CSR

Chevrolet · NHTSA safety record

2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500

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

52

Complaints

2

Crashes

3

Fires

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 have filed 52 safety complaints with NHTSA between August 2015 and July 2026. The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 16 of them (31%). The typical failure was reported at 34,461 miles, the median across the 34 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 7 recalls covering this vehicle. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Recalls (7)

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR

21V504000 · July 1, 2021

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks. The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
The risk
A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on August 18, 2021. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy is available. Phase I owner notification letters were mailed on May 5, 2022. Phase II owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 31, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. This recall supersedes NHTSA recall number 20V-736. GM's number for this recall is N202324251.

General Motors, LLC · up to 410,019 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR

20V736000 · November 25, 2020

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2015 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 trucks. The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator.
The risk
If the end cap separates from the inflator, the compressed gas will escape and the end cap can be propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RRAB modules on the left and/or right side, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on December 22, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. Note: GM filed a new recall, number 21V-504 that supersedes this recall. All vehicles previously recalled under 20V-736 will now be repaired under the new recall number 21V-504. GM's numbers for this recall are N202309680, N202309681, and N202309682.

General Motors LLC · up to 9,279 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

18V578000 · August 30, 2018

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, 1500 Crew Cab Special Service, Tahoe Police Pursuit/Special Service, GMC Sierra 2500, and 3500 vehicles. The brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.
The risk
If the brake pedal becomes loose or inoperative, the driver may be unable to stop the vehicle by using the brake pedal. Additionally, a loose pedal may also interfere with the accelerator pedal. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will add adhesive to the nut and reinstall the nut with increased tightness, free of charge. The recall began October 3, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18278. Note: The vehicles in this recall need this additional remedy despite being covered by recall 16V069 for brake pedal loosening.

General Motors LLC · up to 42,280 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK

17V664000 · October 19, 2017

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 and GMC Sierra 3500 trucks equipped with dual fuel tanks. The low fuel level sensor for the front tank may stick causing the rear tank to overfill the front tank.
The risk
If the front tank overfills, the excess pressure may cause the front tank to expand and contact the driveshaft, possibly resulting in a hole in the tank. The hole will leak fuel, which in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy
GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rear tank fuel pump or update the fuel-level sensor software, as well as inspect the front tank, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2017. Owners may contact GM customer service for Chevrolet 1-800-222-1020 or for GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17399.

General Motors LLC · up to 35,292 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

17V437000 · July 10, 2017

The defect
General 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.
The risk
A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.

General Motors LLC · up to 40,683 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

16V651000 · September 8, 2016

The defect
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.
The risk
A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.

General Motors LLC · up to 3,640,162 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

16V069000 · February 5, 2016

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 heavy duty trucks manufactured October 1, 2013, to February 1, 2016, 2015-2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicles (PPV) manufactured March 1, 2014, to February 1, 2016, and 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 heavy duty trucks manufactured October 29, 2013, to February 1, 2016. On the affected vehicles, the brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.
The risk
If the brake pedal becomes loose or inoperative, the driver may be unable to stop the vehicle by using the brake pedal. Additionally, a loose pedal may also interfere with the accelerator pedal. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will add adhesive to the brake pedal pivot nut and reinstall with an increased torque, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 20760.

General Motors LLC · up to 430,771 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (1)

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.

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.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 52.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16 31%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 11 21%
SERVICE BRAKES 10 19%
ENGINE 8 15%
POWER TRAIN 5 10%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 5 10%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 5 10%
STEERING 4 8%
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 2 4%
STRUCTURE 2 4%
AIR BAGS 1 2%
EQUIPMENT 1 2%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2016 at 10.

2015 2016 2026
2015 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 injured · crash · towed · 125,000 miles

I WAS DRIVING ON US HIGHWAY 12 GOING APPROX. 35 MPH WHEN THE REAR END DIFFERENTIAL LOCKUP AND CAUSED ME TO SLID OFF THE ROAD IN A TURN THAT ALSO HAD ICE WHILE TOWING A FIFTH WHEEL THE ACCIDENT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER AND THE RIGHT REAR AND RIGHT SIDE OF THE 8 FOOT BED ALONG WITH THE WINDSHIELD AND A FRONT DRIVE LINE FOR 4 WHEEL DRIVE I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE FRONT DRIVE LINE BREAKING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS AS WELL I ALSO HAVE VIDEO OF THE REAR END DIFFERENTIAL MOVING FROM SIDE TO SIDE TO SHOW THE MOVEMENT AND SHOW WHAT CAUSED THE REAR END TO LOCK UP IT HAD MOVED AN 1/4 OF AND INCH TO 1/2 INCH IN EITHER DIRECTION.

