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TL;DR
- IIHS dates the two recent generations to redesigns for 2014 and 2019; the 2019 truck was updated for 2022 with a new interior and the ZR2. Chevrolet is already racing a next-generation 2027 Silverado 1500.
- Trucks with GM's AutoTrac two-speed transfer case have an Auto 4WD mode that is safe on any surface; 4 Hi and 4 Lo are for loose or slippery ground only.
- Trail Boss trucks add a 2-inch lift and an automatic locking rear differential; the ZR2 (Silverado) and AT4X (Sierra) add front and rear electronic lockers and Multimatic DSSV dampers.
- The 2026 Silverado 1500 is rated for up to 13,300 lb of towing and 2,260 lb of payload, depending on engine, cab and axle.
- The largest Silverado/Sierra-only recall is NHTSA 17V414: 690,685 2014 trucks that could briefly lose electric power steering. The 2021–2024 6.2L V8 engine recall (25V274, 597,571 vehicles across GM's full-size line) is the one to check on newer trucks.
At a Glance
| If your truck is a… | What it adds for off-road use | Good fit for |
|---|---|---|
| 4WD Silverado or Sierra without an off-road package | Part-time 4WD; AutoTrac adds an Auto mode on equipped trucks | Snow, boat ramps, dirt roads |
| Silverado Custom Trail Boss or LT Trail Boss | 2-inch lift, Z71 package, AutoTrac, automatic locking rear differential, skid plates | Moderate trails and towing |
| Silverado ZR2 or Sierra AT4X | Front and rear electronic lockers, Multimatic DSSV dampers, factory lift, mud-terrain tires | Rocky trails and fast desert roads |
Generations and Model Years
IIHS records that the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 crew cabs were redesigned for the 2014 model year and again for 2019, with the current structure's crash ratings covering 2019–2026. Chevrolet's 2022 ZR2 fact sheet describes the 2022 update as a fully redesigned interior and exterior. Silverado and Sierra share the chassis, engines and transfer cases; they differ in styling and trim names (Silverado Trail Boss and ZR2, Sierra AT4 and AT4X). GMC says the AT4X name first appeared on the 2022 Sierra.
A new generation is close. In September 2026 GM reported that a next-generation 2027 Silverado 1500 ZR2 had finished the 505-mile Vegas-to-Reno desert race, powered by a new 6.6L V8 rated at 481 hp and 501 lb-ft, with 35-inch mud-terrain tires, a 2-inch lift and front and rear electronic lockers as standard ZR2 equipment. Parts listed for 2019–2026 trucks should not be assumed to fit it.
4WD System and Lockers
Chevrolet's AutoTrac two-speed transfer case, available on some 4WD trucks, has these modes:
| Mode | What it does | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| 2WD | Drives the rear axle only | Normal driving on roads with good traction |
| Auto | Engages the front axle as needed | Any surface; designed for wet roads and winter |
| 4 Hi | Locks front and rear together in high range | Gravel and loose or slippery ground, not dry pavement |
| 4 Lo | Low range for more wheel torque and slower speed | Deep sand, mud, snow, rocks and steep grades; not above 45 mph |
| N (if equipped) | Disconnects the driveline | Lets the truck roll freely; see the owner's manual |
The case shifts on the fly between 2WD, Auto and 4 Hi, but the truck must be moving slower than 3 mph to shift into or out of 4 Lo. Chevrolet lists the AutoTrac case with an automatic locking rear differential and skid plates on the Custom Trail Boss and LT Trail Boss, both with a 2-inch factory lift and the Z71 Off-Road Package.
On trucks with electronic lockers, the rear locker alone works up to about 50 mph in Terrain or Off-Road mode, while locking both axles requires Terrain mode or 4 Lo, and the front locker releases above about 15 mph.
ZR2 and AT4X
Chevrolet's 2022 Silverado ZR2 fact sheet lists these specifications:
| 2022 Silverado ZR2 | Spec |
|---|---|
| Engine | 6.2L V8, 420 hp, 460 lb-ft, 10-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | Two-speed AutoTrac case, 3.23 axle ratio, front and rear e-lockers |
| Suspension | Multimatic DSSV dampers; 9.84 in front and 10.62 in rear travel |
| Tires | 33-inch on 18-inch wheels, full-size spare |
| Clearance and angles | 11.2 in; 31.8° approach, 23.3° departure |
| Ratings | 1,440 lb payload, 8,900 lb towing |
For 2026, Chevrolet lists the 3.0L Duramax diesel as the ZR2's standard engine and the 6.2L V8 as an option, with 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires on 18-inch wheels. The ZR2 Bison Edition adds AEV skid plates for the differentials, transfer case and fuel tank. GMC's current Sierra 1500 page lists front and rear e-locking differentials, DSSV and jounce-control dampers, a Baja drive mode and 35-inch mud-terrain tires for the AT4X.
Engines and Ratings (2026 Silverado 1500)
| Engine | Output | Transmission | Where you find it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7L TurboMax I-4 | 310 hp, 430 lb-ft | 8-speed automatic | Standard on WT, Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss |
| 5.3L V8 | 355 hp, 383 lb-ft | 10-speed automatic | Standard on LTZ, High Country; optional on most others |
| 6.2L V8 | 420 hp, 460 lb-ft | 10-speed automatic | Optional on RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, ZR2, High Country (4x4) |
| 3.0L Duramax diesel I-6 | 305 hp, 495 lb-ft | 10-speed automatic | Standard on ZR2; optional on most others |
Chevrolet quotes a maximum of 13,300 lb of towing and 2,260 lb of payload for the 2026 truck; the real figure for a specific truck is on its door-jamb label and depends on cab, bed, axle ratio and options.
