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Chevy Silverado And GMC Sierra Have Major Engine Problems, Says Consumer Reports

The Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra are hugely popular pickup trucks, but now, both nameplates have been singled out as having major engine issues and reliability problems.

Per a recent post from non-profit consumer organization Consumer Reports, the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra are tied as the recent models most likely to exhibit major engine problems. The Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra are both pointed out as “they’re the same trucks sold under different brands,” according to Consumer Reports.

Consumer Reports listed several vehicles most likely to exhibit reliability issues in the organization’s 17 key trouble spots, which, in addition to Major Engine issues, also includes Engine Cooling issues, Major Transmission issues, Drive System issues, Electrical System issues, and Climate System issues.

Notably, the 2020 Buick Encore GX was the vehicle most likely to have brake system issues.

The Consumer Reports ranking is based on reliability data collected via Consumer Reports member surveys, and focuses on 1- to 3-year-old models.

According to Consumer Reports, 4 percent of Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra owners reported some kind of Major Engine issue, including full engine replacements, as well as cylinder head-related issues. Major engine issues include an engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head problems, head gasket problems, turbocharger or supercharger problems, and timing chain or timing belt problems.

Overall, Consumer Reports gives the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 and 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 one out of five with regard to reliability scoring.

As a reminder, the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 and 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 were both offered prior to the full model refresh introduced for the 2022 model year, as well as before the pre-refresh 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 Limited and 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Limited. Engine options for the 2021 model year include turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine, naturally aspirated 4.3L V6 LV3 gasoline engine, naturally aspirated 5.3L V8 L82 gasoline engine, naturally aspirated 5.3L V8 L84 gasoline engine, naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine, and the 3.0L I6 LM2 turbodiesel Duramax.

Both pickups ride on the GM T1 platform.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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