Which Silverado years have the most engine problems?

The 2021 model year has the most engine complaints, followed closely by 2019. The 2022 and 2020 years come next. The 2025 model year has few complaints but is very new, and owners already report early failures. The 2026 year has none yet, which mostly reflects limited time on the road.

Is it safe to drive a Silverado with a ticking engine?

Owners say ticking or knocking often comes before a sudden failure, sometimes within days. Engines have quit or seized at highway speed. A ticking truck should be inspected promptly, and the owner reports suggest not putting it off or towing with it.

How much does a Silverado engine replacement cost?

Owners report out-of-warranty bills of $5,109 to $12,200 on a 2020, $8,100 on a 2021, and $9,417.89 on a 2021. Costs depend on the shop and the engine. Some owners also waited weeks for a replacement engine.

Do Silverado engines fail early or late?

Both. Reports on 2021 trucks cluster from roughly 30,000 to 80,000 miles, and on 2019 trucks from about 62,735 to 88,643 miles, often just past warranty. Some failures come much sooner, such as a 2021 at 343 miles and 2025 trucks within roughly 2,000 to 5,750 miles.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Chevrolet Silverado Engine Problems

The Chevrolet Silverado's most common engine failure is collapsed lifters and damaged camshafts, often ending in a full engine replacement.

Owner complaints: 1,006
Share of all complaints: 24%
Crash / fire / injury reports: 2 / 12 / 2
Related recalls: 2

Silverado engine complaints by model year

Engine complaints are heaviest on the 2021 and 2019 model years, followed by 2022 and 2020. The 2018, 2023, and 2024 years have fewer, but the same lifter and bearing failures show up in them. The 2025 model year has few complaints, yet owners already report engines failing within the first few thousand miles. The 2026 model year has none so far, which mostly reflects how little time it has been on the road. Fewer complaints on the newest years do not make them safer picks.

2018
64 · 1.1/10k sold
2019
229 · 4/10k sold
2020
132 · 2.2/10k sold
2021
248 · 4.7/10k sold
2022
141 · 2.7/10k sold
2023
84 · 1.5/10k sold
2024
90 · 1.6/10k sold
2025
18 · 0.3/10k sold

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA under engine, engine and engine cooling. Newer model years have had less time to collect complaints.

What goes wrong

A ticking or knocking noise that grows into misfires, shaking, and a loud failure is the usual story. Dealers most often find collapsed lifters, scored camshafts, or failed rod bearings. Most reports involve the 6.2L V8, though the 5.3L and the 3.0L diesel appear too. Many failures come with no warning light. Some replacement engines fail again soon after install.

The risk is real. Engines quit or seize at highway speed, sometimes while towing, and some trucks drop into neutral. Federal records show crash and fire reports across several model years, and one injury report involved an engine bay fire with minor burns. Several parked trucks burned with no cause found. Many trucks sit at a dealer for weeks because replacement engines are back-ordered. When a VIN is left out of a recall, complaints say the repair bill falls on the truck's owner.

Symptoms owners report

Ticking and knocking noise

A tick, rattle, or knock is usually the first sign. It often comes with a check engine light, misfires, or rough running. Some owners say dealers called the early ticking normal. In many reports it moves on to a failure within days or weeks.

Sudden power loss at speed

The truck shakes, loses power, or stalls on the highway, sometimes while towing. Some trucks drop into neutral. Drivers describe struggling to reach the shoulder, and one report tells of sitting in the middle of a freeway.

Seized or replaced engine

Dealers diagnose collapsed lifters, scored camshafts, spun rod bearings, or in one case a rod through the block. A full engine replacement is the usual fix. Replacement engines are often back-ordered, and some failed again within a few thousand miles.

Oil cooler line leaks

On the 2019 model year, oil cooler lines come loose at their crimp joints. Reports include low oil warnings, oil sprayed under the truck, and a sudden drop to zero oil pressure that can seize the engine.

Low-mileage oil pressure faults

Some 2025 trucks show reduced acceleration, low oil pressure warnings, or a PO6DD code within roughly 2,000 to 5,750 miles. Reports cite connecting rod bearings on the 6.2L and thrust bearings on the 3.0L diesel.

Engine bay fires

Several complaints describe fires that started in the engine compartment, some in parked trucks and some while driving. Many saw no warning first. Causes were often not determined, and the trucks were usually total losses.

When the problems start

Failures are not tied to one mileage. On 2020 trucks, engine replacement is typically reported between about 45,000 and 71,773 miles. On 2019 trucks, most failures land between about 62,735 and 88,643 miles, often just past warranty. On 2021 trucks, reports cluster from roughly 30,000 to 80,000 miles, and one began at 343 miles. Some 2024 trucks failed near 19,299 miles. On 2025 trucks, failures came at roughly 2,000 to 5,750 miles.

Repairs and recalls

The usual fix reported is a full engine replacement. Out-of-warranty bills in the complaints include $5,109 to $12,200 on a 2020, $8,100 on a 2021, and $9,417.89 on a 2021. Federal recall 25V274000 covers 2021 to 2024 trucks with the 6.2L V8. Dealers inspect the engine and repair or replace it as needed. Trucks that pass get higher viscosity oil and other service. Complaints mention parts shortages, VINs left out, and engines failing after the inspection. Recall 19V328000 covers an engine block heater on certain 2017 to 2019 Duramax heavy-duty trucks.

Model years	Campaign	Problem
2021, 2022, 2023, 2024	25V274000	General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine.…
2018, 2019	19V328000	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…

Checking a used Silverado for engine problems

Run the VIN through federal recall records and confirm whether recall 25V274000 applies and whether the repair was done.
Ask for service records showing regular oil changes, and ask whether the engine was ever replaced.
Listen to a cold start for ticking, knocking, or rattling, and walk away if you hear any.
Look under the truck for oil or coolant leaks, especially around the oil cooler lines on 2019 models.
Check for stored engine codes and warning messages, such as low oil pressure or reduced power.
Have an independent shop inspect the engine before purchase, and get written warranty terms for any engine work.

2 engine recalls cover the Chevrolet Silverado. A VIN check shows whether the car you're looking at had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.

Look Up a VIN →