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Chevrolet Silverado — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Chevrolet Silverado model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
38
Years to Avoid
2017, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999
Best Years
1991, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980
2017Avoid
156 complaints0 recalls896 TSBs
2016
8 complaints2 recalls64 TSBs
2015
111 complaints7 recalls189 TSBs
2014
195 complaints14 recalls89 TSBs
2013
87 complaints3 recalls257 TSBs
2012
91 complaints2 recalls279 TSBs
2011
99 complaints2 recalls274 TSBs
2010
91 complaints1 recalls275 TSBs
2009
103 complaints0 recalls277 TSBs
2008
221 complaints2 recalls249 TSBs
2007
253 complaints4 recalls2 invest.283 TSBs
2006
223 complaints10 recalls213 TSBs
2005
361 complaints14 recalls365 TSBs
2004Avoid
723 complaints15 recalls1 invest.578 TSBs
2003Avoid
852 complaints13 recalls8 invest.598 TSBs
2002Avoid
853 complaints15 recalls12 invest.470 TSBs
2001Avoid
1,048 complaints15 recalls13 invest.476 TSBs
2000Avoid
1,614 complaints20 recalls13 invest.266 TSBs
1999Avoid
2,104 complaints17 recalls14 invest.238 TSBs
1998
335 complaints0 recalls2 invest.17 TSBs
1997
365 complaints0 recalls15 TSBs
1996
230 complaints0 recalls15 TSBs
1995
331 complaints0 recalls8 TSBs
1994
235 complaints0 recalls5 TSBs
1993
77 complaints0 recalls3 TSBs
1992
51 complaints0 recalls3 TSBs
1991Best Year
18 complaints0 recalls3 TSBs
1990
37 complaints0 recalls3 TSBs
1989
24 complaints0 recalls2 TSBs
1988Best Year
18 complaints0 recalls2 TSBs
1987Best Year
2 complaints0 recalls
1986Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1985Best Year
3 complaints0 recalls
1984Best Year
5 complaints0 recalls
1983Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1982Best Year
2 complaints0 recalls
1981Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1980Best Year
2 complaints0 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Chevrolet Silverado Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2017, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999 Chevrolet Silverado are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Chevrolet Silverado, consider the 1991, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

38 model years analyzed