I’m 1–2 With Brand New GM Vehicles, My Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 Had Constant Issues While My Colorado ZR2 Was Flawless, and Now My 2025 Chevy Silverado 1500 ZR2 Has a Check Engine Light Already

Some vehicle ownership stories start out like a winning streak, building excitement with each purchase only for one unexpected breakdown to shatter that momentum and leave you questioning your choice. When you buy brand-new trucks back-to-back, you hope each one gets better. But for Vince Shinaver, that hasn’t quite been the case with his Chevy’s, and his latest experience might have him rethinking whether GM’s diesel half-tons are worth the risk. I came across his post in the “2019 - 2025 Chevy Silverado & GMC Sierra Owners” Facebook group, and here’s what he had to say:

"I'm now 2-1 with brand new GM vehicles. Bought a new 2023 ZL1 and had nothing but issue after issue with it. Purchased a 2024 Colorado ZR2 in November of last year, put 16,000mi on in 6 months and the truck was flawless. Traded both for my '25 1500 3.0 ZR2 back at the end of May (not even 3 months ago), and now at 9200mi, I got my first check engine light for the infamous DEF system. 98mi until 65mph top speed. Apparently this truck can't handle towing a 2500lb trailer over the weekend (that's the only new thing I've done with it recently). I'm beyond disappointed. I've always had at least 2 vehicles but went down to just this one when I traded my last two for it. I'm now regretting that as I have no other transportation and I work such long hours that it's almost impossible to get to the dealer during the week. And of course this would happen on a Monday morning. Again, I'm really not impressed with it now. This was the one issue that made me consider getting another gas, but I'm a stickler for fuel economy, and I figured I'd give a new diesel a shot. This will be the last time. Just a month ago we were in the north of Michigan, and I was taking this thing on trails hours from any dealer/large town. What if this had happened there? I can't trust that. I've always wanted to get back into an HD, so maybe a 2500 ZR2 6.6 gas is in my future. Or I'll jump back to the Colorado and save some money. I was really hoping my experience would be better with this truck."

Vince’s frustration is easy to understand. The 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2 with the 3.0L Duramax diesel is marketed as a capable off-road truck that can tow and travel long distances confidently. Yet, a DEF system fault on a diesel truck is one of those issues that not only brings up repair concerns but also limits how the truck can be used in the meantime.

For those that might not be familiar, DEF (diesel exhaust fluid) systems are critical for emissions compliance in modern diesels. When a fault is detected, it’s not just a warning light; the system is designed to limit performance until it’s addressed. That’s why owners sometimes call it the “Achilles heel” of diesel ownership, especially when traveling far from a dealership.

Comparing Vince’s Past and Present

Vince’s truck history over the past two years is a sharp contrast. He went from a 2023 Silverado 1500 Z71 that was riddled with issues to a 2024 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 that performed flawlessly for 16,000 miles. Finally, he traded both in for a 2025 Silverado diesel that’s already sidelined his confidence at just over 9,000 miles. It’s the kind of sequence that makes you wonder whether the bigger truck is actually the safer bet.

We’ve covered stories before where GM’s fixes for critical issues didn’t exactly inspire confidence, such as when owners took their Chevy Silverado ZR2 in for the engine recall and were given nothing more than thicker oil that GM claimed would fix the problem. This context is important as it shows how the newer and more expensive trims are at the heart of frustrating failures and questionable solutions.

Community Weighs In

Not surprisingly, Vince’s post drew a lot of feedback. Some focused on engine choice while others on buying habits.

Josh Wagner chimed in first: “It sure ain’t as reliable as the ‘ole 6.2 diesel that’s for sure. I would have kept the Colorado, the 2.7’s seem to be the most reliable engine GM has in the trucks right now and they just made the warranty on those go up to 100k.”

Josh’s point hits on something worth noting: GM recently extended the warranty on the 2.7L turbo four-cylinder because of its track record. For a buyer focused on long-term truck reliability without sacrificing capability, it’s an interesting alternative for sure.

Ryan Breault had a more critical take: “You're worried about MPG and you bought 3 vehicles in 2 years. Your math ain’t mathing. You probably spent more money on dealer fees, registration, and taxes than any savings you could’ve had getting a diesel over the V8. Now you want a 2500, that’s even worse MPG.”

I get what Ryan's trying to say. He touches on a reality check for anyone chasing better fuel economy in a full-size truck. Real savings can easily be offset by the costs of swapping vehicles so often. 

William Henry brought a different perspective: “I joined this group because I thought about trading in one of my 2005 trucks for a newer one, but why? My 2005 GMC 5.3 has 122K miles and is very dependable and gets 17-19 mpg. And my 2005 Duramax with 88K miles gets 20 mpg and 13.5 mpg towing a 6,500 lb trailer over 8,500 ft mountain passes and no DEF. I am not impressed with any new vehicles as they all seem to have problems now, including Toyota.”

William's opinion is what many are thinking. Sticking with the old generation seems like the safer bet nowadays. And as for Toyota, he's not wrong either. I love how he mentioned it at the end as the supposed example of the brand that doesn't usually let you down. But from what he's been seeing, and from what I've been reporting, many Toyota Tundra's are also suffering from serious failures even outside of recalls. The takeaway is that newer doesn’t always mean more dependable.

John Stewart summed it up simply: “I’ll never understand people who continuously have issues with a particular brand and keep going back thinking it’s going to be different.”

A solid point, and another one I've explored before when an owner had their 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Denali lemon-lawed at just 8,000 miles due to transmission issues yet still stayed with the brand. Whether it's the comfort or features that keep coming buyers back, it's safe to say some of us would look twice before staying.

The Bigger Picture on GM's Quality

So in the end, this raises the broader question of whether GM is doing enough to maintain customer trust. Long-time owners have voiced concerns in the past that if GM wants Americans to keep buying American-made trucks, they need to prove reliability through consistent performance and not just marketing claims. Some owners with decades of GM truck experience have shared this exact sentiment.

Vince’s story shows how brand loyalty can sometimes work against us. It’s tempting to believe the next truck from the same automaker will solve the problems of the last, yet in today’s market, even flagship trims are falling short. His experience is another signal that GM’s once rock-solid reputation for durability is slipping. With each disappointing ownership story further chipping away at the brand’s credibility and raising doubts, it makes a lot of us wonder what GM will do to fix what is cracking.

Key Takeaways

• A DEF system fault can quickly limit your truck’s usability and isn’t always a quick fix.
• Switching vehicles frequently can erase fuel economy savings through transaction costs.
• Older trucks without DEF systems can sometimes be more dependable for certain owners.
• Brand loyalty should be balanced with performance track record when making purchase decisions.
• Ownership requires considering dealership accessibility if you travel or live in remote areas.

Your Thoughts Matter

Is GM under scrutiny from owners for the right reasons? What do you think GM can do to get the quality that a lot of us remember back?

I'd love to hear from you in our comments below, especially if you’ve faced similar problems with your truck. 

It's the real-world stories that help paint the most accurate picture of what owners are truly experiencing. 

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. 

Image Sources: Chevrolet’s gallery.