The most-reported Silverado run is 2GCEK19TXY1 (2000 builds) with 36 complaints, 12× the typical run. Service brakes problems make up 38% of reports; 1999 is the worst model year at 3.9 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 62 recall campaigns for Silverado model years 1999–2016.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Chevrolet Silverado has 4,198 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 1% of every Silverado complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2GCEK19TXY1•••••• | 2000 | 4 | — | |
| 2GCEK19T121•••••• | 2002 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2GCEK19T3X1•••••• | 1999 | 3 | — | |
| 2GCEK19T5Y1•••••• | 2000 | 1 | 2 | |
| 2GCEK19T9Y1•••••• | 2000 | 5 | — | |
| 2GCEK19T4X1•••••• | 1999 | 1 | — | |
| 1GCEK19T3YE•••••• | 2000 | 3 | — | |
| 1GCEK19T2YE•••••• | 2000 | 4 | — | |
| 1GCEK19TXYE•••••• | 2000 | 2 | — | |
| 1GCEK19T0YE•••••• | 2000 | 6 | — | |
| 2GCEK19T0Y1•••••• | 2000 | 3 | — | |
| 2GCEK19T8Y1•••••• | 2000 | 6 | — |
Each of the other 4,186 Silverado runs has 29 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 2,007 Silverado VINs so far, most often 2026, 2021, 2018 builds; 3 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Chevrolet Silverado the gap between build years is 2.1×: a 1999 car draws 3.9 complaints per run, a 2006 one 1.9.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 985 | 396 | 39 | |
| 2007 | 944 | 447 | 26 | |
| 2006 | 651 | 349 | 42 | |
| 2005 | 982 | 361 | 45 | |
| 2004 | 1530 | 485 | 99 | |
| 2003 | 1754 | 473 | 76 | |
| 2002 | 1376 | 419 | 124 | |
| 2001 | 1483 | 521 | 129 | |
| 2000 | 1754 | 510 | 186 | |
| 1999 | 1325 | 337 | 83 |
Heaviest year here is 1999 at 3.9 complaints per run; lightest is 2006 at 1.9.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 38% of everything Chevrolet Silverado owners report: Service Brakes, 5,530 of 12,784 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 439 | 16 | |
| Hydraulic | 270 | 7 | |
| Electrical System | 19 | 134 | |
| Air Bags | 309 | 3 | |
| Power Train | 35 | 8 | |
| Steering | 33 | 1 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 8 | 26 | |
| Structure | 30 | 7 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 62 recall campaigns on the Chevrolet Silverado; the 6 below cover build years 1999 to 2008. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 08E050000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 1999–2008 |
| 07E106000 | Wheels:hub | 1999–2007 |
| 07E066000 | Equipment:electrical | 1999–2007 |
| 06E060000 | Exterior Lighting | 1999–2006 |
| 05V161000 | Parking Brake | 1999–2005 |
| 04E022000 | Equipment | 1999–2004 |
The Silverado against its rivals
The Silverado draws 3 complaints per production run; the Ford F-150 2.5, the GMC Sierra 1.8 and the Toyota Tundra 2.8. That is the highest rate of the 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Silverado | 12,784 | 4,198 | 6.6% | |
| Ford F-150 | 13,818 | 5,526 | 6.1% | |
| GMC Sierra | 5,568 | 3,067 | 6.3% | |
| Toyota Tundra | 6,107 | 2,172 | 4.5% |
How serious were they
Of the 12,784 reports on the Chevrolet Silverado, 6.6% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Chevrolet Silverado | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 12,784 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 849 (6.6%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 206 (1.6%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 571 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 29 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Chevrolet Silverado share of that is 12,784 complaints over 4,198 runs, 1.1% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Chevrolet Silverado VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 12,784 NHTSA complaints from 4,198 Silverado runs and 62 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Silverado production run has the most complaints?
2GCEK19TXY1, a 2000 build, with 36 complaints, 4 of them after a crash. The typical Silverado run has 3.
Which Silverado years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1999 is heaviest at 3.9 complaints per run and 2006 lightest at 1.9.
Does the Silverado get more complaints than the Ford F-150?
Yes: 3 complaints per production run for the Silverado against 2.5 for the Ford F-150.
How many Silverado complaints involve a crash?
6.6% of 12,784 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 206 involved a fire.
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