Chevrolet Silverado 1500 T1XX
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The T1XX Silverado (2019–2025) is GM's most ambitious half-ton ever — four engine families, two transmissions, and a proportional number of teething problems that took until 2023–2024 to meaningfully resolve. If you're shopping one, two acronyms define the risk: DFM and AFM — cylinder deactivation systems that kill lifters.
The engine lineup: 5.3L V8 L84 is the volume seller — proven architecture, but DFM (Dynamic Fuel Management) deactivates cylinders in up to 17 patterns vs. the old AFM's simple 8→4. More patterns = more oil-delivery stress on lifters. Failures from 20,000 to 120,000 miles, with catastrophic factory failures under 20k documented on 2020+ trucks. Lifter + cam replacement: $3,200–$5,000. No recall on the 5.3L — out-of-warranty owners pay out of pocket.
The 6.2L V8 L87 has an active recall (N252494000) for connecting rod bearing failures due to manufacturing debris and out-of-spec crankshafts — ~600,000 vehicles across Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, Escalade (2021–2024). GM's interim fix: switch from 0W-20 to 0W-40 oil. NHTSA opened a follow-up investigation in January 2025 covering 877,710 vehicles. Engine replacement out of warranty: $12,000–$18,000. 2025 models exempt (factory corrected).
The 2.7L Turbo L3B is surprisingly capable for non-towing use but direct-injection-only means carbon buildup (walnut blast every 60k–80k, $300–$600). High-pressure fuel pump at 2,000+ PSI is a failure point ($800–$1,500). Roller rocker and cam failures documented at 48,000 miles on 2020 models.
The 3.0L Duramax LM2 diesel gets the best fuel economy and torque but the oil pump wet belt requires transmission removal at ~150,000 miles ($2,500–$4,000). Long-crank cold starts (software update PIP5823B fixes many), DEF sensor failures trigger limp mode, EGR cooler cracking from heat cycling ($1,200–$2,500).
The 8-speed automatic (8L80) paired with the 5.3L and 2.7T has a class action granted in 2023 — shudder at 45–70 MPH, harsh 1-2 shifts, torque converter flutter. Fluid flush + recalibration $150–$400; torque converter replacement $1,500–$3,000; full transmission $5,000–$8,000. The 10-speed (10L80) on the 6.2L has its own gear-hunting and surging complaints under separate investigation.
The stealth buy in this generation: a 2022–2023 5.3L Trail Boss or RST with the 8-speed, where a previous owner already installed a Range Technology Pulsar DFM disabler (~$200 OBD-II plug) and kept 5,000-mile Dexos1 Gen 3 oil changes. No 6.2L recall drama, the 8-speed shudder TSB is usually resolved under warranty, and the factory suspension adds desirability without aftermarket complexity.
Test-drive checklist: cold-start tick on 5.3L or 6.2L that doesn't clear in 5 minutes = lifter collapse (walk away), shudder at 45–70 MPH light throttle (8-speed converter), harsh 1-2 shift on cold mornings, long crank on the 3.0L diesel (>3 seconds = software update needed), oil level check on all engines (DFM trucks consume oil between changes). Check RPO codes in the glove box — some 2021–2022 trucks shipped without DFM activated (production variance during chip shortage, not a deliberate option).
2026 market: 2019 LT Crew 4WD 5.3L $28,000–$35,000. 2022 LTZ 4WD 6.2L $42,000–$52,000 (verify recall completed). Average used 2024 across all trims ~$43,758. Insider pick: before buying any 2019–2024 with a V8 — check RPO codes, run VIN through NHTSA, demand oil change receipts at ≤5,000-mile intervals. Trucks on the GM "oil life monitor" (which stretches to 7,500–10,000 miles) have measurably higher lifter failure rates.
420 PS
Silverado 1500 · Benzin
6.2 V8 T1XX — 597k recalled, NHTSA investigating
Fun to Drive!290 PS
4.3L V6 EcoTec3 Benzin
4 weaknesses
Good Choice360 PS
5.3L V8 EcoTec3 Benzin
3 weaknesses
Stay Away!Generations
Engine Overview
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 T1XX is available with 5 engine variants — from 282 to 426 hp.
3.0L inline-6 diesel, aluminum block, single turbo — the only I6 diesel in a US half-ton. LM2 (2020-2022): crankshaft reluctor wheel fails, engine cranks without starting. Repair requires cab-off, 40+ labor hours. LZ0 (2023+) got steel pistons, revised turbo, 305 hp / 495 lb-ft. Oil pump sits at rear of the block: transmission-out job for a $30 part. Highway 26-28 mpg empty, 12-14 mpg towing.
- !! Engine Cranks Without Starting (LM2 2020-2022) from 30,000 km
Crankshaft reluctor wheel fails — engine cranks without starting. Repair requires cab removal (40h labor).
Symptoms: Engine cranks without starting, especially cold, intermittent - !! Rear Main Seal Leak from 50,000 km
Seal leaks on early LM2 (2020-2022). Oil spots under the vehicle.
Symptoms: Oil spots under vehicle, dropping oil level - !! DEF System Failure from 60,000 km
"Service DEF System" warning, limp mode, no-start in extreme cases. Injector, sensor or pump defective.
Symptoms: Service DEF warning, power reduction, limp mode
2.7L turbo four, aluminum block, direct injection only — GM's answer to Ford's EcoBoost. 310 hp, 400 lb-ft from 1,500 rpm. Feels like a small V8 until the revs climb and the four-cylinder character shows. Head gasket failures on 2019-2022 early production under 25k miles, warranty-covered. A fleet of 750+ trucks at 50-80k miles with zero engine failures suggests the 2022+ builds are sorted.
- !! Head Gasket on Early Models (2019-2022) from 30,000 km
Head gasket fails on early L3B under 25k miles. Covered under warranty.
Symptoms: White smoke, overheating, milky oil - !! Turbo Bearing Wear from 80,000 km
Poor oil quality or extended intervals destroy turbo bearings.
Symptoms: Turbo lag, whine, blue smoke, power loss - !! Injector failure (ECM update available 2019-2022) from 80,000 km
Fuel injectors wear or fail — incorrect ECM programming (2019-2022) causes wrong injection quantity. Service Update N242450631 available as free fix.
Symptoms: Rough idle, misfires, poor fuel economy, check engine light
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
4.3L V6, iron block, direct injection only — GM's quiet workhorse. AFM deactivates 2 of 6 cylinders, same lifter design as the V8 but statistically far less failure-prone. Valves coke from 80k miles without port injection. Pulls 285 hp, enough for an empty bed, not enough for a loaded trailer on a grade. Runs 250k+ miles with 5,000-mile oil changes.
- !! Timing Chain Wear from 160,000 km
Cold start rattle from chain tensioner/guide wear.
Symptoms: Cold start rattle, P0008/P0016 codes - !! AFM Lifter Tick from 120,000 km
Cylinder deactivation wears lifters — same issue as 5.3L, but less frequent.
Symptoms: Ticking/knocking, misfires, check engine light - !! High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure from 100,000 km
High-pressure fuel pump can fail — bad fuel or clogged filters accelerate wear.
Symptoms: Hard cold start, stalling, power loss, engine hesitation
+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
5.3L V8, iron block, the most-produced truck engine in North America. DFM shuts down up to 15 of 16 firing patterns — and that's the problem. Lifter needle bearings starve for oil in deactivated cylinders, skid across cam lobes, send metal through the engine. Two class actions pending. A $200 Range disabler buys time; a $2,500 mechanical delete with DOD-delete cam is the permanent fix. Run 0W-20 Dexos, change at 5,000 miles maximum.
- !! AFM/DFM Lifter Failure — Class Action from 100,000 km
THE GM truck problem: deactivated cylinder lifters wear from oil starvation. Needle bearing skids on cam lobe, metal debris in oil. Two class actions pending. $3,500-8,500 repair. AFM/DFM delete kit as permanent fix.
Symptoms: Loud ticking/knocking, misfires, rough running, check engine, sometimes from just 25k miles - !! Oil Consumption — Piston Rings (Class Action) from 80,000 km
Separate class action: $150M settlement for 2011-2021. Piston rings let oil pass — 1 quart per 2,000 miles in severe cases.
Symptoms: Blue smoke, dropping oil level, fouled spark plugs - !! Timing Chain Wear from 160,000 km
Same issue as LV3 — chain and guides from ~100k miles.
Symptoms: Cold start rattle, P0008/P0016
6.2L V8, 420 hp, same Gen V architecture as the 5.3 but deeper exhaust note and noticeably more shove. 2021-2024: manufacturing left metal shavings in 597,000 engines — GM's fix was switching to 0W-40 oil. NHTSA opened an investigation into post-recall failures. Same DFM lifter risk as the 5.3. Pre-2021 or confirmed post-recall units with documented oil changes are the buy.
- !! Recall: Metal Shavings in Engine — 597,000 Vehicles
Manufacturing debris (metal shavings) in engine destroys bearings. 2021-2024 L87. Free engine replacement, 6-8 week wait. NHTSA investigating post-recall failures.
- !! AFM/DFM Lifter Failure from 100,000 km
Same lifter issue as 5.3L — cylinder deactivation wears lifters.
Symptoms: Ticking/knocking, misfires, rough running - !! Oil Consumption — Piston Rings (2019-2020 and older L87) from 80,000 km
Piston rings let oil past — 0.5-1 quart per 2,000 miles in severe cases. Also affects 2019-2020 L87 not covered by the machining debris recall. NHTSA investigating these cases separately.
Symptoms: Blue smoke, dropping oil level, fouled spark plugs, positive oil consumption test
+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| 10-Speed Auto Shudder — Class Action 10L80/10L90: shudder, harsh shifts, rear wheels momentarily lock. Class action filed. Symptoms: Shudder at steady speed, harsh gear changes from 50,000 km | High | |
| 10L80 10-speed torque converter shudder The 10-speed 10L80 automatic shows heavy shuddering and harsh shifts at low/mid speeds. 2021-2023 TSB flood without permanent fix. Symptoms: Shudder at 25-50 mph under load, jerking on acceleration, harsh 1-2 and 2-3 shifts. from 80,000 km | High |
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 33 weaknesses have been documented for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 T1XX (2019–2025) — 19 engine-related and 14 vehicle-related. One problem engine: L84 (5.3L V8 EcoTec3). Typical issues affect Gearbox, Electronics, Rust, Other. Considered reliable: LV3 (4.3L V6 EcoTec3), L3B (2.7L Turbo I4).
Silverado 1500 (LM2, 2020–2025) — Be Careful: Engine Cranks Without Starting (LM2 2020-2022), Rear Main Seal Leak, DEF System Failure. Power: 277 PS.
Silverado 1500 (L84, 2019–2025) — Stay Away!: AFM/DFM Lifter Failure — Class Action, Oil Consumption — Piston Rings (Class Action), Timing Chain Wear. Power: 355 PS.
Silverado 1500 (L87, 2019–2025) — Be Careful: Recall: Metal Shavings in Engine — 597,000 Vehicles, AFM/DFM Lifter Failure, Oil Consumption — Piston Rings (2019-2020 and older L87). Power: 420 PS.
What to watch out for with the Chevrolet Silverado 1500? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee