CSR
Check a VIN

Look up

About

Chevrolet · NHTSA safety record

2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 363 safety complaints about the 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the US government. Of those, 7 describe a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 12 people were injured and no death is recorded. 3 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the air bags.

The most complained-about system is the air bags, named in 197 complaints, 54% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 67,000 miles, the median across the 167 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers April 2010 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

363 complaints on file

363

Complaints

7

Describe a crash

1

Mention fire

12

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
AIR BAGS 197 · 54%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 43 · 12%
STRUCTURE 38 · 10%
ENGINE 33 · 9%
POWER TRAIN 24 · 7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 21 · 6%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 19 · 5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 11 · 3%
SUSPENSION 9 · 2%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 8 · 2%
VISIBILITY 7 · 2%
TIRES 6 · 2%
0 81 162

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 363.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2017 at 81.

88 66 44 22
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2010 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

3 on file

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

21V054000 · February 5, 2021

The defect
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.

General Motors, LLC · up to 1,778,128 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

21V053000 · February 5, 2021

The defect
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C."
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 24, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328790.

General Motors, LLC · up to 692,526 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

21V050000 · February 5, 2021

The defect
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328760.

General Motors, LLC · up to 2,641,272 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

2 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Pedestrian alert sounds

DP22005

Closed defect petition · opened January 27, 2023 · closed August 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V063000

the electrical system

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

EA21002

Still open engineering analysis · opened September 17, 2021

the air bags

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 injured · fire · 40,000 miles

DRIVING TO DALLAS TEXAS AND FREEWAY 40 EAST BOUND ABOUT 3:00 AM OR ABIT AFTER 3:00 AM IT BEGAN TO SMELL BURNT AND AFTER THAT WE BEGAN TO SEE BLACK SMOKE IN THE FROM OF THE ENGINE STRAIGHT FROM WHERE I DRIVE WE TRAVELED ABOUT 70-75 MILES/ PER HOUR WHEN WE TRIED TO STOP THE TRUCK THE LIGHTS AND LOCKS INSIDE STARTED ACTING CRAZY AND ALSO THE ALARM WAS CRAZY AT THE MOMENT WE WERE SCARED FOR OUR LIVES BECAUSE WE COULD NOT STOP THE TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10559995. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed · 100,000 miles

The contact owned a 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while her son was driving at 40 MPH, when the vehicle in front stopped suddenly, the contact's vehicle rear-ended the vehicle. The contact's vehicle came to a stop from the impact. No warning lights were illuminated. The driver’s and passenger’s side air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The paramedics were not called. Both the contact's son and the passenger sustained injuries. The contact's son was taken to an emergency care center by the girlfriend. The doctor diagnosed that the contact's son had a bruise on the right side of the ribs. And the passenger had a bruise on the back, his leg, bruised

NHTSA complaint 11676781, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

2 injured · crash · 3,100 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT RESTRAIN THE DRIVER OR FRONT PASSENGER IN PLACE. THE FRONT PASSENGER WAS REPORTED AS INJURED. A PASSENGER FROM THE SECOND VEHICLE WAS ALSO REPORTED INJURED. THE POLICE APPEARED ON THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,300. UPDATED 02/03/11*LJ

NHTSA complaint 10369289, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · 3,000 miles

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET SILVERADO K1500 LTZ. THE CONTACT STATED, WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, HE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THE PASSENGER HIT HER CHEST ON THE DASHBOARD AND WAS INJURED. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS ALSO INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAGS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD ONLY DEPLOY IN LIFE-THREATENING SITUATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY

NHTSA complaint 10395759, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Driving home south on [XXX] from New Brunswick. The motor started acting weird. It gave me a low power message and then shut off and I coasted to the shoulder. After finally getting it, restarted the engine started and make noise from the bottom end I had went to Chevy again and I asked him to do a pico test and they refused. They said my truck is too old. Remind you. I only have a little over 100,000 miles on this motor that’s been replaced from Chevrolet back in 2011. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint 11766450. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
As noted in my last report that I sent to you now my truck needs an engine because of a road knock. This is the second engine. It was changed in 2011 and I’ve been complaining about this and I wanted Chevy to do a pico test they refused to do it because they’re telling me it’s too old but the truck only 111842 miles on it As prior complaint coming back from Cape May, the truck stalled I toasted to the side and it took a long time for it to start back up and when it did, it started knocking real loud Now Chevy refuses to do anything about this. Maybe I could get some response out of you. Thank you for your help.

NHTSA complaint 11762511. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Driving down the road returning from Cape May on my way back home before I got off the exit at [XXX] the truck shook shimmied and shut off. It took a long time before I could get it to start and when it did start, the motor knocked clanked real loud. And shook real bad. I stopped at the Chevy dealer [XXX] there [XXX] and they said there was nothing wrong with my truck mileage on my truck is111547 I need to remind you that the engine was changed at 10,000 miles INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint 11760010. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
Air bag code and light on dash code B0085-00 . Code is set when the key is in on position and the door is opened. Left front side impact sensor. I am a master technician and determined wiring problem between the driver door and cab . Performed search on line common problem. This is a safety issue and should be addressed. Thank you

NHTSA complaint 11746427. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
For the last couple years, I have been talking to Chevrolet GM. My engine has been replaced at 9000 miles. This motor now does not even have 100,000 miles on it. The second engine left me stranded twice coming back from a long trip. The motor shook stalled and I could not get it. Restarted once I did get it restarted the engine made a loud banging noise my truck looks practically brand new. It just sits in the driveway and looks pretty. I’m afraid to drive it because it’s gonna leave me stranded again and I have been talking with Chevrolet and he seemed to keep pushing me away and I don’t know what else to do

NHTSA complaint 11718892. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
As a safety recall, I did take the truck in for the airbag recall upon completion. I ran the codes and I have an airbag code. They’re saying that the dashboard was broken before they started. It was not. They broke it on installation of the new airbag.

NHTSA complaint 11718897. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 103 3 —
2025 102 0 —
2024 311 2 —
2023 384 3 —
2022 633 6 —
2021 829 8 —
2020 732 12 —
2019 1,085 10 —
2018 520 7 1
2017 712 7 —
2016 794 12 1
2015 1,107 11 1
2014 1,436 6 4
2013 301 2 —
2012 216 2 —
2011 563 4 1

Other 2010 Chevrolet models

Malibu 1,361 Equinox 784 Traverse 669 Cobalt 574 HHR 515 Impala 441 Tahoe 314 Camaro 295

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Chevrolet on this site — 304 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst