Photo: Rjluna2 / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: common problems and reliability
· 3rd generationAn average Silverado 1500 year.
838 owner complaints, most about power train. 7 recalls.
Should I buy one?The 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has 838 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and service brakes. Owners most often flag transmission 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.
Safety record for the 2017 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Silverado 1500 years only. How we score it
Is 2017 a good year for the Silverado 1500?
Across the 28 Silverado 1500 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 384 (2023) to 2,323 (1999). With 838 complaints, the 2017 Silverado 1500 sits below the model's median of 1,076.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2017 Silverado 1500
service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
Campaign 19V645000General 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.
service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:wheel speed sensor/tone ring
Campaign 19V761000General 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.
air bags:frontal
Campaign 16V651000General 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.
child seat:tether: connector/clip
Campaign 17V487000General 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."
Show 3 more recalls
suspension:front:control arm
Campaign 16V256000General 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.
air bags:frontal
Campaign 17V437000General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. 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. Without the update, 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.
air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator
Campaign 26V611000General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500, GMC Sierra 2500/3500 vehicles, and 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 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.
What owners report on the 3rd generation Silverado 1500
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.
- 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.
- 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.
Owner insights for the 3rd generation Silverado 1500. Read the full 3rd generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Silverado 1500 listings typically run $19,567–$37,495.
Other Silverado 1500 model years
Compare every Silverado 1500 year side by side to see how 2017 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Silverado 1500 against its rivals
Looking at a specific car?
We're building a full check by VIN: the exact trim and engine, its known problems and recalls, what to inspect, a fair price, and how it compares with its rivals. Get an email when it's ready.
One email when it launches. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy