Owners have filed 34 complaints
about the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 with NHTSA between 2018 and 2026.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 19 of 28 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 33
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Silverado 3500. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 30
5.9% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
75% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2019 compares with every other Chevrolet Silverado 3500
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
617.6%
Transmission & Drivetrain
514.7%
Median failure at 350 miles
Engine & Cooling
514.7%
Median failure at 30,100 miles
Other & Unspecified
411.8%
Median failure at 8,500 miles
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
411.8%
Fuel & Propulsion
411.8%
Median failure at 3,240 miles
Brakes
38.8%
Equipment & Accessories
12.9%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
12.9%
Airbags
12.9%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 63,000 mi
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
450.0%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
225.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
225.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Nov 2018peak 5May 2026
Recalls on the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
26V325000
AIR BAGS
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles. The left-side or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Risk: A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
26V166000
AIR BAGS
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 Crew Cab vehicles. The left or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Risk: A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
25V432000
AIR BAGS
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain 2018 GMC Sierra 1500, 2019 Sierra 2500, 3500, Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab vehicles. The left or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Risk: A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increases the risk of injury or crash.
24V756000
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2018-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 Crew Cab trucks. The left or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Risk: A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
23V047000
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 vehicles equipped with a dual fuel tank option. The rear fuel tank may collapse and prevent the fuel pump from transferring fuel to the front tank, resulting in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
21V496000
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500 and 2017-2019 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with a Duramax diesel 6.6 liter engine and an optional engine-block heater cord. An electrical short-circuit may occur in the engine-block heater cable or in the terminals that connect the heater cable to the block heater.
Risk: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
19V328000
ENGINE
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500, 5500 and 6500 vehicles and 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with Duramax 6.6 liter diesel engines and an optional engine-block heater. The engine block heater cord or the terminals that connect the heater cord to the block heater may short circuit and fail.
Risk: A short-circuit may damage the engine components and increase the risk of fire.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 63,000 milesBonney Lake, WACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
The contact, who owns a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, reported an incident that occurred while driving at approximately 35 MPH. A semi-truck, backing out of a warehouse across three lanes, collided with the driver's side of the contact's vehicle, causing damage to the entire left side. Despite the impact, no airbags were deployed. The collision exacerbated the contact's existing lower back and spine injuries, necessitating medical attention and ongoing physical therapy. A police report was filed following the incident. Although the vehicle was not towed, it was taken to a collision center, which determined that repairs could be made as the frame was not damaged. The contact consulted with the dealer, who was unable to confirm whether the airbag sensors had activated or failed. The manufacturer has not been informed of this potential airbag system failure. The vehicle's mileage at the time of the incident was approximately 63,000.
NHTSA complaint #11683400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 60,000 milesRedding, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that on several occasions at various speeds, the contact observed an exhaust odor coming into the cabin of the vehicle from the vents. The vehicle was taken to two dealers where the failure was not able to be replicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
NHTSA complaint #11740851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kalispell, MT
POWER TRAIN
Very hard downshift of transmission caused rear wheels to break traction on icy road. Vehicle slid sideways across the road nearly going over the edge of a steep downgrade.
NHTSA complaint #11722199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lennon, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Def pump and heater module had burned terminals. This caused failure to the def pump and heater module. This was the second instance of this happening on this truck in roughly 40,000 miles. Burned terminals can start electrical fires that are a danger to occupants and others in the vicinity. Failure of this system forces a drop in speed after so many miles that make you a danger on the road.
NHTSA complaint #11715205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lennon, MI
ENGINE
Def pump and heater module had burned terminals. This caused failure to the def pump and heater module. This was the second instance of this happening on this truck in roughly 40,000 miles. Burned terminals can start electrical fires that are a danger to occupants and others in the vicinity. Failure of this system forces a drop in speed after so many miles that make you a danger on the road.
NHTSA complaint #11715205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lennon, MI
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Def pump and heater module had burned terminals. This caused failure to the def pump and heater module. This was the second instance of this happening on this truck in roughly 40,000 miles. Burned terminals can start electrical fires that are a danger to occupants and others in the vicinity. Failure of this system forces a drop in speed after so many miles that make you a danger on the road.
