The 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Transmission cooler line leak (Allison transmission).” Chevrolet vehicles use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — a percentage-based monitor that calculates oil life from driving conditions, not fixed mileage. When the OLS drops to 0%, oil and filter are due. The schedule below reflects GM's Normal Use intervals for everything else.
No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 3500.
POWER TRAIN
3 NHTSA complaints · 2010-11 → 2014-01
“PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES FOR THE ALLISON TRANSMISSION. 123,000KM'S ON MY 3500 AND THE TRANSMISSION LINES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES”
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TRANS COOLER LINES WERE LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID”
AIR BAGS
10 NHTSA complaints · 2016-01 → 2017-02
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V324000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE”
“TAKATA RECALL COME ON GM...MY HONDA DEALSHIP CONTACTED ME (AND I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS CAR, NOT SURE HOW THEY FOUND ME) AND SCHEDULED AN APPT, AND FIXED MY AIRBAG...THIS ALL HAPPENED IN LESS THAN A WEEK AND LITTLE IF ANY INCONVENIENCE TO ME. GM GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER”
AIR BAGS
2 NHTSA complaints · 2010-09 → 2012-11
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, HE CRASHED INTO A DEER AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISING. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED”
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS INVOLUNTARILY DEPLOYED. HE SUFFERED INJURIES BUT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HIMSELF TO THE HOSPITAL”
STEERING
4 NHTSA complaints · 2015-02 → 2024-12
“I purchased my new 2007 Chevy duramax diesel with an already installed fabtech lift kit. My pitman arm has snapped 3 times since I purchased my truck leaving me with complete steering loss. I have had to replace all steering components several times”
“WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, STEERING WHEEL SHAKES, SLIGHTLY, YET NOTICEABLY. ANY SPEED. THE SHAKE IS CONSISTENT, FEELS WORSE WHEN TURNING OR(DRIFTING) RIGHT I ON FREEWAY. HAVE HAD STEERING GEAR BOX, PITMAN ARM, AND ROAD FORCE BALANCING PERFORMED, TO NO RELIEF”
SERVICE BRAKES
3 NHTSA complaints · 2014-10 → 2019-09
“WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH, I HAD TO STOP FOR A GARBAGE TRUCK DOING A TRASH PICKUP. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES ON MY PICKUP, THE BRAKES TOTALLY FAILED AND I NEARLY DROVE ANOTHER CAR INTO THE BACK OF THE GARBAGE TRUCK”
“SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, ALLOWING THE TRUCK TO ROLL INTO THE INTERSECTION. THE ONLY WAY I STOPPED IT WAS SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL”
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
6 NHTSA complaints · 2008-08 → 2015-11
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT LEAST FOUR TIMES SINCE HE OWNED IT AND FEARED THE VEHICLE COULD STALL WHILE TOWING AND CAUSE A CRASH”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET 3500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 30 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT FELT AS IF THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED”
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2 NHTSA complaints · 2011-10 → 2011-10
“EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS ON THE 6.0L BREAK OFF AT THE HEAD CAUSING EXHAUST GAS TO LEAK INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE”
“OUR 2007 CHEVROLET 3500 4 X 4 WITH A 6.0 GAS ENGINE HAS FAILURE IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS AND IS CAUSING NOISE AND EMISSION ISSUES IN AND OUTSIDE THE CABIN AND IS AFFECTING HORSE POWER”
ENGINE
2 NHTSA complaints · 2008-02 → 2026-06
“The contact owned a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the contact noticed smoking coming from the under the front vehicle”
“WE PURCHASED A 2007 CHEVROLET 1 TON NEW IN AUGUST OF 2007. ON JANUARY 23, 2008 MY EMPLOYEE WAS DELIVERING TRAFFIC CONTROL. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AS HE WAS DOING HIS PAPER WORK. HE NOTICED SMOKE FROM UNDER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT”
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Change oil when the Oil Life System reaches 0% or every 12 months — whichever comes first. dexos1-approved synthetic oil required on all gas engines since 2011.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Silverado 4x4 and Tahoe owners benefit from earlier rotations to even out drivetrain wear.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at each tire rotation. Equinox and Malibu front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
GM specifies brake fluid replacement based on contamination testing. Test every 30,000 miles; replace if moisture content exceeds 3% or fluid appears dark.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
GM long-life cellulose air filters are rated 45,000 miles. Direct-injection engines are sensitive to airflow restriction; inspect at every oil change.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Severe service (heavy towing, frequent stop-and-go, dusty conditions): replace every 45,000 miles. Normal service: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI on 6L80/8L90 transmissions.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
On 4WD models, replace transfer case fluid every 45,000 miles — sooner if towing or off-roading. Use GM Auto-Trak II fluid.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$105–$140
Shop
~$75–$100
DIY
~$15–$40
AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.
GM iridium spark plugs are rated 100,000 miles on most LS and LT engines. The 5.3L V8 in Silverado 1500 commonly fouls plugs early under heavy idling.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
GM Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000 miles. Mixing with green coolant creates a sludge that destroys the cooling system.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Silverado and Tahoe: replace rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip differentials require GM friction-modifier additive.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$150–$195
Shop
~$105–$135
DIY
~$20–$50
Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Replace the cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Silverado and Tahoe owners in dusty climates should replace earlier.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
1,024 crashes 1990–2024
How the 1,024 occupant deaths break down
800
driver deaths
216
passenger deaths
8
not recorded by seat
1,024
occupant deaths
Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2006 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number
FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.
Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.
Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.
IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.
Owner-reported problem signals
Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.
1
complaints mentioning a crash
2
complaints mentioning a fire
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 reflects Chevrolet's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.