Powertrain, brake, electrical, and engine issues are the top reported issues.
⚠️ Recall Alert: This vehicle may be affected by the 2025 GM engine recall covering select 6.2L engines. [View GM engine recall information]
Among the top trucks on the road, the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500, launched in 1999, continues to be hailed as one of the best from the automaker. Chevy claims it provides “a legendary engine for epic journeys.” But owners are finding fault with many components and systems including the engine, powertrain, electrical system, and both the trailer and service brakes.
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Complaints from consumers to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are very varied. They cover more than 20 different components or systems, often citing problems with two or three of them.
About one third of the complaints filed with the NHTSA between December 22, 2021, and December 31, 2024, relate to the electrical system of this light-duty, half-ton truck. However, there are relatively few complaints that relate only to the electrical system. Brake problems are second in line (26%), with many referring to trailer brake control, which is a huge issue for a truck that its owners use for towing. There is also a recall that relates to the brakes, although it isn’t the brakes themselves that are at fault, but rather a high-mounted brake light that doesn’t work. Listed as an exterior lighting recall, it states that the problem reduces visibility for other drivers, which increases the risk of a crash. There is also a second exterior lighting recall that requires a software update to ensure that daytime running lights (DLRs) deactivate and don’t produce a glare that reduces visibility.
Next in line are powertrain problems (more than 18%), followed by slightly less engine complaints. Other components and systems highlighted include airbags, backover prevention, equipment, forward collision avoidance, fuel/propulsion system, lane departure, latches/locks/linkages, steering, structure, tires, trailer hitches, vehicle speed control, visibility, and wheels.
Airbag problems are worth mentioning in more detail because they are meant to provide the first line of defense during an accident. When they don’t work, occupants are put at risk.
In addition to the exterior lighting recalls, there are two other recalls. A powertrain recall warns nearly half a million GM vehicle owners that their rear wheels might lock up from transmission valve failure. The other warns five 2022 Silverado owners that their airbags might not deploy in a crash!
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | |
| Power Train | |
| Electrical System | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | |
| Steering | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | |
| Structure:body |
There are serious issues with the powertrain, especially the transmission slipping and the gears not shifting properly.
The first complaint about the powertrain was lodged with the NHTSA in February 2022. “On the first drive every day, the transmission keeps slipping between 1st and 2nd gear and you have no power trying to accelerate until you find a gear.” The dealership couldn’t find anything wrong. “They said Chevrolet has a bulletin on this issue already. (This is) not okay.”
An owner from Illinois confirms that it is a problem that the manufacturer, General Motors (GM) knows about. “Since new delivery, (the) transmission appears to slip into neutral when (the) vehicle is first started and accelerated forward. (I) was advised by Chevrolet service that this is a known issue, and that GM is aware of the issue, but nothing can be done about it. Other than annoying, if a quicker move forward is required, the vehicle accelerates in neutral then grabs, causing the vehicle to slip on wet pavement, which could lead to a loss of control.”
An owner from Indiana describes how the “entire truck shudders and it feels as if the transmission slips” when driving at highway speed. This usually happens when “winding up to pass.” The vehicle doesn’t accelerate in the normal way, “it feels as if the transmission has issues finding the passing gear. After passing and letting off the gas it continues to shudder for a while until you reach a steady speed.”
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Years later, in October 2024, an owner drew the NHTSA’s attention to transmission issues that were compromising his safety and the safety of others on the road. These included “unpredictable shifts and lack of responsiveness (that) have created hazardous situations. Lunging, uncommanded downshifting, and rear fishtailing make it difficult to maintain control, especially in high-traffic areas.”
Another October 2024 complaint from an owner in Texas focuses on shifting issues. When it’s cold, the owner states, it is hard to shift when moving forward and also to the next gear. This often means stopping every 10 to 20 miles. “This has been an everyday thing for the last 5 months.”
An owner from South Carolina states in another complaint lodged in October 2024 that while stopped at a stop sign, the driver depressed the accelerator pedal but the vehicle lost power. The check engine warning light illuminated. The driver managed to park on the side of the road and inspect it. However, while attempting to place the vehicle in drive again, it failed to accelerate. The dealer diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced.
A big problem here is an integrated trailer brake system failure. But there are other brake issues too, as the number of manufacturer communications filed with the NHTSA indicate. These are varied.
An owner from Texas writes in an NHTSA complaint that after getting a brake failure warning notification, the brakes went soft without warning. “I almost rear-ended (the) vehicle in front of me.”
An owner from Florida was driving when “the truck reported a brake system failure and I lost power to my brakes. I was able to pull over at the gas station and call the dealership. They said they couldn’t assist because they didn’t know what the issue was.” Nevertheless, he had the truck towed to the dealer, who kept it for 8 days and replaced the brake module. But driving home, the same thing happened. “The dashboard read “Brake system failure “. I called the dealer and this time they towed the vehicle. They said they are replacing the entire master cylinder but I don’t have faith that this will solve the issue. I’ve heard of other Chevy Silverado’s with the same issue.”
This owner reported the problem to GM HQ, but complains that “ it doesn’t seem like there is a sense of urgency or that they care about the safety concerns I have with this truck.”
A complaint from an owner in Pennsylvania states that after the trailer braking system warning light came on, the dealer diagnosed an integrated trailer brake system failure. This was on November 15, 2022. But, the vehicle wasn’t repaired because the manufacturer didn’t have a fix for the failure.” According to manufacturer communications filed with the NHTSA, GM has been working on a fix for this issue since at least September 2022.
Another complaint about the trailer brakes is from an owner in Indiana who got a “trailer brakes disabled service required” message. He was towing an RV trailer at the time and went directly to the dealership.
“They found #PIT5948A from Oct 6th, 2022 stating that engineers are aware of (the) issue for all models using this integrated trailer brake. This is an urgent issue and critical for those pulling trailers with brakes. This is very dangerous to have trailer brakes disabled when pulling heavy trailers (and) can result in serious accidents and should be addressed immediately.”
In June 2023, an owner from Texas reported an integrated trailer brake failure. He plugged in the trailer and received a message stating “trailer brake failure, needs service.”
An owner from West Virginia states, “When pulling a travel trailer with electric trailer brakes, the truck’s trailer brake control switch disengages.” It all started while “pulling our new travel-trailer home from the dealership. He tested the trailer brakes before leaving the camper dealer’s lot, and everything was fine. But while traveling down the highway and braking with the foot pedal the truck emitted an audible alert tone. There were several messages before he “was finally able to read the alert notification on the dash in time to read that there was a trailer brake fault and the electronic trailer brake controller had been disabled.”
As stated earlier, very few complaints relate only to the electrical problem. Most are linked to other components including the powertrain, vehicle speed control, the engine, brakes, fuel/propulsion system, and backover prevention.
There are several complaints that relate to the engine, one from an owner in Texas who states that an engine misfire caused an electrical system failure. While driving at about 75-80 mph, the truck suddenly decelerated to 40 mph “and jerked with the check engine warning light illuminated.” The dealer replaced the injector, but the failure recurred. At the time of the complaint, the vehicle was with the dealer.
A complaint from Michigan tells how a Silverado stalled while driving at 50 mph. The “Shift to Neutral” and “Restart Vehicle” messages were displayed on the instrument panel, and the vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where ”it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be repaired.”
Another complaint states that a driver had tried to depress the brake pedal while driving 8 mph and couldn’t. It turned out that an unknown electrical component had detached from the dashboard and was obstructing the brake pedal.
Like all the other complaints, engine problems are varied. A very recent one filed on November 24, 2024, states that the engine of a two-year-old 2022 Silverado 1500 blew up. “The Chevy mechanic said that the cylinder walls could be scarred. He said that could be where the metal shavings are coming from.”
There are a large number of complaints that describe engines that misfire. An owner from Michigan states that while driving to work on October 21, 2024, at highway speeds up to 70 mph, the “engine started (to) misfire and several lights came on. (The) only way to keep moving was to push (the) accelerator to (the) floor until I was able to reach a place to stop.” The dealer replaced one lifter spring under warranty.
An owner in Texas states that an engine misfire caused an electrical system failure. While driving at about 75-80 mph, the truck suddenly decelerated to 40 mph “and jerked with the check engine warning light illuminated.” The dealer replaced the injector, but the failure recurred. At the time of the complaint, the vehicle was with the dealer.
A complaint from Michigan tells how a Silverado stalled while driving at 50 mph. The “Shift to Neutral” and “Restart Vehicle” messages were displayed on the instrument panel, and the vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where ”it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be repaired.”
You don’t have to be stuck with a lemon. So, if you think your Silverado 1500 is a lemon, contact Lemberg Law for a free evaluation of your problem. The law makes Chevrolet pay the legal fees, which means that you may be able to get your lemon out of your life.
Every year auto manufacturers buy back, replace, or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you. Call our Helpline or fill out a contact form to find out more.
Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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Pulling with 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Duramax – the truck shivers at 48 to 60 mph under a load. Had the Chevy Dealership look at it to no surprise no issues found at 1,500 miles and about 6,800 miles.
Now at 10,758 miles check engine light comes on and OnStar sends a message to have the emissions checked. Have an appointment for two weeks out now and after researching this I find a number of folks with this issue and the DEF heating element/control.
I will know more after Thanksgiving, and am I thankful I bought a Chevy, not!
Hopefully they get their stuff together before long. Never should have gotten rid of my 2011 Ford F250 diesel.
I purchased new 2022 Silverado 2,7 l
And have issue with 1&2 gear took to dealer and was informed that they can’t do anything for me
Contacted Chevy manufacturer was told same thing
Looking for advice
i was the person in the artical talked to supervisor at gm, i was told the airbags were in compliance .do not beleve 60mph into a tree is in compliance .i need help still have problems from accedent.