Most Reliable Chevrolet Silverado Model Years: Know Which Ones Are Best Deals

Introduced first in 1999, the Chevrolet Silverado has a long track record of being one of the most loved and preferred vehicles in the US. A large part of the credit for its success goes to its hassle-free ownership experience, as it is considered to be a reliable truck thanks to the consistent updates and refinements given to it over the years. Barring the first-ever iterations, the Chevrolet Silverado consistently scored a quality and reliability index of above 80 out of 100 in J.D. Power surveys. 

Among all the generations of Chevrolet Silverado and its model years, we have listed down five of its most reliable models. This list can be helpful for you, especially if you are considering buying a used Silverado.

Scoring Criteria Of Reliability Of Chevrolet Silverado

For years, J.D. Power has proven to be a rightful source for determining long-term performance and reliability reports from the perspective of customer ownership experience.

• Using extensive consumer behavior and vehicle performance data, J.D. Power gives specific ratings for quality and reliability, driving experience, and resale of all the vehicles sold in the US.
• Needless to say, the higher the quality and reliability scores of a vehicle by J.D. Power, the higher its degree of reliability in the long run.
• J.D. Power calculates these scores with the help of data computation using various analytics and software.
• After analyzing the quality and reliability scores given to all the model years of the Chevrolet Silverado produced by J.D. Power, we have compiled the five model years with the highest scores.

Reliable Model Years Of Chevrolet Silverado

2012 Chevrolet Silverado 

J.D. Power Quality and Reliability Score: 86/100

With the highest quality and reliability index of 86 out of 100 among all the versions of Chevrolet Silverado produced to date, the 2012 Silverado is considered the most reliable Silverado to date.

• Compared to the earlier versions, the second-generation Chevrolet Silverado’s later versions, including the one introduced in 2012, arrived with several improvements. These included more robust and reliable engines, better driving dynamics, and a more premium cabin with better fit and finish levels.
• Owners of the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado have also reported impressive towing capacity and decent fuel efficiency compared to the previous Silverado.
• The minor issues of the first-generation Silverado, including the steering column and electrical ones, were rectified entirely in the 2012 version.
• With minimal dependency on electronics, the overall mechanical setup of the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 throws negligible tantrums in the long run.
• The V8 engine options, especially the 5.3-liter V8 gas engine and the 6-speed automatic transmission of the 2012 Silverado 1500, have relatively less complex engineering and are easier to fix than the current powertrains.
• However, if you are considering buying a used 2012 Chevrolet Silverado, ensure it is free from active fuel management (AFM) issues and signs of major rusting.

2016 Chevrolet Silverado

J.D. Power Quality and Reliability Score: 84/100

• When the third-generation Silverado debuted in 2014, the 8-speed transmission suffered from initial quality issues. However, Chevrolet quickly rectified those issues with a recall, with the units produced since 2016 being free of such issues.
• Like the previous second-generation version, the third-gen 2016 Chevrolet Silverado came with robust and reliable V6 and V8 engines, all of which still had relatively lesser dependency on electronics and were easier to fix.
• This particular version of the Chevrolet Silverado also scored high ratings in the safety tests conducted by NHTSA and IIHS, reflecting its strong and durable build quality.
• The third-generation Silverado started coming with modern-day essential features like bigger screens with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it still relative to current times.

2018 Chevrolet Silverado

J.D. Power Quality and Reliability Score: 84/100

• One of the last model years of the third-gen version, the 2018 Silverado was the most updated third-generation version, which means that the engine and transmission options were in their best state of tune, scoring high on performance, responsiveness, and reliability in the long run.

• Following the suite of the 2016 Silverado, the 2018 Silverado also had a robust build quality and retained good performance in NHTSA and IIHS safety tests.
• It was also the most modern form of the third generation of the truck, getting the latest tech and features it had to offer.
• Being the last model year of the third-gen Silverado, the 2018 model also fetches the best resale value while also ensuring faster and easier access to spare parts.

2013 Chevrolet Silverado

J.D. Power Quality and Reliability Score: 84/100

• The 2013 Silverado was the last-ever iteration of the second-generation Silverado and was one of the first Silverados to come with E85-compliant engines and various bed lengths and body configurations.
• Most of the owners of the 2013 Chevy Silverado are impressed with the ride quality and comfortable seats, which make the truck a good place to be during long-distance journeys.
• Even after rigorous years of usage, the owners of the 2013 Silverado have reported minimal squeaks and rattles, proving its rugged build and good quality levels.
• All the V8 engines offered in this version of Silverado, including the 4.8-liter, 5.3-liter, 6.0-liter, and 6.2-liter, are naturally aspirated powertrains and are known to last longer with relatively lesser maintenance than the modern-day turbocharged ones.

2024 Chevrolet Silverado

J.D. Power Quality and Reliability Score: 84/100

One of the latest versions of the Chevrolet Silverado, the 2024 model year also has a quality and reliability index of 84 out of 100, ranked by J.D. Power.

• The most technologically-advanced version of the Chevrolet Silverado yet, the 2024 Silverado has butch styling and the most luxurious interior ever seen in any version of this pickup.
• Despite having a host of electronically-assisted functions, the 2024 Silverado is known to be hassle-free in regular usage.
• The 2024 Chevy Silverado is one of the latest versions of the fourth-generation version of the pickup, which makes it more fine-tuned than any model year of this generation of the truck.
• All the engine options available in the 2024 Silverado come with modern tech, which has proven to be fuss-free in long usage cycles.

Commonly-Faced Issues In Chevrolet Silverado

The Chevrolet Silverado has remained one of the most bankable Chevys to buy for the long term. However, some minor issues pop up in all generations of Silverado in the long run, some common to vehicles that cross a certain age. Following are some of the problems experienced by Chevy Silverado owners in the past:

First-Generation Chevrolet Silverado

The earliest versions of the Chevrolet Silverado manufactured between 1999 and 2006 are now old enough to have issues like clanking sounds from the steering assembly and speedometer errors.

Second-Generation Chevrolet Silverado

Manufactured between 2007 and 2013, this version of Silverado was free from the steering-related issues of its predecessor. However, this generation of the pickup had minor problems with its air conditioning system, especially in the earlier model years.

Third-Generation Chevrolet Silverado

The most commonly discussed problem of the third-generation Silverado is that of the failures in its 8-speed automatic transmission in the earlier batches. To overcome this, Chevrolet issued a recall and rectified this issue, and the later year models of this generation came with an improved version of this gearbox.