Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
The Chevrolet Silverado 3500 years to avoid are 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025, based on NHTSA complaint indexes of 87, 80, 100, and 93. The best years are 2014, 2017, and 2018, with much lower complaint indexes of 13, 0, and 20.
Avoid 2021Avoid 2022Avoid 2024Avoid 2025Best 2014Best 2017Best 2018
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 432
- Recall campaigns
- 35
- Crashes reported
- 17
- Fires reported
- 10
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | No verdict | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2011 | Good | 33 | 29 | 1 | 0 | 5 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2012 | Good | 27 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 4 | Fuel System | — | — |
| 2013 | Good | 40 | 26 | 1 | 1 | 4 | Steering | — | — |
| 2014 | Best | 13 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 3 | Fuel System | — | — |
| 2015 | Caution | 73 | 52 | 2 | 3 | 7 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2016 | Caution | 67 | 51 | 3 | 0 | 6 | Steering | — | — |
| 2017 | Best | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 6 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2018 | Best | 20 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 6 | Engine | — | — |
| 2019 | Good | 47 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 7 | Engine | — | — |
| 2020 | Caution | 60 | 42 | 1 | 1 | 8 | Transmission & Powertrain | — | — |
| 2021 | Avoid | 87 | 40 | 1 | 1 | 5 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2022 | Avoid | 80 | 27 | 2 | 1 | 3 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2023 | Caution | 53 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | — | — |
| 2024 | Avoid | 100 | 49 | 2 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2025 | Avoid | 93 | 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 the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100. Electrical system issues make up 39 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of only 500 miles, and transmission/powertrain problems account for 31 percent. Owners reported trailer brake controllers failing to slow trailers and roof sheet metal separating in a rollover crash. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns, including a steering gear shaft fracture recall and tailgate switch recalls.
2024 electrical system problems →2024 transmission & powertrain problems →
2025 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Index 93 · 12 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2025 Silverado 3500 has a complaint index of 93. Electrical system complaints make up 33 percent of reports at a median of 1,500 miles, with tailgates unlatching on their own while parked. Owners also reported fires starting in the engine bay after diesel exhaust filter regeneration cycles. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this year, addressing a rear fuel pump that may not transfer adequate fuel.
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Index 87 · 40 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2021 Silverado 3500 carries a complaint index of 87, with electrical system and structure/body issues each making up 30 percent of its complaints. Owners reported tailgates unlatching or opening on their own while trailering, at a median of 42,000 miles, and trailer lighting modules that falsely warn of wiring faults. Transmission and powertrain complaints appeared at a median of 97,500 miles. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this year, including a brake control module recall telling some owners to park outside away from structures.
2022 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Index 80 · 27 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2022 Silverado 3500 shows a complaint index of 80. Electrical system problems account for 22 percent of complaints, at a median of 50,000 miles, alongside structure and body issues tied to tailgates at a median of 53,500 miles. Brake and engine complaints each made up 15 percent of reports, including engine bay smoke and fire. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this year, covering transmission control module software, tailgate switches, and brake control modules.
Most common Chevrolet Silverado 3500 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Electrical System91 (21%)
- Transmission & Powertrain81 (19%)
- Engine73 (17%)
- Fuel System72 (17%)
- Brakes61 (14%)
- Other53 (12%)
- Steering39 (9%)
- Structure & Body38 (9%)
- Airbags27 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires22 (5%)
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 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025, with complaint indexes of 87, 80, 100, and 93 respectively.
- What is the best year for the Chevrolet Silverado 3500?
- The 2017 model year has the lowest complaint index at 0, followed by 2014 at 13 and 2018 at 20, making them the best years based on NHTSA data.
- Is the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 reliable?
- The 2024 Silverado 3500 has the highest complaint index of all years at 100, with electrical system complaints making up 39 percent of reports at a median failure mileage of just 500 miles.
- What are the most common problems with the Chevrolet Silverado 3500?
- Across all model years, electrical system issues make up 21 percent of the 432 total complaints, followed by transmission and powertrain at 19 percent, engine at 17 percent, and fuel system at 17 percent.
- Does the Chevrolet Silverado 3500 have tailgate recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA recall campaigns 24V797000, 24V060000, and 24V894000 cover power-unlatching tailgates on multiple model years including 2021, 2022, and 2024, due to the gate-release switch potentially shorting.