The Lemon Index

All cars · Chevrolet Silverado

2017 Chevrolet Silverado.

The 2017 Chevrolet Silverado is better than average by owner complaints: 370 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 60, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 7 recalls, and it gets 17 to 20 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Silverado year is 2012.

60Lemon Index · 100 = average car

Better than average. 1.7× fewer complaints than average.

Best year 2012 · Worst year 2000

Chevrolet Silverado
Photo shows a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado. Kevauto, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Owner complaints370first 3 years
Fuel economy17–20 mpgcombined, EPA
Crash test★★★★★NHTSA overall

Fixes owners look up most.

From 85 YouTube videos about the 2014–2018 Chevy Silverado 1500, 21.9M views. The 2017 is the same truck.

  1. Heat, A/C & blend door1.9M views
    2014-2018 Chevy Silverado A/C Condenser Replacement - Sierra-Tahoe-Yukon-Suburban-Escalade2014-2018 Chevy Silverado A/C Condenser Replacement - Sierra-Tahoe-Yukon-Suburban-EscaladeFalcon's Garage · 504K views · 9 videos
  2. Gauges, lights & wiring1.1M views
    2014 Chevy Silverado electrical issues and Stabilitrack issue FIXED!!!!2014 Chevy Silverado electrical issues and Stabilitrack issue FIXED!!!!Tony Lester · 369K views · 5 videos
  3. Infotainment, battery & electrical1.1M views
    How To Fix 2014+ Silverado Radio Not Working Problem in 1 MinuteHow To Fix 2014+ Silverado Radio Not Working Problem in 1 MinuteBadAssEngineering · 410K views · 5 videos
  4. Timing chain & engine1.1M views
    Misfire - GM Active Fuel Management Deletes Itself - 2015 SilveradoMisfire - GM Active Fuel Management Deletes Itself - 2015 SilveradoWatch Wes Work · 923K views · 2 videos
Show 4 more
  1. Transmission & shifter913K views
    Stop the shuddering on a 2016 GMC Sierra / Silverado with the 8L90 Transmission.Stop the shuddering on a 2016 GMC Sierra / Silverado with the 8L90 Transmission.737mechanic · 252K views · 5 videos
  2. No-start: theft light, key & ignition752K views
    2014-2018 Sierra/Silverado Flickering or Shutting Off...Ground Issue SOLVED!2014-2018 Sierra/Silverado Flickering or Shutting Off...Ground Issue SOLVED!Hunter Wilson · 253K views · 4 videos
  3. Fuel pump, filter & tank716K views
    Fuel Pump Replacement 2015 Chevy Silverado in 10 MinutesFuel Pump Replacement 2015 Chevy Silverado in 10 MinutesScience by Gabrawy · 315K views · 4 videos
  4. Lifters, AFM & cam phasers563K views
    How to remove the lifters on gmc Sierra or Chevy Silverado 2012-2018 DOD|5.3 head removalHow to remove the lifters on gmc Sierra or Chevy Silverado 2012-2018 DOD|5.3 head removalJM8686 · 359K views · 2 videos

Before you buy, watch

Views show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.

How serious. Out of 906 owner complaints, owners reported:

51crashes
21injuries
20fires
43tows

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

brakes25%
transmission & drivetrain22%
engine14%
electrical10%
steering8%

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.

Transmission problems in every Chevrolet Silverado year →

When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.

half by 40K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 14K to 68K miles on the car (447 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

  • transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 14K–78K miles
  • brakes complaints mostly came at 28K–54K miles
  • electrical complaints mostly came at 14K–61K miles

Recalls 7

  • airbags 2026

    The left-side or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.

  • brakes 2019

    If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.

  • brakes 2019

    The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.

Show all 7 recalls
  • child seat 2017

    The owner's manual for the affected vehicles may be missing instructions on how to use the tether anchorage and child restraint anchorage systems.

  • airbags 2017

    While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition.

  • airbags 2016

    In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test.

  • suspension 2016

    The front upper control arms may have inadequate welds near the control arm bushing.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems Chevy told dealers about

Chevy sent dealers 2147 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • This informational bulletin provides information internal engine noise or damage after oil…

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Safety

Stability controlStandard
Collision warningOptional
Lane departure warningNot offered
NHTSA front crash test of the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado
Front crash test · NHTSA
Crash test details
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/CC RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/EC RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid PU/CC RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/RC 4WD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/RC RWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/CC 4WD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines

About $3200–3800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.3L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.

In owners' words

No brakes at low speed and a hard pedal. Possibly vacuum pump failure.

2017 Chevrolet Silverado owner · NHTSA complaint 11232154
More owner reports

Not sure where burning smell is coming from. Brakes? Engine? Tires? After driving longer than 30 miles I can small something, like burning.

NHTSA complaint 11204432

Brakes squeaked and tight and not functioning right

NHTSA complaint 11300233

Quick answers

Is the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado reliable?

Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.7× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 60; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Silverado year by this measure is 2012.

What are the most common 2017 Chevrolet Silverado problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (25%), transmission & drivetrain (22%) and engine (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado have?

7 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 2017 Chevrolet Silverado get?

17 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

Is the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado safe?

NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.

At what mileage do 2017 Chevrolet Silverado problems start?

Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 14,000 and 68,000 miles. The middle report was at 40,000 miles, from 447 complaints.

Does the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 22% of its owner complaints.

How much does the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado cost in fuel a year?

About $3200 to $3800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado have?

4.3L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.

What Chevrolet Silverado year is better than the 2017?

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

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data