2023 Chevrolet Silverado: What to check before buying

The most alarming pattern is a hard downshift that briefly locks the rear wheels. It often happens between 30 and 55 mph, sometimes while towing, and can make the rear end skid or fishtail. Other reports describe shudder during gear changes, sudden drops to a low gear on the highway, a "Service Transmission" message, and limp mode. When no codes are stored, dealers often cannot duplicate the problem. Engine seizures and fuel module failures also show up here and shut the truck off in traffic. Once the engine dies, the electronic shifter will not go into neutral.

Most of these reports describe the 6.2L V8 seizing. The engine quits at highway speed, often while towing, and the truck drops into neutral with little or no warning. Several trucks passed the recall inspection and got the oil change, then failed a few thousand miles later. Bearing failure is the most common diagnosis, and replacement engines can take months to arrive. Smaller groups of reports cover lifter-related misfires and a 3.0L diesel fault code that forces limp mode. One complaint is fire-related.

Most of these filings are about the engine recall, not a new failure. Owners say the recall repair was not yet available and the wait had gone on too long. When failures do occur, the engine stalls at speed or seizes, sometimes after the recall fix of thicker oil. Some replacement engines knock or tick. A few reports cover a coolant sensor fault followed by overheating and a stall. Another describes a leaking water pump with parts on backorder for more than 45 days.

The clearest pattern is a power tailgate that releases on its own. It drops while driving, or it cycles open and shut overnight until the battery dies. Dealers trace some cases to water in the tailgate switch. In one crash, a tailgate lowered without the driver noticing and hit a wall. Other reports cover the infotainment system and speakers going silent, OnStar and telematics dropouts, a dead front turn signal, and brake system warnings with weak braking. In one fire, a parked truck that had not been driven burned.

The brake pedal sinks to the floor or the brakes stop working, sometimes with a "Brake System Failure" warning and sometimes with none. Two crashes followed this kind of failure at low speed, and one caused an injury. Other reports describe longer stopping distances with the ABS light on, and front pads worn to metal around 20,000 miles. Automatic braking can falsely lock the truck in park while backing out. One brake recall is still waiting on parts.

The front turn signal and daytime running lamp fail on and off, mostly on the left side. A "Check Left Front Turn Lamp" message appears and the rear signal flashes fast. The fault often clears after a restart, so dealers have trouble confirming it. One dealer blames software. Another says the next step is replacing the headlight assembly, which cannot be serviced separately. Failures show up as early as 4,000 miles. A couple of reports describe all lights briefly cutting out while driving.

The most common complaint is phantom hard braking at highway speed with nothing ahead. It can also happen when passing cars parked on the shoulder. Adaptive cruise control is involved in both crashes. In one, the truck accelerated from a stop into the vehicle ahead with no warning. The other happened while driving into bright morning sun. One owner says collision warning and cruise control stopped working after a routine dealer service and needed a second visit.

The tailgate opens on its own, both parked and on the road. It dumps cargo onto the roadway and strikes cars parked behind the truck. Some owners say a tailgate latch recall does not cover their trucks. On a 2500, the tailgate step cycles in and out because of water damage at about 41,000 miles. In one report, a hood latch broke on the freeway and the hood flew off. One fire report points to the firewall area behind the dash.

Power steering assist cuts out suddenly and the wheel becomes hard to turn. One case ends in a crash into a tree with arm injuries. Another happens at interstate speed but ends safely on a straight road. Other reports describe the truck swaying on grooved pavement, worse when towing, which a dealer blames on the factory tires. One owner reports a steady pull to the left that three dealer visits did not fix. Another describes a stall caused by the fuel pump control module.