NHTSA complaint 10840319. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

fire · 35,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED IN REVERSE, THE DRIVER IMMEDIATELY OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AFTER ALL THE PASSENGERS WERE EVACUATED FROM THE VEHICLE, THE HORN SOUNDED AND THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES WITHIN 5 TO 10 MINUTES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000.

NHTSA complaint 10865421. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire · 90,000 miles

I WOULD NOTICE WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT UNDER THE HOOD OF MY VEHICLE. I WOULD MAINLY NOTICE IT WHEN I WOULD TURN ON THE AC . THIS WOULD HAPPEN EITHER PARKED OR IN MOTION. I WOULD OPEN THE HOOD AND THE SMOKE WOULD ONLY LAST A FEW MINUTES, WHICH CAUSED THE ALTERNATOR TO CATCH ON FIRE.

NHTSA complaint 11290791. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

fire

A rear defrost system malfunctioned and was smoking in the interior of the vehicle followed by the rear glass shattering. The electrical malfunction could have easily started a fire and glass flying around the cab a highway speeds could definitely be hazard. I called the dealership and they were unconcerned and gave me a quote to replace it. the dealer or the aftermarket glass replacement company have not heard of it happening. I did find a recall in Canada. Strangely enough mine was done in Canada and it happened again.

NHTSA complaint 11652076. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I own a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Duramax diesel. At approximately 130,000 miles, the high-pressure CP4 fuel pump failed internally, sending metal shavings throughout the fuel system and contaminating major components. The truck suddenly lost power on the freeway and became inoperable without warning. I was barely able to get out of traffic before it had to be towed to a Chevrolet dealership. This created a serious safety hazard, especially considering the risk if it had happened while towing my fifth wheel with my family. A failure like this should not happen at this mileage on a heavy-duty diesel truck. I also cannot afford the extremely high cost of repairing the entire fuel

NHTSA complaint 11751378, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Truck was operating on the highway at highway speed. Suddenly the truck went into a drastic engine power reduction mode and severe automatic downshifting occurred; the truck came to a complete stop on the highway. Diagnostics proved to be a CP4 injector pump failure sending metal into the fuel system, needing a complete contamination kit and new CP3 pump conversion. This apparently is a known defect in GM vehicles and should have been recalled.

NHTSA complaint 11751129. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The 2nd stage of this truck was not completed and the title was done in fraud in 2015 by Jon Hall Chevy in Daytona. I need this inspected as it shouldn't be on the road. Only 1 MCO without water Marks on it. this is a 2 stage truck should have 2. but nope only one we are getting the run around.

NHTSA complaint 11718995. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Exhaust filter plugged due to turbo not working properly. Been at dealership going on 7 weeks This is the 3rd new vehicle we have had this has happened to.

NHTSA complaint 11697982. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Catastrophic failure of the CP4 fuel pump

NHTSA complaint 11698006. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

towed · 270,000 miles

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the message "Fuel Filter Needed to be Replaced" followed by the "Engine Power Reduced" were displayed on the instrument panel. The contact then stated that fuel started leaking from the vehicle and the vehicle stalled. The contact was left stranded in the middle of the road; a tow truck was called, and the vehicle was towed to an independent diesel mechanic. The mechanic performed a diagnostic test, and the contact was informed that the fuel pump had disintegrated which caused debris from the fuel pump to leak into the fuel system. The contact was provided an estimate to replace the fuel pump,

NHTSA complaint 11666246, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Chevrolet Silverado 3500

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 12 1
2024 48 3 2
2023 15 1
2022 27 3
2021 38 5
2020 41 8
2019 21 7
2018 18 6
2017 13 6
2016 50 6
2014 10 3
2013 26 4
2012 23 4 1
2011 29 5

Other 2015 Chevrolet models

Every Chevrolet on this site — 298 vehicles, 747 recall campaigns and 5 open investigation s.

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. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

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