Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Chevrolet Silverado 3500 years to avoid are 2006, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2024, and 2025, with complaint indexes from 75 up to 100. The best years, based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, are 2014, 2017, and 2018, all with complaint indexes of 10 or below.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2006Avoid 2016Avoid 2020Avoid 2021Avoid 2024Avoid 2025Best 2014Best 2017Best 2018
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 610
- Recall campaigns
- 40
- Crashes reported
- 26
- Fires reported
- 17
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
Silverado 3500 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 3500 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Good | 25 | 46 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2006 | Avoid | 75 | 52 | 5 | 3 | 0 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2007 | Caution | 60 | 39 | 1 | 2 | 5 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2008 | Caution | 55 | 31 | 2 | 1 | 4 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2009 | Good | 15 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 6 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2010 | No verdict | 20 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2011 | Good | 45 | 29 | 1 | 0 | 5 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2012 | Good | 40 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 4 | Fuel System | — | — |
| 2013 | Good | 30 | 26 | 1 | 1 | 4 | Steering | — | — |
| 2014 | Best | 5 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 3 | Fuel System | — | — |
| 2015 | Caution | 70 | 52 | 2 | 3 | 7 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2016 | Avoid | 80 | 51 | 3 | 0 | 6 | Steering | — | — |
| 2017 | Best | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 6 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2018 | Best | 10 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 6 | Engine | — | — |
| 2019 | Caution | 50 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 7 | Engine | — | — |
| 2020 | Avoid | 90 | 42 | 1 | 1 | 8 | Transmission & Powertrain | — | — |
| 2021 | Avoid | 95 | 40 | 1 | 1 | 5 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2022 | Caution | 65 | 27 | 2 | 1 | 3 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2023 | Good | 35 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | — | — |
| 2024 | Avoid | 100 | 49 | 2 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2025 | Avoid | 85 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 1 | Electrical System | — | — |
Silverado 3500 years to avoid: what went wrong
2024 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Index 100 · 49 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2024 Silverado 3500 has a complaint index of 100, the highest of any year covered, with 2 deaths reported among its 49 complaints. Electrical system issues lead at 39% of complaints with a median failure mileage of just 500 miles, followed by transmission and powertrain problems at 31%. Owners describe trailer brakes failing to engage, a rollover in which roof sheet metal separated from the frame, and a truck that rolled away after being parked. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns, including a tailgate release switch and a steering gear shaft fracture risk.
2024 electrical system problems →2024 transmission & powertrain problems →
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Index 95 · 40 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2021 Silverado 3500 has a complaint index of 95. Electrical system and structure/body complaints each account for 30% of complaints, with electrical failures reported at a median of just 1,457 miles. Owners describe self-unlatching tailgates while trailering, a trailer lighting module giving false warnings, and one case of smoke and fire near the rear of the vehicle at highway speed. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns, including a park-outside brake control module recall.
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Index 90 · 42 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2020 Silverado 3500 has a complaint index of 90. Transmission and powertrain problems dominate at 38% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 40,000 miles, including downshifting during acceleration and DEF system malfunctions that trigger power reduction. Brakes and engine issues follow, each at 17%. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this year, including transmission control software fixes and a tailgate release switch that could short and unlatch while driving.
2025 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Index 85 · 12 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2025 Silverado 3500 has a complaint index of 85. Electrical system problems lead at 33% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 1,500 miles, and two sample complaints describe fires starting near the engine bay after diesel exhaust filter regeneration cycles. Brakes and transmission/powertrain issues each make up 25% of complaints, including a trailer brake controller that randomly shuts down. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign, covering a rear fuel pump fuel-transfer problem.
2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Index 80 · 51 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2016 Silverado 3500 has a complaint index of 80. Steering is the top problem area at 29% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 33,422 miles, followed closely by brakes and fuel system issues at 22% each. Owners describe brakes needing to be pumped repeatedly to stop and airbags failing to deploy in crashes. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this year, covering airbag inflators, a fuel-level sensor problem, and a brake pedal pivot nut issue.
2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Index 75 · 52 complaints · 0 recalls
The 2006 Silverado 3500 carries a complaint index of 75, the sixth-worst of all 21 model years covered. Brakes are the top complaint area, making up 33% of that year's complaints, with a median failure mileage of 72,500 miles; owners describe brake pedals needing extra pressure and one case of corroded brake lines causing a rear-end crash. Electrical fires were also reported, including one case where a parked truck caught fire overnight. The year saw 5 crashes, 3 fires, and 1 death among its 52 complaints, with no recall campaigns on file.
Most common Chevy Silverado 3500 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Electrical System112 (18%)
- Brakes101 (17%)
- Transmission & Powertrain97 (16%)
- Engine96 (16%)
- Fuel System90 (15%)
- Other63 (10%)
- Airbags61 (10%)
- Steering53 (9%)
- Structure & Body45 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires37 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Chevrolet Silverado 3500 should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the years to avoid are 2006, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2024, and 2025. These years have complaint indexes ranging from 75 to 100, the highest in the lineup.
- What are the best Chevrolet Silverado 3500 model years?
- The 2014, 2017, and 2018 model years rate Best, with complaint indexes of 5, 0, and 10 respectively, the lowest among all 21 years covered.
- Is the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 reliable?
- The 2024 model has the highest complaint index of any Silverado 3500 year, at 100, with electrical system failures reported at a median of just 500 miles and 2 deaths recorded among its 49 complaints.
- What is the most common problem area for the Silverado 3500 overall?
- Across all 21 model years, electrical system issues are the most common complaint area, making up 18% of the 610 total complaints, followed by brakes at 17% and transmission/powertrain at 16%.
- Does the Silverado 3500 have any recall-heavy years?
- Yes. The 2020 model year has 8 recall campaigns, the most of any year, including transmission control software and tailgate release switch issues, while the total across all years covered is 40 recall campaigns.