YearToAvoid

2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 22 engine complaints for the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 30% of its 74 total complaints, with 4 fires and 1 injury reported. A related recall, campaign 19V328000, covers engine block heater replacement on the Duramax 6.6 engine.

Engine complaints
22
30% of 74
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
15,118 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the engine compartment catching fire, in one case burning the entire vehicle while parked in a driveway.
  • Some describe sparks emitting from the rear of the truck while driving around 35 mph or higher, raising fire concerns.
  • Multiple owners report a loss of power or sputtering/chugging sensation between 30-50 mph, with the RPM gauge bouncing, especially worse while towing.
  • Several describe the engine surging or RPMs dropping and rising repeatedly when coming to a stop, even with no foot on the pedal.
  • Owners report a loud explosive noise from the engine compartment at highway speed followed by the check engine light illuminating and reduced power.
  • After the engine block heater recall repair, some owners report recurring false low coolant warnings on the dash.
  • Some report the vehicle losing motive power entirely at various speeds, with the accelerator and brake pedals becoming inoperable and a reduced engine power message displayed.

When 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 engine complaints were filed

First complaint Feb 18, 2019, latest Mar 14, 2026.

2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Feb 2019Jan 2020Oct 2021Apr 2023Apr 2024Feb 2025Mar 2026
22 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2019 to Mar 2026; peak Mar 2026 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

  1. NHTSA 19V328000Apr 25, 2019Engine318,374 vehicles

    Engine

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500, 5500 and 6500 vehicles and 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with Duramax 6.6 liter diesel engines and an optional engine-block heater. The engine block heater cord or the terminals that connect the heater cord to the block heater may short circuit and fail.

    Risk: A short-circuit may damage the engine components and increase the risk of fire.

    Remedy: GM will contact owners, dealers will replace the engine block heater, free of charge. Additionally, in Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles, dealers will install a new rerouted heater cord. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-586-596-1733. GM's number for this recall is N182206310.

Engine complaints by Silverado 2500 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200526 (10%)
  2. 200620 (11%)
  3. 200719 (9%)
  4. 200810 (5%)
  5. 20098 (13%)
  6. 20102 (10%)
  7. 201114 (13%)
  8. 20129 (17%)
  9. 20137 (14%)
  10. 20147 (18%)
  11. 201514 (8%)
  12. 20169 (7%)
  13. 201712 (22%)
  14. 201814 (26%)
  15. 201922 (30%)
  16. 202016 (15%)
  17. 20217 (8%)
  18. 20229 (9%)
  19. 20238 (17%)
  20. 202416 (12%)
  21. 20258 (29%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems in the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500?
NHTSA lists 22 engine complaints for the 2019 Silverado 2500, which makes up 30% of the 74 total complaints filed for this model year.
Is there an engine recall for the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500?
Yes. Recall campaign 19V328000, filed April 25, 2019, covers the Duramax 6.6 engine and involves dealers replacing the engine block heater at no charge.
Have there been fires linked to the 2019 Silverado 2500 engine?
NHTSA data shows 4 fire incidents and 1 injury among the reported engine complaints for this model year.
At what mileage do engine problems typically appear on the 2019 Silverado 2500?
The median mileage at failure among reported engine complaints is 15,117.5 miles.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.