2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe problems with the integrated trailer brake system, where a dash warning appears and trailer brakes stop working, frequently while towing in wet conditions. A second cluster involves the air bag system, with several accounts of side curtain or door air bags deploying without an impact, and a third involves stalling or reduced power on diesel trucks tied to emissions and fuel system components. Many electrical complaints describe odd symptoms at low mileage, while transmission and steering reports tend to appear at higher miles.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Trailer brake warning, trailer brakes drop out

   • 36 complaints (20%)
   • median 652 mi at 0.4 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2025

   Complaints describe a dash message saying there is a problem with the trailer brakes or trailer wiring, after which the trailer brakes stop working while towing. Several owners report it happens when the trailer connection gets wet in rain or wet roads, and some say the trailer plug fits loosely in the truck's socket. Owners state that the dealer and the manufacturer told them the trailers were the cause or that the truck's trailering system is more sensitive, and that the condition returned after restarting the truck. Some also describe the trailer brake and stability systems shutting off together at highway speeds while towing. Reported from very low mileage (under 5,000 miles) up to about 44,000 miles, typically while towing, often in rain or wet conditions.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: If you plan to tow, hook up a trailer and test the trailer brakes in dry and wet conditions, and inspect the 7-pin socket for looseness or corrosion. Ask whether any diagnosis of the trailer wiring was done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Factory trailer brake connector plug is loose and causes trailer brakes to become inoperative when the trailer male plug jiggles inside the truck female plug. I belong to several rv related sites on the internet, and this issue is coming up more often with people thinking it is just their plug or connector. Mine fit fine in my 2004 tahoe, but is very loose on the new truck. Others are saying theirs also fit other brands of previous owned trucks or earlier chevy year models. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10819514, filed 2016-01, 4,000 miles

   “A warning message comes on the dash telling the driver there is a issue with the trailer brakes, or wiring system. The trailer brakes become inoperable when this comes on. We have contacted GM with the issue, both at the dealer level and at the corporate level; and they insist it is a problem with our trailers. The same trailers are used with older Chevrolet trucks without incident. We have also been informed by GM that the 2015 SILVERADO 2500's are equipped with a more sensitive trailering system. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10747555, filed 2015-08, 130 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Stall or reduced power on diesel trucks (DEF/fuel system)

   • 17 complaints (10%)
   • median 122,000 mi at 4.0 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners of diesel trucks describe the engine suddenly dropping into reduced power mode or stalling at highway speed, sometimes with a message counting down miles before the vehicle shuts off. Complaints attribute this to diesel exhaust fluid system faults, sensor issues, or in some cases a failed high-pressure fuel pump that required replacement of the entire fuel system. Some report the DEF tank or system was replaced and the problem returned, and others describe repeated episodes at highway speeds. Mostly reported between about 44,000 and 280,000 miles, often during highway driving.

   What to check: On a diesel, ask for service records covering the DEF system and fuel system, and have a scan tool check for stored emissions and fuel system codes before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving, the vehicle stuttered and skipped down the road. When I came to a stop the truck it would never turn on again. The truck was having what's called a crank no start problem where it would crank over, but not start. This is a failure of a cp4 pump that is considered the wrong part and common knowledge failure to chevorlet and is extremely expensive to fix.”

   NHTSA complaint #11327750, filed 2020-06, 67,000 miles

   “There definitely a problem with the def & emission sensors on GM's duramax engines. 4th time engine unexpectedly reduces engine power while traveling at highway speeds. Results in sudden speed reduction which is extremely dangerous in almost any driving environment. These reduced engine power modes related to monitoring diesel emissions will get someone injured or killed (if it hasn't already)”

   NHTSA complaint #11048611, filed 2017-11, 117,000 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shudder, delayed shifts, torque converter

   • 14 complaints (8%)
   • median 60,485 mi at 5.3 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2015–2026

