Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 model years to avoid are 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, each with complaint index 75 or higher and heavy recall activity. The best years based on NHTSA data are 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2025, with complaint indexes between 0 and 20.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2014Avoid 2015Avoid 2019Avoid 2020Avoid 2021Avoid 2022Best 2010Best 2012Best 2013Best 2025
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 14,703
- Recall campaigns
- 83
- Crashes reported
- 548
- Fires reported
- 234
- Top problem area
- Engine
Silverado 1500 Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Caution | 30 | 867 | 35 | 41 | 8 | Electrical System | 15 | — |
| 2006 | Good | 15 | 541 | 27 | 22 | 4 | Brakes | 15 | — |
| 2007 | Caution | 60 | 1,032 | 32 | 24 | 3 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2008 | Caution | 70 | 1,076 | 46 | 14 | 4 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2009 | Good | 35 | 520 | 14 | 9 | 3 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2010 | Best | 20 | 425 | 9 | 3 | 3 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2011 | Good | 40 | 638 | 29 | 6 | 6 | Airbags | — | 4★ |
| 2012 | Best | 0 | 284 | 16 | 5 | 4 | Airbags | — | 4★ |
| 2013 | Best | 5 | 365 | 16 | 2 | 5 | Airbags | — | 4★ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 100 | 1,560 | 75 | 18 | 19 ! | Brakes | — | 5★ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 85 | 1,181 | 61 | 16 | 18 | Brakes | — | 5★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 55 | 799 | 43 | 10 | 13 ! | Brakes | — | 5★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 65 | 836 | 49 | 15 | 6 ! | Brakes | — | 5★ |
| 2018 | Good | 25 | 520 | 10 | 4 | 7 | Transmission & Powertrain | — | 5★ |
| 2019 | Avoid | 90 | 1,082 | 27 | 8 | 10 | Engine | — | 5★ |
| 2020 | Avoid | 80 | 730 | 13 | 9 | 12 | Engine | 19 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Avoid | 95 | 825 | 20 | 12 | 8 | Engine | 17.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Avoid | 75 | 630 | 10 | 6 | 6 | Engine | 18 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Caution | 50 | 382 | 7 | 6 | 3 | Engine | 19 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Good | 45 | 310 | 8 | 0 | 2 | Engine | 18 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Best | 10 | 100 | 1 | 4 | 0 | Engine | 18 | 5★ |
Silverado 1500 years to avoid: what went wrong
2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Index 100 · 1,560 complaints · 19 recalls
The 2014 Silverado 1500 has the highest complaint index (100) of any year and ranks worst overall. Owners reported brake problems most often (447 complaints, 29% share, median failure mileage 67,000), followed by steering issues (427 complaints, 63,000 miles) and electrical system faults (384 complaints, 60,940 miles). NHTSA lists 19 recall campaigns for this year, including one do-not-drive recall, covering seat belt tensioners and brake control module reprogramming. The mix of brakes, steering, and electrical complaints combined with the high recall count drives the Avoid verdict.
2014 brakes problems →2014 steering problems →2014 electrical system problems →
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Index 95 · 825 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2021 Silverado 1500 has a complaint index of 95, the second-worst of any year. Engine problems make up over half of complaints (433 reports, 52% share, median 62,248 miles), with transmission and powertrain issues close behind (236 complaints, 64,000 miles). NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns, including an engine inspection and repair/replacement campaign for vehicles with the 6.2L V8 and transmission control module software updates shared with the 2020 and 2022 model years.
2021 engine problems →2021 transmission & powertrain problems →2021 electrical system problems →
2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Index 90 · 1,082 complaints · 10 recalls
The 2019 Silverado 1500 has a complaint index of 90. Engine problems dominate, with 417 complaints (39% share) at a median failure mileage of 65,500. Transmission and powertrain issues follow with 326 complaints, but at a much lower median mileage of 12,000, suggesting some owners experienced problems early. Brakes and electrical complaints also appeared at low median mileage (8,101 and 8,000 respectively). NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns, including tire-related recalls for accessory wheels and spare tire compatibility.
2019 engine problems →2019 transmission & powertrain problems →2019 brakes problems →
2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Index 85 · 1,181 complaints · 18 recalls
The 2015 Silverado 1500 carries a complaint index of 85. Brakes were the top complaint area, with 400 complaints (34% share) at a median failure mileage of 56,000. Electrical system problems (194 complaints, 46,000 miles) and steering issues (174 complaints, 49,000 miles) followed. NHTSA lists 18 recall campaigns for this year, including airbag inflator recalls affecting roof-rail air bag modules and a seat belt tensioner cable recall shared with the 2014 model year.
2015 brakes problems →2015 electrical system problems →2015 steering problems →
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Index 80 · 730 complaints · 12 recalls
The 2020 Silverado 1500 has a complaint index of 80. Engine complaints lead with 281 reports (38% share) at 59,000 median miles, followed by transmission and powertrain issues (225 complaints, 60,000 miles). Brake and electrical complaints occurred at much lower median mileage (5,100 and 5,072). NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for this year, including transmission control module software updates and a follow-up recall addressing incorrect repairs from an earlier transmission campaign.
2020 engine problems →2020 transmission & powertrain problems →2020 brakes problems →
2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Index 75 · 630 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2022 Silverado 1500 has a complaint index of 75. Engine complaints are the top issue, with 277 reports (44% share) at a median failure mileage of 42,500, followed by transmission and powertrain problems (182 complaints, 60,110 miles) and electrical system issues (140 complaints, 38,500 miles). NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns, including the same engine inspection recall and transmission control module software update that affected the 2020 and 2021 model years.
2022 engine problems →2022 transmission & powertrain problems →2022 electrical system problems →
Most common Chevy Silverado 1500 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Engine3,175 (22%)
- Brakes2,758 (19%)
- Airbags2,479 (17%)
- Electrical System2,475 (17%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2,425 (16%)
- Other1,653 (11%)
- Steering1,239 (8%)
- Structure & Body1,079 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires741 (5%)
- Fuel System555 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What Chevrolet Silverado 1500 years should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaint and recall data, avoid 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. These years have complaint indexes ranging from 75 to 100, the highest in the model's history.
- What are the best Chevrolet Silverado 1500 years?
- The 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2025 model years rate Best, with complaint indexes between 0 and 20, the lowest among all 21 model years covered.
- What is the most common problem area for the Silverado 1500?
- Across all years, engine complaints are most common at 3,175 complaints (22% share), followed by brakes (2,758 complaints, 19% share) and airbags (2,479 complaints, 17% share).
- Why is the 2014 Silverado 1500 rated Avoid?
- The 2014 model year has the highest complaint index (100) of any year, ranks worst overall (rank 1), and has 19 recall campaigns including one do-not-drive recall, with brakes, steering, and electrical system as top problem areas.
- Does the 2005 Silverado 1500 have any recalls?
- Yes, the 2005 model year has 8 recall campaigns. Its verdict is capped to Caution because of these recalls despite a complaint index of only 30.