The Chevy Silverado has a reputation for reliability, with many reviewers giving it a four-star rating. Even so, General Motors frequently issues recalls to fix manufacturer defects.
While many Chevy Silverado recalls achieve their goals of fixing problems, some vehicle defects remain unsolved. As a result, some Chevy Silverados have become lemon vehicles because of their substantial defects that impact their value, use, and safety.
California lemon laws cover the shortcomings of automaker recall by protecting consumers who buy new or used vehicles with persistent manufacturer defects.
Consult a trusted lemon law attorney in California to understand your consumer rights and how to hold the manufacturer responsible.
Here are the recent recalls affecting Chevrolet Silverado 1500 models:
On November 23, 2022, General Motors issued a recall targeting particular 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vehicles to fix defective airbags that may fail to deploy in a crash. According to the recall notice, the sensing diagnostic module (SDM) was set in manufacturing mode and was not activated at the assembly plant before shipment.
An SDM in the manufacturing mode cannot deploy vehicle airbags in a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury. The automaker instructed the dealer to return the vehicle to the GM assembly to activate the sensing diagnostic module.
On December 8, 2022, General Motors issued a recall notice targeting particular 2020-2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 models to fix a running light that may not deactivate. According to the notice, the daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when headlights are turned on.
DLRs’ failure to deactivate as intended may contribute to the formation of glare, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of vehicle accidents. GM instructed dealers to update the body control module software without charge through an over-the-air (OTA) update.
On November 23, 2022, General Motors (GM) issued a recall targeting specific 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vehicles to fix tires that were cured for too long during production.
Improperly cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation, which may lead to tread or belt loss. Tread loss or air loss can cause loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of car accidents.
General Motors instructed the dealers to replace the tires as necessary, free of charge.
On October 22, 2020, General Motors issued a recall targeting specific units of the 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with a driveshaft that may separate. According to the recall notice, one of the drive shafts may not be welded appropriately, causing it to separate as the vehicle is in motion.
If the driveshaft separates, propulsion may be lost, increasing the crash risk. GM instructed the dealers to replace the driveshaft free of charge.
On November 14, 2019, General Motors issued a recall targeting a particular 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 equipped with a carpet floor covering. Once the front seat belt pre-tensioner deploys, hot gas may come out through an opening in the pre-tensioner bracket, possibly resulting in ignition.
A fire may occur in the vehicle if the carpet floor covering ignites. GM instructed dealers to close off the opening in the pretensioner bracket, free of charge.
On December 12, 2019, GM issued a recall notice targeting a particular 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 truck with a poor alternator connection that may cause a crash or fire. According to the notice, the battery positive (B+) may have been assembled with excessive glue, potentially causing intermittent electrical connection between the B+ cable and alternator.
The vehicle could stall if there’s an intermittent electrical connection between the B+ battery cable and the alternator, increasing the crash risk. The intermittent electrical connection may also cause arcing, which could generate sufficient damage to surrounding material, increasing the risk of accidents.
GM instructed dealers to inspect the presence of glue or other contaminants at the B+ cable attachment to the alternator, clean the connection, and re-attach the B+ cable connection as necessary.
Although the Chevy Silverado is an icon in the American market, some vehicle units have persistent defects that dent its reputation. As a result, General Motors keeps issuing recalls to fix defects, enhance customer satisfaction, and protect its market share.
The intention of Chevy Silverado recalls is to fix the following issues:
The transmission component powers the vehicle in a controlled manner, which is necessary for the car to move efficiently.
For instance, when the vehicle stops, the transmission disconnects the engine from the drive wheel so the engine can keep idling when the car isn’t in motion.
Despite the significant role of the transmission component, the Chevy Silverado has persistent transmission problems that impact its reliability.
Here is a sample of NHTSA complaints related to the Chevy Silverado transmission component:
Some of the causes of transmission defects in vehicles include:
A vehicle is considered a lemon if it has a substantial defect that impacts its value, use, and safety.
According to California lemon laws, if a manufacturer or dealer can’t fix a substantial warranty defect after a ‘reasonable number’ of repair attempts, the manufacturer must either:
Although there is no set number, California lemon law presumption offers the following guidelines in determining if a manufacturer has made a ‘reasonable number’ of repair attempts to fix the vehicle:
More importantly, the lemon law presumption applies to vehicles bought in California that develop vehicle defects within 18,000 miles or 18 months, whichever comes first.
If you discover a safety defect in your Chevrolet Silverado 1500, California lemon laws allow you to file for a refund or replacement.
Here are the steps to follow while filing a lemon law claim:
In addition to protecting vehicle owners, lemon law requires consumers to inform an automaker about a vehicle defect. If the vehicle develops a problem covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, you should take it to an authorized dealer for repairs.
You should always take your vehicle to an authorized dealer for repairs to protect your right to compensation. If you make do-it-yourself repairs(DIY) or go to an independent repair shop, you could void the manufacturer’s warranty and lemon law protection.
Subsequently, you must allow the dealer or automaker sufficient time to fix the defect. After two attempts for a safety defect that endangers your life and other road users, you can file a lemon law claim.
You need detailed records of your interactions with the dealership to build a strong lemon law claim.
Here’s a list of documents you’ll need to collect:
You should start preparing to file a claim immediately after discovering your vehicle is a lemon. In California, vehicle owners have four years to file a claim. The timer starts counting when you find out or should have reasonably discovered that the manufacturer can’t fulfill their warranty obligations.
When you have everything ready for filing a lemon law claim, it is recommended to contact an experienced lemon law attorney. While you can access most of the required paperwork, it doesn’t mean you should file a claim without legal aid.
Here are a few advantages of working with a lemon law attorney:
If your vehicle is subject to a recall, the manufacturer will send a letter to your address with instructions on your next steps. The automaker will mainly instruct you to contact the dealer who sold you the letter.
Once you get the necessary information, schedule an appointment with the service department so a mechanic can repair your vehicle.
The recall letter contains the following:
If you didn’t receive recall instructions, go to the NHTSA website and search for the recall notices related to your vehicle.
Vehicle owners often wonder whether a recall notice can expire. Recall notices do not expire. However, it can be an uphill task if the vehicle manufacturer goes out of business or discontinues a specific part.
In addition to safety reasons, it is essential to schedule a recall repair immediately after the notice.
If you purchased a 2024 Chevy Silverado 1500, and it had a defect that makes it impossible to drive and it cannot be repaired, you can’t rely on it to run your business and personal errands. An experienced Chevrolet lemon law attorney can file a claim on your behalf and ensure you obtain fair compensation for your losses.
The LemonLaw123 lead attorney Valerie.G. Campbell has resolved over 500 cases, which gives us the confidence to represent you. Contact us online or at (657) 529-5239 for a free case review.
Valerie G. Fernandez Campbell, known as The Lemon Law Lady, has dedicated her entire legal career to the specialized field of Lemon Law, a journey that began immediately after her
graduation from UCLA School of Law.
With a 99% success rate and a policy of no fees unless you win, her practice stands as a testament to her expertise in California’s Lemon Law, her commitment to her clients, and her unwavering dedication to justice and consumer rights.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney Valerie G. Fernandez Campbell, personally handled over 500 lemon law cases and settlements.