The Chevy Silverado is one of the most popular pickup trucks in America and a close competitor to the well-loved Ford F-150. If you’re considering purchasing a used Chevy Silverado then you should know there are some models years with a high level of reported faults.
The most problematic Chevy Silverado model was made in 2015, but 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2016 models have also been reported as bad years for this model. Earlier models since 1998 are of much higher quality. Unfortunately, as time has passed the production quality of the Chevrolet Silverado has fallen.
Chevy Silverado Years to Avoid
Since 1998 the Chevy Silverado has been available in three models – 1500, 2500, and 3500.In the US Chevy is one of the most consistently sold pickup trucks due to its reliability and durable structure.
The infamous Ford F-150 is considered a rival truck and when compared they both have similar prices and engine capabilities.However, the F-150 is slightly ahead and therefore winning in the sales department.
This doesn’t mean that the Chevy Silverado is a bad truck choice as long as you know which years to avoid.They have faced numerous recalls for major issues such as transmission problems, rusty brakes, engine problems, and excessive oil consumption.
Let’s take a closer look at the Chevy Silverado years to avoid and the recalls and safety issues that have been reported.
2005 Chevy Silverado
The 2005 Chevy Silverado faced 14 recalls in total which gives you an insight into how important it is that you thoroughly check this vehicle before purchasing.
Or avoid it altogether if possible as it is one of the Chevy Silverado years to avoid.In 2005, the Silverado faced a range of serious safety recalls including:
Steering Column
The power steering hoses on a huge number of Silverado’s were found to be below the specification.They were also prone to fracturing and leaking fluid when braking in a full lock which means your steering could be seriously compromised.
Brakes
Another extreme issue with the brakes comes from the quality.They are known to rust and certain trucks suffer from a cracked hydraulic pressure accumulator that could lead to hydraulic fluid leaking and failure of the brakes.
Transmission
The 2005 Silverado also has issues with its automatic transmission and as a result, the instrument panel may not illuminate showing the gear the vehicle is in.Other transmission issues may also lead to the vehicle moving unintentionally and causing injury.
2007 Chevy Silverado
In 2007 the Chevy Silverado faced four recalls which are significantly less than in 2005 and shows that improvements were made but still left room for further improvements.
Although four recalls is a much safer amount, we still highly recommend this one of the Chevy Silverado years to avoid.Recalls and faults include:
Airbags
A large number of vehicles including the Silverado were recalled as the inflators used in the front airbags were prone to rupturing.This resulted in metal fragments striking vehicle occupants which could cause serious injury or even death.
Electrical Systems
Vehicles equipped with a heated wiper washer fluid system were at serious risk.A short circuit on the circuit board may overheat and cause smoke and fire when used due to bad wiring.
2008 Chevy Silverado
Another slight improvement was made with the 2008 Silverado that only achieved two recalls.However, the vehicle was notorious for other faults that have led it to be one of the Chevy years to avoid.
Common faults and recalls for the 2008 Silverado include
Oil Consumption
The excessive oil consumption of these vehicles was really high, with some owners reporting up to 3-4 quarts between oil changes.Or needing an oil change every 1,000 miles which is an expense that would seriously add up over time if you were covering a lot of miles.
Four-Wheel Drive
For a vehicle such as the Silverado, you wouldn’t expect a four-wheel drive to be so commonly a problem.High numbers of owners report issues that affect the utility of the truck and this is an expensive fix.
2015 Chevy Silverado
After such a large gap between Chevy Silverado years to avoid, 2015 did not disappoint with a massive 20 recalls.These faults cost some users up to $5,000 to fix and other problems include steering, seat belts, and electrical system faults.
Some of the most commonly reported recalls and faults include:
Power Train
Several Silverado’s faced power train issues due to improper heat treatment from the manufacturer.This could result in the rear axle shaft fracturing whilst driving, which could cause the rear wheel to separate and increase the risk of a crash.
Suspension
Unfortunately, the suspension of the 2015 Silverado was even more prone to let you down than previous models.With high repair costs leaving drivers with a new car that certainly did not impress as was reported by Chevrolet some owners had to pay $4,000 to $5,000 on transmission repairs.
