Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2014–2018
3rd generation (K2XX)
NHTSA data through 12 August 20266,368 complaints, 3,743 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 29,000 and 79,000 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 22 complaints (0.6%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 5,000
- 25%
- 29,000
- Median
- 52,000
- 75%
- 79,000
- 90%
- 110,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 369 | 9.9% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 115 | 3.1% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 126 | 3.4% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 129 | 3.4% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 96 | 2.6% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 113 | 3.0% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 135 | 3.6% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 218 | 5.8% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 233 | 6.2% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 204 | 5.5% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 238 | 6.4% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 152 | 4.1% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 206 | 5.5% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 153 | 4.1% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 182 | 4.9% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 149 | 4.0% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 136 | 3.6% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 112 | 3.0% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 73 | 2.0% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 89 | 2.4% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 77 | 2.1% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 54 | 1.4% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 59 | 1.6% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 41 | 1.1% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 53 | 1.4% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 33 | 0.9% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 30 | 0.8% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 25 | 0.7% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 14 | 0.4% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 22 | 0.6% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 13 | 0.3% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 7 | 0.2% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 12 | 0.3% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 9 | 0.2% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 9 | 0.2% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 7 | 0.2% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 14 | 0.4% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 4 | 0.1% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 6 | 0.2% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 4 | 0.1% |
| 200,000+ | 22 | 0.6% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 6,368 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014–2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, and 3,743 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 29,000 and 79,000 miles. The median is 52,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the brakes (17.8% of complaints, typically around 55,000 miles), the electrical system (13.3% of complaints, typically around 55,000 miles), the transmission and driveline (13.2% of complaints, typically around 51,000 miles).
19 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Brakes55,000median 55,000 miles, middle half 40,000 to 75,000
- Electrical system55,000median 54,786 miles, middle half 35,000 to 80,000
- Transmission and driveline51,000median 51,000 miles, middle half 13,000 to 96,000
- Steering55,000median 55,000 miles, middle half 35,000 to 85,000
- Engine56,000median 56,500 miles, middle half 33,000 to 80,000
- Problems owners could not categorise49,000median 49,000 miles, middle half 24,000 to 69,000
- Electronic stability control (esc)57,000median 56,764 miles, middle half 36,000 to 83,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 1,132 | 17.8% | 55,000 | 40,000–75,000 |
| Electrical system | 846 | 13.3% | 55,000 | 35,000–80,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 839 | 13.2% | 51,000 | 13,000–96,000 |
| Steering | 774 | 12.2% | 55,000 | 35,000–85,000 |
| Engine | 603 | 9.5% | 56,000 | 33,000–80,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 542 | 8.5% | 49,000 | 24,000–69,000 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 225 | 3.5% | 57,000 | 36,000–83,000 |
| Body structure | 187 | 2.9% | 44,000 | 12,000–67,000 |
| Airbag system | 172 | 2.7% | 46,000 | 23,000–69,000 |
| Suspension | 145 | 2.3% | 14,000 | 2,000–38,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 52,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The brakes account for 17.8% of complaints (1,132 reports, 702 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 55,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 40,000 and 75,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 13.3% of complaints (846 reports, 448 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 54,786 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 35,000 and 80,200 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 13.2% of complaints (839 reports, 387 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 51,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 13,000 and 96,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 12.2% of complaints (774 reports, 529 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 55,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 35,000 and 85,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 9.5% of complaints (603 reports, 309 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 56,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 33,000 and 80,200 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 8.5% of complaints (542 reports, 292 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 49,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 24,000 and 68,650 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2014 model year drew the most — 2,196 complaints — while 2018 drew the fewest at 748. The median year sits at 1,046.
That makes 2014 an outlier: roughly 2.1 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 19 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (6), the seat belts (4), the hydraulic brake circuit (4). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 6,368 complaints filed against this generation, 319 reported a crash; 88 reported a fire; 159 reported an injury; 15 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 5.0% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 29,000 and 79,000 miles, with a median of 52,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the brakes and the electrical system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The electrical system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 54,786, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Transmission (8l90) 2015–2018
Torque-converter shudder and harsh 2-3 / 3-4 shifts traced to the original Dexron-VI fluid formulation; GM's fix was a flush to Mobil 1 Dexron HP fluid, with repeat failures common. Same defect family as the 8L45.
Engine (5.3l/6.2l Afm) 2014–2018
AFM lifter collapse on the deactivating cylinders, frequently taking out the camshaft; owner reports cluster around 100k-120k miles.
Engine (5.3l) 2014–2018
Continued excessive oil consumption on the Gen V L83, from piston-ring sealing and AFM oil management.
Hvac 2014–2018
A/C condenser and evaporator leaks causing loss of cooling, a high-volume complaint on this body.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 2,196 | 1,583 |
| 2015 | 1,421 | 854 |
| 2016 | 1,046 | 616 |
| 2017 | 957 | 403 |
| 2018 | 748 | 287 |
Recalls (19)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 26V325000 | 2026-06-24 | Air Bags |
| 26V166000 | 2026-04-16 | Air Bags |
| 25V432000 | 2025-07-18 | Air Bags |
| 24V756000 | 2024-11-08 | Air Bags:side/Window:curtain:inflator |
| 21V504000 | 2022-05-05 | Air Bags:side/Window:curtain:inflator |
| 21V245000 | 2021-05-05 | Seat Belts:front |
| 20V603000 | 2020-11-11 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum |
| 19V761000 | 2019-12-11 | Service Brakes |
| 19V645000 | 2019-10-08 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum |
| 18V586000 | 2018-10-12 | Steering:electric Power Assist System |
| 18V578000 | 2018-10-03 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals and Linkages |
| 18V291000 | 2018-06-19 | Seat Belts:front |
| 17V487000 | 2017-09-25 | Child Seat:tether: Connector/Clip |
| 17V414000 | 2017-08-10 | Steering:electric Power Assist System |
| 17V437000 | 2017-08-04 | Seat Belts:pretensioner |
| 16V651000 | 2016-10-13 | Seat Belts:pretensioner |
| 16V256000 | 2016-05-18 | Suspension:front:control Arm |
| 16V069000 | 2016-03-14 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals and Linkages |
| 20V736000 | — | Air Bags:side/Window:curtain:inflator |
What owners reported
I was pulling into work and brake peddle got stiff then no brakes i was baking into parking spot and concrete wall stopped the truck i took it straight to the dealer and they said vacuum pump and brake booster needed to be replaced a service bulletin was out for it but was not under warranty and it would cost $1000…
2014 · Brakes
Transmission issues: surges forward and shifting too soon loud clunks when it shifts up and down lower gears vibration when coasting to a stop difficulty/hesitation on shifting properly on acceleration loud clunking at downshift from 3rd to 2nd gear and vise versa and also a clunk shift when the vehicle…
2014 · 3 miles · Transmission and driveline
While driving vehicle on city street, going straight or turning, voltage will go down and result in the truck cutting out (radio) lights flicker (headlights and dash lights) and service stabitrak will come on dash then the airbag light will come on. With final result of having surges of power steering with voltage…
2014 · 3 miles · Electronic stability control (esc)
The vehicle was purchased on august 27th 2014 and had a bad vibration on the drive home. It has a wobble sensation at 35-45 MPH felt strongest at 43 MPH that feels like it has a bent wheel but it doesnt. When you get to 65-70 MPH there is a strong vibration from the truck felt strongest at 68 MPH and it only occurs on…
2014 · 4 miles · Transmission and driveline
Built from 3,743 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page