The Lemon IndexAll cars · Chevrolet Silverado
2010 Chevrolet Silverado.
The 2010 Chevrolet Silverado is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 60 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 15, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about tires, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 14 to 22 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Silverado year is 2012.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 448 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Chevrolet Silverado year. 2010 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 31K to 100K miles on the car (233 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 52K–122K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 36K–95K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 43K–109K miles
Recalls 4
- airbags 2021
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2021
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2021
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 4 recalls
- equipment 2010
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 1912 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- There is a transmission fuel leak from the oil pump area
- When driving uphill the transmission may not shift out of first or will slip into second gear due
- There are transmission problems that include trouble shifting and noises
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side — · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2900–4600 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.3L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Defrosters dont work it creates a very real safty hazard truck is undrivable when defroters are needed.
2010 Chevrolet Silverado owner · NHTSA complaint 10448891
More owner reports
Goodyear tires for light duty trucks hydroplaning on wet roads.
NHTSA complaint 10293419
2010 Chevrolet Silverado was traveling east, the consumer experienced a right front tire blowout. As the tire blew out, he unexpectedly veered right and struck the side of a semi. Bf. (ohio traffic crash report #10-0650-90)
NHTSA complaint 10364511
Quick answers
Is the 2010 Chevrolet Silverado reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 6.7× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 15; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Silverado year by this measure is 2012.
What are the most common 2010 Chevrolet Silverado problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are tires (20%), visibility (18%) and transmission & drivetrain (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2010 Chevrolet Silverado have?
4 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2010 Chevrolet Silverado get?
14 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2010 Chevrolet Silverado problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 31,500 and 100,000 miles. The middle report was at 60,000 miles, from 233 complaints.
Does the 2010 Chevrolet Silverado have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 15% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2010 Chevrolet Silverado cost in fuel a year?
About $2900 to $4600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2010 Chevrolet Silverado have?
4.3L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Silverado year is better than the 2010?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2012, 2010 and 2011.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works