Skip to main content

My 2024 Chevy Silverado With 7,000 Miles Has Faulty Software, At This Rate I’ll Have To Replace the Transmission Before the Brakes

Thomas just purchased a 2024 Chevy Silverado. It only has 7,000 miles, and he says the readout on his dash is faulty. The display says the truck will go 100,000 miles on his work truck before he needs new brakes. He says there's no way that's possible.

Can a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado pickup used consistently to haul heavy loads go 100,000 before it needs brakes? 

Imagine buying a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado truck. You've put about 7,000 miles on your work truck, and you see that the digital technology on your dash says that you still have 95% of your brake pad life left.

You have the new truck loaded with your work tools, do mostly city driving using your brakes often, and always carry about 1,500 lbs in the bed. You even have a bed extender because you have so much to haul around. 

You look at the digital display on your Silverado, and it says you are also averaging 20 miles per gallon in stop-and-go city driving. You would scratch your head and wonder if it's accurate. 

That's what Thomas (@carsrme) revealed about the new 2024 Chevrolet Silverado he recently purchased on his TikTok video. He bought the 2024 Silverado LT trim with a 2.7-liter TurboMax four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. He says he paid $42,000 out the door. 

The dealer also added a truck topper and running boards to his new truck, which he says was included in the price. Sounds like he got a great deal. Or did he?

Why did he buy the Silverado with a 2.7-liter engine, not a 5.3-liter or 6.2-liter V8 engine? 

Thomas explains, "I bought the four-cylinder because of its reliability; the 5.3 and the 6.2 are having lifter issues, and the 10-speed automatic transmissions have a recall going on."

He also mentions that he can modify the Silverado's 8-speed automatic transmission, making it 'bulletproof' in his words.

However, with only 7,000 miles on the new truck, he's not convinced the Silverado's Brake Pad Life Monitoring technology is working properly. 

Thomas says, "Thomas said, These new Chevrolet Silverado trucks are too smart for their own good. So, this right here, as he points to the display on the dash,  says, I have 95% of my front brakes and 94% of my rear brakes still left." 

I have 7,000 miles, so at this current rate, I will end up with over 100,000 miles on my brake pads before they have to be replaced.

To put this in perspective, my average speed is 29 miles per hour because I do a lot of city driving. That I am getting 20 miles per gallon can't be right either. I have 22-inch rims on this truck. 

I have a camper topper, and I always easily have over 1,000 pounds in the bed. With my side out and all my tools in it, I think about 1,500 pounds.

There is no human way that's possible. And it doesn't even make sense. I think this truck has faulty software. Typically, brakes should last 50,000 or 60,000 miles, not 100,000 miles. That's just not right. 

He concludes, "At this rate, I have to replace the transmission before the brakes."

What is the Chevrolet Silverado Brake Pad Life Monitoring technology?

Chevrolet says, "The Brake Pad Life Monitor helps predict the wear of your vehicle's brake pads. It provides an estimate of the remaining life of the pads to help you plan when it's time to change them."

How does the system work? 

Chevrolet says the Brake Pad Monitor software uses vehicle information to estimate pad wear. It uses sensors to adjust its estimates based on your driving habits, getting more accurate over time.

"Brake pad life displays in the cluster. When the system determines the brake pads need to be replaced, you'll see a message in the cluster that shows their estimated mileage remaining," Chevrolet's vehicle support says.

The Silverado's technology also displays your miles per gallon on the dash. 

Thomas finishes by saying, "Are they going to tell this massive truck with all city miles, city driving, and loaded with 1,500 lbs will get 100,000 miles out of the front and rear brake pads? And I will continue to get 20 miles per gallon?"

Is the Silverado truck's display software faulty and not working correctly, or is it just inaccurate information? 

Chevrolet says that the GM Brake Pad Life Monitoring software is only a prediction of the vehicle's brake pads. It only provides an estimate of the remaining life of the pads.

Chevrolet says the software sensors adjust their estimates based on driving habits and will be more accurate over time. 

Conclusion. 

Thomas only has 7,000 miles on his new 2024 Chevy Silverado LT. The more he drives, the more accurate the brake life estimate and the miles per gallon reading will get. 

With more data, the Silverado's computer software will become more accurate. As Thomas continues to drive, the brake life estimate and the miles per gallon reading will change, providing a more reliable picture of the truck's performance.  

Why didn't Thomas buy the Chevrolet Silverado with the 3.0-liter 6-cylinder Duramax turbo diesel? 

"The only reason I didn't get the diesel is because of the extra maintenance and the higher cost of fuel," he says.

Here are a few comments about the varying brake pad life and the 2.7-liter engine. 

Vinny_c17 says GM brakes are excellent; however, they are expensive OEM. When you get new brakes, get the OEM, not the cheap $30 pads from Pep Boys. I went well over 100K on the first set.

Nick Mannino - I just had new pads and rotors installed on my Silverado S5 at 28,000 miles. 

Luke_metlow - I'm watching as my 2023 2.7-liter GMC sits in the shop, waiting for a new transmission.

Mr No Name - Thinking the 2.7 is better than the 5.3 is crazy. That thing is working so hard to do those jobs at all times. Proof will come later, unfortunately.

What's your take on this? Should Thomas have purchased the Chevy Silverado with the 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8 instead of the 2.7-liter four-cylinder turbo? Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

Check out my 2024 Chevy Silverado story titled; I Work At a GM Dealer, I Wanted A Toyota 4Runner, They Said I Had to Buy a Chevy Silverado Or Get Fired, Within 24 Hrs and Only 82 Miles It Broke Down

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 and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReportAll Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierlFacebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Thomas

Comments

Paul M (not verified)    January 19, 2025 - 5:23AM

Hauling around 1500 lbs everyday in stop and go driving? I would of opted for the 5.3. The key to long engine life is using a name brand quality synthetic oil and changing the oil every 5,000 miles and keep your idle time to a minimum. The 5.3 is not my favorite V8 however it is a good motor if properly maintained.

Dan Goss (not verified)    January 19, 2025 - 10:45AM

I have a 2024 with 11000 on it. Transmission is fine & must be used to get smoother! Have 5.3 engine with great results & will NOT HAVE THAT LITTLE ENGINE! It will die b4 anything else! Truck had to have a software update & has not been back to dealer except for that! I'm using Duramax oil by Shell too....& changing it at @3500 miles

Dennis (not verified)    January 19, 2025 - 5:01PM

I have a 2024 rst with the TurboTax diesel with 78k. Brake pads are still at 56 percent and had them verified during service interval and it's pretty accurate. I haven't had any transmission issues either that others have complained about. My 2017 went through 3 transmissions and it had the 5.3. This truck is alot better.