I Own a 2024 Chevy Silverado 1500 LT and Have Been Driving Chevys Half My Life, But the Issues I’ve Been Seeing Have Me Wondering What I Should Be Keeping an Eye On

When lifelong Chevy owners start getting nervous about a truck with barely 4,000 miles on it, you can’t help but wonder what’s changed. Here's why reliability concerns are becoming harder to ignore in GM’s latest trucks.

It's a strange tension when your truck feels perfectly fine but your gut says something different. Maybe not because of how it drives, but because of what you keep hearing from other owners who were once just as confident. That’s the kind of unease that I sensed in a post this morning in the “Chevrolet Silverado 1500/2500” Facebook group, where Dennis Hogan shared a quick but revealing thought about his 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT with the 5.3L V8. What struck me wasn’t that anything had gone wrong yet, but how the doubt was creeping in—even for someone who’s been loyal to the badge longer than most.

Here’s how he put it: “I have a 2024 LT 1500 5.3L. Anyone having issues with that model that maybe I should be keeping an eye on? I only have 4,200 miles on it. Been running Chevys half my life but these issues have me wondering.”

The comment might seem innocent on the surface, but within the Silverado community, it sparked something that’s becoming harder to ignore: growing anxiety around reliability in newer models. Dennis didn’t say he had a problem yet. But when long-time owners begin to scan for red flags this early into ownership, it’s a sign worth paying attention to.

Lifter Failures and the 5.3L V8

Take Chadwick Denton, for example, who replied, “I have the same truck with lifter failure.” That one comment alone is enough to hit a nerve in GM circles. Lifter failures, especially on the 5.3L and 6.2L V8s with Dynamic Fuel Management, have become one of the most widely reported pain points. And it’s not just forum folklore; it's been a serious enough issue that it prompted larger discussions about long-term engine durability and warranty repairs.

This brings us to an important clarification: while Dennis’s truck uses the L84 5.3L V8, a close cousin to the L87 6.2L V8, the L84 has not been included in recent official recalls. However, due to its shared architecture with the L87 and use of the same DFM system, many owners are watching it just as closely. As reported in my other article, GM’s handling of engine issues around the L87 has left more questions than answers for many.

View of Silverado's Bed

Transmission Problems and Broader Doubts

It’s not just lifters that have people worried either. The larger pattern of transmission complaints across the Silverado lineup continues to fuel doubt. This 2024 Silverado 2500 HD owner said they were already taking their truck back to the dealer after just one week. And in a different case, a 2024 3500 HD owner reported severe transmission problems at just 21,000 miles, all while the dealer allegedly refusing to cover it under warranty. So while Dennis’s truck is newer and hasn't yet exhibited problems, his post resonates because many other owners have already run into problems that are hard to ignore.

Doug E. Thompson chimed in with a more nostalgic take: “I’m glad I have held on to my 2005 now with 253,000 miles. I’ve had new leather put on the seats, new visor, and headliner. I love the cat eye lights on the front. No major issues other than the transfer case at 80k, oil pump, radiator, and the brake and transmission lines. Next is to get the rocker panels fixed.”

Doug’s comment highlights what seems to be an emerging theme of older Silverado’s with high mileage being viewed by many as more dependable than their newer counterparts. And this is something we’ve seen before. One Silverado owner shared how his newer truck went through three transmissions in 100,000 miles, forcing him to rethink the brand he once trusted without question.

Even those trading up from relatively solid trucks are facing new doubts. One story documented how a loyal Duramax owner gave up a flawless truck for a newer model after getting a good deal, only to start questioning if that decision was worth it.

The Bigger Picture

So what’s happening here? Why are we seeing so many experienced owners—people who’ve driven Chevys for decades—suddenly feeling like they’re walking on thin ice?

I think part of the answer lies in how expectations have shifted. Today’s trucks are more complex, more tech-heavy, and more tightly engineered than ever before. That’s not inherently a bad thing, but it also means when something goes wrong, it’s rarely simple or cheap. Add in the pressure from online communities where every failure gets amplified, and even minor concerns can start to feel like ticking time bombs.

But I will say this: As a journalist who spends hours in forums like these and now reports on them daily, I think this moment for GM is a crossroads. Chevy still has a massive and loyal following, but loyalty only goes so far when newer trucks feel less dependable than older ones with a quarter-million miles. It’s not just about what breaks, but also about how consistently those breaks are showing up. Let's also not forget how essential it is for GM to respond to these problems as proactively as possible.

Key Takeaways

Seeing constant stories of first-hand issues, new truck owners are taking notice of online reports and failures.
Lifter problems continue to plague the reputation of GM’s small-block V8s, especially when paired with Dynamic Fuel Management.
Transmission concerns aren’t limited to high-mileage trucks; some failures are showing up shockingly early.
Owners of older trucks are holding onto them longer, citing durability and simplicity as major advantages.

Join The Conversation

Do you think GM’s truck quality has taken a step back in recent years, or is this still the same brand you’ve always trusted?

And if you own a Silverado, what’s your experience been like so far? Are you hearing anything that’s making you watch your truck a little more closely?

Your opinions matter, so I would love to hear what you have to say in the comments below.

Aram Krajekian is a young automotive journalist bringing a fresh perspective to his coverage of the evolving automotive landscape. Follow Aram on X and LinkedIn for daily news coverage about cars.

Images Sources: The “Chevrolet Silverado 1500/2500” public Facebook group and Chevrolet’s Gallery, respectively.

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