Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Avoid the 2005, 2007, 2008, 2015, 2020, and 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, which carry the highest complaint indexes (95, 90, 75, 80, 85, and 100). The 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2017 model years score lowest (0, 10, 5, 15, and 20) and are rated Best based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2005Avoid 2007Avoid 2008Avoid 2015Avoid 2020Avoid 2024Best 2010Best 2012Best 2013Best 2014Best 2017
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 2,153
- Recall campaigns
- 39
- Crashes reported
- 83
- Fires reported
- 75
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
Silverado 2500 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 2500 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Avoid | 95 | 269 | 14 | 15 | 0 | Electrical System | 9 | — |
| 2006 | Caution | 65 | 177 | 14 | 8 | 0 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 90 | 204 | 10 | 9 | 3 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 75 | 191 | 5 | 4 | 4 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2009 | Caution | 55 | 61 | 6 | 3 | 5 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2010 | Best | 0 | 21 | 0 | 1 | 5 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2011 | Good | 40 | 104 | 2 | 2 | 4 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2012 | Best | 10 | 53 | 2 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | — | 4★ |
| 2013 | Best | 5 | 51 | 0 | 1 | 3 | Electrical System | — | 4★ |
| 2014 | Best | 15 | 40 | 2 | 2 | 2 | Fuel System | — | 4★ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 80 | 176 | 6 | 6 | 6 | Electrical System | — | 3★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 50 | 123 | 5 | 2 | 5 | Steering | — | 4★ |
| 2017 | Best | 20 | 54 | 2 | 5 | 5 | Electrical System | — | 4★ |
| 2018 | Good | 25 | 53 | 2 | 2 | 5 | Electrical System | — | 4★ |
| 2019 | Good | 45 | 74 | 2 | 6 | 7 | Engine | — | 4★ |
| 2020 | Avoid | 85 | 108 | 2 | 3 | 10 | Transmission & Powertrain | — | — |
| 2021 | Caution | 60 | 85 | 2 | 1 | 6 | Transmission & Powertrain | — | — |
| 2022 | Caution | 70 | 95 | 3 | 2 | 3 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2023 | Good | 35 | 47 | 0 | 2 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | — | — |
| 2024 | Avoid | 100 | 139 | 3 | 1 | 4 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2025 | Good | 30 | 28 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | — | — |
Silverado 2500 years to avoid: what went wrong
2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Index 100 · 139 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2024 Silverado 2500 has the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100. Electrical System complaints lead at 42% (58 reports), median failure mileage 7,400, with owners describing sudden engine-compartment fires and smoke while driving on the highway. Brakes follow at 27% (38 reports), median mileage 857.5, including trailer brake failures while towing downhill. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this year, covering tailgate release switches and tire label/software updates. Steering complaints involving sudden wheel jerking were also reported.
2024 electrical system problems →2024 brakes problems →2024 transmission & powertrain problems →
2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Index 95 · 269 complaints · 0 recalls
NHTSA lists a complaint index of 95 for the 2005 Silverado 2500, one of the highest of any year covered. Electrical System issues make up 38% of complaints (103 reports), with a median failure mileage of 60,000. Owners describe unexplained fires while the truck was parked or idling, along with melted wiring near the engine compartment. Brakes account for another 27% of complaints (72 reports), median mileage 72,000. Steering complaints, including drifting in four-wheel drive, and transmission downshifting problems were also reported. NHTSA shows no recall campaigns tied to this model year.
2005 electrical system problems →2005 brakes problems →2005 steering problems →
2007 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Index 90 · 204 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2007 Silverado 2500 has a complaint index of 90. Airbags dominate the complaint mix at 43% (87 reports), median failure mileage 80,000, with owners reporting frontal air bags that failed to deploy in crashes. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this year, covering passenger air bag inflators (two separate campaigns) and a wiring jumper harness fix. Owners also reported steering columns becoming inoperable and engine fires after extended highway driving. Brakes and transmission complaints round out the remaining reports.
2007 airbags problems →2007 brakes problems →2007 transmission & powertrain problems →
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Index 85 · 108 complaints · 10 recalls
The 2020 Silverado 2500 has a complaint index of 85. Transmission & Powertrain issues are the top concern at 31% of complaints (33 reports), median failure mileage 81,381. Owners reported the truck shifting from Park to Drive on its own while idling and warning lights tied to transmission and emissions systems. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for this year, the most of any Silverado 2500 model year, including transmission control software fixes and a tailgate short-circuit recall. Electrical fires were also reported at low mileage.
2020 transmission & powertrain problems →2020 brakes problems →2020 electrical system problems →
2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Index 80 · 176 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2015 Silverado 2500 has a complaint index of 80. Electrical System problems lead at 37% of complaints (65 reports), with a low median failure mileage of 2,884 miles, suggesting issues appeared early in ownership. Brakes follow at 21% (37 reports), median mileage 652.5. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this year, including two roof-rail air bag inflator recalls and a brake pedal pivot nut recall. Owners described engine fires while parked and brake pedals going hard while backing up with a trailer attached.
2015 electrical system problems →2015 brakes problems →2015 transmission & powertrain problems →
2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Index 75 · 191 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2008 Silverado 2500 carries a complaint index of 75. Airbags are by far the largest concern, making up 55% of complaints (106 reports) at a median failure mileage of 90,000; owners describe frontal air bags failing to deploy in collisions. NHTSA recorded 4 recall campaigns for this year, again centered on passenger air bag inflators and a wiring fuse fix. Owners also reported engine-compartment fires while the vehicle sat idle with a remote starter engaged, plus visibility complaints about the rearview mirror.
2008 airbags problems →2008 electrical system problems →2008 structure & body problems →
Most common Chevy Silverado 2500 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Electrical System489 (23%)
- Brakes349 (16%)
- Airbags337 (16%)
- Transmission & Powertrain321 (15%)
- Engine257 (12%)
- Other227 (11%)
- Steering181 (8%)
- Fuel System179 (8%)
- Structure & Body162 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires134 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Chevrolet Silverado 2500 years should I avoid?
- NHTSA complaint and recall data point to 2005, 2007, 2008, 2015, 2020, and 2024 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 95, 90, 75, 80, 85, and 100 respectively.
- What are the best Chevrolet Silverado 2500 years?
- The 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2017 model years score lowest on the complaint index (0, 10, 5, 15, and 20) and carry the Best verdict based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
- What is the most common problem area for the Silverado 2500?
- Across all 21 model years covered, Electrical System issues are the most reported problem, accounting for 489 complaints, or 23% of the 2,153 total complaints on file.
- Does the 2020 Silverado 2500 have a lot of recalls?
- Yes. The 2020 model year has 10 recall campaigns, the most of any Silverado 2500 year in this data, including transmission control software updates and a tailgate recall.
- Is the 2024 Silverado 2500 reliable?
- The 2024 Silverado 2500 has the highest complaint index of any year, 100, with Electrical System complaints (42% of its reports) showing up at a median of just 7,400 miles.