FaultScore

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 engine problems

466 of the 4,995 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 are about the engine — 9% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2001.

466

Complaints

9%

Share of all complaints

4

Crashes

31

Fires

Engine & Cooling complaints by model year

Median failure at 129,023 miles

Median failure at 134,274 miles

Median failure at 102,532 miles

Median failure at 63,750 miles

Median failure at 65,000 miles

Median failure at 83,500 miles

Median failure at 103,000 miles

Median failure at 80,000 miles

Median failure at 78,500 miles

Median failure at 40,000 miles

Median failure at 32,000 miles

Median failure at 43,750 miles

Median failure at 26,618 miles

Median failure at 74,000 miles

Median failure at 78,000 miles

Median failure at 41,000 miles

Median failure at 151,500 miles

Median failure at 12,500 miles

Median failure at 117,000 miles

Median failure at 57,000 miles

Median failure at 20,000 miles

Median failure at 21,638 miles

Median failure at 25,000 miles

Median failure at 102,500 miles

Median failure at 4,200 miles

Median failure at 16,980 miles

Median failure at 56,000 miles

Median failure at 3,200 miles

Median failure at 21,015 miles

What owners said

2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Bozeman, MT

ENGINE

While driving at a speed of around 40 mph on a paved city street in Bozeman, MT, I heard and felt a Super loud clunk in my Chevy engine transmission or drive train.. I immediately stopped to see if something ran into the vehicle. No apparent visual damage of any kind. It felt and sounded like like something jammed within the transmission or drive train. The truck has less than 12k miles and has been babied so far. I love the truck. Oil level is normal and nothing leaking underneath..I took it immediately to Billion GMC in Bozeman. They found nothing wrong however the service manager recounted this regarding another customer who described the exact same issue with the same year vehicle and same transmission: Another GMC owner experienced the same symptom before the transmission seized at highway speed and locked the wheels. Because this presents a potential loss-of-control hazard, I am requesting that Chevrolet open a Technical Assistance Center case, document all diagnostic findings in writing, and determine whether the vehicle is safe to operate before returning it to me. The service manager who recounted this event is named Jay.

NHTSA complaint #11758589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 at 83,000 miles Van Buren, AR

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission was slipping. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 60-70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. No warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. Upon inspection, the contact became aware of a coolant leak underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the turbo coolant inlet had fractured. The part was replaced. Additionally, the dealer determined that the transmission was in working order upon inspection; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

NHTSA complaint #11753138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Rancho Cordova, CA

ENGINE

First started around 4 to 6000 miles, felt a shuttering between 50 and 65 mph. Shattering lasted from 10 to maybe 30 seconds let off the fuel and reapplied still there on one or two occasions. RPMs were approximately 2000 RPM shattering stopped in our PMs went down to 1500. This is occurred many times taken to a dealership always get same result, no problem found. Problem always occurs just after a transmission shift which I can tell by RPM. When I apply gas shuttering sometimes increases not always. Also noticed that sometimes shifting on a flat surface 65 miles an hour engine will speed up to almost 2000 RPM and when it goes to shift back, I get a clunk or sometimes a shutter normal cruising is about 1500 RPM at 65 mile an hour. I didn’t notice towing an empty trailer about 2600 pounds shattering seemed worse. With no Trailer I sometimes get erratic shifting where RPM goes 1500 to 2000 to 2500 and then back down again then back up again then it can shift all the way back to 1500 RPM still maintaining 65 mph. Also another problem may be connected to transmission, but I have pulled out into traffic pushed on the pedal and it feels like the truck has no power push on the pedal a little bit more still no power and all of a sudden it’s like everything kicks in RPMs, increase rapidly and truck accelerates extremely fast, throwing things off the dash moving things on the floorboard. Sometimes I see that a downshift occurs and RPMs increase other times I see RPM staying right at the 2000 mark and it still occurs almost got rear ended a couple of times. Check engine light has been on one dealership said they pulled over 40 codes. Still they all claim can’t duplicate problem. Yes I agree it is random but with me watching telemeter and County shift points biggest problem area is fourth gear fifth gear and sixth gear.

