2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 31%of 52 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 21,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the electrical system of the 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, 31% of the 52 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 21,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“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“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“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 #10747581, filed 2015-08, 1,422 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11017595Apr 3, 2025This service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or Insulating Tape to use for certain repairs, such as Wiring Harness Repairs.
- 11017244Mar 31, 2025The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other…
- 11017207Mar 21, 2025This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414…
- 11017031Mar 12, 2025This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries.
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11012929Jan 7, 2025This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on the requirements for 12V battery testing and warranty replacements.
- 11012027Dec 18, 2024This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that are found to have a back-up alarm inoperative during the Pre-Delivery…
- 11011805Dec 6, 2024This Preliminary information communicates a GM part number for reflective high temperature heat or insulating tape when repairing wiring harnesses.
- 11009170Oct 25, 2024This Preliminary information communicates additional information on how a LIN bus operates and diagnostic tips when working on a LIN bus.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 33% |
| 2024 | 19 | 37% |
| 2023 | 1 | 6% |
| 2022 | 5 | 19% |
| 2021 | 13 | 32% |
| 2020 | 5 | 12% |
| 2019 | 5 | 23% |
| 2018 | 3 | 16% |
| 2017 | 1 | 8% |
| 2016 | 6 | 12% |
| 2015 | 16 | 31% |
| 2014 | 1 | 10% |
| 2013 | 4 | 15% |
| 2012 | 2 | 9% |
| 2011 | 2 | 7% |
| 2009 | 1 | 10% |
| 2008 | 6 | 19% |
| 2007 | 2 | 5% |
| 2006 | 3 | 6% |
| 2005 | 9 | 20% |
| 2004 | 4 | 10% |
| 2003 | 6 | 14% |
| 2002 | 1 | 2% |
| 2001 | 4 | 6% |
| 2000 | 5 | 6% |
| 1999 | 2 | 4% |
| 1998 | 3 | 4% |
| 1997 | 3 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
15 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsEngine
8 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology