U.S. public vehicle records

Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

17,522 owner complaints analyzed

54 distinct recall campaigns

65,245 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1994 to 2026 model years. Data snapshot: 2026-09-12 (September 12, 2026). 9,739 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2,949 of 17,522 complaints (16.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	5,076	29.0%
Transmission and shifting	2,016	11.5%
Steering behavior	1,669	9.5%
Electrical and battery issues	1,008	5.8%
Engine operation	698	4.0%
Fuel system concerns	440	2.5%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Service Brakes

2,949

Engine

2,563

Air Bags

2,334

Power Train

2,194

Electrical System

2,172

Unknown Or Other

1,554

Steering

1,294

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

844

Service Brakes: 2,949; Engine: 2,563; Air Bags: 2,334; Power Train: 2,194; Electrical System: 2,172; Unknown Or Other: 1,554; Steering: 1,294; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 844

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

1,713

25,000 to 49,999

1,772

50,000 to 74,999

2,056

75,000 to 99,999

1,643

100,000 to 149,999

1,726

150,000 and above

829

Under 25,000: 1,713; 25,000 to 49,999: 1,772; 50,000 to 74,999: 2,056; 75,000 to 99,999: 1,643; 100,000 to 149,999: 1,726; 150,000 and above: 829

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2,056). 7,783 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2000

149

2001

138

2002

128

2003

118

2004

141

2005

192

2006

297

2007

417

2008

474

2009

359

2010

557

2011

460

2012

389

2013

403

2014

707

2015

439

2016

830

2017

1,273

2018

1,092

2019

1,208

2020

1,039

2021

917

2022

750

2023

923

2024

911

2025

1,865

2026

1,346

Complaints over time data
Category	Count
2000	149
2001	138
2002	128
2003	118
2004	141
2005	192
2006	297
2007	417
2008	474
2009	359
2010	557
2011	460
2012	389
2013	403
2014	707
2015	439
2016	830
2017	1273
2018	1092
2019	1208
2020	1039
2021	917
2022	750
2023	923
2024	911
2025	1865
2026	1346

2000: 149; 2001: 138; 2002: 128; 2003: 118; 2004: 141; 2005: 192; 2006: 297; 2007: 417; 2008: 474; 2009: 359; 2010: 557; 2011: 460; 2012: 389; 2013: 403; 2014: 707; 2015: 439; 2016: 830; 2017: 1,273; 2018: 1,092; 2019: 1,208; 2020: 1,039; 2021: 917; 2022: 750; 2023: 923; 2024: 911; 2025: 1,865; 2026: 1,346

Pattern summary

Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5,076 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2,016 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1,669 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10168615 · 2006-09-19 (September 19, 2006)

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON A HIGHWAY, THERE WAS AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE UPON APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THE MAIN BRAKE LINE RUSTED INTO RENDERING THE BRAKES INOPERABLE. THE REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE BRAKE LINE HAD CORRODED DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE OF THE VEHICLE BEING EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE ROAD SALTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.

Owner-reported narrative. 160,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10168615 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10265189 · 2009-04-13 (April 13, 2009)

BRAKE SWITCH (AT PEDAL) HAD TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES, STARTING AT 70,000 MI. OTHERS HAD TO BE REPLACED WITHIN WEEKS OF USE (AFTERMARKET BRAND). PROBLEM NOT FIXED AS OF DATE. 1994 SILVERADO VIN. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10265189 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10004713 · 2003-02-03 (February 3, 2003)

THE THIRD DOOR ON THE VEHICLE DID NOT OPEN, THERE WAS A TEAR IN THE SEATS, AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING LATE AND HARD, THE TRANSMISSION WAS EVENTUALLY REPLACED AT 56,000, CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON THE SECOND VEHICLE AT 126,000 MILES.*JB

Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004713 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10010873 · 2003-03-22 (March 22, 2003)

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED ON MY 1997 CHEVY K1500 PICKUP. PLANETARY SUNGEAR CARRIER BROKE. $2,000 TO REPAIR. THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE FOR THIS MODEL AND DESIGN OF TRANSMISSION. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010873 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10424553 · 2011-09-09 (September 9, 2011)

