Chevrolet Silverado Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 743 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Chevrolet Silverado across 23 model years. The 2000 model year has the most (103). The words owners use most often: “transfer case” (5% of reports).
- 743power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 33mention a crash
- 17mention an injury
- 6related recalls
- $3,050typical repair cost reported by owners
- 30%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.
- Transfer case: mentioned in 38 of 742 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Chevrolet Silverado at $3,050, and half of them between $1,750 and $4,250.
Based on 23 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (1999–2015), 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 power train problems happen?
Based on 403 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 743 complaints, 33 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 17 an injury.
Chevrolet Silverado power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Silverado | 33 | 26% | 32,500 |
| 2016 Silverado | 1 | 20% | — |
| 2015 Silverado | 11 | 14% | 2,497 |
| 2014 Silverado | 37 | 30% | 4,403 |
| 2013 Silverado | 11 | 17% | 3,500 |
| 2012 Silverado | 11 | 16% | 11,000 |
| 2011 Silverado | 4 | 5% | 13,000 |
| 2010 Silverado | 7 | 11% | 50,000 |
| 2009 Silverado | 3 | 4% | 52,083 |
| 2008 Silverado | 12 | 7% | 48,500 |
| 2007 Silverado | 21 | 11% | 39,780 |
| 2006 Silverado | 8 | 4% | 35,789 |
| 2005 Silverado | 29 | 9% | 32,501 |
| 2004 Silverado | 49 | 8% | 12,625 |
| 2003 Silverado | 81 | 12% | 7,128 |
| 2002 Silverado | 70 | 10% | 45,500 |
| 2001 Silverado | 64 | 7% | 49,000 |
| 2000 Silverado | 103 | 8% | 58,500 |
| 1999 Silverado | 97 | 6% | 66,934 |
| 1998 Silverado | 14 | 5% | 65,541 |
| 1997 Silverado | 35 | 13% | 65,000 |
| 1996 Silverado | 22 | 12% | 54,200 |
| 1995 Silverado | 20 | 8% | 118,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (6)
Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft
Model years: 2015
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles manufactured November 24, 2014, to November 25, 2014. Due to an improper heat-treatment, the rear axle shaft may fracture while the vehicle is being driven.
Risk: If the rear axle shaft fractures, the rear wheel may separate from the axle shaft, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear axles, and replace any that were improperly heat-treated, free of charge. The recall began on December 17,2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet) or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14892.
Power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Model years: 2014, 2015
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles, and model year 2015 GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, an electrical signal short may cause the transfer case to shift to neutral without the driver's input.
Risk: If the transfer case switches to neutral while the vehicle is parked and the parking brake is not in use, the vehicle may roll away increasing the risk of injury to bystanders. If the transfer case switches to neutral while the vehicle is being driven, the vehicle would lose drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will re-program the software in the transfer case control module, free of charge. The recall began in early August 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14192.
Power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines
Model years: 2014
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM ) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Silverado Light Duty Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab 1500 series and model year 2015 Suburban and Tahoe; GMC model year 2014 Sierra Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab 1500 Series and model year 2015 Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6-Speed Automatic Transmission (feature code MYC). The subject vehicles may have a transmission oil cooler line that is not securely seated in the fitting.
Risk: If the line is not securely seated and transmission oil leaks from the fitting, the oil could contact a hot surface and cause a vehicle fire.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission oil cooler line connection and repair the vehicles, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on May 19, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-866-694-6546 or GMC owners may contact GMC at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14121.
Power train:automatic transmission; steering:column locking:anti-theft device
Model years: 2013
Problem: General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles, manufactured between November 7, 2012, through December 18, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect", and FMVSS No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention." The vehicles may have been built with a fractured park lock cable or a malformed steering column lock actuator gear in the lock module assembly.
Risk: As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while the key is off. Either of these scenarios may cause the vehicle to roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible vehicle crash and/or injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463.
Power train:manual transmission:shift pattern indicator
Model years: 2005
Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock and transmission braking effect." under certain vehicle starting conditions, the shift lever position indicator located in the instrument panel cluster may not illuminate. If the shift lever position indicator does not illuminate, the driver may not know which gear the vehicle is in.
Risk: The vehicle may move in an unintended direction resulting in possible injury to others outside of the vehicle.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the instrument panel cluster free of charge. The recall began on february 14, 2005. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, and gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Model years: 2000
Problem: Some pickup trucks, vans, and sport utility vehicles equipped with a hydraulic pump driveshaft that can fracture, resulting in immediate loss of hydraulic power steering assist. On certain vehicles equipped with hydro-boost power brakes, the same condition can result in loss of power assist for braking after the reserve pressure is depleted.
Risk: An inoperative pump can cause increased steering effort, and in hydro-boost equipped vehicles also increased braking effort, but does not completely eliminate the ability to steer or slow the vehicle.
Fix: Dealers will replace the hydraulic pump. The campaign began on february 14, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc 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 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds, there were rattling and vibrating sensations coming from the vehicle. In addition, when driving at low speeds there was a thumping noise emitting from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the…
See attached document for complaint
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated when the vehicle was started, there was a grinding noise coming from the engine and transmission area. The contact stated when driving the vehicle there was a hard shift when shifting gears. There were no warning lights illuminated…
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle made grinding sounds. The contact pulled over on the side of the roadway. Upon inspection, the contact noticed flames coming from the rear differential, and the driveshaft had…
Here's my story for those that will listen. I purchased the vehicle brand new and a few days later i mentioned to the salesman that it drove unusual and he replied that it could be from sitting on the lot...so i waited for the first scheduled maintenance and let them know that there was something…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Chevrolet Silverados have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 743 owner complaints about power train 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 power train?
Yes: 6 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Chevrolet Silverado?
Owners report a typical cost of $3,050 (half paid between $1,750 and $4,250), from 23 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Chevrolet Silverado?
The most frequent phrase is “transfer case”, in 38 of 742 complaints.
Other Chevrolet Silverado problems
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (2,302)
- Electrical System problems (711)
- Service Brakes problems (706)
- Steering problems (533)
- Structure problems (490)
- Visibility problems (486)
- Air Bags problems (478)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (459)
See all Chevrolet Silverado problems.