Chevrolet Silverado Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 459 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the Chevrolet Silverado across 20 model years. The 2001 model year has the most (91). The words owners use most often: “knocking noise” (6% of reports).
- 459engine and engine cooling complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 7mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $2,000typical repair cost reported by owners
- 45%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.
- Knocking noise: mentioned in 26 of 459 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine and engine cooling repair on the Chevrolet Silverado at $2,000, and half of them between $1,350 and $5,050.
Based on 12 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2002–2012), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 193 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 459 complaints, 7 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 3 an injury.
Chevrolet Silverado engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine and Engine Cooling complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Silverado | 1 | 1% | 60,000 |
| 2014 Silverado | 1 | 1% | 300 |
| 2013 Silverado | 1 | 2% | 2,000 |
| 2011 Silverado | 1 | 1% | 44,000 |
| 2010 Silverado | 3 | 5% | 7,126 |
| 2009 Silverado | 4 | 5% | 39,000 |
| 2008 Silverado | 4 | 2% | 86,045 |
| 2007 Silverado | 6 | 3% | 64,000 |
| 2006 Silverado | 7 | 4% | 59,800 |
| 2005 Silverado | 20 | 6% | 9,276 |
| 2004 Silverado | 24 | 4% | 20,000 |
| 2003 Silverado | 26 | 4% | 19,765 |
| 2002 Silverado | 58 | 8% | 27,500 |
| 2001 Silverado | 91 | 10% | 43,000 |
| 2000 Silverado | 88 | 7% | 48,275 |
| 1999 Silverado | 61 | 4% | 49,965 |
| 1998 Silverado | 15 | 5% | 76,850 |
| 1997 Silverado | 20 | 7% | 58,000 |
| 1996 Silverado | 13 | 7% | 62,000 |
| 1995 Silverado | 15 | 6% | 123,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system
Model years: 2014, 2015
Problem: General Motors is recalling certain 2014 model year Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, and 2015 model year Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV; Chevrolet Silverado HD; and GMC Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL, equipped with a 4.3L engine or 5.3L engine.
Risk: The overheated exhaust components may melt nearby plastic parts and may result in an engine fire.
Fix: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the engine control module, free of charge. The recall began on January 16, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC at 1-800-462-8782. General Motors' number for this recall is 14008.
Engine and engine cooling
Model years: 2001
Problem: On certain pickup trucks equipped with an 8.1l v8 engine, the crankshaft position can operate intermittently or fail completely. If the sensor operates intermittently, the ses light may illuminate and the vehicle may run rough. The engine may stall, and if so, may re-start immediately or after a cool down period.
Risk: If the sensor becomes completely inoperative, the engine will quit running and will not re-start. Either of these failures can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the crankshaft position sensor free of charge. The recall began on december 18, 2007. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Engine and engine cooling
Model years: 2004, 2005, 2006
Problem: On certain trucks equipped with an 8.1l v8 (rpo l8-vin g) engine have a condition in which the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip may fracture resulting in inadequate retention of the damper.
Risk: If the damper comes loose, a fuel leak may result. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip free of charge. The recall began on august 31, 2006. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and gmc trucks at 1-866-996-9463.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the vehicle would hesitate, stall and shut off at random times. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced an engine gasket but the failures continued to occur. The vehicle was later…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet silverado. While driving approximately 55 mph, the contact noticed that the temperature gauge went to zero and the "engine hot ac turned off" warning indicator illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and then drove home. The contact stated…
We were driving our 2010 chevy silverado (with 11,951 miles on it) on the freeway in the hov lane at approximately 70 mph. The cruise control was on. Without warning, the truck jumped 3 times and then apparently the engine just shut off. There was no acceleration, no power steering or power brakes…
I bought this vehicle used with about 66,000 miles on the odometer. Shortly thereafter, the check engine light came on, and i found an evaporative emissions code stored. I cleared the code and went about my business. Not long after, i went to fill the truck with fuel and gasoline spilled out from…
The 2013 silverado truck i own has a loud popping noise in the exhaust system when the truck is turned off. I have been told that it is normal, but the service manager at the dealership said it didn't sound right to him. This is causing concern to me that the truck may be a fire hazard since the…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Chevrolet Silverados have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 459 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the Chevrolet Silverado. 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 engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine and engine cooling problems on the Chevrolet Silverado?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,000 (half paid between $1,350 and $5,050), from 12 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the Chevrolet Silverado?
The most frequent phrase is “knocking noise”, in 26 of 459 complaints.
Other Chevrolet Silverado problems
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (2,302)
- Power Train problems (743)
- Electrical System problems (711)
- Service Brakes problems (706)
- Steering problems (533)
- Structure problems (490)
- Visibility problems (486)
- Air Bags problems (478)
See all Chevrolet Silverado problems.