93 of the 4,995 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 2% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1997.
93
Complaints
2%
Share of all complaints
3
Crashes
6
Fires
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
Of If I turn on the truck the air conditioner doesn’t work. It takes around 30 mins to turn on . It’s summer time and I shouldn’t be going through this. It’s hot outside. I’m sweating my butt off.
NHTSA complaint #11752708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that after remote starting the vehicle, the contact entered the vehicle, and there was smoke coming from the rear window defroster. The contact turned off the defroster and discovered that the plastic cover had melted, and the metal tab had detached and was burned. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: N192265660 (Rear Window Defroster Thermal Events - US Only); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 163,000.
NHTSA complaint #11733605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH with the rear defroster activated, there was an electrical burning odor inside the cabin of the vehicle before the rear window cracked and then shattered. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the Extended Warranty Coverage related to the failure. The rear window was replaced by the local glass repair shop. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving, and the rear window shattered while a grandson was seated in the rear seat. During the failure, there was no injury sustained. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
NHTSA complaint #11715217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Very limited while driving in the dark cause head lights go off and can’t drive in the rain or snow cause wipers turn off not save for my family and I and other drivers on the road Thai all happen, After the dealer (Lithia Chevrolet of Redding, CA) performed GM recall programming on the Serial Data Gateway Module (SDGM) and related software updates, my truck began having serious electrical failures. Immediately after the recall work, all exterior lights, interior lights, and trailer lights began flickering on and off while driving. The windshield wipers also pause or stop for a moment when this happens. None of these issues existed before the recall. This appears to be a module reset or corrupted calibration caused during the recall reprogramming. GM has already told NHTSA that they have hundreds of field complaints about flickering headlamps on 2024 trucks, and they identified lighting flicker as a safety defect. My symptoms match those issues exactly. The dealer refuses to accept responsibility, saying the recall is “closed,” but the electrical failure only began immediately after their programming. This is a safety hazard when driving at night or in the rain, and it affects the trailer braking/lighting circuits as well. I have an active GM case opened for this issue. The truck is unsafe to operate in this condition. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether the recall programming is causing electrical module failures and whether additional action is needed.
NHTSA complaint #11702451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Can not see when driving in reverse in the dark. Camera image appears as a red fog and I can't see a thing. I tried using the rear view mirrors and again could not see anything. Totally driving in reverse in the blind. Absolute safety issue that needs to be addressed. I don't know if this is a camera issue, a lighting issue or both. I have an appointment with the dealership I purchased the vehicle from on 10/23/2025 to address the problem explained above. I purchased this vehicle as a used unit with less than 8,000 miles and this was the first time I had the occasion to operate the vehicle in reverse in the dark.
NHTSA complaint #11693672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Rear back-up camera is intermittent and is a safety concern due to the size of the vehicle. I makes it un-safe when backing up. This has been happening more and more. Screen is either black or icon displays that the camera is not working.
NHTSA complaint #11639388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11637879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Sudden and violent shattering of the rear window during the use of the rear defogger. The passenger side panel of the rear window on my 2015 2500HD LTZ suddenly and violently shattered on 12/09/2024. Glass fell out of the window while traveling on the highway at 70 MPH! The attached images appear to indicate the shattering started from the lower corner of the window nearest the sliding section and the center of the window is where the glass blew out of the window. Replacement is scheduled and will cost me my $500 deductible and insurance company approximately an additional $350+.
NHTSA complaint #11630404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that upon approaching the vehicle from the rear, there was smoke coming from the rear window defroster. The contact stated that shortly afterwards the rear window cracked and then shattered. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,000.
NHTSA complaint #11629290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
This is not a failure, just a poor design for cold temperatures. The windshield wipers are set low on the windshield, below where the defroster can reach. When it is cold/snowing outside, (which it does a lot in the Alaskan interior), the wipers remove the melted water from the windshield and push it down to where the wipers sit in the off position. This causes a major buildup of ice very quickly and the wipers freeze to the glass and collect ice. Then, when the driver attempts to clear more melting snow, the ice that is frozen to the wipers just creates major streaking and poor visibility.
