Chevy Silverado And GMC Sierra Have Major Engine Problems, Says Consumer Reports
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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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Melling makes the lifters for GM and many others and Melling has a very good reputation for manufacturing engine parts so “cheap” isn’t the issue.The VLOM causes the lifters to fail and it’s most likely due to oil blow bye corrosion.Dodge and RAM have the same issues.Toyota,Nissan and Ford have their own issues,just check the forums.The trick is to be well informed as to what you really want to buy and if you purchase an AFM style engine disable the AFM and install an oil catch can and you’re good to go.If you want the super gas sucking Tundra and Titan go for it.If you want blown turbos and overheating issues get the Cheapo boost.If you have an issue go online and search for the TSB for your vehicle,NHTSA will list it and you can print out and hand it to the service advisor.If you go in and don’t know what is wrong and uninformed the dealer will stick it to you.They call people who do that suckers and lay downs,I
experienced it when I used to work for 3 dealerships.The CAFE emissions standards are what drives these gas saving gimmicks so we just have to fight against it after the purchase.If you live in CA install the stuff and remove it before testing and then reinstall it.We gotta do what we have to do.
I have many of these failed lifters in my shop. I have cut them in half with a metabo to see what actually failed. 99 percent of the time the inner lifter bore beneath the spring is almost always Gauled up. I agree that the failures are partly do do with the vlom design. Its pretty simple tho, the more moving parts the more room for failure. I don’t believe the lifters get adequate oil flow. I thought the new variable flow oil pumps on the 2014-up would help but I dont believe it has. For those that don’t currently have any issues, delete afm in the computer ASAP. It is not “if” you will experience a failure it’s “when”. Another thing, if you have to pull the heads to replace even one lifter go ahead and do the full afm delete and replace the lifters with ls7 style and new non afm gm cam and block off the valley oil towers with delete plugs. If you put the afm style lifters back in you are going to be going back Into it again and it will cost you thousands at the dealer. Believe me, I go behind them all the time because they refuse to do a real delete.
I have a 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 with about 68,000 miles on it. I change the oil sooner than recommended normally and the tranny oil and differential oil on schedule. I have the 6-speed which was around for quite a long time and so far, the hunting for gears seems to be its only issue at certain speeds. It runs great, no oil issues so far, but I’m concerned about the AFM in the 5.3. It works great but I would rather delete it and let the lifters work normally since it seems to be a problem in many cases. If I am careful and run the occasional Techron bottle through it, the mileage isn’t that much better than just when it’s in non-AFM mode. How do you have the AFM deleted? I know I will probably need an A/C condenser at some point, but I work for a Volvo/Mack dealer and we can get replacements for a reasonable price, assuming availability. We have enough problems getting our own parts. I’m a parts guy, not a tech, so what does it take to turn the thing off? Also, my kid has a 2018 Silverado with the 5.3 and 8 speed. He got a complete Borla system and K&N intake, which I hope to do also. Lifted and leveled ,he does actually do a little off-roading since he lives in Colorado and when he comes here to Oregon, now considering a custom built new one or a Ram, which sounds like it might be the better option. Any thoughts there?
@Chris
Buy a GM EV??? Lol, GM couldn’t wire in a headlight and not find some way to screw it up or have it short out. Their electrical is pure garbage, always has been. Don’t matter what country they move manufacturing to. Now they want to build EV’s? LOL…. run .. run far far away.
Range Technology AFM disabler,$200-210,plug it in and leave it.It doesn’t reprogram anything,it just disables the AFM and it doesn’t leave a footprint.If you get service at a dealership unplug it and then reinstall it when you leave.Super easy.
Bob as I stated before RAM and Dodge have the EXACT same issues with AFM,they call theirs DFM I think.It’s perfectly fine to purchase a Ram or GM truck with the AFM system,just delete it ASAP with a Range Technology AFM disabler or have a tuner shop donit.Some programmers can do it but theses last few years the companies are blocking out the aftermarket programmers.The tuner shops and aftermarket manufacturers have to pay a fee to get into the Jonathan stated that it can be done mechanically but at a steep cost.
Sorry about the typos…pay a fee to get into the ECM.
I have a chevy 5.3 270,000 miles not one issue
As I read these comments from 2020 and 2021 5.3L engines, I am so glad to see Chevrolet NEVER fixed the Camshaft and Lifter problem (that started in 2013)! These 5.3L engines are JUNK! I will never buy another V-8 in the GM line.
OOooo a bridge to sell ? Wow. Say it enough and someone likely a Trumper will buy it .
Dave I’m sure you’re a nice guy, probably even fun to drink a beer with, but you know nothing about COVID other than what you’ve been told by government or media. If you care to actually learn something watch Joe Rogan’s interview with Dr. Robert Malone. If you want to stay in your bubble of idiocracy, that’s fine too. Just stop spreading government propaganda and uninformed bull.
