I counted every NHTSA complaint on file for thirteen Silverado model years, 2014 through 2026, and kept the ones where the owner named an engine component on the form. NHTSA's complaint records don't say which engine a truck has, so these counts lump together every engine the light-duty Silverado offered in those years, the 5.3L and 6.2L V8s included. What's specific to the 6.2L comes from GM's recall filing and NHTSA's investigation files, cited below. Those narrow the years to check: trucks from 2021 to 2024 are in the recall, and NHTSA's open investigation reaches 6.2L trucks through the 2026 model year.
Which Silverado years have the most engine complaints?
The 2021, then the 2019. As of September 16, 2026, 421 of the 2021's 814 complaints name the engine, and 400 of the 2019's 1,072 do. For every model year from 2019 on, the engine is the part of the truck owners complain about most.
| Model year | Engine complaints | All complaints | Engine share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 215 | 1,556 | 13.8% |
| 2015 | 156 | 1,178 | 13.2% |
| 2016 | 72 | 797 | 9.0% |
| 2017 | 131 | 832 | 15.7% |
| 2018 | 108 | 515 | 21.0% |
| 2019 | 400 | 1,072 | 37.3% |
| 2020 | 263 | 725 | 36.3% |
| 2021 | 421 | 814 | 51.7% |
| 2022 | 264 | 616 | 42.9% |
| 2023 | 166 | 370 | 44.9% |
| 2024 | 165 | 329 | 50.2% |
| 2025 | 51 | 111 | 45.9% |
| 2026 | 53 | 94 | 56.4% |
Each complaint counts once, even when it names several engine parts. These counts exclude complaints with an implausible filing date (in the future, or before the model year could have been on sale). The Silverado model-year pages keep every complaint on file, so they can run a few counts higher for the same years.
The 2018 has 108 engine complaints, 21.0% of its total. The 2019 has 400, and the share climbs to 37.3%. Our Silverado counts cover the light-duty truck only; the 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty models aren't included. From 2024 on they do include the Silverado EV, which has no engine at all, so if anything the later engine shares are understated.
None of these counts is adjusted for how many trucks Chevrolet sold each year. Treat them as a record of where owners pointed. RideTruth's methodology notes explain why.
What does the 6.2L recall, 25V-274, cover?
GM filed recall 25V-274 on April 24, 2025. It covers 2021 to 2024 Silverado 1500s with the 6.2L V8 (GM's engine code L87) built between March 1, 2021 and May 31, 2024. The same engine and build window put Sierra 1500s, Tahoes, Suburbans, Yukons, Yukon XLs and Escalades in the recall too. In GM's filing, 107,244 of the 597,630 vehicles are Silverado 1500s. Trucks with other engines, or built outside those dates, aren't included.
GM's teardowns found two causes, both traced to a supplier: sediment on the connecting rods and in the crankshaft oil passages that damaged the rod bearings, and crankshafts machined out of spec. If the engine fails while driving, the truck loses power. GM lists the warning signs as knocking or banging, a check engine light, and hesitation, high revs, rough shifting or a no-start.
The remedy starts with a dealer inspection. An engine that fails it gets repaired or replaced. One that passes gets a switch to a thicker-grade oil, a new oil fill cap and filter, and an updated owner's manual. The work is free, according to NHTSA's recall summary. Owner letters went out June 18, 2025.
NHTSA doesn't know yet if the recall fix works
NHTSA doesn't know yet. On January 16, 2026, it opened a recall query (RQ26001) into whether the remedy works, and on August 20, 2026 it upgraded that to an engineering analysis, EA26005. These figures are from its opening report.
- NHTSA has 499 complaints of engine failure after the recall repair: 473 after the oil change and 26 after a full engine replacement.
- GM itself reported 6,953 complaints of post-remedy engine failure.
- Another 191 reports involve L87 engines built after May 31, 2024, outside the recall's window.
- The investigation now covers 2021 to 2026 models with the L87, 997,743 vehicles.
An engineering analysis may or may not lead to a new recall. Meanwhile, a completed recall on a 6.2L truck doesn't close the question.
Are 2019 and 2020 Silverados with the 6.2L covered?
No. NHTSA's first investigation, PE25001, opened January 16, 2025 on 39 complaints, listed 2019 to 2024 Silverado 1500s. The recall GM filed three months later starts at the March 2021 build date, so a 2019 or 2020 6.2L has no recall remedy. Those two years account for 665 of the engine complaints in the table above, but I can't tell how many came from 6.2L trucks.
Only one engine recall appears on 2019 to 2024 Silverados in our data, and it's 25V-274. The 2021 Silverado page lists all eight of that year's recall campaigns and the full complaint breakdown.
Is a 2023 or 2024 Silverado a safer bet?
Fewer complaints, yes. As of September 16, 2026, the 2023 Silverado has 166 engine complaints and the 2024 has 165, well under the 2021's 421. Still, the engine is about half of what owners report on those trucks (44.9% and 50.2%), and both have had less time on the road. For both years, 6.2L trucks built by May 31, 2024 fall inside the recall, and EA26005 now reaches the ones built after that date too.
What should I check before buying a used 6.2L Silverado?
- Confirm the engine. Ask the seller or a dealer to confirm from the VIN that the truck has the L87 6.2L. The recall covers only that engine.
- Run the VIN. NHTSA's recall lookup shows whether 25V-274 applies to that exact truck and whether it's still open.
- Ask which repair it got. A dealer service record will show whether the truck passed inspection and got the oil change or had its engine repaired or replaced. NHTSA is looking at failures after both.
- Listen on the test drive. Knocking, a check engine light or hesitation are the warning signs GM itself lists.
You can also compare the 2019 and 2021 Silverado side by side on complaints, recalls and EPA fuel economy, or pick other years from the Chevrolet Silverado hub.