2016 Chevy Silverado
The final of our Chevy Silverado years to avoid is 2016.This year showed promise and improvement but still managed to accumulate 10 recalls in total.Some of these included airbag faults, seat belts, brakes, suspension, and electrical systems.
Here are two of the most commonly reported issues and recalls on the 2016 Silverado.
Brakes
Even though Chevrolet tried to improve on their safety issues in 2016, unfortunately, its brake system let them down.
There were a huge number of reports from owners stating that their brakes were poor quality, and let’s face it, no one wants a car with faulty brakes.
Engine Issues
There were also serious complaints about the engine in the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado as well as high-level reports of engine knocking as air and fuel combusting outside the normal chamber.
Common Chevrolet Silverado Problems
As we’ve just mentioned there has been a huge number of issues documented with the Chevy Silverado and although we’ve covered each year and their individual recalls, the issues faced by drivers that were not considered recall worthy make the list even longer.
Not only are the Chevy Silverado years to avoid unsafe due to recalls, but they also have issues and faults that owners have collectively reported that Chevrolet has not addressed.
Before you consider purchasing one of the Chevy Silverado years to avoid, check out some common faults reported on these vehicles.
Transmission Issues
We’ve mentioned several of the Chevy Silverado years to avoid having had several issues.These involved the transmission system in their vehicle but these faults can vary from hard shifting, sluggish acceleration, or clunking.
Not only are transmission issues a massive hassle to deal with but they are also some of the most expensive repairs you can expect to pay out on your vehicle.
There have even been lawsuits filed by car owners as the truck has been so faulty.These faults have cost thousands of dollars to repair due to the sheer bad workmanship on these vehicles.
Short Lifespan
When you purchase a new or used vehicle, you expect it to last a certain timeframe before you will have to consider a new purchase.
Although this varies for each person and their budget, the lifespan of the Chevy Silverado years to avoid is less than ideal, especially for the price range.
You can expect these trucks to last as little as 100,000 miles before no longer being financially viable to repair.On average they stretch to around 130,000 miles before the high maintenance problems arise and cost too much.
Oil Consumption
Regular servicing and oil changes are the key to keeping any vehicle on the road for a healthy amount of time.But there is such a thing as too much of a good thing.
The way the Chevy Silverado drinks oil is not the most inviting as you can expect a good chunk of your pay each month to be going out on new oil.
Owners have reported needing oil changes every 1,000 miles or even using 3-4 quarts between oil changes which can set you back quite a bit of cash over time.
Electrical Issues
The more modern your vehicle, the more reliant it will be on electrical power for accessories, sensors, and speakers.The interior electric problems owners have faced with the Silverado for those years you should avoid is a long list.
These include annoying and unexpected problems such as speakers, batteries, power steering, sensors, and powered windows all lacking in their performance.
FAQs
What year Chevy Silverado should I stay away from?
Our list goes into detail about each Chevy Silverado year to avoid. But generally, it is considered safest to stay well away from years between 2012-2019.
What year is the most reliable Chevy Silverado?
The Silverado years that are considered safest to purchase include:
- 1999 Chevy Silverado
- 2000 Chevy Silverado
- 2001 Chevy Silverado
- 2009 Chevy Silverado
- 2010 Chevy Silverado
- 2011 Chevy Silverado
- 2020 Chevy Silverado
Which Silverado engine is the best?
The best engine Chevy has released on the Silverado is the 6.2 Liter V8 engine that generates 420 horsepower and 460lb-ft of torque.
How long will a 5.3 Chevy engine last?
With proper care and maintenance, the Chevrolet 5.3L engine should be able o last 200,00 to 300,000 miles.
Conclusion
The Chevy Silverado has left a bad taste in the mouths of many owners as the company seems to have created a bad streak of faulty trucks during the years 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2016 to name just a few.
This truck is considered to be level with the infamous Ford F-150, so it goes to show that not all Chevrolet Silverados are bad vehicles. But with so many recalls and faults reported we don’t blame you for wanting to stay well away from Silverados you may see on the market.
Get more details about Chevy Silverado in these posts:
How to Engage 4 Wheel Drive On A Chevy Silverado?
How To Reset Oil Life Remaining On A Chevy Silverado
20 Amazing Custom Chevy Silverado Emblems