Chevrolet Silverado 1500 3rd generation (2013–2018)
Generation-specific owner insights from 88+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy one?
5,627
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2013–2018
45
recall campaigns
service brakes
most-complained area
What owners say about this generation
Our take, from owner reports
Owners of the 2013-2018 Silverado 1500 describe it as a generally good truck with a solid 5.3L V8, but the generation draws consistent criticism for transmission problems, AFM lifter failures, and electrical gremlins.
11 problems reported (2 very frequent, 3 recurrent, 6 isolated) · high confidence
Problems owners report
- Very frequentTransmission failure or replacement
Owners report transmissions going out in the 80k-140k range, one fleet owner noting regular failures, and another stating almost every Silverado that came through their shop needed a new trans at 100k miles.
- Very frequentAFM lifter damage requiring head work
Multiple owners report AFM damaging lifters around the 100k range, with one fleet owner citing it as a regular issue and others warning to be aware of AFM problems.
- RecurrentDriveshaft clunking when coming to a stop
One fleet owner reports it comes this way from the factory, and it appears in multiple owner accounts.
+ 8 more issuesShow fewer
- RecurrentElectrical issues including service theft deterrent system warnings and no-starts
Multiple owners report random electrical faults, water intrusion in connectors, and no-start conditions.
- RecurrentRough or erratic low-speed shifting, especially with the 8-speed
Owners describe hard low-end shifting, banging leaving first gear, and the truck having trouble deciding what gear to go into.
- IsolatedA/C failure
One owner notes A/C systems "like to fail quite often with these trucks.".
- IsolatedWheel bearing replacement
One owner replaced a wheel bearing at 70k, noting it was not normal.
- IsolatedRear leaf spring noise
One owner reports rear leaf springs can get incredibly noisy.
- IsolatedPaint peeling
One owner lists the paint job "that falls off" among their complaints.
- IsolatedMisfire code that clears on its own
One fleet owner reports a recurring misfire code every 10k miles since 40k that clears itself.
- IsolatedPower steering failure code
One fleet owner reports a power steering failure code that won't clear without a tech tool.
The version owners recommend
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus. Partial signal: multiple owners recommend the V8 over the V6, with one highly-upvoted comment simply stating "definitely get a v8." One owner's research suggested the 2016 model year is the most reliable, with the 2015 also seen as more reliable than the 2014 or 2017. The 5.3L V8 is the most discussed and generally well-regarded engine.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the Ford F-150, Toyota Tundra, Ram 1500, GMC Sierra 1500 and Nissan Titan.
Is a 2013–2018 Silverado 1500 right for you?
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Overall sentiment
Owners of the 2013-2018 Silverado 1500 describe it as a generally good truck with a solid 5.3L V8, but the generation draws consistent criticism for transmission problems, AFM lifter failures, and electrical gremlins. Praise centers on the V8's reliability, towing capability, and the truck's overall usefulness, while complaints focus on the 6-speed and 8-speed automatic transmissions, active fuel management (AFM) lifter damage, and random electrical faults. Several owners note that highway-driven trucks are far more trouble-free than city-driven ones, and that maintenance history matters enormously. Later model years (2016-2018) are noted for gaining CarPlay/Android Auto and revised features, while the 2014-2015 trucks are seen as slightly more reliable than the 2014 or 2017 in one owner's research.
Positioning vs competitors
Owners cross-shopping this generation generally view the Tundra as the more durable long-term choice, with one owner stating the Chevy "will need the top half of the engine rebuilt in 40-60k miles" while the Tundra "just needs oil changes to hit 400k miles." Against the F-150, owners see the Chevy 5.3L as easier to work on and better for long-term use, though the Ford 5.0L is acknowledged as more modern with higher towing ratings. Against the Ram 1500, one owner who worked at both GM and Dodge dealers said front-end suspension parts on the Ram are "absolute garbage" and chose the Chevy. The GMC Sierra 1500 is treated as a near-identical sibling. The Nissan Titan is mentioned only as a possible substitute.
Recommended configurations
Owners consistently recommend the V8 over the V6, with one noting the V8 gets "same if not better mileage than the v6." For model year, one owner recommends looking at a 2016 for CarPlay/Android Auto, and another suggests the 2016 has better headlights, wireless charging, and improved cooled seats versus the 2014/2015. The LTZ trim with the V8 is recommended by one owner, who also advised getting an extended warranty. One owner recommends the 6-speed automatic over the 8-speed for reliability.
General recommendations
Owners advise that this generation is "very picky with maintenance" and that oil should be changed every 4-5k miles; if that hasn't been done, one owner recommends not buying. Buyers should listen for ticking on cold start due to potential AFM lifter issues, and should test drive at 70-75 mph to check for the "Chevy shake" and transmission behavior. The A/C should be verified as working, as owners report it fails often. Highway-driven trucks are reported to be far more trouble-free than city-driven ones. One owner recommends the 2016 model year as most reliable. Another advises that these trucks "should NEVER have tranny or differential problems" at moderate mileage, so such problems indicate poor care. Buyers are warned against trusting rebuilt transmissions done cheaply to flip a truck.
Remarks
One owner notes the 2015 lacks CarPlay and Android Auto, which arrived in 2016. Another owner reports the 6-speed auto "shifts funny" but owners get used to it. A fleet owner with roughly 25 Silverados reports they generally go to 150k miles without many notable issues, and that exclusively highway-driven trucks are pretty trouble-free. One owner notes the 4.3L V6 is "anemic" compared to the 5.3L and doesn't get better gas mileage to compensate. Owners considering towing are advised that a 2013 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3L and 3.08 axle will be slow, and that a rear diff cooler is a suggested addition for towing around 7,500 lbs. Analysis based on approximately 88 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
Complaints and recalls by model year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 519 | 7 | power train |
| 2017 | 838 | 7 | power train |
| 2016 | 800 | 12 | service brakes |
| 2015 | 1,191 | 11 | service brakes |
| 2014 | 1,560 | 6 | steering |
| 2013 | 719 | 2 | unknown or other |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices for this generation
2018 · service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuumcampaign 19V645000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
2018 · service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:wheel speed sensor/tone ringcampaign 19V761000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. 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.
2018 · service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuumcampaign 20V603000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon vehicles equipped with either a 5.3L or 6.2L V8 engine. The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time, decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake assist.
2018 · air bags:side/window:curtain:inflatorcampaign 24V756000
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2018-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 Crew Cab trucks. The left or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
2018 · air bagscampaign 25V432000
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain 2018 GMC Sierra 1500, 2019 Sierra 2500, 3500, Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab vehicles. The left or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
2018 · air bagscampaign 26V166000
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 Crew Cab vehicles. The left or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
2018 · air bagscampaign 26V325000
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles. 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.
2017 · service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuumcampaign 19V645000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
2017 · service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:wheel speed sensor/tone ringcampaign 19V761000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. 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.
2017 · air bags:frontalcampaign 16V651000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
2017 · child seat:tether: connector/clipcampaign 17V487000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks. The owner's manual for the affected vehicles may be missing instructions on how to use the tether anchorage and child restraint anchorage systems. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
2017 · suspension:front:control armcampaign 16V256000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. The front upper control arms may have inadequate welds near the control arm bushing.
12 more recalls not shown. Check nhtsa.gov with your VIN for the full history.
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.