How Long Do Chevrolet Silverado Last? (Solved & Explained!)

With excellent powertrain options, strong towing ability, and a quiet interior, the Chevrolet Silverado makes for an impressive truck.

You may be interested in this truck but are concerned about its durability.

Do these trucks last long? We answer this and other questions in this new article.

Here is the short answer to how long Chevrolet Silverados last:

With regular maintenance and conscientious use, a good model year of the Chevrolet Silverado can last between 200,000 to 300,000 miles or more. That means you can easily get 10 to 20 years of reliable service from a Silverado truck with proper maintenance.

Let’s dive a little deeper.

RELATED: Common Problems With Chevy Silverasos You Should Know.

How Many Miles Can You Expect from a Chevrolet Silverado?

Pickups like the Chevrolet Silverado are hugely popular because they are durable and can handle abuse for years. The Chevrolet Silverado, with its amazing durability, is every inch the paragon of pickup reliability.

An iSeeCars study, using data from millions of used car sales, found that the Chevrolet Silverado can last 200,000 miles. However, real-life owners say the Silverado trucks can last much longer.

According to users, you can get up to 300,000 miles of service out of a Chevy Silverado truck. And you can do this without extensive repairs required to keep some old trucks on the road.

Surely, you will have to spend money to keep your vehicle running. For instance, drive belts, PCV valve, plugs, wires, transmission, etc., may require replacement at the 100,000 to 200,000-mile mark.

But with adequate maintenance, you can ensure the costs are well within your budget.

Prompt maintenance will prevent those minor issues from developing into bigger, complex problems.

Search used car listings and you’ll find Silverados with over 300,000 miles on them, which is proof your Silverado can join the 300K mile club, too.

You will, however, need to take care of your vehicle properly.

Particularly parts like the transmission should get extra attention, since they are central to the truck’s operation.

Replacing the transmission’s filter and fluid on schedule will also prolong its life.

Please also read our article about driving the Chevrolet Silverado in snow and winter.

How Soon Should You Expect Rust on a  Chevrolet Silverado?

For owners, rust problems can be a nightmarish problem that can be expensive to fix.

From our research, Chevrolet Silverado trucks rust early, and we’ll advise watching out for rust in the first three to five years.

Like many trucks, the Chevrolet Silverado is plagued by complaints of frame rust. According to owners, frames on Silverados are prone to rusting, which can render the truck undrivable.

As far as we can tell, the frame rust problem is widespread on early Silverados, although some newer models face the problem, too.

Another common rust area on the Chevrolet Silverado is the wheel well, especially the rear wheel wells. Per reports, the wheel liners are prone to trapping salt and water, which can accelerate rusting on the truck.

The undercarriage of the Chevrolet Silverado is another area where you must watch out for rust.

In particular, living in a colder region, say, the Midwest or North, increases the chances of undercarriage rust on your Silverado because of road salt.

While rust may seem inevitable, you can prevent it or, at least, reduce its spread.

Washing your truck regularly is a particularly effective way of keeping rust at bay. Car washing eliminates salt particles that accumulate from driving on salted roads, which corrode metal.

Also, treating your truck with rustproofing products, while not a final solution, can provide some protection for your truck against rust.

If you discover rust on your vehicle, you can use sandpaper to remove the rust spots. Afterwards, apply primer to the area and paint over it.

Other rust-prone areas on the Chevrolet Silverado trucks include:

• Rocker panels
• Cab corners
• Tailgate

How Long Do Chevrolet Silverado Last Compared to Similar Car Models

With its stellar qualities, the Chevrolet Silverado is an attractive option for anyone looking for a truck. But there are plenty of other choices in the full-size truck segment.

Below, we see how the Silverado compares against such vehicles, particularly in terms of reliability:

Chevrolet Silverado vs. Ford F-150

For years, the Ford F-150 has remained the highest-selling truck in the United States, outselling rivals including the Chevrolet Silverado. Despite the disparity in sales figures, both models have the same level of reliability. We have more here on what years to avoid for the Chevy Silverado.

Provided with adequate servicing, both a Ford F-150 and a Chevrolet Silverado will last the same 300,000 miles or more.

However, the Ford F150 may be a better long-term option, given that newer models use aluminum in place of steel used by the Silverado.

Aluminum doesn’t rust like steel, although it is also prone to corrosion. This can help reduce a vehicle’s chances of breaking down from rusted components.

Make sure to also read our article about how long the Ford F-150 lasts.

Chevrolet Silverado vs. Nissan Titan

The Chevrolet Silverado offers the same service life as the Nissan Titan. Owners of both vehicles say you can get them to 300,000 miles with regular servicing.

We must mention that the Nissan Titan comes with a comparably higher price tag than the Chevrolet Silverado.

The 2020 Silverado costs $30,095, while the 2020 Titan costs $37,785–that’s a difference of over $7,000.

If you want to save more money on your long-term automotive investment, the Silverado seems better compared to the Titan.

Chevrolet Silverado vs. Ram 1500

Both Chevrolet Silverados and Ram 1500s come with the same 5-year/60,000-mile warranty coverage. And both models will take you the same 300,000 miles, so both are sensible options for long-term use.