NHTSA complaint #11752372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Lookout, WV

ENGINE

2018 Chevy Silverado 2500Diesel Duramax (63,000 miles & Garage kept) While pulling 37' camper on flat terrain, Push Rod bent and broke in half - violently shaking and missing; Engine was ruined. Engine light did not appear until after it started shaking. Luckily this happened before crossing over steep mountain where we would not have been able to get off road or control vehicle and camper behind us. Truck was towed to Chevy dealership; had to wait until 10 days to learn extent of damage. Repair cost was going to be $26,000 and though our truck's trade in value was $37000 before this event, we were offered just $12000 for trade in. Though we had been led to believe that a Chevy Duramax was highly regarded for durability and longevity, we decided to purchase a RAM Truck. NO MORE CHEVYS for us! Contacted Chevy Customer Assistance but because we traded, they would not offer any financial assistance because we took the dealership's offer and traded the next day. We just couldn't stand a $26000 hit on an 8 year old vehicle and had to absorb that amount with our trade in.

NHTSA complaint #11747241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Canon City, CO

ENGINE

My 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD High Country 6.6L Duramax engine has an exhaust leak that causes diesel exhaust to travel into the pickup's cab through the outside air vent and air conditioning system during the exhaust system's regeneration. This occurs when the regeneration occurs in city driving especially at low speeds, stop lights, stop signs, parking lots, etc. The pickup has been to the dealer to find and make necessary repairs twice and is currently at the dealer's shop for the third time. This issue with the 6.6L Duramax pickups appears to be a common theme amongst owners and GM should be providing dealers with the appropriate fix with a recall of the exhaust system. This is a safety hazard as carbon monoxide enters the cab with the diesel exhaust and must be rectified. On my pickup, this started at approximately 55,000 miles. Thank you for your prompt attention to this serious air quality issue inside the pickups' cabs.

NHTSA complaint #11738976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Anchorage, AK

ENGINE

2020 3.0 diesel duramax sucked in the antifreeze and caused a hydrolock. The dealer says that it is not covered under warranty since the engine was over 100k miles. They did offer a new engine for $30K which I declined. The truck was always well taken care of and only received the best in all products

NHTSA complaint #11737820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Corinth, ME

ENGINE

Truck will not release the key consistently upon shutting down the truck. The interlock will not allow it to turn fully off and pull out despite being placed in park.

NHTSA complaint #11736161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Louisville, KY

ENGINE

On or about March 14, 2026 vehicle in question stopped working, losing all power and gave a message that the vehicle was over heating and to turn off immediately. A large amount of steam emitted through the coolant reservoir that was a mixture of oil and coolant. Vehicle was towed to a manufacturer service location. The oil/coolant system ruptured damaging the radiator, thermostat, hoses and related parts. Vehicle with low mileage/hours was consuming engine oil at what one would consider a greater rate. ( 1 quart every other day). Our organization is aware that the diesel model of this truck had a recall for a oil/cooling system issue and we believe the same liability may lay with the gas version. Mileage was approximately 13,000 at time of breakdown.

NHTSA complaint #11731427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Bronx, NY

ENGINE

I was driving the truck on my way to work in [XXX] , last March 12, 2026, at around 6:50 am. It was raining when I entered the exit ramp to work going west; the truck died, and the steering wheel locked. I tried to start it, but it wouldn't. The dashboard displayed: 'Trailer Park Brake Failed,' 'Power Steering Pump Needs Service,' and 'Axle Repair Error.' I was on the exit ramp for a highway that runs north and south, and I could have been t-boned; it was still dark. The truck was towed to Curry Chevrolet in Scarsdale. They said it was the ECM and ordered the part. They installed the new ECM module last Tuesday, March 17. The service manager called me and said they tested the truck, but it is still showing active codes. A GM advisor called me saying the truck should be ready for pickup this Friday. However, this afternoon, I got a call from the service manager saying there is another issue—the engine wiring harness—and they will order the part; now it will not be ready until next week. GM owes me my life. I do not want to drive the vehicle. The service department people at Curry Chevrolet are very professional, but did I pay and spend a lot of money for a garbage truck? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11725674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Springdale, AR

ENGINE

GM should be ashamed of themselves not covering the shift to park issue that they have created. This is a known issue and should be recalled. It is impacting thousands of consumers.

NHTSA complaint #11724985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Lemont, IL

ENGINE

Similar to the issues that were on the gas version of this engine and the recall associated with it. The engine seized on the expressway. When it was towed to the dealership, they said it was catastrophic engine failure. They found a lot metal shavings in the oil pan. They did not diagnose any further due to cost. At the time it happened, there were no warning lights or check engine lights on.

