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2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 carries 5 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering retractor and engine. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Automatic transmission hard shifting and clunking.” 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.

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5 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

Campaign #17V567000 · Sep 14, 2017

Issue: General Motors (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 trucks. The front seat belt retractor assemblies were built with the incorrect torsion bar. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."

Risk: The seat belt retractors may not perform as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front seat belt retractor assemblies, free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's numbers for this recall are 17368, 17375, and 17376.

ENGINE

Campaign #19V328000 · Apr 25, 2019

Issue: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500, 5500 and 6500 vehicles and 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with Duramax 6.6 liter diesel engines and an optional engine-block heater. The engine block heater cord or the terminals that connect the heater cord to the block heater may short circuit and fail.

Risk: A short-circuit may damage the engine components and increase the risk of fire.

Fix: GM will contact owners, dealers will replace the engine block heater, free of charge. Additionally, in Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles, dealers will install a new rerouted heater cord. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-586-596-1733. GM's number for this recall is N182206310.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Campaign #16V651000 · Aug 9, 2016

Issue: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER

Campaign #21V496000 · Jan 7, 2021

Issue: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500 and 2017-2019 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with a Duramax diesel 6.6 liter engine and an optional engine-block heater cord. An electrical short-circuit may occur in the engine-block heater cable or in the terminals that connect the heater cable to the block heater.

Risk: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace engine block heaters and heater cords. Vehicles that have this feature disabled as a remedy to the safety condition will be contacted and offered replacement block heaters and heater cords under a separate customer satisfaction program, free of charge. GM will provide free replacement block heaters and cords under a separate customer satisfaction campaign. For vehicles previously included in recall 19V-328, the heater cord will be replaced and rerouted, free of charge. Interim owner notifications were mailed on August 13, 2021. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 4, 2022. Customers may call GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 212329840.

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Campaign #23V047000 · Feb 2, 2023

Issue: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 vehicles equipped with a dual fuel tank option. The rear fuel tank may collapse and prevent the fuel pump from transferring fuel to the front tank, resulting in an engine stall.

Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and fuel pump module, replacing them as necessary. Dealers will also add a vent hose to the rear tank assembly. Repairs will be performed free of charge. An interim owner notification letter informing owners of the safety risk was mailed on March 15, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 21, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222368030.

Recall data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500.

Reported to NHTSA

Automatic transmission hard shifting and clunking

POWER TRAIN

31 NHTSA complaints · 2017-09 → 2024-10

“TRANSMISSION SHIFTS EXTREMELY HARD CAUSING A LOUD CLUNK AND THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD. THIS IS EXPERIENCED A LOT DURING SLOWING DOWN AT YIELD SIGNS OR WHEN STARTING OUT IN TRAFFIC”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11022161
“THE 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION EXHIBITS NUMEROUS ISSUES. 1) WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO UNDER 10 MPH, AS IF YOU WERE YIELDING TO TRAFFIC AND THEN PRESSING THE THROTTLE TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE, TWO ISSUES CAN OCCUR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11256466
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS CORRECTLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11403549

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Backup camera screen too bright at night with no dimmer

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

6 NHTSA complaints · 2017-08 → 2018-10

“DURING NIGHT HOURS ONLY, THE BACKUP CAMERA IS SO BRIGHT (INSIDE THE CAB) IT IS HARD TO NAVIGATE WHEN BACKING. YOU CAN NOT SEE YOUR MIRRORS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11141728
“BOUGHT 2017 SILVERADO 1500 LTZ NEW. BACKUP CAMERA WILL NOT DIM AT NIGHT, BLINDING, MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO BACK UP, UNABLE TO SEE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. BEEN THAT WAY SINCE NEW”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11075783
“BACKUP CAMERA TOO BRIGHT FOR BACKIUP AT NIGHT WHILE STILL NEEDING TO VIEW SIDE MIRRORS. IT WOULD BE GREAT TO COME UP WITH A SLIDING "ON SCREEN" BRIGHTNESS CONTROL FOR IMMEDIATE CONTROL OVER THE BACKUP CAMERA ON SCREEN BRIGHTNESS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11063697

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Hard brake pedal and reduced stopping power at low speed