   Complaints describe shuddering or vibration while driving, delayed or harsh shifts, and in some cases the truck jumping into neutral during acceleration. Several owners say the dealer diagnosed a failing torque converter and replaced it, while others report transmission fluid overheat messages and codes pointing to a pressure control solenoid. Some describe the problem returning after repairs. Reported from about 43,000 to 175,000 miles, often noticed at highway speeds or under acceleration.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test drive at highway speed and under light acceleration, watching for shudder or slipping, and ask whether the transmission fluid and torque converter service history is documented.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My truck has been shifting into neutral when I am accelerating and the only way I have been able to get it out of neutral is to manually shift the truck into neutral and then back into drive. This can be very dangerous for me because I could be easily rear ended at a stoplight. This has been happening for a few days now. I just bought the truck and it only has 51000 miles.”

   NHTSA complaint #11290432, filed 2019-12, 51,000 miles

   “While driving on cruise control around 70 MPH my check engine light came on. About 20 seconds later an alarm sounded and a message in my dash saying transmission fluid hot and to idle engine immediately. I immediately pulled over and called the dealership where I purchased it and had all services. Although the service representative I spoke with said it probably was just a sensor, I elected to have the vehicle towed to the dealership for repairs. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11320045, filed 2020-04, 43,000 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Air bags deploy without a crash; air bag warning light

   • 16 complaints (9%)
   • median 58,000 mi at 3.7 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2026

   Complaints describe side curtain or door air bags deploying without any impact, including at low speed in a driveway or making a turn, sometimes with a white substance released into the cabin. Other owners report the air bag warning light coming on and staying on, along with a constant chime, on trucks that were never in a collision. Some say the dealer removed the air bags without diagnosing the cause, and one owner reported the recall repair part was not yet available when the deployment happened. Spread from roughly 34,000 to 146,000 miles; deployments described as sudden and at low speed.

   Recall 21V504000Recall 20V736000

   What to check: Check that the roof-rail air bag recalls were completed for this VIN, and confirm the air bag warning light goes out after the bulb check at start-up.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet SILVERADO 2500. While driving 25 MPH making a right turn, the front passenger, front driver, and rear driver side door air bags deployed without warning or impact. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the dealer cut the air bags out. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,650.”

   NHTSA complaint #10971621, filed 2017-04, 71,650 miles

   “The contact's father owns a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact's father received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V504000 (Air Bags) however, the part to the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated on September 13, 2021, while his father was driving 5 mph over a pothole, the driver’s and passenger’s side front roof rail air bags deployed inadvertently. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated after the failure. The contact stated no one was injured or needed medical attention. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11432745, filed 2021-09, 146,000 miles
5. 5
   Steering

   Power steering assist drops out at low speed

   • 15 complaints (8%)
   • median 45,000 mi at 3.0 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2026

   Complaints describe the power steering assist cutting out at low speed, most often during slow right turns at intersections or into parking spaces, leaving the wheel very hard to turn. Some owners had the power steering pump replaced; others say the dealer could not reproduce or diagnose the condition and that it came back intermittently. Several mention a prior model year's steering recall as a possible comparison point. Reported from roughly 33,000 to 116,000 miles, almost always at low speed while turning.

   What to check: During a test drive, make several slow right turns and note whether steering effort stays consistent. Ask whether the power steering pump or related components have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2015 silverado 2500hd pick up's power steering occasionally stops working all together at low speed right hand turns. The latest incident was last night at 116390 miles I was turning off the main road into a gas station and I came very close to hitting a car that was exiting at the same 2 lane exit/entrance. Scarry!!”

   NHTSA complaint #11394311, filed 2021-02, 116,390 miles

   “My vehicle loses power steering at low speeds and I have almost had four accidents. My incidents have happened in two parking lots and two times as I pull out at busy intersections. Research on the web indicates my vehicle is experiencing the same issue as with the 2014 truck recall for power ateering failures.”

   NHTSA complaint #11130539, filed 2018-09, 33,000 miles

Buying note. Check that the air bag recalls were performed for the VIN, and test the trailer brake wiring and steering at low speed on any truck you consider towing with. On diesel versions, service records for the DEF and fuel systems are worth asking for.

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.