Chevrolet Silverado vs. GMC Sierra 1500

Chevrolet Silverados and GMC Sierra 1500s have the same parent brand: General Motors. Given their shared production ancestry, it only makes sense that both models exhibit similar durability.

You can get about 300,000 miles from the Chevrolet Silverado, same as the GMC Sierra 1500. However, the GMC Sierra 1500 ($31,195) is more expensive than the Chevrolet Silverado ($30, 095).

How Reliable Is a Chevrolet Silverado?

Reports from owners suggest the Chevrolet Silverado is as reliable as any truck can get. Users say the Silverado only needs routine maintenance to continue operating in pristine condition.

We know anecdotal reports can be notoriously unpredictable for predicting real-life vehicle reliability. As such, we looked at various reliability rankings to see how the Silverado fared in terms of reliability.

The 2019 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study ranked the Chevrolet Silverado along with the Toyota Tundra as the most reliable light-duty trucks. Similarly, RepairPal ranks the Silverado 5th out of 17 full-size trucks for reliability.

The Silverado’s impressive performance on these reliability rankings is proof of the model’s excellent reliability. If you need a reliable truck, a Silverado truck may be your best option.

The Best and Worst Years for Chevrolet Silverado

Based on our analysis of problems and complaints on every Silverado model, we can safely say the 2008 model year is the worst for Chevrolet Silverados.

The models released that year had widespread problems, especially concerning the engine. The engine reportedly suffered from excess oil consumption, hesitating, and internal knocking.

Owners spent between $2,700 to $3,000 to fix engine-related problems on these 2008 Silverados.

We’d advise that you avoid Silverado models released between 2003 to 2008 because they have the highest number of reported problems in the lineup.

For example, the NHTSA received about 720 complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado alone.

The best model year for the Chevrolet Silverado is 2019. This model received relatively few complaints and boasts new features, thanks to a major redesign effort.

Also read our article about how long Chevrolet Colorados last.

What About Recalls for These Models?

Since it started production in 1999, the Chevrolet Silverado has seen 50 recall actions. Here is a breakdown of the recall information for individual model years:

• 2015: 18 recalls
• 2014: 17 recalls
• 2002: 15 recalls
• 2016: 8 recalls
• 2017: 4 recalls
• 2013: 3 recalls
• 2012: 2 recalls
• 2019: 1 recall

Chevrolet Silverado Model Year List

Here are the model years for the Chevrolet Silverado:

First Generation

• 1999 Chevrolet Silverado
• 2000 Chevrolet Silverado
• 2001 Chevrolet Silverado
• 2002 Chevrolet Silverado
• 2003 Chevrolet Silverado
• 2004 Chevrolet Silverado
• 2005 Chevrolet Silverado
• 2006 Chevrolet Silverado

Second Generation

• 2007 Chevrolet Silverado
• 2008 Chevrolet Silverado
• 2009 Chevrolet Silverado
• 2010 Chevrolet Silverado
• 2011 Chevrolet Silverado
• 2012 Chevrolet Silverado
• 2013 Chevrolet Silverado

Third Generation

• 2014 Chevrolet Silverado
• 2015 Chevrolet Silverado
• 2016 Chevrolet Silverado
• 2017 Chevrolet Silverado
• 2018 Chevrolet Silverado

Fourth Generation

• 2019 Chevrolet Silverado
• 2020 Chevrolet Silverado

Are Chevrolet Silverado Expensive to Maintain?

For a full-size truck, the Chevrolet Silverado has moderate maintenance costs. From RepairPal estimates, you will spend about $714 on maintenance for a Silverado truck in a year.

By comparison, the average cost for maintenance in the full-size truck segment is close to $1,000. The Silverado is inexpensive to maintain and will help you save money on maintenance.

How Long Do the Brakes Last?

The brakes can last between 30,000 to 60,000 miles.

How Long Do the Tires Last?

Depending on how you use them, the tires on your Chevrolet Silverado can last up to 50,000 miles.

How Long Do the Transmissions Last?

Subject to maintenance, your transmission will probably need replacement between 150,000 and 200,000 miles.

How Long Do the Spark Plugs Last?

According to owners, spark plugs on Silverados last up to 100,000 miles.

What About Insurance Cost?

According to the estimates we found, your annual budget for insuring a Chevrolet Silverado should be around $1,920. This means around $160 in monthly insurance fees.

Tips to Prolong the Life of Your Chevrolet Silverado

Here are tips to help you prolong the service life of your Chevrolet Silverado:

1. Change fluids and filters at intervals recommended in the service manual.
2. If you do a lot of towing and hauling with your Chevrolet Silverado, buy a transmission cooler, as this will prevent it from overheating and failing.
3. Get your vehicle rustproofed to prevent rust from damaging important components on it.

Resources

https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2019-us-vehicle-dependability-study-vds

https://www.iseecars.com/longest-lasting-cars-study

https://m.carcomplaints.com/Chevrolet/Silverado/

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