Chevrolet Silverado Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Chevrolet Silverado model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2016 drew the fewest (5) and the 1999 the most (1,660).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Among the fewest complaints |
5 | 2 | Air bags | — | 17–20 |
| 2010 Among the fewest complaints |
62 | 0 | Structure | — | 14–22 |
| 2013 Among the fewest complaints |
64 | 3 | Air bags | — | 14–21 |
| 2012 | 68 | 2 | Air bags | — | 14–21 |
| 2011 | 75 | 2 | Structure | — | 14–21 |
| 2009 | 76 | 0 | Electrical system | — | 14–21 |
| 2015 | 76 | 7 | Engine | — | 17–20 |
| 2014 | 124 | 13 | Power train | — | 17–20 |
| 2017 | 125 | 0 | Power train | — | 17–20 |
| 2008 | 162 | 1 | Air bags | — | 14–17 |
| 2006 | 182 | 4 | Service brakes | — | 16–17 |
| 2007 | 183 | 1 | Air bags | — | 14–17 |
| 1998 | 279 | 0 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 2005 | 316 | 8 | Service brakes | — | 9–17 |
| 2004 | 622 | 8 | Service brakes | — | 10–17 |
| 2003 | 695 | 6 | Service brakes | — | 10–13 |
| 2002 | 710 | 4 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 2001 Among the most complaints |
877 | 4 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 2000 Among the most complaints |
1,305 | 8 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 1999 Among the most complaints |
1,660 | 5 | Service brakes | — | — |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Chevrolet Silverado years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
1999 Chevrolet Silverado: 1,660 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 971 (58%); Suspension 107 (6%); Power train 97 (6%).
Reports mention 100 crashes, 6 fires, 65 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 64,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2000 Chevrolet Silverado: 1,305 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 556 (43%); Power train 103 (8%); Structure 94 (7%).
Reports mention 140 crashes, 11 fires, 89 injuries, 2 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 57,665 miles. 8 recall campaigns listed.
2001 Chevrolet Silverado: 877 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 374 (43%); Engine and engine cooling 91 (10%); Power train 64 (7%).
Reports mention 93 crashes, 5 fires, 77 injuries, 3 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 49,008 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
The Chevrolet Silverado years with the fewest complaints
2016 Chevrolet Silverado: 5 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 2 (40%); Electrical system 1 (20%); Electronic stability control 1 (20%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 2 injuries. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2010 Chevrolet Silverado: 62 complaints
Most-reported: Structure 12 (19%); Engine 10 (16%); Air bags 8 (13%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 44,120 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2013 Chevrolet Silverado: 64 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 11 (17%); Power train 11 (17%); Structure 9 (14%).
Reports mention 8 crashes, 2 fires, 5 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 10,100 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Chevrolet Silverado owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 125 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 32,000 |
| 2016 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 76 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 6,000 |
| 2014 | 124 | 14 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 4,913 |
| 2013 | 64 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 10,100 |
| 2012 | 68 | 9 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 20,482 |
| 2011 | 75 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 54,000 |
| 2010 | 62 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 44,120 |
| 2009 | 76 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 59,000 |
| 2008 | 162 | 13 | 5 | 16 | 1 | 66,000 |
| 2007 | 183 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 1 | 57,000 |
| 2006 | 182 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 59,800 |
| 2005 | 316 | 14 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 54,000 |
| 2004 | 622 | 56 | 10 | 36 | 3 | 47,000 |
| 2003 | 695 | 42 | 11 | 26 | 2 | 44,506 |
| 2002 | 710 | 75 | 5 | 47 | 1 | 46,567 |
| 2001 | 877 | 93 | 5 | 77 | 3 | 49,008 |
| 2000 | 1,305 | 140 | 11 | 89 | 2 | 57,665 |
| 1999 | 1,660 | 100 | 6 | 65 | 0 | 64,000 |
| 1998 | 279 | 16 | 5 | 12 | 2 | 75,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Chevrolet Silverado recalls
- GM/TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE (2000–2004 model years; 3,662,211 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2004; 04V129000)
- GM/BRAKE LINE CHAFFING (1999–2000 model years; 1,383,922 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2000; 00V345000)
- SEAT BELT ROUTING (2003–2005 model years; 1,359,824 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2005; 05V163000)
- UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION (1999–2002 model years; 1,353,718 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2005; 05V379000)
- Driver's Seat Belt Tensioner Cable Can Separate (2014–2015 model years; 895,232 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2016; 16V209000)
All 46 Chevrolet Silverado recall campaigns · Chevrolet Silverado problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Chevrolet Silverado years FAQ
Which Chevrolet Silverado year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2016 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (5). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Chevrolet Silverado years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 1999, 2000 and 2001 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the service brakes. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Chevrolet Silverado problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the service brakes (3,087 of 7,666 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Chevrolet Silverado have?
NHTSA lists 46 recall campaigns covering the Chevrolet Silverado. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Chevrolet Silverado recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.