AFTER BUYING THE VEHICLE, THE FORMER OWNER SAID THAT THE PDM WOULD OVERHEAT AND THE ENGINE WOULD JUST FAIL AND THERE WOULD BE NO ABILITY TO STEER OR TO BRAKE. HE SAID THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM WAS TO MOVE THE PDM AWAY FROM THE FUEL INJECTION PUMP. HE TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT AN HOUR BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD BE ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. HE SAID THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE PDM GETS TOO HOT WHICH CAUSES IT TO SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN, WHICH ONLY STANDS TO REASON. THE PDM IS AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT IN A SMALL BOX ATTACHED TO A PIECE OF METAL …

Owner-reported narrative. 160,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10424553 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10258261 · 2009-02-10 (February 10, 2009)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND HE FELT THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 124,000. UPDATED 03/09/09. *LJ NO POLICE REPORT WAS GIVEN. THE CONSUMER STATED IN CALIFORNIA WHEN THERE ARE NO INJURIES AND BOTH PARTIES AGREE TO WHAT NO POLICE REPORT IS TAKEN. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS SITED. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE STEERING WHEEL AND AIR BAG WAS REMOVED TO REPLACE A SIGAL SWITCH ASSEMBLY. UPDATED …

Owner-reported narrative. 124,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10258261 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10167459 · 2006-09-06 (September 6, 2006)

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL CONTINUALLY WHEN IN OPERATION. IF I WIGGLE THE WIRING WHERE IT PLUGS INTO WIPER MOTOR ASSEMBLY THEY MIGHT WORK FOR A MOMENT. THIS VEHICLE EXHIBITS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS ALL VEHICLES LISTED IN RECALL #03V159000 , BUT CHEVROLET REFUSES TO ACCEPT IT FOR REPAIR. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 140,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10167459 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10037335 · 2003-09-06 (September 6, 2003)

FUEL LINE IS LEAKING FROM FUEL INJECTION CAUSING FUEL GO THROUGHT THE WORE HARNESS AND EAT AWAY HARNESS THEN INTO THE COMPUTER. THEN THE ENGINE DIED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD CAUSING IT TO BE HARD TO STEER AND CONTROL. POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRE AND STALL HAZARD.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 350,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10037335 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10096080 · 2004-10-20 (October 20, 2004)

INTERMITENT OPERATION OF FUEL PUMP LOCATED IN FUEL TANK. REMOVAL OF FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT AND FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY REVEALED A BURNT CONNECTOR AND MELTED WIRE INSULATION, RESULTING IN POOR CONTINUITY TO FUEL PUMP. VEHICLE WOULD CRANK BUT NOT ALWAYS START. VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING.

Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10096080 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10002786 · 2003-01-16 (January 16, 2003)

TRUCK WAS RUNNING FINE WITH NO INDICATION OF TROUBLE WHEN PARKED, UPON REENTRY TRUCK DID NOT EVEN ATTEMPT TO START, ENGINE WOULD TURN SPIN FREELY. TOWED TO SHOP. FUEL PUMP SUPPOSEDLY FAILED ACCORDING TO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND WAS REPLACED WITH 46,000 MILES ON TRUCK. TRUCK DROVE LESS THAN 500 MILES AND FAILED TO START WITH SEEMINGLY THE SAME PROBLEM. TOWED TO CHEVEROLET DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT CONNECTION INSIDE THE TANK WAS BURNED OUT. SERVICE MANAGER SAID THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE FOR ALL CHEVEROLET TRUCKS WITH VORT…

Owner-reported narrative. 46,102 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002786 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10022658 · 2003-06-27 (June 27, 2003)

WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKE ROTORS FAILED. *AK THE CENTER PART OF THE ROTOR SEPARATED.*TS ALSO THE TRANSMISSION, FUEL PUMP AND ABS SENSOR WAS REPLACED. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 127,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022658 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

From yearThrough year

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.