The third generation Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is the value pick in the used truck market. Built from 2014 to 2018 on the GMT K2XX platform, it brought the EcoTec3 engine family, a much better cabin, and the upmarket High Country trim. It is also the generation where the AFM lifter fault and the 8 speed shudder both live.
So who does it suit? Buyers who want a capable full size truck with modern tech at a used price, work buyers who need real towing without paying for a current truck, and drivers who want the simple 4.3 litre V6. Check the oil history and the gearbox, because the right 2016 to 2018 truck is one of the best value buys in the class. Our Chevrolet Silverado 1500 model guide compares every generation side by side.
This page covers the Silverado 1500 from 2014 to 2018: the engines, the 2016 refresh, the problems, which years to buy, and what it costs to run.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2014 to 2018 at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Generation and years sold | GMT K2XX, the third generation. Model years 2014 to 2018, with the same truck sold as the Silverado LD in 2019. |
| Body styles | Regular cab, double cab, crew cab. Beds of 5 feet 8 inches, 6 feet 6 inches and 8 feet. |
| Main engines | 4.3 litre V6, 5.3 litre V8, 6.2 litre V8, all EcoTec3 with direct injection and cylinder deactivation on the V8s. |
| Gearboxes | 6 speed automatic on most trucks, 8 speed automatic from 2015. |
| Drive | Rear wheel drive or four wheel drive. |
| Seats | 3 in a regular cab, 5 or 6 in double and crew cabs. |
| Towing and payload | Towing up to about 12,000 pounds with the Max Trailering Package. |
| Standout features | High Country luxury trim, MyLink touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from 2016, crew cab with a 6.5 foot bed for the first time. |
Engines and specs that matter
The 5.3 litre V8 is the volume engine and the default buy. It makes 355 hp with 383 pound feet of torque and tows up to about 11,000 pounds. It uses Active Fuel Management, which shuts off four cylinders under light load to save fuel. Buy it if you want the proven V8 with the widest parts and service support, and check the oil history. Our guide to how often to change your oil explains the habit that keeps these engines healthy.
The 4.3 litre V6 is the simple buy. It makes 285 hp with 305 pound feet of torque, has no cylinder deactivation at all, and has the fewest reported engine issues in this generation. Buy it if you want the least complex engine and you tow under 9,000 pounds.
The 6.2 litre V8 is the muscle engine. It makes 420 hp with 460 pound feet of torque and tows the most in this generation. Buy it if you tow heavy trailers and want the strongest truck, and check the oil history just as carefully as on the 5.3 litre, because it shares the same lifter fault. It was paired with the 8 speed automatic from 2015, so test the gearbox with extra care.
The 2016 refresh is the year split that matters: fewer electrical bugs, better infotainment, and the 8 speed more widely available. Buy a 2016 to 2018 truck where your budget allows. A 2014 or 2015 truck can still be a fine buy, but only with full records.
Towing is where buyers get caught, so treat the headline number with care. The maximum tow rating belongs to one configuration only, a 6.2 litre V8 crew cab with the Max Trailering Package and the right axle ratio. Your truck tows what its door sticker says, not what the brochure says. Read the payload sticker and axle ratio on the driver door jamb, and confirm the Max Trailering Package is fitted. Then keep a 10 percent margin, so a 9,000 pound loaded trailer needs a truck rated for at least 10,000 pounds. Walk away from any seller who quotes the lineup maximum for a truck without the tow package.
Common problems of this generation
This generation has three well documented faults, and every one is checkable before you buy. Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall checker, and demand the oil change records.
AFM lifter failure on 5.3 litre and 6.2 litre V8 trucks
Active Fuel Management shuts off four of the eight cylinders under light load to save fuel, and on some engines the lifters fail over time. The warning sign is a ticking sound on a cold start, with failures most often reported around 119,500 miles. A lifter and cam replacement costs about 3,000 to 5,000 dollars. Start the truck cold and listen, and buy only a truck with oil changes at or before the monitor recommendation. The 4.3 litre V6 has no AFM at all and avoids this fault entirely.
8 speed automatic shudder, 2015 to 2019
The 8 speed automatic arrived on V8 models for 2015 and brought torque converter shudder, harsh 1 to 2 shifts and delayed engagement. The shudder is most noticeable at 25 to 45 mph and feels like driving over rumble strips. The cause is the torque converter clutch and the original fluid, and the fix is a fluid flush with the revised fluid, or a rebuild at about 2,500 to 5,000 dollars. Test the gearbox at a steady 25 to 45 mph on a light throttle. Walk away from a truck that shudders unless the seller shows proof of the fluid flush. Our guide to transmission slipping explains what hesitation and shudder are telling you on any automatic. A 2014 truck with the 6 speed automatic avoids this fault entirely.
