NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
This page covers 7 recalls, 71 owner complaints and NHTSA crash-test ratings for the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500.
The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, a US-market vehicle, received an overall NHTSA New Car Assessment Program rating of 4 out of 5 stars. In frontal crash testing, it earned 3 stars. Side crash protection was rated at 5 stars, while rollover resistance received 3 stars. Side pole crash testing resulted in a 5-star rating. This NHTSA rating applies to the 2019 model year shown until a redesign occurs.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Engine complaints dominate the 2019 Silverado 2500 complaint set, with the electrical system and powertrain following behind. On the engine side, owners most commonly report a loss of power tied to turbocharger problems, specifically the variable geometry turbocharger actuator failing and causing the truck to struggle on grades, sometimes dropping well below highway speeds. Several owners also describe the engine going into a reduced-power or "limp" mode while driving, with the truck forcibly cutting speed to around 30 mph without warning. Electrical system complaints include the rear window defroster overheating, owners describe melted plastic and burned components near the defroster tab. Powertrain reports frequently mention a "Service Trailer Brake System" warning appearing on the instrument panel, sometimes without any apparent drivability effect. The turbocharger power-loss pattern shows up across multiple reports at varying mileages, as does the defroster overheating issue, which some owners note occurring after remote starts.
71
Total Complaints
2
Crash-Related
5
Fire-Related
4
With Injuries
By System
The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 has 7 recalls, the most serious being a roof-rail airbag defect where the inflator end cap can detach or the inflator body can rupture, sending metal fragments or the cap itself into the cabin.
Recalls 1, 3, 4, and 6 all describe the same underlying roof-rail airbag problem on Crew Cab vehicles. The curtain-style airbags running along the roofline on either side of the cabin can fail violently, with compressed gas escaping and propelling pieces of the inflator hardware toward occupants even when the bags deploy for their intended purpose. This is among the more serious occupant safety risks, since the injury comes from the safety system itself rather than the crash event.
On the powertrain side, trucks equipped with the optional Duramax 6.6-liter diesel engine and a factory engine-block heater cord can develop an electrical short circuit in the heater cable or at the terminals where it connects to the engine. That short can generate enough heat to start a fire, including while the truck is parked and plugged in overnight. This same fire risk applies whether the fault originates in the cable itself or in the block heater connection point.
There is also a fuel system concern for trucks with the optional dual fuel tank setup. The rear tank can collapse inward, blocking the fuel pump from moving diesel to the front tank. When that happens, the engine runs out of fuel and stalls without warning, which raises the risk of a crash, particularly at highway speeds or in
At a glance
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 6 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
The roof rail air bag inflator end cap may detach or the inflator sidewall may rupture, preventing the air bag from deploying properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both roof rail air bag modules at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The roof rail air bag inflator may have a loose end cap that could detach, or the inflator itself may rupture.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both left and right roof rail air bag modules at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The end cap on either the left or right roof-rail air bag inflator may come loose, or the inflator itself may crack and rupture.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both the left and right roof-rail air bag modules at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The roof-rail air bag inflator's end cap may come loose or the inflator itself may crack, affecting the left or right side of the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both left and right roof-rail air bag modules at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear fuel tank may collapse, blocking the fuel pump from moving fuel to the front tank and causing the engine to stall.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel tank and fuel pump module as needed, and install a vent hose on the rear tank.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
An electrical short circuit can develop in the engine-block heater cable or its connection terminals, potentially causing overheating or electrical failure.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the engine-block heater and heater cord at no cost. Previously disabled heaters and those in prior recall 19V-328 will also receive replacement cords, rerouted as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine block heater cord or its terminals may short circuit and fail, affecting certain diesel-equipped Silverado and Sierra trucks.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the engine block heater free of charge. On some models, they will also install a rerouted heater cord.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.