | 830 | 1/14 | 8 |
| 2022 Silverado 1500 | very high | 69% | 432 | 634 | 2/14 | 6 |
| 2023 Silverado 1500 | very high | 69% | 256 | 384 | 3/14 | 3 |
What owners complain about most, all years
Categories as NHTSA files them, summed across the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 years with data. A complaint can name more than one component, so the shares overlap. Red is engine, transmission or fuel.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 engine and transmission recalls: timeline
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 49 across the years we track. Each model-year page has the details. Whether a particular car still has a recall open depends on its VIN.
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2019 | 19V837000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2020 |
| Oct 2020 | 20V650000 | power train: driveline: driveshaft | 2019–2020 |
| Oct 2024 | 24V797000 | power train: automatic transmission: control module: software | 2020–2022 |
| Apr 2025 | 25V274000 | engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical | 2021–2023 |
| Feb 2026 | 26V083000 | power train: automatic transmission: control module: software | 2020–2022 |
44 other recalls (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2010 | 10V643000 | suspension: rear: axle: spindle | 2011 |
| Jan 2011 | 11V007000 | suspension: rear: axle: spindle | 2011 |
| Feb 2016 | 16V069000 | service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages | 2015–2016 |
| Apr 2016 | 16V256000 | suspension: front: control arm | 2016–2017 |
| Sep 2016 | 16V651000 | air bags: frontal | 2014–2017 |
| Jun 2017 | 17V414000 | steering: electric power assist system | 2014 |
| Jul 2017 | 17V437000 | air bags: frontal | 2014–2017 |
| Aug 2017 | 17V487000 | child seat: tether: connector/clip | 2017 |
| May 2018 | 18V291000 | seat belts: front | 2015–2016 |
| Aug 2018 | 18V578000 | service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages | 2015–2016 |
| Sep 2018 | 18V586000 | steering: electric power assist system | 2015 |
| Dec 2018 | 18V868000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2019 |
| Sep 2019 | 19V645000 | service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum | 2014–2018 |
| Oct 2019 | 19V761000 | service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: wheel speed sensor/tone ring | 2014–2018 |
| Nov 2019 | 19V814000 | seat belts: pretensioner | 2019–2020 |
| Dec 2019 | 19V888000 | electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery: cables | 2019–2020 |
| Dec 2019 | 19V889000 | service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: abs warning light | 2019 |
| Jan 2020 | 20V055000 | service brakes, hydraulic: power assist | 2019 |
| Feb 2020 | 20V116000 | service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper | 2020 |
| Jul 2020 | 20V446000 | air bags: side/window: curtain: inflator | 2020 |
| Oct 2020 | 20V603000 | service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum | 2018 |
| Nov 2020 | 20V684000 | tires | 2020–2021 |
| Nov 2020 | 20V736000 | air bags: side/window: curtain: inflator | 2015–2016 |
| Dec 2020 | 20V792000 | seat belts | 2019–2021 |
| Dec 2020 | 20V811000 | seat belts | 2021 |
| Feb 2021 | 21V050000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2011 |
| Feb 2021 | 21V051000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2012 |
| Feb 2021 | 21V053000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2013 |
| Feb 2021 | 21V054000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2013 |
| Feb 2021 | 21V115000 | tires | 2019–2020 |
| Apr 2021 | 21V245000 | seat belts: front | 2014–2016 |
| Jun 2021 | 21V423000 | tires | 2019 |
| Jul 2021 | 21V495000 | air bags: frontal | 2021 |
| Jul 2021 | 21V504000 | air bags: side/window: curtain: inflator | 2015–2016 |
| Dec 2021 | 21V985000 | tires: temporary/emergency spare tire | 2019–2021 |
| Jun 2022 | 22V463000 | exterior lighting: brake lights | 2022 |
| Nov 2022 | 22V873000 | air bags: air bag/restraint control module | 2022 |
| Dec 2022 | 22V903000 | exterior lighting: lighting control module: software | 2022–2023 |
| Sep 2024 | 24V674000 | service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp | 2023 |
| Oct 2024 | 24V756000 | air bags: side/window: curtain: inflator | 2018 |
| Jun 2025 | 25V432000 | air bags | 2018 |
| Mar 2026 | 26V166000 | air bags | 2018 |
| May 2026 | 26V325000 | air bags | 2018 |
| Sep 2026 | 26V611000 | air bags: side/window: curtain: inflator | 2016–2017 |
What the free pages leave out on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- The mileage where it happens, for the model year you are looking at.
- What the repair costs, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives: similar cars with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive.
- Open recalls on the actual car, by VIN.
Questions people ask about the Chevrolet Silverado 1500
What are the worst years for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
On engine and transmission complaints, the worst Chevrolet Silverado 1500 years are the 2021 (75% of relevant complaints, very high), the 2022 (69% of relevant complaints, very high) and the 2023 (69% of relevant complaints, very high). 9 of 14 scored years are elevated in all.
What are the best years for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
On engine and transmission complaints, the best Chevrolet Silverado 1500 years are the 2013 (23%), the 2011 (26%) and the 2012 (26%). That describes the model year; any one car still needs an inspection.
Does the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have engine problems?
In some years. Across the 14 scored years, 4,248 of 9,167 relevant NHTSA complaints (46%) concern the engine, transmission or fuel system; the largest drivetrain category is engine. The years with an elevated share are 2010, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Is the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliable?
On the engine and transmission it depends on the year: 9 of 14 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 years we score have an elevated complaint share and 5 do not. Pooled across those years, 46% of relevant complaints are about the drivetrain, against a 33% line for an elevated signal. Complaint data does not measure overall reliability, so pick the year first, then inspect the car.
Are there transmission or engine recalls on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns involving the engine, transmission or fuel system across the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 years we track, out of 49 in total: 24V797000 (Oct 2024, 2020–2022), 25V274000 (Apr 2025, 2021–2023), 26V083000 (Feb 2026, 2020–2022), and earlier ones. Whether a car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.
Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across model years, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Model years with fewer than 25 complaints are not scored.