2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 marked the start of the fourth generation of the Silverado. It was available with a range of engines including a 2.7L Turbo I4 (310 hp, 348 lb-ft of torque), a 4.3L EcoTec3 V6 (285 hp, 305 lb-ft of torque), a 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (355 hp, 383 lb-ft of torque), a 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 (420 hp, 460 lb-ft of torque), and a 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel I6 (277 hp, 460 lb-ft of torque). Transmission options included a 6-speed automatic, 8-speed automatic, and 10-speed automatic, depending on the engine configuration. Owners generally liked the Silverado’s updated styling, comfortable ride, and available technology. However, some common complaints centered around the initial quality, particularly concerning the fit and finish of interior components, and some reliability issues with certain engine and transmission combinations.
Engine
2.7L Turbo I4
- Piston Failure
- Description/Symptoms: Engine knocking, loss of power, potential engine failure. This issue is often related to the piston cracking.
- Solution: Engine replacement.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $7,000 - $9,000+
- Turbocharger Failure
- Description/Symptoms: Whining or unusual noises from the engine, reduced power, check engine light.
- Solution: Turbocharger replacement.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $2,000 - $3,000+
- Recalls: None Found
5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (with Active Fuel Management/Dynamic Fuel Management)
- Excessive Oil Consumption
- Description/Symptoms: Low oil level warning, blue smoke from the exhaust, frequent need to add oil between oil changes. Often linked to AFM/DFM system.
- Solution: AFM/DFM system disable or replacement of faulty components (valve lifters, etc.), piston ring replacement.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $2,000 - $5,000+
- AFM/DFM Lifter Failure
- Description/Symptoms: Ticking or knocking noise from the engine, misfires, check engine light.
- Solution: Replacement of failed lifters and potentially camshaft repair/replacement.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $2,500 - $5,000+
- Recalls: None Found
6.2L EcoTec3 V8 (with Dynamic Fuel Management)
- AFM/DFM Lifter Failure
- Description/Symptoms: Ticking or knocking noise from the engine, misfires, check engine light.
- Solution: Replacement of failed lifters and potentially camshaft repair/replacement.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $2,500 - $5,000+
- Excessive Oil Consumption
- Description/Symptoms: Low oil level warning, blue smoke from the exhaust, frequent need to add oil between oil changes. Often linked to DFM system.
- Solution: DFM system disable or replacement of faulty components (valve lifters, etc.), piston ring replacement.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $2,000 - $5,000+
- Recalls: None Found
3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel I6
- High Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) Failure
- Description/Symptoms: Engine stalling, no start condition, metallic debris in the fuel system.
- Solution: Replacement of the HPFP and potentially cleaning/replacement of the entire fuel system if contaminated with debris.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $5,000 - $10,000+
- Recalls: None Found
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic (8L90)
- Harsh Shifting/Shuddering
- Description/Symptoms: Rough or clunky shifts, particularly between lower gears. A shuddering sensation can also occur. This is often caused by torque converter issues or valve body problems.
- Solution: Transmission flush with updated fluid (Mobil Delvac 1 ATF 668), valve body replacement, or torque converter replacement.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 (flush) - $3,000+ (major repairs)
- Recalls: None Found
10-Speed Automatic (10L80)
- Harsh Shifting/Hesitation
- Description/Symptoms: Similar to the 8-speed, but may also include hesitation during acceleration or delayed shifts.
- Solution: Software update, valve body replacement, or in some cases, full transmission replacement.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 (software update) - $5,000+ (major repairs)
- Recalls: None Found
Electrical
- Infotainment System Issues
- Description/Symptoms: Freezing, lagging, unresponsive touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity problems, and random reboots.
- Solution: Software updates, replacement of the infotainment system module.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $1,500+
- Recalls: None Found
- Battery Drain
- Description/Symptoms: Dead battery, difficulty starting the vehicle, frequent need to jump-start the battery. Can be caused by a parasitic draw from a faulty module or accessory.
- Solution: Diagnose and repair the source of the parasitic draw, battery replacement.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $500+
- Recalls: None Found
Exterior
- Bed Flex/Separation
- Description/Symptoms: Visible gap between the bed and the cab of the truck, particularly when the truck is under load or driven on uneven surfaces. This is due to the flexible nature of the frame and bed design.
- Solution: In some cases, dealers have attempted to shim or reinforce the bed. Some owners have opted for aftermarket solutions. There is no official GM fix.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $0 - $500+
Interior
- Cracking Dashboard
- Description/Symptoms: Cracks forming on the dashboard, especially in areas exposed to sunlight.
- Solution: Dashboard replacement.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $800 - $1,500+
- Recalls: None Found
Summary
The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has a range of potential issues depending on the engine and transmission configuration. The 2.7L turbo I4 has potential issues of piston and turbocharger failure. The 5.3L and 6.2L V8 engines are known for oil consumption and AFM/DFM lifter failures. The 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel I6 has HPFP failure issues. The 8-speed and 10-speed automatic transmissions can experience harsh shifting. Electrical issues such as infotainment glitches and battery drain are also present. Exterior issues such as bed flex/separation can cause cosmetic issues with the vehicle. Interior issues such as a cracking dashboard can also occur. The severity of these issues ranges from minor inconveniences to major repairs costing thousands of dollars. Addressing these common problems is crucial for maintaining the long-term reliability and value of the vehicle.