The 2017 Chevrolet Silverado is a popular pickup with segment-topping comfort and capability. However, certain 2017 models had problems off the line, some resulting in safety recalls being issued by the NHTSA.
Key Points
- The Chevrolet Silverado was and is a top-selling pickup with plenty of amenities, technology, and style. But the 2017 model year faced six safety recalls and mixed reviews.
- Most issued recalls were not specific to the Silverado nameplate and included other GM vehicles as well.
- In addition to the recalls, drivers have mentioned other issues with the transmission as early as just 3,000 miles.
While a Top Pickup in the Half-ton Class, the 2017 Chevy Silverado Struggles with a High Number of NHTSA Recalls
The half-ton Chevrolet Silverado has had a great deal of success in the always-volatile pickup truck segment. The ubiquitous Silverado has been a formidable opponent to Ford and Ram, among others. Initially introduced as a trim level for the C/K trucks in 1975, the Silverado made its debut as model in 1999. And since that time, it has been a consistent favorite among drivers and critics alike.
The 2017 Chevy Silverado was produced in the truck’s third-generation, which ran from 2014 to 2018. This is important to note as automakers are more likely to have their biggest problems in the first year of a new redesign; with problems typically decreasing with the release of more tenured models in a generation.
Overall, the 2017 Silverado is a hale and hearty pickup with an impressive selection of options, including some very beastly V8 engines. It ranked at the top for towing capacity, and drivers liked the roomy cabin and easy-to-operate onboard technology.
However, the 2017 Silverado was the subject of six recalls, as well as a number of consumer complaints. In researching the safety of the Silverado, we discovered that some of the mudslingings was unfairly put on the 2017 Chevy Silverado instead of General Motors.
While recalls and complaints are not unusual for the auto industry, vehicle safety is paramount.
The NHTSA Issued Six Safety Recalls for the 2017 Chevy Silverado
There have been six recalls on the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). You’ll count only five below as one issue was actually recalled twice.
Inadequate Suspension Welds may Lead to Separation
Front upper control arms may have inadequate welds near the control arm bushing. Insufficient or inadequate welds could allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing overall risk. This recall went out for 3,738 potentially affected vehicles which also included Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Sierra, and other vehicles.
To resolve the issue GM replaced the left and right front upper control arms, and realign the vehicle.
Airbags & Seat Belts may Not Deploy Correctly in an Accident
Frontal airbags were recalled in two different recalls. Because of a possible defect, it was possible that front airbags or seat belt pretensioners might not deploy correctly in the event of an accident. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the airbag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test.
It is difficult to say how many of the vehicles impacted were Silverados as this expansive recall included almost every make and model that GM produced from 2014-2017 and expanded to include over 3,600,000 vehicles.
General Motors replaced or reset the diagnostic module (SDM) software.
Child Seat Installation Guide might be Missing from Your Owner’s Manual
Another recall was issued because the instructions on child seat installation could be missing from the owner’s manual. As a result, the child seat may be installed incorrectly nor properly secured. This recall is specific to the 2017 Silverado and 2017 GMC Sierra pickups, 29,647 vehicles total.
To correct this, GM and dealers have a corrected insert for the child seats for the owners manual.
Brakes/Hydraulics issues can Cause the Brake Assist to Fail, Increasing Stopping Distance
A recall was issued because there is a possibility that the amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time. Should the vacuum level drop it would decrease the brake assist. This would make braking more difficult and therefore, puts it at risk. 3,456,000 cars, SUVs, and trucks are included from Caddys to Tahoes.
To correct this, the Electronic Brake Control Module was reprogrammed by dealers.
Specific 2014 to 2018 Silverados with 5.3-liter and 3.08 Rear Axle may Brake Unintentionally
Specific only to the 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle, and four-wheel drive. If a wheel speed sensor fails, the Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system, causing unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor.
The EBCM needs to be reprogrammed to repair the issue. As a result, 638,000 trucks were cited including Chevrolet Suburban, Yukon, among others.
While the ideal number of recalls is none, we have to say that the information is enlightening. When you look at these recalls, it becomes less of a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado problem, and more of a reflection on GM.
Also, it is reassuring to see that some of these are not chassis-shattering problems. As most of the recalls were applicable to three to four years of various makes and models, it is clear that these were not Silverado-centric. With the exception of the child seat instructions and the electronic stability control.
However, an informed driver today is at an advantage when purchasing a 2017 Silverado. Both buyer and (reputable) seller should be aware of and address these issues. And buying a 2017 Silverado in 2021 means it is much more likely that the pickup has already been updated and/or repaired.
Safety Ratings for the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado Reveal it to be a Top Performer
Overall, the 2017 Chevy Silverado scores well for safety. Crashworthiness was rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in a series of tests. It scored “Average,” which is, well, average for the industry… if not a little better. J.D. Power rated the 2017 Chevy above-average 4.5 out of five for reliability. U.S. News & World Report gave the pickup an overall score of 8.7 out of 10 overall, and a 9.2 for safety. And the NHTSA gave it a perfect five out of five for crash tests.
Submitted Consumer Complaints About the 2017 Chevy Silverado
This is where it gets a little more interesting. When it gets right down to the real nitty-gritty, we turn to owner reviews. At Vehicle History, the average rating was 4.63 out of five. Owners rated the 2017 Chevy Silverado 3.3 out of five on Edmunds. And The Car Connection writers gave it a 6.3 out of 10, and readers and riders gave it four out of five stars.
On the road, it is a confident ride, and the engine options (in the particular the 6.2L V8) are varied but pack a lot of muscle. People really liked the bold style and power, as well as the relaxing cabin. Inside the pickup is comfortable, loaded, and rides high and confident. Technology is already a little dated by 2021/2022 MY standards; but it is easy to use and set up very clean.
In the cons column, some felt the interior materials were subpar for the segment. Fuel efficiency is not great at 15-18 (city)/19-24 (hwy). And some owners did complain about issues that certainly give us pause. Car Complaints had 648 complaints about the 2017 Silverado, with 75 specific to the transmission. Issues and complaints include hard shifts, hesitation, jerking, and clunking in low gears.
“The 2017 Chevy Silverado 1500 has an early trend of the transmission shifting hard, surging, and jerking,” they write. “At the moment these trucks are still under warranty. However, this transmission problem shows up right away with the average reported mileage only around 3,000 miles.”
2017 Chevy Silverado Offers Marginal Reliability Ratings that Should Be Carefully Considered Before Committing
It is a mixed bag when it comes to the 2017 pickup. For the price point (about $25,000-$48,500) it is quite a bargain for a lot of truck. Drivers and consumers were largely very happy with their rig.
But we would say the 2017 Chevy Silverado rates between Fair and Good. If this is the one model year you really want, be certain that you know the problem areas. And make sure that all recall issues have been set to rights. Owning a sleek, cool pickup has many benefits. But transmission problems can be a black hole of frustration.
To be fair, the numbers of complaints do make up a sliver of Silverados sold. And we did find consistently large numbers of happy 2017 Silverado 1500, 2500 reviews.
Ultimately it comes down to your comfort. Risk versus reward is considerably improved by 2021 standards: the Silverado is offered at good price, the lions share of issues are resolved, but for a handful of varying issues.
Is it a safe truck? Statistically, yes it is safe. Is it dependable? Yes again, the data agrees that it is.
Photos: Chevrolet