Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs. Ram 1500
Both trucks side by side for the years they were both sold (2009–2026): owner complaints filed with NHTSA, what each generation is known for, and years with a well-known costly problem.
How to use this: complaint counts are reports owners filed with NHTSA, not a reliability score. Best-selling trucks collect more reports simply because more are on the road. Use the numbers to spot years worth a closer look, then check the specific truck you're considering.
Complaints by year
Each count is compared with the typical (middle) count of the half-ton trucks we cover from the same model year. Counts as of October 5, 2026; a year's own page uses the latest count, so it can be slightly higher. Tap a count for that year's recalls, complaints and safety ratings.
| Year | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | Ram 1500 | Typical that year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 104More than typical | 96More than typical | 65 |
| 2025 | 102About typical | 357More than typical | 116 |
| 2024 | 311⚠ Known problem: 6.2L V8 only: Certain 6.2L V8 trucks were recalled for engines that can fail. Confirm the recall was done.More than typical | 70Fewer than typical | 214 |
| 2023 | 382⚠ Known problem: 6.2L V8 only: Certain 6.2L V8 trucks were recalled for engines that can fail. Confirm the recall was done.About typical | 187Fewer than typical | 382 |
| 2022 | 633⚠ Known problem: 6.2L V8 only: Certain 6.2L V8 trucks were recalled for engines that can fail. Confirm the recall was done.About typical | 598About typical | 586 |
| 2021 | 830⚠ Known problem: 6.2L V8 only: Certain 6.2L V8 trucks were recalled for engines that can fail. Confirm the recall was done.More than typical | 644About typical | 577 |
| 2020 | 729More than typical | 600More than typical | 468 |
| 2019 | 1,079More than typical | 1,193⚠ Known problem: The first year of this generation has the most complaints, led by sudden power steering failures. Check for open recalls.More than typical | 646 |
| 2018 | 519More than typical | 661⚠ Known problem: Known for sudden electric power steering failures. NHTSA investigated 2013–2016 trucks, and only some were recalled.More than typical | 412 |
| 2017 | 710More than typical | 879⚠ Known problem: Known for sudden electric power steering failures. NHTSA investigated 2013–2016 trucks, and only some were recalled.More than typical | 532 |
| 2016 | 792About typical | 1,543⚠ Known problem: Known for sudden electric power steering failures. NHTSA investigated 2013–2016 trucks, and only some were recalled.More than typical | 792 |
| 2015 | 1,105⚠ Known problem: The first years of this generation have the most complaints, led by hard brake pedals, A/C leaks and power steering cutouts. Check the recalls.About typical | 1,447⚠ Known problem: Known for sudden electric power steering failures. NHTSA investigated 2013–2016 trucks, and only some were recalled.More than typical | 912 |
| 2014 | 1,435⚠ Known problem: The first years of this generation have the most complaints, led by hard brake pedals, A/C leaks and power steering cutouts. Check the recalls.More than typical | 1,767⚠ Known problem: Known for sudden electric power steering failures. NHTSA investigated 2013–2016 trucks, and only some were recalled.More than typical | 1,049 |
| 2013 | 301More than typical | 1,277⚠ Known problem: Known for sudden electric power steering failures. NHTSA investigated 2013–2016 trucks, and only some were recalled.More than typical | 208 |
| 2012 | 215About typical | 697More than typical | 186 |
| 2011 | 563More than typical | 689More than typical | 424 |
| 2010 | 362More than typical | 486More than typical | 265 |
| 2009 | 444More than typical | 707More than typical | 279 |
Recent years aren't compared until the typical truck that year has at least 50 complaints. “Not separable” means NHTSA files that year together with other trucks. Recall counts aren't shown here; open any year to see its recalls. ⚠ marks a well-known costly problem that complaint counts alone don't show.
Generations side by side
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2009–2013 common problems →5.3L, 4.8L and 6.2L V8, 4.3L V6, 6.0L Hybrid
Cracked dashboards, often across the passenger air bag, make up about a quarter of complaints; rust is common, and 5.3L V8s with cylinder deactivation can burn oil.
- 2014–2018 common problems →5.3L and 6.2L V8, 4.3L V6
A hard brake pedal from a weak vacuum pump, A/C condensers that crack and leak, and electric power steering cutouts on 2014–2015 trucks are the big complaints; 8-speed trucks can shudder and V8 lifters can fail.
- 2019–2026 common problems →5.3L and 6.2L V8, 3.0L Duramax diesel, 2.7L turbo four, 4.3L V6
Certain 2021–2024 6.2L V8s were recalled for engine failures, V8s with cylinder deactivation are known for lifter failures, and transmissions shudder or shift harshly; certain diesel trucks were recalled for a valve body that can lock the rear wheels.
Ram 1500
- 2009–2018 common problems →5.7L HEMI V8, 3.6L V6 (2013+), 3.0L EcoDiesel (2014+), 4.7L V8 (2009–2013), 3.7L V6 (2009–2012)
Loss of electric power steering is the most reported problem on 2013–2018 trucks; EcoDiesels add EGR cooler fire and crankshaft sensor tone wheel stalling recalls, and 2011 trucks are known for fuel pump relay no-starts.
- 2019–2026 common problems →5.7L HEMI V8 (with or without eTorque), 3.6L V6, 3.0L EcoDiesel (2020–2023), 3.0L Hurricane I6 (2025+), 6.2L supercharged V8 (TRX)
2019 trucks have the most complaints, led by electric power steering failures; HEMI V8s break exhaust manifold bolts (and forums report lifter failures), eTorque trucks can stall, and the 2025 Hurricane trucks have many early electrical complaints.
Years with a known costly problem
From our owner notes. Some affect only one engine, so trucks with other engines those years aren't affected: check which engine the truck you're looking at has.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2014–2015 All enginesThe first years of this generation have the most complaints, led by hard brake pedals, A/C leaks and power steering cutouts. Check the recalls.
- 2021–2024 6.2L V8 onlyCertain 6.2L V8 trucks were recalled for engines that can fail. Confirm the recall was done.
Ram 1500
- 2013–2018 All enginesKnown for sudden electric power steering failures. NHTSA investigated 2013–2016 trucks, and only some were recalled.
- 2019 All enginesThe first year of this generation has the most complaints, led by sudden power steering failures. Check for open recalls.