Which Year Models of Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500 to Avoid
2014 Chevrolet Silverado High Country by AlBargan — CC BY-ND 2.0
General Motors introduced the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 in 1999 and has continued refining and updating the series with new models over the years. One of the most reliable full-size pickup trucks on the market, the Silverado 1500 is now in its fourth generation.
You should expect a ride with strength and style if you’re purchasing a Silverado, but not all year models will give you this. Luckily, CoPilot is here to steer you in the right direction!
Quick Answer: Avoid Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Year Models 2012 - 2019
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has had a period of several rocky years in its recent history. From 2012 to 2019, each Silverado year model was littered with issues. The 2012 and 2013 year models have a few dozen reported problems, mainly about faulty engines and transmissions.
2014 Silverados have the highest number of complaints by far, with a significant portion of them relating to A/C and heating defects. More serious concerns like the truck stalling while driving has also been reported. The 2015 year model is also one of the worst ones you can buy. It has a litany of problems, and many have transmission failures.
The 2016 and 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500s are also infamous for transmission issues. These two are highly likely to surge and jerk or have your transmission fail outright. 2018 and 2019 Silverados don’t have many complaints, but the reported defects are troublesome. They occur at low mileages and can ruin your driving experience.
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Which Year Models of Chevrolet Silverado 1500 are Safe to Buy Used?
At its best, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a powerhouse on the road with plenty of storage and a solid frame. Fourth-generation Silverados even include aluminum hoods, doors, and tailgates. There are many perfectly reasonable year models available for purchase, and we recommend the following.
- 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Most Silverado 1500s in the first, second, and fourth generations will be solid purchases. The truck had no complaints for any of its year models until 2012, except for the 2002. Even still, the 2002 Silverado has very few complaints, and issues don’t tend to pop up until over 100,000 miles.
Some reported problems include a hub going out or rusted brake lines, with most costing an average of about $1,000 to fix. These are minor problems and shouldn’t present danger to you, and aren’t anything to worry about. The 2020 Silverado is also very reliable, with no known issues. Overall, you can’t go wrong with any of these Chevrolet Silverado 1500 year models.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEARS FOR THE CHEVY SILVERADO 1500
Some Silverado years are more reliable than others. We’ve taken a look at every Silverado to determine which years are the most reliable and therefore worth buying as used.
Which Year Models of Chevrolet Silverado 1500 to Avoid:
Despite being a well-built and sturdy pickup truck on paper, not every Silverado is worth purchasing. The truck had an unfortunate 8-year run in its recent history where each year model released had many reported problems. We don’t recommend buying these year models.
- 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Faulty Silverados start with the 2012 year model. Along with the 2013 one, this one has a poor transmission and engine. It’s not unlikely that you’d experience excessive oil consumption, vibration, or outright transmission failure if you went with one of these models, potentially costing you upwards of $3,000.
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The entire third generation of the Chevrolet Silverado (2014-2018) is rife with problems. The 2014 Silverado has had more complaints than any other year model. It’s widely known that this year model has a faulty A/C unit that will probably need to be replaced around 60,000 miles. If you’re unlucky, the 2014 might even put you in danger if it stalls or completely stops while driving, an issue reported by dozens of customers.
This model’s problems are rounded out by body and interior accessories issues. The 2015’s main faults lie within its transmission and A/C unit as well, though it’s a bit safer than the 2014. This model’s transmission shifts poorly but is less likely to fail on you entirely. Either way, its defects could incur costs over $5,000 as early as 30,000 miles.
A 2016 and 2017 Silverado will give you the same problems, mainly with a poor transmission. Both trucks have a nasty tendency to surge, jerk, or experience a hard shift while you’re driving. The 2017 year model is worse than the 2016, with many transmission failures occurring under 20,000 miles and costing an average of $3,500 to repair.
The 2018 and 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 year models aren’t as troublesome as any models above but still aren’t worth purchasing. Though they each have relatively few complaints, they range from a worn serpentine belt at only 12,000 miles to improper shifting to brake failure.
These problems could put your life in danger if you encounter them, so it’s best to avoid these year models.
Common Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Problems
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a beloved American pickup truck. Although Chevy continues to refine the 1500 series, it’s not without its reliability woes. Here are some issues you should keep an eye on:
- Service 4WD Message - Owners complained about receiving a “service 4WD” message while driving. This problem occurred at around 150,000 miles due to dirt and debris that may affect the conductivity of two grounds below the driver’s door. While it’s a common issue, the fix is easy and cheap by simply buying a replacement position sensor or selector switch.
- Transmission issues - A lit check engine light usually preempts this dreaded issue. Soon after, the transmission may abruptly fail while you’re forward or backward. Surging and jerking were also common occurrences. Transmission issues are more likely to happen if you’re not keeping up with your maintenance schedules.
- Excessive oil consumption - This issue was so common back in 2016 that Chevy faced a class-action lawsuit in Minnesota. Many Silverado owners claimed to lose a quart of oil after only 1,000 miles and are more noticeable for trucks with more than 60,000 miles.
- Faulty speakers - Frustrated Silverado owners reported that their speakers failed after only a few months. At times, the speakers will work again, adding to the frustration.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problem Counts By Year
These are the most common problems reported by owners on platforms such as carproblems.com, carcomplaints.com, and Car Talk Community. Issues include transmission failures, stalling, and heater malfunctions.
The Easiest Way to Find a Reliable Chevrolet Silverado 1500 in Your Area
Want to easily find reliable Chevrolet Silverado 1500s in your area? Download the free CoPIlot car shopping app. Tell us what full-size pickup truck you’re looking for and we’ll search every dealership in your area to create a personalized list of the best buys in your area.
CoPilot is built using the same technology that car dealerships use to buy and sell their inventory, making it the smartest and easiest way to buy a used Chevrolet Silverado 1500.
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The best part? CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no ‘promoted’ or ‘sponsored’ listings - just the best cars in your area. Learn more about how CoPilot works on our About Us page.