NHTSA complaint #11628100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked with the engine idling for approximately ten minutes, the rear crew cab window suddenly shattered. During the failure, the rear window defroster was activated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,000.
NHTSA complaint #11617735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Runs weird and windshield is broke
NHTSA complaint #11589803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Windshield wipers stopped working on 4/23/24 while driving in the rain.
NHTSA complaint #11584921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Rear window frame is leaking during rain or heavy dew. Causing saturated headliner, seats and carpet. Mold could develop and become a health factor. My 2 kids always ride in the back seat. This is a known issue for GM and are not taking action to correct this problem. Vehicle started leaking with 25,000 miles.
NHTSA complaint #11570200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I was driving with my front and rear motoried window defrost on because its cold outside right now when I started smelling something burning. I turned down the defrost knob. I opened the driver side window to air our the smell when suddenly the rear motorized window defrost sparked up into flames while I was driving. It was in full on burning up in flames. I pulled over and luckily I was able to put out the fire. I have contacted GM because when I google this issue it states GM put out a recall on 2014-2019 Silverado HD trucks but upon speaking with a GM customer representative my truck there is no such recall on these trucks. I could have been killed or worse killed someone else on the road. I am considering getting a lawyer involved with this issue.
NHTSA complaint #11568772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
The wipers stopped working during heavy rain in the middle of Highway. Can hear the motor running, but the wipers fail to operate. If I operate it by hand while the switch is on low or high, I can move the blades full cycles, but it does not operate on its own. I believe it is the wiper transmission at fault like many other Chevrolet models (Equinox, Impalas, etc). It was highly dangerous, as in the middle of highway I totally lost my awareness of surroundings. This is unacceptable and dangerous problem, and should be recalled if affected by significant number of owners.
NHTSA complaint #11526645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER SYSTEM STARTED SMOKING AND THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER NOR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED OR INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #11383951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE REAR WINDOW RIGHT PANEL SUDDENLY AND SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED
NHTSA complaint #11312076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
DRIVING 20 MPH, ON A FLAT SURFACE, NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, MY REAR WINDOW SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. I STOPPED THE TRUCK TO GET OUT AND LOOK AT IT, AND CANT FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED. TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED, WITH NO LUCK. WENT TO SAFELITE AND THEY SAID THEY GET ALOT OF SIMILAR VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUE. NOTHING HIT THE WINDOW, NOTHING TOUCHED THE WINDOW AND THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS DAMAGE TO THE WINDOW. JUST BLEW OUTWARD ON ITS OWN.
NHTSA complaint #11296739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
REMOTE STARTED MY VEHICLE AND AFTER ABOUT 8 MINUTES INSERTED IGNITION KEY AND BEGAN DRIVING AT LESS THAN 10 TO 12 MPH. WITHIN 2 TO 3 MINUTES BEGAN TO NOTICE SPARKS AND SMOKE FROM THE BACK SEAT AREA AND IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER WITH CAR STILL RUNNING. UPON INSPECTION FOUND WINDOW DEFROSTER SPARKING AND EMITTING SMOKE. FRONT PASSENGER TURNED OFF REAR DEFROSTER AND FIRE / SMOKE / SPARKING STOPPED. DEFROSTER WAS ON BECAUSE VEHICLE HAD REMOTE STARTED AND NOT BY OPERATOR ACTION. I'M EFFORT TO GET SMOKE OUT - BRIEFLY OPENED REAR SLIDER AND UPON CLOSING A COUPLE SECONDS LATER REAR PASSENGER TEMPERED DEFROST GLASS CRACKED. EXPERIENCED FIRE, SMOKE AS WELL AS A BROKEN REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW AS DESCRIBED BY THE CANADIAN RECALL AUTHORITY UNDER N192220470. THIS CANADIAN RECALL ONLY AFFECTS TRUCKS THAT ARE PHYSICALLY LOCATED IN CANADA AND ISN'T COVERED BY VIN. APPARENTLY, THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN EQUIVALENT RECALL FOR THIS REAR DEFROSTER ISSUE MADE IN THE U.S. THE RECALL NUMBER IS
NHTSA complaint #11292194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.