Brake vacuum pump recall, 2014 to 2018
About 3.4 million trucks were recalled for a brake vacuum pump fault that can cause a hard brake pedal and a longer stopping distance. The remedy is a software reprogram, with special coverage to 10 years or 150,000 miles. The fix is free where the recall applies, so run the VIN through the NHTSA recall checker and ask for written proof it is done. Test the brakes on your drive. A separate recall covered 370,000 trucks from 2014 for a fire risk, so confirm that one too.
Air conditioning condenser leaks and electrical gremlins
Two smaller faults are worth checking. The air conditioning condenser can leak at the seams, so run the air conditioning for a full drive and check that it blows cold the whole time. Early trucks have reports of flickering displays, random sensor alerts and backup camera faults. Test the touchscreen and reversing camera.
Should you buy this generation
This Silverado suits buyers who want a capable truck with modern tech at a used price, with strong towing and a proven V8. Work buyers should look at a 4.3 litre V6 work truck, and family buyers at a 2017 or 2018 LT or LTZ.
Who should skip it? If you want the newest tech and a warranty, a 2019 or newer truck is better. If you tow over 11,000 pounds regularly, check the door sticker first, because only one configuration reaches the maximum. A 2015 model can carry both major faults in one truck, so check it twice as carefully.
The good buys are the 2016 to 2018 trucks, the most refined years of this generation. A clean 2017 or 2018 LT or LTZ is a strong used buy. The 4.3 litre V6 is the safe engine pick at any year, because it has no AFM. Years to be careful with are 2014 and 2015, and any V8 truck without oil records.
Whatever the year, run through this checklist before you hand over money:
- Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall checker and confirm the recalls are complete.
- Start the truck cold and listen for a lifter tick.
- Demand oil change receipts at or before the monitor recommendation.
- Test the gearbox at a steady 25 to 45 mph and feel for shudder.
- Read the door sticker for payload and axle ratio.
- Test the brakes for a hard pedal, run the air conditioning for a full drive, and test the touchscreen.
- On a 6.2 litre truck, check the gearbox with extra care.
Running and repair costs
Running costs are moderate for a full size truck. Typical US prices for the common jobs look like this:
| Job | Typical cost in US dollars |
|---|---|
| Front brake pads, fitted | 200 to 400 |
| Four tyres, fitted | 800 to 1,600 |
| 12 volt battery, fitted | 150 to 300 |
| Major service, including oil and filters | 300 to 700 |
| Transmission fluid service, where needed | 250 to 500 |
| AFM lifter repair, where needed | 3,000 to 5,000 |
| 8 speed torque converter or rebuild, where needed | 2,500 to 5,000 |
| Air conditioning condenser replacement, where needed | Ask for a quote before you buy |
Chevrolet fits an Oil Life Monitor on these trucks, so change the oil when the monitor and the owner manual for your exact year say so. The expensive bills come from lifter work and transmission rebuilds.
Questions and answers
Is the 2014 to 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliable?
Yes, in the right year and engine combination. The 2016 to 2018 trucks are the most refined years of this generation, and the 4.3 litre V6 has the fewest reported engine issues. The weak points are specific: AFM lifter failure on 5.3 litre and 6.2 litre V8 trucks, 8 speed shudder on 2015 to 2019 trucks, and the brake vacuum pump recall on 2014 to 2018 trucks.
Which engine should I buy, 4.3 V6, 5.3 V8 or 6.2 V8?
Buy the 4.3 litre V6 if you want the simplest engine with the fewest faults, because it has no AFM. Buy the 5.3 litre V8 if you want the proven volume engine with the widest support, and check the oil history carefully. Buy the 6.2 litre V8 only if you tow heavy trailers and want the strongest truck.
What is the AFM lifter problem?
Active Fuel Management shuts off four of the eight cylinders under light load to save fuel, and on some 5.3 litre and 6.2 litre V8 engines the lifters fail over time, most often reported around 119,500 miles. The warning sign is a ticking sound on a cold start, and a lifter and cam replacement costs about 3,000 to 5,000 dollars. Start the truck cold and listen, and walk away from any V8 that ticks.
Which is the best 2014 to 2018 Silverado 1500 year to buy used?
A clean 2017 or 2018 LT or LTZ is the strong used buy: the most refined years of the generation, with excellent parts availability. Avoid 2014 and 2015 trucks unless the price reflects the lifter and brake checks, and buy a 2015 truck only after a careful gearbox test.