Chevy Silverado 1500 (T1) Buyer's Guide: Years to Avoid (2019-2025)
Chevrolet · Silverado 1500 · T1 · 2019–now
The 2019-2025 Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 share one platform and one set of problems: 6.2L V8 bearing failures under a widening federal investigation, lifter failures on 2019-2021 V8s, transmission shudder and tailgates that open on their own. Here's which engine and year to look for.
Mirko9 min read
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The 2019-2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is the best-selling Chevy in America, and its record depends almost entirely on which engine is under the hood. The 6.2-liter V8 has a recall for bearing failures and a federal investigation into whether that recall worked. The 5.3- and 6.2-liter V8s from 2019-2021 have hundreds of complaints about collapsed valve lifters. The 2.7-liter turbo four and the 3.0-liter diesel have far fewer engine complaints, though the diesel has its own transmission recall.
The GMC Sierra 1500 is the same truck with different styling and trim, and everything below applies to it too. If you're looking at a 2019 "Silverado 1500 LD" or "Sierra 1500 Limited," that's the previous-generation truck sold alongside this one for a year, and our K2XX Silverado guide covers it.
Generation Overview
GM's T1 trucks went on sale for 2019 with a new body, an aluminum hood, doors and tailgate, and a longer wheelbase than the K2XX they replaced. The engine and transmission pairings changed with the 2022 refresh, which also brought a new interior on most trims.
| Engine | Years | Transmission | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3L V6 (LV3) | 2019-2021 | 6-speed | Base work trucks |
| 2.7L turbo four (L3B) | 2019-present | 8-speed | Revised block and crankshaft for 2022, torque up from 348 to 420 lb-ft |
| 5.3L V8 (L82) | 2019-2021 | 6-speed | Active Fuel Management |
| 5.3L V8 (L84) | 2019-present | 8- or 10-speed | Dynamic Fuel Management, the most common engine |
| 6.2L V8 (L87) | 2019-present | 10-speed | Dynamic Fuel Management; the recalled engine |
| 3.0L diesel (LM2, later LZ0) | 2020-present | 10-speed | Revised LZ0 version from 2023-2024 |
Engine details from GM Authority's 2022 lineup breakdown and GM service information.
The VIN's eighth character identifies the engine, and our free VIN decoder will tell you which one a truck actually has. It matters more on this truck than on almost anything else on the road.
Known Issues
These come from NHTSA's recall and investigation records and owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recalls are free at any Chevrolet or GMC dealer, whoever owns the truck. Check any VIN at NHTSA.
6.2L V8 Bearing Failure (2021-2026)
What it is: GM recalled 597,571 trucks and SUVs with the 6.2L L87 built between March 1, 2021 and May 31, 2024 under recall 25V-274, citing debris and out-of-spec crankshafts that can damage the rod bearings. Dealers inspect the engine. Those that fail get a replacement, and those that pass get thicker 0W-40 oil. In August 2026 NHTSA opened an engineering analysis after 499 owner complaints of failure after the repair, 473 of them on engines that only got the oil change, and widened it to 997,743 vehicles from 2021-2026. Our 2026 engine recall roundup explains what that means for a buyer.
Who it affects: 6.2L trucks, mainly 2021-2024. 2025-2026 trucks are in the investigation but not the recall.
Severity: Critical. A bearing failure usually means a new engine, and it can stall the truck while driving.
What to watch for: Get the recall paperwork. A truck with a documented replacement engine is in a better position than one that only passed the inspection, based on the complaint numbers so far. On a truck that passed, every oil change since should be 0W-40. Listen for knocking on a cold start.
Valve Lifter Failure on V8s (mainly 2019-2021)
What it is: Both V8s use cylinder deactivation, which shuts off cylinders at cruise using special lifters. When a lifter collapses or sticks, the engine ticks, misfires and runs rough, and a failed lifter can bend a pushrod or damage the camshaft. Lifters come up in 119 NHTSA complaints for the 2019 Silverado 1500, 81 for the 2020 and 147 for the 2021, then drop sharply: 29 for 2022 and 11 for 2024. A class action over lifter failures in the 5.3L and 6.2L is pending in federal court in Michigan, and in March 2026 a judge declined to split the case, PickupTruckTalk reported. There's no recall.
Who it affects: 5.3L and 6.2L V8s, most often 2019-2021.
Severity: High. The repair means opening the top of the engine, and out of warranty it's an expensive job.
What to watch for: A tick that changes with engine speed, a flashing check engine light or misfire codes (P0300 range). Ask whether the lifters have been replaced and get the repair order. If they were done under warranty with the camshaft, that's a good sign.
Transmission Shudder and Harsh Shifts
What it is: Two separate problems. The 8-speed automatic, used with the 2.7L and some 5.3L trucks, can develop a torque converter shudder at light throttle, like driving over rumble strips. GM addressed it with a fluid change to a different automatic transmission fluid under service bulletin 18-NA-355. The 10-speed, used with the 5.3L, 6.2L and diesel, draws complaints about clunky or harsh shifts at low speed, usually handled with software updates. Owner complaints that mention the transmission number 237 for the 2019 Silverado 1500 and 165 for the 2020, falling to 74 for 2024.
Who it affects: 8-speed trucks for shudder, especially 2019-2020. 10-speed trucks for harsh shifts.
Severity: Medium. Shudder that's caught early is usually fixed by the fluid change. Left alone, it can wear out the torque converter.
What to watch for: Drive at 25-50 mph with light throttle and feel for a vibration that comes and goes. Ask for any transmission service records. A truck that shudders and has never had the fluid changed is a negotiating point.
