2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe trailer brake and trailer wiring warning messages, some of which appear with no trailer attached and come and go. Complaints about diesel trucks describe high-pressure fuel pump failures at higher mileage, often without warning, and some also describe stalling or power loss while driving or towing. Steering assist problems and smoke or burning smells are described less often.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Trailer brake or trailer wiring warning message

   • 12 complaints (23%)
   • median 14,695 mi at 2.9 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2015–2024

   Owners report a dash message such as 'service trailer brake' or 'check trailer wiring' that appears with no trailer connected or while nothing is being towed. Some describe a repeating chime, and others say the trailer brakes stopped working or did not engage while the message was on. Some complaints say the dealer found no fault in the truck and pointed to the trailer or its plug. Reported from about 100 miles up to about 127,000 miles, and several complaints describe the warning appearing with no trailer attached.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the trailer connector and wiring were inspected and whether the electric trailer brake diagnostic bulletins were reviewed. During a test drive, check whether the trailer message appears with no trailer connected.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 #10747566, filed 2015-08, 105 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 #10747583, filed 2015-08, 7,891 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Diesel high-pressure fuel pump failure

   • 10 complaints (19%)
   • median 165,000 mi at 7.2 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe the high-pressure fuel pump failing while driving or while parked, often with a power reduction or a sudden stall before the truck stops. Some complaints say metal debris spread through the fuel system, which led to costly repairs that included a contamination kit and pump replacement. Some complaints say a replacement part was reported to be on national back order. Where mileage is given, reports range from about 96,000 to about 270,000 miles, and some happened on the highway or while parked.

   What to check: Ask for records showing whether the high-pressure fuel pump has been replaced and whether the fuel system was checked for metal debris. A diesel technician can inspect for metal contamination during a pre-purchase inspection.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “CP4 fuel pump failed while driving 250 miles from home. It was towed in and diagnosed, resulting in over $12,000.00 Dollars to replace fuel system due to metal pumped into fuel system. The mechanic sent the pump back as a core charge. We were stranded and freezing with our dog and towed in after several hours. The only warning was the vehicle was reducing power and I was able to get off the highway.”

   NHTSA complaint #11588240, filed 2024-05

   “I own a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Duramax diesel. At approximately 130,000 miles, the high-pressure CP4 fuel pump failed internally, sending metal shavings throughout the fuel system and contaminating major components. The truck suddenly lost power on the freeway and became inoperable without warning. I was barely able to get out of traffic before it had to be towed to a Chevrolet dealership. This created a serious safety hazard, especially considering the risk if it had happened while towing my fifth wheel with my family. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11751378, filed 2026-07
3. 3
   Engine

   Sudden stalling or loss of power while driving

   • 12 complaints (23%)
   • median 96,000 mi at 5.5 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe the engine losing power or stalling with little or no warning, sometimes at about 40 to 65 mph and sometimes while towing. Some complaints tie these events to a faulty fuel filter, a failed fuel transfer pump, metal fragments in the engine, or wiring damage near the turbo that a dealer reportedly identified. In some cases the vehicle would not restart and had to be towed. Mostly reported between about 34,000 and 114,000 miles, and some happened while towing or at speeds near 55 to 65 mph.

   What to check: Ask the seller about any stalling or power loss history and request records of fuel filter, transfer pump, or turbo-area wiring repairs. A pre-purchase scan can show stored fault codes related to fuel or engine power.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Engine loss power while pulling a loaded horse trailer around 10,000 pounds. Error message saying power has been reduced. The top speed while on a hill was abiut 15 miles an hour.tractor traillers had to manuver around me due to the low speed on an expressway with 70 mile an hour speed limit. The dealer said cause was fraying of the wiring harness probably around the turbo. After research on the internet, I found this was a frequent problem. Truck only has 43,000 miles on it. I have requested the old wiring harness for inspection.”

   NHTSA complaint #11354990, filed 2020-09, 43,000 miles

   “There are several problems I’ve noticed some I fix myself! First of all, I was driving my truck at night on the country road and all of a sudden it starts losing power shut down on me on a little road with no pull over spots in Kentucky and just dies completely. My service charging system light came on. I worked on this forever. I noticed it. All of my grounds were completely nasty and pretty much not making contact. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11500067, filed 2023-01
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Smoke or burning smell from electrical or engine area

   Mentioned in 4 of 50 sampled complaints

   Owners describe smoke or a burning smell coming from under the hood, around the rear sliding window, or from the rear defrost. Some complaints describe white smoke with the air conditioning on that was followed by an alternator fire, and others describe smoke from the engine compartment in reverse before the vehicle was destroyed by fire. Some complaints also describe the rear window shattering after smoke appeared in that area. Reported between about 35,000 and 125,000 miles where mileage is given, and some describe smoke with the air conditioning running or after a remote start.

   What to check: During a test drive, check for burning odors, smoke, or warning lights with the air conditioning on. Ask for records of any alternator or rear defrost repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I would notice white smoke coming out under the hood of my vehicle. I would mainly notice it when I would turn on the AC . This would happen either parked or in motion. I would open the hood and the smoke would only last a few minutes, which caused the alternator to catch on fire.”

   NHTSA complaint #11290791, filed 2019-12, 90,000 miles

   “I remote started my 2015 silverado 3500hd duramax. After about 5 minutes of idle time I began driving the truck. About 3/4 miles down the road I detected the smell of something burning or very hot. My first though was it was coming from the outside. Before I could figure out what was burning heavy white/gray smoke starting exiting from lower weather stripping on the rear center sliding window. Before I could take action I heard a loud popping sound. I looked back again and the rear passenger side window was entirely shattered. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11195372, filed 2019-04, 125,200 miles
5. 5
   Steering

   Intermittent loss of steering assist or stiff steering

   • 6 complaints (12%)
   • median 30,000 mi at 2.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2016–2021

   Owners describe power steering that briefly feels heavy or stops assisting, then returns without warning. In some cases a dealer replaced the power steering pump, but the symptom returned shortly afterward. Complaints describe the steering sticking at the start of a turn or when reversing, and some owners say they could not steer properly. Mostly reported between about 25,000 and 75,000 miles, often at low speed while turning or reversing.

   What to check: Ask whether the power steering pump or other steering parts were replaced and whether the symptom returned afterward. During a test drive, check steering assist at low speed while turning and while reversing.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have experience a temporary loss of electric power steering (eps) assist followed by a sudden return of eps assist, particularly during low-speed turning maneuvers. This temporary loss of eps does not happen very often. The last time it happen I was making a right hand turn off of the highway, it felt like I lost the power assist for a second, than it came back. Before this happen, I have had several experiences over the last two years where the steering feels like it sticks when starting a turn at start of forward movement. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11013825, filed 2017-08, 25,500 miles

   “What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The power steering. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I was unable to steer the vehicle properly, this poses obvious risk while driving. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? It has happened to me several times. It has not been reproduced by a third party. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11432781, filed 2021-09

Buying note. When considering this model year, ask for service records covering the trailer brake and trailer wiring messages, the high-pressure fuel pump on diesel versions, and any power steering repairs. Electric trailer brake diagnostic bulletins exist for the trailer messages and can be reviewed with the dealer.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 50 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.