Tracking the Most Common Chevrolet Problems and Complaints

A large pile of crushed cars

Car problems happen. But there's something we can do about it.

By matching owner complaints with recall, investigation and technical service bulletin data we've come up with a helpful list of the most common Chevy problems for every model and generation.

Featured Problems

5.3L Vortec 5300 Engine Oil Consumption

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From 2010-2014 GM's Vortec 5300 engine had multiple design flaws that led to an excessive oil consumption responsible for soiled spark plugs, bent pushrods, and timing chain wear to name a few. The problem was compounded by an inadequate oi…

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Engine Power is Reduced

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Defects with Chevy's accelerator pedal sensor and electronic throttle control system are triggering a sudden and dangerous 'Engine Power is Reduced' warning message which can lead to the car suddenly losing power and having limited accelera…

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A/C Condenser Leaking

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GM used leaky air conditioners that buckle under pressure in many 2014-2017 trucks and SUVs. Whether it's busted hoses or leaky condensors, thousands of GM owners are showing up to work with sweat stains down their back. It's such a widespr…

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All Problems

The Least Reliable Chevy Models

Some models just can't seem to get out of their own way. We've created a list of the least reliable Chevy models using data such as complaint volume, average cost of repairs, age of the car when it breaks down, and recall frequency. Here's the worst of the bunch.

All Models

What Owners Complain About the Most

Sometimes it's easiest to just tally up all the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are.

Worst Issues

Worst Topics

Worst Years

Watch Out For These Generations

A generation is a group of model years where little, if any, changes were made. They tend to have the same problems and some generations have horrible reputations for reliability. Here's a few you should avoid.

All Generations

Recent Chevy News

By the Numbers

  1. 40 models

    Each with their own trim levels, bodystyles, and special blend of headaches.

  2. 87 generations

    A group of years for a specific model with the same design, features, and problems.

  3. 30 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  4. 29,043 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  5. 64,420 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  6. 995 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

Have a complaint about your vehicle?

The best way to find out what's wrong with a vehicle is from the people who drive them. Not only do owner complaints help us rank vehicles by reliability, but they're often used to spark class-action lawsuits and warranty extensions. Plus, they're a great way to vent.

Add a complaint