Chevy Silverado Owner Says, “Am I Disgruntled? Yes, I Am. Wouldn’t You Be If You Paid $50K for a Truck That’s Been in the Shop 5 Times Before it Hit 40K?

A 2022 Chevy Silverado owner is unhappy with his truck because it's unreliable. He can't believe his $50K truck has been in the shop five times before it has 40,000 miles. And he's not alone. Does it have something to do with post-COVID manufacturing?

Posted: July 21, 2025 - 6:58AM
Author: Denis Flierl

"Why has my $50,000 2022 Chevy Silverado pickup been in the shop five times now, and it doesn't even have 40,000 miles on it? Can't anyone build a good pickup?"

This sentiment echoes through the community of Silverado owners, a shared frustration among many who purchased a truck in the last 3 years.

Before we hear from Scott Meyer, a 2022 Chevy Silverado owner, imagine buying a new Chevrolet Silverado pickup in 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic is finally coming to an end, and things are starting to return to normal.

You've always had a Chevy truck, and it's time to buy a new one.

The 2022 Chevrolet Silverado received several updates, including revised exterior styling and an enhanced interior for LT and higher trims.

So, you decide to pull the trigger and get a new truck. You didn't spring for the top-of-the-line ZR2, but you bought an LT trim level and spent $50,000. It's a nice truck.

For the first year, everything was going well, and then the problems began. Over the last two years, the truck has been in the shop due to issues with the lifters, transmission problems, and electrical malfunctions. It's been at the Chevrolet dealer five times now.

The last issue required you to have it towed to the dealer because your engine suddenly shut down for no apparent reason.

Scott Meyer wonders why his 2022 Chevy Silverado is so unreliable

Scott Meyer shares his story on the 2019 - 2025 Chevy Silverado & GMC Sierra Owners Facebook page, inviting others to join the discussion.

He says, "If you have one of the few trucks without issues, then this post is not for you, and I am thrilled for you. If you have a turd, stick around for some validation."

"With all of the issues that EVERY brand is having reliability-wise, is it too much to ask just to get back to the basics and start producing well-engineered, reliable vehicles with limited electronics, and a sturdy frame, suspension, and power train?"

"At this point, manufacturers need to stop spending time and energy worrying about the fancy add-ons and electronics, and most of all, the government needs to get out of the emission regulation B.S."

"On the other hand, I'm smart enough to know why things are the way they are. If they produced a quality product, they wouldn't make massive amounts of money on service and replacement, so as the consumer, they bend us over with subpar vehicles to make their shareholders happy."

"And am I 'disgruntled"? Yes. I am. Wouldn't you be if you've had a vehicle you paid $50k for in the shop 5 times before it hits 40k miles?"

"It's a sad world we live in when, as a 41-year-old male, I am disgusted at the quality of just about everything produced, but especially the trucks that just can't seem to 'truck' anymore."

"I need a truck that can handle gravel roads, farm work, and trailers."

"Not a glorified mom mobile that gets my wife and the kids to Target on a Saturday afternoon and pulls the boat to the lake 3 times a year. If you want that, get an SUV."

"So, in conclusion, if you've made it this far, thanks for coming to my TED talk, and here's a picture of my piece of junk."

Scott's 2022 Chevy Silverado on a tow truck

“There's nothing better than a sleek black truck. I wish I could drive it without something breaking. We're over 45 minutes to the nearest town and dealership."

"I want to know how many of my fellow Chevy Silverado owners think that changes need to be made?"

Before You Add Your Comments Below

Scott says, "I've got a friend who works for the Chevy plant in Wentzville, and he said post-COVID manufacturing was rushed out the door just to get trucks back on the market after being short on line workers. I have a feeling that subpar parts and manufacturing rushes played a lot into these post-COVID models."

Sean Brittell - "Ford, GM, Ram, and even Toyota trucks are all junk. These new trucks are throwaways pretty much. $ 60-$80,000 for a half-ton pickup, and some don't reach 30,000 miles without major issues. The big three should be ashamed of the junk they are selling us."

Does post-COVID manufacturing have something to do with the unreliability of new GM pickups?

According to Automotive Fleet Magazine, vehicle quality slipped in 2022.

The report says, "In 2022, the industry average was 180 problems per 100 vehicles. In 2021, it was 162 problems per 100 vehicles. A lower score reflects higher vehicle quality."

"The bottom line is that in 2021, the automotive industry was producing higher-quality vehicles than it is today in 2022."

What are the reasons why vehicle quality dropped in 2022?

They say, "There are several reasons why this has occurred, but a commonly cited reason is that 2022 vehicles, on average, are the most technologically complex models produced."

David Amodeo, director of global automotive at J.D. Power, says, "Supply chain disruption, especially the shortage of microchips, has caused automakers to seek alternative solutions to get new vehicles into purchasers' and lessees' hands."

"In some cases, new vehicles are being shipped without some features installed. Communication with them about the changes in feature availability, as well as when such features will be reinstated, is critical to their satisfaction."

The report states that the more complex the vehicle, the greater its reliance on microchips, and the greater the likelihood that microchip shortages have negatively impacted it.

Another unhappy 2022 Chevrolet Silverado owner shares the same sentiments.

I recently reported on Aaron Sullivan's 2022 Chevrolet Silverado, which has 33,000 miles and has been at the dealer five times. Now his 10-speed transmission needs to be replaced.

Aaron says, "33,500 miles and the Z71 5.3 10-speed trans is gone. I'm off to the dealer for my transmission that left me stranded for three days. I got the "Transmission hot idle engine" code just before it died."

"This truck has already been at the dealer for a rear differential/suspension since I purchased it. And I had to wait for it because a new unit was backordered."

"Now it's the transmission. The Chevrolet dealer says they have at least five trucks like mine with transmission problems that are currently waiting to be seen by a mechanic."

"The 10 speeds are falling apart," he says, shaking his head in disbelief.

Conclusion:

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent manufacturing disruptions, particularly the chip shortage, likely contributed to the initial quality issues and potential unreliability of some GM pickup trucks produced during and immediately after the pandemic.

However, it's also important to acknowledge positive reliability data and consider that overall vehicle quality can be influenced by multiple factors beyond the pandemic's immediate impact.

Now, Back To Scott's Question

He wants to know how many of his fellow Chevy Silverado owners think that changes need to be made.

Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know what you think.

Check out my Chevrolet Silverado story: I Bought a 2025 Chevrolet Silverado LT Trail Boss in March, and This Thing Is a Piece of Work. I’ve Never Had This Many Problems With a Truck in Such a Short Time

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news, covering owner stories, and providing expert analysis, ensuring that you are always well-informed and up to date. Follow me on X @DenisFlierl, @WorldsCoolestRides, Facebook, and Instagram

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Scott Meyer

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