Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Engine Problems
Owners have filed 236 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 across 29 model years. The 2001 model year has the most (22). The words owners use most often: “exhaust manifold” (13% of reports).
- 236engine complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 3mention a crash
- 4mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 50%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Exhaust manifold: mentioned in 30 of 236 complaints (13%)
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 154 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 236 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 17 a fire, 4 an injury.
Chevrolet Silverado 2500 engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Silverado 2500 | 1 | 10% | 9,100 |
| 2025 Silverado 2500 | 7 | 24% | 21,015 |
| 2024 Silverado 2500 | 13 | 9% | 3,200 |
| 2023 Silverado 2500 | 7 | 15% | 29,000 |
| 2022 Silverado 2500 | 7 | 7% | 16,980 |
| 2021 Silverado 2500 | 8 | 9% | 52,100 |
| 2020 Silverado 2500 | 10 | 9% | 29,072 |
| 2019 Silverado 2500 | 19 | 26% | 15,000 |
| 2018 Silverado 2500 | 12 | 23% | 20,000 |
| 2017 Silverado 2500 | 12 | 22% | 20,000 |
| 2016 Silverado 2500 | 8 | 7% | 57,000 |
| 2015 Silverado 2500 | 12 | 7% | 82,250 |
| 2014 Silverado 2500 | 7 | 18% | 12,500 |
| 2013 Silverado 2500 | 6 | 12% | 151,500 |
| 2012 Silverado 2500 | 8 | 15% | 41,000 |
| 2011 Silverado 2500 | 9 | 9% | 78,000 |
| 2010 Silverado 2500 | 2 | 10% | 74,000 |
| 2009 Silverado 2500 | 3 | 5% | 41,236 |
| 2008 Silverado 2500 | 4 | 2% | 46,700 |
| 2007 Silverado 2500 | 3 | 1% | 40,000 |
| 2006 Silverado 2500 | 5 | 3% | 71,000 |
| 2005 Silverado 2500 | 5 | 2% | 149,000 |
| 2004 Silverado 2500 | 14 | 4% | 93,500 |
| 2003 Silverado 2500 | 15 | 3% | 113,390 |
| 2002 Silverado 2500 | 13 | 4% | 143,000 |
| 2001 Silverado 2500 | 22 | 7% | 80,000 |
| 2000 Silverado 2500 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 1999 Silverado 2500 | 2 | 2% | 102,500 |
| 1997 Silverado 2500 | 1 | 2% | 125,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater
Model years: 2017, 2018, 2019
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Engine
Model years: 2017, 2018, 2019
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and the contact was informed that the engine was blown causing complete engine failure. The engine was…
The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and the steering wheel seized, and the brakes failed to stop the vehicle. White smoke with a burning odor was coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was on an incline, which helped the…
The vehicle will not allow the truck to be turned off everytime, it states the truck must be in park to be turned off, and the truck is in park. The engine lost power and staleld twice, and loses accelerator power multiple times. The transmission has dis-engaged 3 times. All of this since July…
Engine failure shut off on idle. Engine bay shakes. It unsafe to drive no indication of engine failure
The motor blewââIt is confirmed by a Chevrolet Dealership and they are now getting a reman engine as a replacementâThere was a loud noise then it went deadâ-Was able to start it and there was this gawd awful noise coming from the motorâHad it towed to the dealership where we were just…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Chevrolet Silverado 2500s have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 236 owner complaints about engine for the Chevrolet Silverado 2500. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 engine?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about engine problems on the Chevrolet Silverado 2500?
The most frequent phrase is “exhaust manifold”, in 30 of 236 complaints.
Other Chevrolet Silverado 2500 problems
- Electrical System problems (700)
- Service Brakes problems (670)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (592)
- Power Train problems (414)
- Air Bags problems (369)
- Steering problems (276)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (229)
- Structure problems (163)
See all Chevrolet Silverado 2500 problems.