2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: Problems & Reliability
AVOID2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: AVOID — 1,104 owner complaints (1.92 per 1,000 sold), 1.6× the Silverado 1500 median year; top issue: engine (384 complaints).
CarWhere's verdict score for the 2019 is 2.12, where 1.00 is a typical Silverado 1500 year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; the avoid line is 1.60, so this year clears it by 0.52. Severity drives it: 81% of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury or involve a safety-critical system (engine, powertrain, steering, brakes or fuel).
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints (ODI), recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins, published U.S. sales, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Model years 2015–2026 compared · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
1,104
NHTSA complaints
1.92
Complaints per 1,000 sold
1,747
Service bulletins
10
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems
Engine is the clear leader, named in 35% of complaints.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2019 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 384 | 35% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 331 | 30% |
| Service brakes | 194 | 18% |
| Electrical system | 192 | 17% |
| Unknown or other | 111 | 10% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 recalls
10 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2019, reported between Dec 6, 2018 and Dec 16, 2021.
| NHTSA campaign | Reported | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 21V985000 | Dec 16, 2021 | Tires › Temporary/emergency spare tire |
| 21V423000 | Jun 3, 2021 | Tires |
| 21V115000 | Feb 25, 2021 | Tires |
| 20V792000 | Dec 17, 2020 | Seat belts |
| 20V650000 | Oct 22, 2020 | Powertrain / transmission › Driveline › Driveshaft |
| 20V055000 | Jan 30, 2020 | Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist |
| 19V889000 | Dec 12, 2019 | Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Abs warning light |
| 19V888000 | Dec 12, 2019 | Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery › Cables |
| 19V814000 | Nov 14, 2019 | Seat belts › Pretensioner |
| 18V868000 | Dec 6, 2018 | Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module |
2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 1,747 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2019 — more than the 1,260 of the median Silverado 1500 year from 2015 to 2026. Coded bulletins most often cover electrical system (443), engine & cooling (285), powertrain / transmission (240). Bulletins are repair instructions for dealer technicians, not recalls.
The 2019 vs. the year before and after
From the 2018 to the 2019, owner complaints jumped 2.1× (523 → 1,104) — a step backward. The 2020 that followed fell 32% (1,104 → 754), so the 2020 has the lighter record so far.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Silverado 1500 | SOLID | 523 | 1,229 | 7 | — |
| 2019 (this page) | AVOID | 1,104 | 1,747 | 10 | — |
| 2020 Silverado 1500 | AVOID | 754 | 1,541 | 12 | — |
Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Chevrolet Silverado 1500 years to avoid.
What to check on a used 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Engine (384 complaints on the 2019): cold-start it yourself and listen for ticking or knocking; check for oil leaks, low coolant and a lit check-engine light, and ask for oil-change records.
Powertrain / transmission (331 complaints on the 2019): test-drive from cold through every gear and feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder; ask whether the transmission fluid has been serviced.
Service brakes (194 complaints on the 2019): check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, look at rotor and pad wear, and ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
Electrical system (192 complaints on the 2019): test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system, and have the car scanned for stored fault codes.
Steering (76 complaints on the 2019): check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering at parking speed, and clunks over bumps.
Recalls: confirm all 10 campaigns above were completed on this VIN.
Nearby Silverado 1500 years with a better rating: 2018.
Know what to pay for the right 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 — then negotiate it
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FAQ
Is the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliable?
2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: AVOID — 1,104 owner complaints (1.92 per 1,000 sold), 1.6× the Silverado 1500 median year; top issue: engine (384 complaints). CarWhere's verdict score for the 2019 is 2.12, where 1.00 is a typical Silverado 1500 year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; the avoid line is 1.60, so this year clears it by 0.52.
What are the most common 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 are engine (384, 35%), powertrain / transmission (331, 30%), service brakes (194, 18%). The manufacturer has 1,747 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have?
10 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, most recently 21V985000 (Dec 16, 2021, tires); 21V423000 (Jun 3, 2021, tires); 21V115000 (Feb 25, 2021, tires). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & method
Complaint, recall and service-bulletin counts for the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 come from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation; the per-1,000 rate divides complaints by published U.S. 2019 calendar-year sales; the verdict is CarWhere’s severity-weighted, time-on-road-adjusted score compared with the model’s own median year. Complaints are owner allegations, not verified defects. Full methodology.