2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe the electric power steering cutting out or the wheel going stiff, usually during low-speed turns, and many add that the truck shuts off or the dash lights up with steering and stability-control warnings at the same time. Brake complaints center on a pedal that goes hard or sinks toward the floor, and a smaller set describes shuddering, hard shifts and torque converter work in the transmission-colender group. Mileage in the sampled complaints ranges widely, from near-new vehicles to well past 150,000 miles, with many reports between roughly 50,000 and 100,000 miles.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Truck stalls or shuts off with dash warnings

   • 249 complaints (17%)
   • median 72,000 mi at 5.5 yrs old (189 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2014–2026

   Complaints describe the engine dying or the whole truck going dark, sometimes at low speed in a turn and sometimes at highway speed, with stability-control, power steering and trailer brake messages appearing together. Owners mention the radio, A/C and instrument cluster dropping out, doors locking or unlocking, and in some cases needing to restart to regain power. Dealers reportedly replaced the negative battery cable on at least one truck without resolving it, and others say no fault was found. Spread from about 44,000 to 160,000 miles, often during low-speed turns but also reported at highway speeds and with cruise control engaged.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check whether the battery cables and grounds have been serviced and ask if any stalling or warning-light episodes have occurred. Note whether electrical accessories such as the radio or turn signals behave oddly during a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The vehicle will be in motion and when I try to turn onto a street, or into a parking lot, a warning for service stabilitrak will come on, the steering wheel will lock up, the A/C will turn off, the lcd radio display will go blank, and my headlights will flicker and or turn off. Sometimes the truck shuts off. Has almost caused 2-3 accidents so far... …”

   NHTSA complaint #11403782, filed 2021-03, 90,000 miles

   “While driving on the highway going about 70 to 75mph my 2014 silverado just cuts off and shuts down gravelly reducing my velocity. This occurred as I was merging onto a lane and when I accelerated to merge my truck turns off. All the displays in the vehicle turn off including my radio and A/C. I lost power steering functions and I could not even turn on my emergency lights. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11329339, filed 2020-06, 66,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Power steering assist cuts out or wheel goes stiff

   • 412 complaints (29%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 5.2 yrs old (316 state mileage)
   • 25 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $850 (median of 18 quotes)
   • filed 2014–2026

   Owners describe the steering suddenly becoming heavy or the wheel briefly locking, most often while turning at low speed, pulling into a parking space or turning from a stop. Many say a 'service power steering' or 'reduced steering assist' message appears, and some report the assist returning after a few seconds or after restarting the truck. Several owners say the dealer cleared codes or found no fault, and some note the condition came back after a previous recall repair. Reported from low mileage up to about 170,000 miles, most commonly at low speeds during turns or while idling.

   Recall 17V414000

   What to check: Ask whether the electric power steering recall (17V414000) was performed and whether any steering assist warnings have appeared since. During a test drive, make several slow full-lock turns and watch for a message or a heavy wheel.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I got a stabilitrak failure chime and message with a reduced steering assist message and I lost my power assist for a second then it came back. I was fortunate that it was just myself in the truck going slow and pulling into a parking lot. I'd hate to think of my wife behind the wheel going down the freeway with my grand kids inside.”

   NHTSA complaint #11350580, filed 2020-08, 84,000 miles

   “Recently I have noticed some stiffness in my steering. It's only temporarily when driving at low speeds my steering wheel locks on me but regains control in a matter of seconds. Usually happens when making a turn coming out of a parking zone or turning from a stop. I'm concerned about this because I wouldn't want this happening at high speeds or freeway. Along with the steering issue I noticed my radio will not come on when I turn my truck on I have to turn truck off a couple times and back on and it'll come on. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11325244, filed 2020-05, 50,000 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Hard shifts, shudder and torque converter wear

   • 185 complaints (13%)
   • median 55,000 mi at 4.5 yrs old (139 state mileage)
   • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,350 (median of 10 quotes)
   • filed 2014–2026