Tailgate Opening on Its Own (2020-2023)
What it is: Water can get into the tailgate release switch and short it, so the tailgate drops open while the truck is parked or moving, most often in rain or snow. 53 NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Silverado 1500 alone mention the tailgate, most describing it opening by itself and several describing cargo lost on the highway. GM covers the 1500 under service bulletin 23-NA-112, a repair procedure rather than a recall, so owners weren't necessarily notified. Heavy-duty trucks got a recall for the same problem, 24V-060.
Who it affects: 2020-2023 trucks with the power-release tailgate.
Severity: Medium. It's a cargo and road-debris hazard more than a crash risk.
What to watch for: Ask a dealer whether 23-NA-112 has been done on the VIN. Open and close the tailgate several times with the button, the key fob and the handle.
Brake and Stability Control Software (2019)
What it is: Two 2019 recalls fixed software errors in the electronic brake control module. One (19V-889, 463,995 vehicles) could disable antilock brakes and stability control without turning on a warning light. The update for that one introduced a new error (20V-055, 148,055 trucks) that could disable electronic brake assist.
Who it affects: 2019 Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500.
Severity: High while unrepaired. Both fixes are free software updates.
What to watch for: Confirm both recalls are complete.
Sub-Variant Issues
3.0L Duramax diesel (2020-2022): transmission recall. Recall 24V-797 covers 463,295 2020-2022 diesel trucks and SUVs, including the Silverado and Sierra 1500, because a transmission control valve can fail and lock the rear wheels. Dealers install new software, and GM added special coverage for transmissions the software flags. A follow-up recall, 26V-083, covers about 1,000 trucks that may have been repaired incorrectly the first time. If you're looking at a diesel, this adds another layer of risk until both are confirmed complete.
3.0L Duramax: the oil pump belt. The diesel's oil pump runs on a belt inside the engine. GM's schedule calls for replacing it at 150,000 miles on the LM2 and 200,000 on the later LZ0, and the job requires pulling the transmission. Owners on diesel forums put the cost at roughly $1,500, more if the timing chains are done at the same time (DieselHub). On a high-mileage LM2, ask whether it's been done or price it in.
2.7L turbo (2019-2021 versus 2022 and later): The 2022 update gave the 2.7 a stiffer block and crankshaft along with its torque increase. It draws few engine complaints in either version. It shuts down cylinders with a sliding camshaft rather than the V8s' collapsible lifters, and it has no known bearing problem.
Infotainment and electrical: Owners report screens freezing or rebooting and backup camera dropouts across the generation. It's an annoyance, but test every function before you buy.
Which years and engines to look for
The engine matters more than the year. On the record so far:
- 2.7L turbo, any year: the lowest-risk engine in the lineup, with the 2022 and later version the stronger of the two.
- 3.0L diesel: a strong engine with an expensive scheduled belt job. On 2020-2022 trucks, confirm the transmission recall.
- 5.3L V8: fine on many trucks, but 2019-2021 carry most of the lifter complaints. A 2022 or later 5.3 is the safer bet.
- 6.2L V8: the riskiest engine in the lineup right now, with an open federal investigation into the recall fix. Buy one only with full recall paperwork, ideally a documented replacement engine, and a price that reflects the risk.
What NHTSA complaints show
As of October 2026, NHTSA had 1,095 complaints for the 2019 Silverado 1500, 741 for the 2020, 845 for the 2021, 649 for the 2022, 387 for the 2023, 314 for the 2024 and 106 for the 2025. The GMC Sierra 1500 had 655, 480, 591, 597, 492, 370 and 120 for the same years. Engine and powertrain complaints lead every year. Complaint counts aren't verified and aren't adjusted for sales, and the Silverado outsells the Sierra by a wide margin.
Your Car Is Not This Article
This page covers what's documented about the generation. The truck you're looking at has its own history: which engine it has, whether its recalls were done, what it towed, and whether its lifters or engine were ever replaced. A Squeezed report pulls the exact risk profile for your specific year, trim and engine, including open recalls. Run a report before you make an offer.
Sources
- NHTSA, Recalls database and complaints data for the 2019-2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 (retrieved October 20, 2026): 19V-889, 20V-055, 24V-060, 24V-797, 25V-274, 26V-083
- NHTSA, ODI Resume EA26005 (opened August 20, 2026)
- GM Authority, Refreshed 2022 Silverado Engine Lineup: Complete Details (October 2021)
- PickupTruckTalk, Federal Judge Denies Motion to Split GM Lifter Lawsuit (March 2026)
- GM service bulletins 18-NA-355 (8-speed torque converter shudder) and 23-NA-112 (inadvertent tailgate opening), via NHTSA's manufacturer communications
- DieselHub, 3.0 Duramax Maintenance Schedule
FAQ
What are the most common problems with the Chevy Silverado 1500 (2019-2025)?
Bearing failures in the 6.2L V8, covered by recall 25V-274 and a federal investigation into the repair; valve lifter failures in 5.3L and 6.2L V8s, mostly on 2019-2021 trucks; torque converter shudder on 8-speed trucks; and tailgates that open on their own on 2020-2023 models.
Is the Chevy Silverado 1500 (2019-2025) reliable?
It depends on the engine. The 2.7L turbo four draws few engine complaints, and the 3.0L diesel is strong apart from a 2020-2022 transmission recall and a costly scheduled oil pump belt job. The V8s carry most of the complaints, and the 6.2L is under an open NHTSA investigation.
Are there Chevy Silverado 1500 (2019-2025) years to avoid?
2019-2021 V8 trucks carry most of the lifter complaints, and 2021-2024 6.2L trucks are covered by the bearing recall, so those need the most paperwork. 2019 trucks also have two brake software recalls to confirm. A 2022 or later 2.7L or 5.3L is the lower-risk choice.