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

32 NHTSA complaints · 2018-11 → 2023-08

“The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph, the braking system suddenly failed causing the brake pedal to become extremely hard to press and the vehicle would not immediately stop”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11537451
“DRIVING SLOW AT DRIVE THRU LOST POWER BRAKES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11151730
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP IN TRAFFIC AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11269168

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Trailer brake controller warnings and wiring faults

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES

10 NHTSA complaints · 2020-01 → 2024-09

““Service Trailer Brake System” warning on DIC. Vehicle undriveable, INOP, Safety Issue! Start truck, the above warning will flash off and on, Code C1117 DTC”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11612457
“I was on a 2 hour drive hauling my 8000lbs trailer when the service trailer brake alarm went off. It constantly dinged the whole 2 hour trip and caused my trailer brakes not to work putting me and my family in danger hauling such a load with no brakes”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11453146
“Engine wiring harness failure on my 2017 Silverado 2500HD LT 6.6. This time it is the cylinder 7 connector which is a very common complaint by Chevy owners”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11595390

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Diesel engine block heater cord fire and recall delay

ENGINE

13 NHTSA complaints · 2019-05 → 2020-06

“INSD ARRIVED AT WORK AND PLUGGED IN HIS BLOCK HEATER AS HE ALWAYS DOES DURING THE WINTER. INSD THEN WENT INTO WORK AT ABOUT 6:30PM. AT APPROX 7:30PM INSD WAS NOTIFIED THAT THERE WAS A FIRE IN HIS TRUCK, FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11208337
“THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHEN THE CONTACT PULLED INTO HIS DRIVEWAY AND PLUGGED IN THE BLOCK HEATER, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE A FEW MINUTES LATER IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11192390
“THE ENGINE BLOCK HEATER CORD WAS RECALLED ON MY 2017 CHEVY DURAMAX DIESEL. I BROUGHT MY TRUCK TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP ON AUGUST 21, 2019 FOR THE RECALL AND THE CORD WAS SIMPLY CUT OFF. AT THAT TIME THERE WAS NOT A REMEDY FOR THE RECALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11279532

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering loss and looseness in the steering wheel

STEERING

9 NHTSA complaints · 2017-08 → 2025-07

“The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the steering wheel became loose. The contact stated that there was an abnormal amount of slack in the steering wheel”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11675545
“The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving at 15 mph, the power steering had failed while making a turn and the steering wheel would not turn. The contact crashed into a light pole”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11434022
“Power steering has failed. Truck drives stiff without power steering”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11613373

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear window defroster sparking, melting, or shattering

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER

5 NHTSA complaints · 2019-02 → 2024-01

“I was driving with my front and rear motoried window defrost on because its cold outside right now when I started smelling something burning. I turned down the defrost knob”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11568772
“The contact own a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact noticed that the plastic piece from the rear defroster window was sparking and smoke was coming from rear window. In addition, the plastic was melting”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11457989
“REAR WINDOW EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY ELECTRIC REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER EXPLODED/SHATTERED OUTWARD WHEN DRIVER DOOR WAS CLOSED, SPRAYING SHATTERED GLASS INSIDE THE CAB AND THE EXTERIOR SURROUNDING AREA”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11175837

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag deployment failures and unexpected deployment

AIR BAGS

6 NHTSA complaints · 2017-11 → 2024-12

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT ABRUPTLY PULLED IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11044152
“I AM THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE, MY SON AND I WERE TURNING ONTO A HIGHWAY FROM A GRAVEL ROAD AS I WAS ACCELERATING, AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11098479
“Driving down the road under 40mph and headliner airbags deployed without an accident. The dash and steering wheel bags DID NOT deploy however the headliner bags deployed for no reason”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11631884

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

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.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

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.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

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.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

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.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

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.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

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.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

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.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 45,000 mi

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.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

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.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

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.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 50,000 mi

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.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

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.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

204 crashes 1990–2024

How the 204 occupant deaths break down

164

driver deaths

40

passenger deaths

204

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2017 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.

Why we show driver deaths too

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.

15

complaints mentioning a crash

8

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

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 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 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.

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