NHTSA complaint #11715205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mesa, AZ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
There is a common and very dangerous electrical wire routing problem on my vehicle, along with 3 dozen others and my dads (separate but same truck) i confirmed with (FB group for owners of 17-19 L5P GMC diesel trucks) where the alternator positive wire from the alternator to the battery is run right along and across a rather sharp part of molding from the air intake tube. This routing location and rough intake plastic molding rubs through the alternator wire creating a possible electrical short/ corrosion problems that can lead to battery and electrical system compromise, as well as fire risk! A short-circuit condition can cause damage to engine components and, in rare cases, start a fire in the engine compartment. I have 92,000 miles on this 2019, my father has the problem starting on his at only 40,000 miles and may others have issues as well to very degrees of severity between 25 and 150k miles. I discovered this issue while performing routine air filter maintenance and happened to see the rub damage. no modifications have been done, this is the way the wire is routed from the factory. IMO and estimations This issue far supercedes the danger and severity of the recall that currently exists for the engine block heater cord for these models of trucks. 2 of the photos show the damage and exposed wire as soon as i found it. The last shows the location and the part that caused the rub damage along with a temporary mitigation method: electrical tape with a rubber hose installed as a buffer until a permanent fix can be installed.
NHTSA complaint #11696384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mesa, AZ
ENGINE
There is a common and very dangerous electrical wire routing problem on my vehicle, along with 3 dozen others and my dads (separate but same truck) i confirmed with (FB group for owners of 17-19 L5P GMC diesel trucks) where the alternator positive wire from the alternator to the battery is run right along and across a rather sharp part of molding from the air intake tube. This routing location and rough intake plastic molding rubs through the alternator wire creating a possible electrical short/ corrosion problems that can lead to battery and electrical system compromise, as well as fire risk! A short-circuit condition can cause damage to engine components and, in rare cases, start a fire in the engine compartment. I have 92,000 miles on this 2019, my father has the problem starting on his at only 40,000 miles and may others have issues as well to very degrees of severity between 25 and 150k miles. I discovered this issue while performing routine air filter maintenance and happened to see the rub damage. no modifications have been done, this is the way the wire is routed from the factory. IMO and estimations This issue far supercedes the danger and severity of the recall that currently exists for the engine block heater cord for these models of trucks. 2 of the photos show the damage and exposed wire as soon as i found it. The last shows the location and the part that caused the rub damage along with a temporary mitigation method: electrical tape with a rubber hose installed as a buffer until a permanent fix can be installed.
NHTSA complaint #11696384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coeur D'alene, ID
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Driving at hiway speed and towing a 40' travel trailer the transmission failed and put my family in grave danger. GM is aware of this issue as they have issued a service bulletin due to an engineering flaw.... ( transfer case input and out put shaft failure) This needs to be a recall before someone is killed or injured ( wheels locking up at hiway speeds)
NHTSA complaint #11694954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coeur D'alene, ID
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Driving at hiway speed and towing a 40' travel trailer the transmission failed and put my family in grave danger. GM is aware of this issue as they have issued a service bulletin due to an engineering flaw.... ( transfer case input and out put shaft failure) This needs to be a recall before someone is killed or injured ( wheels locking up at hiway speeds)
NHTSA complaint #11694954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Driving at hiway speed and towing a 40' travel trailer the transmission failed and put my family in grave danger. GM is aware of this issue as they have issued a service bulletin due to an engineering flaw.... ( transfer case input and out put shaft failure) This needs to be a recall before someone is killed or injured ( wheels locking up at hiway speeds)
NHTSA complaint #11694954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,000 milesBonney Lake, WACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
The contact, who owns a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, reported an incident that occurred while driving at approximately 35 MPH. A semi-truck, backing out of a warehouse across three lanes, collided with the driver's side of the contact's vehicle, causing damage to the entire left side. Despite the impact, no airbags were deployed. The collision exacerbated the contact's existing lower back and spine injuries, necessitating medical attention and ongoing physical therapy. A police report was filed following the incident. Although the vehicle was not towed, it was taken to a collision center, which determined that repairs could be made as the frame was not damaged. The contact consulted with the dealer, who was unable to confirm whether the airbag sensors had activated or failed. The manufacturer has not been informed of this potential airbag system failure. The vehicle's mileage at the time of the incident was approximately 63,000.
NHTSA complaint #11683400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mims, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1st incident: When driving the vehicle dashboard shut off, no indicators working such as speedometer, gauges etc and brakes were not working, luckily I was in a 60 miles an hour zone so I had to just let the vehicle come to a gravity stop. To turn off the engine and start it back up again. 2nd incident: when driving the dash lights turned off and on like flickering on and off and all the gauges mentioned above did not work, and brakes did not work. This is very scary! All power in the truck is lost while driving and braking issue!