NHTSA complaint #11724650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Silverdale, WA

ENGINE

My 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Bison ZR2 (VIN [XXX] ) suddenly lost all power steering, acceleration, and propulsion while driving my children to school at approximately 8:00 AM on March 16, 2026. The truck came to a complete stop with no warning lights or prior indication. This matches the exact ‘critical issue with the engine and transmission system’ alert I received from OnStar Advanced Diagnostics the same morning. Steering was completely unresponsive and I had no acceleration. My children were passengers — this was extremely dangerous. I have not driven the vehicle since and have requested towing to the dealer. Please investigate under any open probes into 2024 Silverado HD power-loss and steering failures. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11724634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Peoria, AZ

ENGINE

The Variable Geometry Turbocharger Actuator failed on my 2019 2500HD Silverado. There was a significant decrease in power. This was most noticeable on uphill grades where speed would drop to between 35 and 40 mph on a 75mph speed limit highway. On several occasions, vehicles came close to hitting me because of my slow speed.

NHTSA complaint #11724249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 at 194,000 miles Livingston, TX

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and it was determined that the injection pump needed to be replaced, and that the vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The contact researched and became aware of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 194,000.

NHTSA complaint #11721971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 at 50,616 miles Omaha, NE

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, and DTC: P133X (Cylinder X Glow Plug Failure) was retrieved. The contact was informed that the Glow Plug needed to be replaced and reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred with a different Glow Plug five months later. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determinedthat Glow Plug #3 had failed, and DTC: P0673, P0607, and P133A were retrieved. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,616.

NHTSA complaint #11718543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 at 173,794 miles New London, NC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The check engine warning light illuminated, and the messages "Service Emission System”, “See Owner's Manual", and "65 MPH Max Speed" were displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the diesel exhaust fluid gas tank connector terminal had overheated, and the gas tank and the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The vehicle remained at the dealer. The contact associated the failure to the Global Warranty Management: N212342980. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 173,794.

NHTSA complaint #11717625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Coamo, PR

ENGINE

The check engine light goes on continously and it goes to limp mode. The truck cannot be driven daily and most of the time is in the dealer fixing the updates or computer. It is not an equipment problem but a computer problem.

NHTSA complaint #11713133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Almont, MI

ENGINE

first issue was around April-May 2025 when my engine started knocking and burning fuel. Warning light came on and it went right in to the dealer where I have all my maintenance done. They determined that it due to (2) faulty fuel injectors and I had them replaced at that time. In December of 2025 my engine started doing the same thing as before with the knocking and burning fuel and reduced speeds when on the highway so again it went into the dealer. It has since been in there and first was told it was the fuel injector again. They priced out the one was bad and I asked them to replace the remaining 6 fuel injectors so I didn't have this issue again in the near future. They did and the vehicle had the same issues going on. During the next inspection it was determined that the engine needed new rocker arms. These were replaced but this also did not solve the problem and the vehicle would not pass the regeneration on the engine. During the next inspection it was determined that we needed to replace a cylinder and one of the valves. After this was complete they were still having issues and then I was told that the Piston was bad and there are (2) bad valves so I need an entire engine replacement. My truck only has 130,000 miles and has been in the shop for almost 2 months last year from engine issues and it has had all maintenance completed at he same dealership with Records.

NHTSA complaint #11711815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Depew, OK

ENGINE

My 2024 Chevrolet 2500HD Duramax experienced a forced emissions derate event with a speed-limited countdown. The vehicle suddenly lost normal operating capability and became unsafe and undrivable. The truck was disabled in Enid, Oklahoma and had to be recovered and transported to a dealership. Prior to failure, the vehicle showed abnormal DEF/emissions behavior. The failure involves the SCR/DEF emissions system. I later confirmed this vehicle has a completed Product Emissions Recall for SCR Fault Detection. Despite that recall, the emissions system failed and triggered a derate and loss-of-mobility event. The truck is currently at Classic Chevrolet in Owasso, OK for diagnosis.

NHTSA complaint #11710700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Moline, IL

ENGINE

My pickup truck has a Duramax diesel engine with a CP4 diesel injection pump. That pump has not failed yet in my truck. However it has been known to fail in numerous other GM vehicles with Duramax engines and when it does fail the engine comes to a complete stop and cannot be restarted. This is a potentially hazardous even fatal situation. Repair if the pump fails is very expensive - $12,000 to $14,000 in some cases. I would like GM to replace the injection pump at my dealership to ensure this known failure does not occur. My pickup truck is otherwise in excellent condition.

NHTSA complaint #11710097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Chevrolet Silverado 2500 problems