YearToAvoid

2017 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

0/100

#16 most-complained of 16 Silverado 3500 years

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

The 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 ranks best among 16 model years, with 13 complaints and a complaint index of 0. It carries 6 recalls, mainly covering fuel system, engine block heater, and seat belt issues, but owners reported no crashes, fires, or injuries.

Complaints
13
Recalls
6
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2017 Chevy Silverado 3500 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Other3 (23%)
  2. Electrical System2 (15%)
  3. Engine2 (15%)
  4. Fuel System2 (15%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain2 (15%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (8%)
  7. Structure & Body1 (8%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (8%)

What owners report

  • Owners describe the MyLink backup camera screen failing to dim at night, causing full brightness glare that blocks the view of the passenger mirror while backing up.
  • Some report the transmission cooler return line rubbing against the bumper mount bracket, wearing through its protective cover.
  • A front passenger side tire blew out while driving on a mountainous road at 50 mph, prompting replacement of the tire.
  • Owners waiting on the fuel system recall repair described long delays in getting parts and completing the fix.
  • One owner reported the vehicle would not start, later finding the main wiring harness and fuse panel had melted and needed replacement.
  • Another owner described the vehicle failing to upshift at various speeds with the check engine light on, diagnosed as a stuck torque converter.
2017 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 complaints: complaints filed per month3Sep 2017Nov 2018Jun 2019Nov 2021Feb 2022Sep 2022
14 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2017 to Nov 2024; peak Nov 2024 (3).

2017 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 recalls

6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V047000Feb 2, 2023Fuel System22,132 vehicles

    Fuel system, diesel:storage:tank assembly

    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 vehicles equipped with a dual fuel tank option. The rear fuel tank may collapse and prevent the fuel pump from transferring fuel to the front tank, resulting in an engine stall.

    Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and fuel pump module, replacing them as necessary. Dealers will also add a vent hose to the rear tank assembly. Repairs will be performed free of charge. An interim owner notification letter informing owners of the safety risk was mailed on March 15, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 21, 2023. 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 N222368030.

  2. NHTSA 21V496000Jul 1, 2021Other338,020 vehicles

    Equipment:electrical:engine block heater

    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500 and 2017-2019 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with a Duramax diesel 6.6 liter engine and an optional engine-block heater cord. An electrical short-circuit may occur in the engine-block heater cable or in the terminals that connect the heater cable to the block heater.

    Risk: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace engine block heaters and heater cords. Vehicles that have this feature disabled as a remedy to the safety condition will be contacted and offered replacement block heaters and heater cords under a separate customer satisfaction program, free of charge. GM will provide free replacement block heaters and cords under a separate customer satisfaction campaign. For vehicles previously included in recall 19V-328, the heater cord will be replaced and rerouted, free of charge. Interim owner notifications were mailed on August 13, 2021. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 4, 2022. Customers may call GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 212329840.

  3. 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.

See all 6 recalls for the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 →

2017 compared with other Silverado 3500 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Caution73527—
2016Caution67516—
2017Best0136—
2018Best20196—
2019Good47227—

All Chevrolet Silverado 3500 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 reliable?
Among 16 model years of the Silverado 3500, 2017 ranks best, with only 13 complaints and a complaint index of 0.
What problems does the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 have?
NHTSA complaints cite the Electrical System, Engine, Fuel System, and Transmission & Powertrain as the top problem areas, each accounting for 15% of reported issues.
Does the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2017 Silverado 3500, covering the fuel system, engine block heater, and front seat belt retractor assemblies, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
What year Chevrolet Silverado 3500 should I avoid?
Based on NHTSA data, 2021, 2022, and 2025 carry an Avoid verdict with complaint indexes of 87, 80, and 93, while 2017 carries a Best verdict with an index of 0.
At what mileage do 2017 Silverado 3500 problems typically appear?
Median mileage at failure varies by area: Electrical System issues were reported around 12,000 miles, Transmission & Powertrain around 33,600 miles, and Engine issues around 58,000 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.