   Complaints describe shuddering, jerking and hard or erratic shifts, sometimes with a grinding or screeching noise and hesitation on acceleration. Several owners report torque converter replacement, and one mentions the transmission was replaced and the rough shifting continued. Some say the dealer told them a firm shift or delayed throttle response is a normal characteristic. Reported from very low mileage up to about 180,000 miles, with several cases in the 70,000 to 100,000 mile range.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for transmission service records and whether the torque converter or fluid has been addressed. During a test drive, accelerate gently and firmly from a stop and at highway speed to feel for shudder, hesitation or harsh downshifts.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “At 72k miles the torgue converter on my 2014 Chevrolet silverado ltz required replacement at an out of the pocket expense of $4486. The auto repair garage where I had the work done reported they have seen multiple vehicles with this transmission coming in lately with around the same mileage (72k) having this issue. I drive mostly around town (not much highway), heard a grinding sound and caught it early before losing any gears. Unfortunately, some vehicles have actually lost gears. Sounds dangerous.”

   NHTSA complaint #11395402, filed 2021-02, 72,000 miles

   “150 miles after regular service of engine light/ABS/and stabiltrak lights being on, and an oil change, the truck stalled (luckily I was in my own driveway). Shortly after, the engine light, followed by ABS light came on. Suddenly the speedometer gauge acted wildly, there was a very hard shift. I put it on cruise control just to help the engine quit hard shifting....cc cancelled itself out. Everything sets back to normal for a minute or less and it all happens again, this time taking away power steering and a louder hard shift . …”

   NHTSA complaint #11351639, filed 2020-08, 130,000 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake pedal goes hard or sinks to the floor

   • 264 complaints (18%)
   • median 71,586 mi at 5.5 yrs old (209 state mileage)
   • 18 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $825 (median of 14 quotes)
   • filed 2014–2026

   Owners report the brake pedal becoming very stiff or dropping toward the floor, requiring extra effort or both feet to stop, often at low speed and sometimes while towing a trailer. Some mention shuddering and loss of pedal pressure, and a few say the problem returned after a brake-related recall reprogramming or repair. Complaints also describe dealers performing the recall work without the condition going away. Mostly reported between about 50,000 and 145,000 miles, frequently at low speeds and in some cases while pulling a trailer.

   Recall 19V645000Recall 19V761000

   What to check: Ask whether recalls 19V645000 and 19V761000 were completed, and have the vacuum pump and brake pedal feel checked. On a test drive, press the pedal firmly at low speed and note any hardness, sinking or shudder.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Brake power failure, where as the brake became stiff and it was hard to bring the truck to a complete stop. The truck was moving less then 10mph and had a utility trailer on the hitch. The truck was on residential road. This happened twice more for a total of three failures under similar circumstances. Moving under 10 MPH on surface streets and having a camper trailer on the hitch of the truck.”

   NHTSA complaint #11384301, filed 2020-12, 108,000 miles

   “Already had the module update and brakes are still shuttering and losing pressure at low speeds. Brake pedal goes to the floor and gets super hard. This same thing was happening before the module update recall way last year.”

   NHTSA complaint #11344229, filed 2020-08, 95,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine

   Coolant leaks from radiator and cooling parts

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe coolant leaking from the radiator, often at a seam or corner, along with thermostat and water pump replacement. Some say the radiator cracked repeatedly and was replaced more than once, and a few mention cooling fans running after shutoff. Complaints also note dealers declining coverage under a special coverage program. Mostly reported between about 59,000 and 145,000 miles.

   What to check: Look for coolant residue or staining around the radiator seams, hoses and water pump, and ask whether the radiator or thermostat has been replaced. Check the coolant level and watch the temperature gauge during a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Thermostat caused stress fractures in radiator. The first time it happened was in 2018, I had the radiator and thermostat replaced. I now had to replace the radiator and thermostat for the second time in 2020.”

   NHTSA complaint #11383267, filed 2020-12, 59,000 miles

   “Radiator has stress cracks in the upper left corner. The dealer has done water pump replacement and thermostats upgrade. Dealer has replaced radiator 3 times and I have paid labor and parts. The cracks occur about every 2 years.”

   NHTSA complaint #11397223, filed 2021-02, 92,000 miles

Buying note. These trucks draw recurring owner reports about steering assist dropping out during low-speed turns and about electrical glitches that can shut the vehicle down, so confirm any open recalls are done and test the steering and brakes carefully on a drive. Have a pre-purchase inspection check the transmission for shudder, the brakes for pedal firmness and the cooling system for leaks.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.