YearToAvoid

2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 has 52 NHTSA complaints, 7 recalls, and a complaint index of 70, ranking 7th worst out of 21 model years. It carries a Caution verdict, driven mainly by electrical system and fuel system complaints.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
70/100
#7 of 21 Silverado 3500 years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
52
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
7
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
2
reported in complaints
Fires
3
Injuries
1
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2014
rated Best

Top 2015 Chevy Silverado 3500 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System16 (31%)
  2. Fuel System15 (29%)
  3. Brakes10 (19%)
  4. Engine9 (17%)
  5. Other5 (10%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain5 (10%)
  7. Visibility & Wipers5 (10%)
  8. Steering4 (8%)
  9. Structure & Body2 (4%)
  10. Airbags1 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report the alternator or engine compartment smoking or catching fire, in one case after shifting into reverse.
  • A rear defrost system reportedly malfunctioned, smoked inside the cabin, and caused the rear glass to shatter.
  • Multiple owners describe a dash warning for trailer brake or wiring problems that leaves the trailer brakes inoperable, with GM reportedly blaming the trailers.
  • Brake pedal reportedly caused the truck to veer to the right at 55 mph, with dealers finding worn brake pedal and rotors called normal wear.
  • Owners report sudden loss of engine power at highway speed with metal fragments later found inside the engine.
  • Towing mirror turn signal LEDs were reported to shine into drivers' eyes at night, impairing visibility.
2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 complaints: complaints filed per month4Aug 2015Jun 2016Jun 2017Jul 2018Apr 2020Jan 2023Dec 2024Nov 2025
52 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2015 to Jul 2026; peak Sep 2020 (4).

2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 recalls

7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 21V504000Jul 1, 2021Airbags410,019 vehicles

    Air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks. The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture.

    Risk: A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on August 18, 2021. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy is available. Phase I owner notification letters were mailed on May 5, 2022. Phase II owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 31, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. This recall supersedes NHTSA recall number 20V-736. GM's number for this recall is N202324251.

  2. NHTSA 20V736000Nov 25, 2020Airbags9,279 vehicles

    Air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2015 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 trucks. The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator.

    Risk: If the end cap separates from the inflator, the compressed gas will escape and the end cap can be propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RRAB modules on the left and/or right side, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on December 22, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. Note: GM filed a new recall, number 21V-504 that supersedes this recall. All vehicles previously recalled under 20V-736 will now be repaired under the new recall number 21V-504. GM's numbers for this recall are N202309680, N202309681, and N202309682.

  3. NHTSA 18V578000Aug 30, 2018Brakes42,280 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, 1500 Crew Cab Special Service, Tahoe Police Pursuit/Special Service, GMC Sierra 2500, and 3500 vehicles. The brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.

    Risk: If the brake pedal becomes loose or inoperative, the driver may be unable to stop the vehicle by using the brake pedal. Additionally, a loose pedal may also interfere with the accelerator pedal. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will add adhesive to the nut and reinstall the nut with increased tightness, free of charge. The recall began October 3, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18278. Note: The vehicles in this recall need this additional remedy despite being covered by recall 16V069 for brake pedal loosening.

See all 7 recalls for the 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 →

2015 compared with other Silverado 3500 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2013Good30264—
2014Best5103—
2015Caution70527—
2016Avoid80516—
2017Best0136—

All Chevrolet Silverado 3500 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 reliable?
NHTSA lists 52 complaints and a complaint index of 70 for the 2015 model, giving it a Caution verdict. It ranks 7th worst among the 21 Silverado 3500 model years with data.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Silverado 3500?
Electrical system complaints make up 31% of reports, followed by fuel system at 29% and brakes at 19%. Electrical issues had a median failure mileage of 21,500 miles.
Does the 2015 Silverado 3500 have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2015 Silverado 3500, covering airbags, brakes, fuel system, and seat belts. None of these are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2015 Silverado 3500 compare to other years?
Its complaint index of 70 is worse than years like 2014 (index 5, Best verdict) and 2017 (index 0, Best verdict), but better than 2024 (index 100, Avoid) and 2021 (index 95, Avoid).
What year Silverado 3500 should I avoid?
Based on complaint index, 2024, 2021, 2020, 2016, 2006, and 2025 carry Avoid verdicts, all ranking worse than the 2015 model's Caution rating.

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.