You’d prefer to listen to a single researcher who falsely claimed he invented the technology behind the covid vaccine, rather than the thousands of other researchers who spent 30 years since then making it a reality. You also ignore the results of over a year of vaccination data on efficacy and safety to accept what Rogan walks out on his show. He’s a flack, and sadly so is the good doctor. Making bank on the gullibility of their audience.
You do realize Dr. Malone has the patents for the mRNA tech, right? It’s not just one doctor either, it’s thousands. You quote MSM propaganda as if it’s gospel. Keep worshipping at the alter of the Branch Covidians. Have fun dying from blood clots from your repeated gene therapies that don’t work according to the CEO of Pfizer!
CDC now says masks don’t work, bet you still wear one in your car driving by yourself.
CEO of Pfizer says he won’t take his gene therapy and it doesn’t work, bet you’ve already had your 3rd shot. All of this is on video btw.
You’ve bought into a giant lie and you can’t admit you’ve been lied to.
1. Malone doesn’t hold a patent. He was with a firm over 30 years ago that filed a patent that was later dropped. He still holds a grudge from when he was a grad student when he made his first important observations that he hasn’t been able to monetize it.
2. The CDC is clear that masks, especially specific ones, provide protection from viral droplets. Been that was for years. Still see surgeons using them, right?
3. Bourla, the Pfizer CEO, is providing updates on the efficacy of his vaccine with new variants based on the latest data. The efficacy of the original vaccine needed to be assessed with each new variant that appears due to the large population of unvaccinated for the virus to reproduce and mutate in. He was frank that a two shot of Pfizer did not provide ample protection from omicron – a third booster was an improvement against serious disease and hospitalization. However, they are working on a new vaccine for omicron and future variants – thanks to folks like you who would rather trust your cult leader Rogan than science.
Just pulled another 2018 Tahoe into the shop. It is a collapsed afm lifter on number 7 cylinder. Starting to see these alot in the l83 5.3 even with low mileage. I can’t say it enough, disable afm in your computer!
Re “Rogain” That lying tard ? Oh you’ve deep throated the koolaide buddy. Get out of the crack and come up for air.
Problem is they are all in that deep “crack” too deep. The oxygen is compromised, the methane too thick. That part of society is likely doomed. They’ve became cultists. There is no return for them. Now let’s try to get back to raggin and braggin G Ms.
Ever wonder how all those Germans followed Hitler? Just look in the mirror!
You do realize Hiltlers followers were also living with the big lie. We the vaxxed are not gassing anyone, or burning books, But it does look like the massive graves will be needed for the Antivaxxers, antimaskers as they keep dropping like flies. There are other sources besides the cultist FOX “entertainment” network. You know YOU are listening to lies. Problem is you’re so embedded up the “poop chute” you’ll keep the charade as you take your last Covidiot breath, as so many have before you. PS please go to the My mommy kicked me out of the basement site. After all this IS the GM raggin and Braggin site.
Me ? Lied to ? Buddy I’m not the one drinking the koolaide before watching FOX “entertainment”. PS just like sugar helps the medicine go down you really need the other to swallow the BS you willing gulp down. You’ve joined a cult buddy. You are a lost soul. Too bad … I guess. I’m sure your mind was once yours. Hey just as a thought, try watching something that isn’t FOX affiliated and maybe you’ll see the light of day. But I think you’re one of many lost to the dark side. Enjoy what is left.
HEY KT Seriously… Keep up the good work. I think the Koolaid was drank and they are lost souls wandering clueless looking for a “cause”. But now that they’ve developed a taste for BS it seems hard to give it up. They have the disinformation monkey on their backs . Like most addicts now crave more.
NOW… Let’s get back to G.M. Raggin and Braggin .
Driving to a major city from remote area and lucky near a small community ,I ran out of transmission fluid , had to stay overnight till I can buy trans.fluid in the morning.was told why didn’t you check fluid, told them it’s a new truck.put 4 litres fluid in never had any problem after that.probebaly forgot to put at assembly plant
Hey Kort… Right On ! It’s those selfish Covidiots that keep it going by supplying a “willing” host.
So true. A dear friend who refused to wear a mask or get vaccinated, just died of Covid. 45 years old, leaving a wife and 3 kids. 😡
A) None of these trucks come with factory superchargers.
B) There’s absolutely no way all of the available engines have the same problem.
C) The people at consumer reports tend to be everyday morons who know nothing about cars or technology. It’s literally the LAST source I use when buying anything at all. (Actually, I don’t use it).
I’m sure there are people having problems, but this is incredibly vague and makes no sense.
If it has AFM or dynamic fuel management it has problems, guaranteed. Also, the V6 that l comes in the enclave, traverse, Acadia etc. is a ticking time bomb. The timing design is junk. Coming from a Auto mechanic. Thanks
I think people who get their car worked on know if their engine has gotten worked on. This is not rocket science and it jives with many online reports. That said we really need to know which engines are involved.