Chevrolet Silverado years to avoid
The Chevrolet Silverado years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 1997, 2005, 1998, 1995, 2007, 1994, 1996, 2006, 2008, 2014 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1987 is the cleanest year on record.
10,928
Total complaints
62
Recall campaigns
1980–2017
Years covered
16
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Silverado years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | High complaint rate | 2,104 | |
| 2000 | High complaint rate | 1,614 | |
| 2001 | High complaint rate | 1,048 | |
| 2002 | High complaint rate | 853 | |
| 2003 | High complaint rate | 852 | |
| 2004 | High complaint rate | 723 | |
| 1997 | High complaint rate | 365 | |
| 2005 | High complaint rate | 361 | |
| 1998 | High complaint rate | 335 | |
| 1995 | High complaint rate | 331 | |
| 2007 | High complaint rate | 253 | |
| 1994 | High complaint rate | 235 | |
| 1996 | High complaint rate | 230 | |
| 2006 | High complaint rate | 223 | |
| 2008 | High complaint rate | 221 | |
| 2014 | High complaint rate | 195 |
Every Silverado year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 156 | 0 | |
| 2016 | 8 | 2 | |
| 2015 | 111 | 7 | |
| 2014avoid | 195 | 14 | |
| 2013 | 87 | 3 | |
| 2012 | 91 | 2 | |
| 2011 | 99 | 2 | |
| 2010 | 91 | 1 | |
| 2009 | 103 | 0 | |
| 2008avoid | 221 | 2 | |
| 2007avoid | 253 | 4 | |
| 2006avoid | 223 | 10 | |
| 2005avoid | 361 | 14 | |
| 2004avoid | 723 | 15 | |
| 2003avoid | 852 | 13 | |
| 2002avoid | 853 | 15 | |
| 2001avoid | 1,048 | 15 | |
| 2000avoid | 1,614 | 20 | |
| 1999avoid | 2,104 | 17 | |
| 1998avoid | 335 | 0 | |
| 1997avoid | 365 | 0 | |
| 1996avoid | 230 | 0 | |
| 1995avoid | 331 | 0 | |
| 1994avoid | 235 | 0 | |
| 1993 | 77 | 0 | |
| 1992 | 51 | 0 | |
| 1991 | 18 | 0 | |
| 1990 | 37 | 0 | |
| 1989 | 24 | 0 | |
| 1988 | 18 | 0 | |
| 1987 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1985 | 3 | 0 | |
| 1984 | 5 | 0 | |
| 1982 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1980 | 2 | 0 |
Common questions
What are the worst Chevrolet Silverado years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Silverado years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 1997, 2005, 1998, 1995, 2007, 1994, 1996, 2006, 2008, 2014. The cleanest year on record is 1987.
What is the best year for the Chevrolet Silverado?
By complaint volume, 1987 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Silverado years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Chevrolet Silverado have?
Across all model years, the Silverado has 62 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 10,928 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.