NHTSA complaint #11677598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mims, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
1st incident: When driving the vehicle dashboard shut off, no indicators working such as speedometer, gauges etc and brakes were not working, luckily I was in a 60 miles an hour zone so I had to just let the vehicle come to a gravity stop. To turn off the engine and start it back up again. 2nd incident: when driving the dash lights turned off and on like flickering on and off and all the gauges mentioned above did not work, and brakes did not work. This is very scary! All power in the truck is lost while driving and braking issue!
NHTSA complaint #11677598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1st incident: When driving the vehicle dashboard shut off, no indicators working such as speedometer, gauges etc and brakes were not working, luckily I was in a 60 miles an hour zone so I had to just let the vehicle come to a gravity stop. To turn off the engine and start it back up again. 2nd incident: when driving the dash lights turned off and on like flickering on and off and all the gauges mentioned above did not work, and brakes did not work. This is very scary! All power in the truck is lost while driving and braking issue!
NHTSA complaint #11677598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Round Rock, TX
ENGINE
I continually receive a “Low coolant “ warning on my dash. While the truck was under warranty, the dealership replaced the coolant reservoir which contains the coolant level sensor. Now that my vehicle is no longer under warranty they refuse to fix the problem unless I pay for it. The dealership has refused to acknowledge that there is a problem even after replacing it three times.
NHTSA complaint #11638614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eagle, ID
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Known recall. Heating elements on the rear windows cause the window to explode. They said they remedied the recall in 2020 but it just happened when my husband started driving out of the driveway after remote start and warming the car. If a child or pet would have been in the back seat or he was in traffic, it could have caused harm to others.
NHTSA complaint #11632630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, NE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Service trailer brake system appears and my trailer brake information doesn’t show up on the dashboard when I try to manually engage the electric trailer brakes.
NHTSA complaint #11585338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, NE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL
Service trailer brake system appears and my trailer brake information doesn’t show up on the dashboard when I try to manually engage the electric trailer brakes.
NHTSA complaint #11585338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stone Mountain, GA
POWER TRAIN
There was oil leaking from my rear wheel causing loss of brakes and lots of smoke, almost caught on fire. Dealer stated that there was a defective rear wheel seal. There was loss of braking control on wet pavement from precipitation.
NHTSA complaint #11567405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stone Mountain, GA
SERVICE BRAKES
There was oil leaking from my rear wheel causing loss of brakes and lots of smoke, almost caught on fire. Dealer stated that there was a defective rear wheel seal. There was loss of braking control on wet pavement from precipitation.
NHTSA complaint #11567405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palm Desert, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
The right brake caliper malfunctioned and is available for inspection from dealer. There was significant safety risk due to the fact all brake power was lost making the vehicle very difficult to stop. The dealer confirmed the caliper failed. The component has not been inspected. No warning, or symptoms and vehicle is maintained at dealer at recommended intervals.
NHTSA complaint #11547359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yucaipa, CA
POWER TRAIN
Transmission exploded from the inside causing catastrophic failure that could have resulted in death. Milage on vehicle was 20k. No indication of transmission issues on warning sensors in the car or through feeling the transmission slipping or hearing any noises before it occurred
NHTSA complaint #11531433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Standish, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The electrical connector vibrated loose at the injector. The mechanic said he has seen this happen before and GM said its because those motors vibrate excessively. It caused my vehicle to run in reduced power mode. In that mode it was lurching forward uncontrollably and it felt like the transmission was banging. What damage will that alone cause in the future? Also, if GM knows there is an issue, why isn't it fixed? Why is the consumer responsible for poor engineering or design flaws? It isn't normal wear and tear or neglect on my part. The repairs including the part and the rental car cost me $640.45! Oddly enough it wasn't covered under any extended warranty or recall so I had to pay out of pocket. Very dangerous and expensive!
NHTSA complaint #11522066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clermont, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Truck was parked, windows up with the key/FOB partially inserted into the ignition. Spare key/FOB was approximately 2 miles away. Mid afternoon on Saturday I could hear a vehicle start run for a few seconds and shut off. I assumed it was a neighbors vehicle. This occurred at least 5 times and it peaked my interest. It was my truck starting on its own. I went outside and opened the drivers door… the radio stopped playing and the dash went dark. It has not repeated since Saturday. Mileage 41256. Approximately 3 months ago the radio would automatically scroll/change channels…GM said it was not covered under warranty. So I decided to let it go. About 3 weeks ago the radio started working okay.
NHTSA complaint #11464856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elko New Market, MN
EQUIPMENT
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V496000 (Equipment) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called the local dealer who stated that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified but, no further assistance was provided. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11442517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.