Recall History (NHTSA)
NHTSA's recall API returns 46 campaigns for 2014–2026 Silverado 1500 model years (its query for 2025 returned no results in September 2026, so check that year by VIN). Most also cover the Sierra 1500, and several cover GM's full-size SUVs, so the unit counts are campaign totals.
| NHTSA campaign | Filed | Model years | Problem | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19V645 | Sep 2019 | 2014–2018 | Brake vacuum pump output can drop over time, reducing brake assist; brake module reprogram | 3,456,719 (with SUVs) |
| 17V414 | Jun 2017 | 2014 | Temporary loss of electric power steering, especially at low speed; software update | 690,685 |
| 19V761 | Oct 2019 | 2014–2018, 5.3L, 3.08 axle, 4WD | A failed wheel-speed sensor at 41–60 mph in 4WD or Auto can trigger one-sided braking | 652,967 (with SUVs) |
| 25V274 | Apr 2025 | 2021–2024, 6.2L V8 | Connecting rod or crankshaft defects can cause engine failure; inspect, repair or replace engine | 597,571 (with SUVs) |
| 24V797 | Oct 2024 | 2020–2022, diesel | Transmission control valve can fail and lock the rear wheels | 463,295 (incl. HD and SUVs) |
| 14V374 | Jun 2014 | 2014–2015 | Electrical short can shift the transfer case to neutral: rollaway when parked or loss of drive while moving | 392,459 (with 2015 SUVs) |
Two of these hinge on equipment: 19V761 applies only to 4WD trucks with the 5.3L and a 3.08 rear axle, and 25V274 only to the 6.2L. For the 25V274 remedy, trucks that pass inspection get a higher-viscosity oil, a new oil filler cap and filter. Enter a VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether a specific truck has an open campaign; the tool below lists campaigns by year.
Silverado 1500 & Sierra 1500 Owner Pages
- Silverado service 4wd
- Problems & Maintenance
- Mod Priorities
- Best Tonneau Covers
- Best Lift Kits
- Best Leveling Kits
- Best Front Bumpers
- How Many Miles Will It Last?
- Chevrolet/GMC accessory fitment hub
Check for Open Recalls
Look up open NHTSA recall campaigns for this model by year. This calls NHTSA's free, public recall API directly from your browser — nothing is sent to us.
Choose a year and select “Check Recalls”.
Data from NHTSA's public recall API — this lookup is not the official record and 4x4 & Overlanding is not affiliated with NHTSA. Always confirm current recall status at nhtsa.gov/recalls using your vehicle's VIN before assuming a vehicle has no open recalls.
Toyota, Chevrolet, GMC, Ford, Jeep and Ram are trademarks of their respective owners. 4x4 & Overlanding is an independent publication and is not affiliated with, sponsored or endorsed by any vehicle manufacturer.
Sources
- IIHS — 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew cab ratings — Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500 crew cab redesigned for the 2019 model year; ratings apply to 2019–2026.
- IIHS — 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew cab ratings — Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500 crew cab redesigned for the 2014 model year.
- Chevrolet — 2022 Silverado ZR2 Fast Facts — 2022 ZR2: 6.2L V8 420 hp and 460 lb-ft, 10-speed, two-speed AutoTrac and 3.23 axle, DSSV dampers, front and rear e-lockers, 33-inch tires on 18-inch wheels, suspension travel, 11.2 in clearance, approach and departure angles, 1,440 lb payload, 8,900 lb towing; fully redesigned interior and exterior for 2022.
- Chevrolet — 2026 Silverado 1500 — 2026 engines, outputs, transmissions and availability by trim; 13,300 lb max towing and 2,260 lb max payload; Trail Boss 2-inch lift, Z71 package, AutoTrac and automatic locking rear differential; ZR2 DSSV, front and rear e-lockers and 33-inch MT tires; ZR2 Bison AEV skid plates.
- GMC — Sierra 1500 — Sierra AT4X front and rear e-locking differentials, Multimatic DSSV and jounce-control dampers, Baja drive mode and 35-inch MT tires.
- GMC — Introducing the 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X — The AT4X trim was first introduced on the 2022 Sierra.
- GM — The Next-Generation 2027 Silverado 1500 ZR2 takes on its first off-road challenge in Nevada — Next-generation 2027 Silverado 1500 ZR2 with a new 6.6L V8 (481 hp, 501 lb-ft), 35-inch MT tires, 2-inch lift and front and rear e-lockers; 505-mile Vegas-to-Reno race in August 2026.
- Chevrolet — How to Use AutoTrac — AutoTrac two-speed transfer case modes (2WD, Auto, 4 Hi, 4 Lo, Neutral); Auto usable on any surface; do not use 4 Hi or 4 Lo on dry surfaces; 4 Lo not above 45 mph; shifting into or out of 4 Lo below 3 mph.
- Chevrolet — How to Use Locking Differentials — What front and rear eLockers do; both axles lock only in Terrain Mode or 4Lo; front locker disengages above about 15 mph; rear locker usable up to 50 mph in Terrain or Off-Road mode.
- NHTSA — Recall 19V645 — 2014–2018 Silverado and Sierra (and 2015–2018 GM full-size SUVs) brake vacuum pump output decrease, 3,456,719 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 17V414 — 2014 Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500 temporary loss of electric power steering assist, 690,685 units; EPS software update.
- NHTSA — Recall 19V761 — 2014–2018 Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500 (and 2015–2020 SUVs) with 5.3L, 3.08 axle and 4WD: wheel-speed sensor failure can trigger unintended one-sided braking, 652,967 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 25V274 — 2021–2024 6.2L V8 Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500 and GM full-size SUVs: connecting rod or crankshaft defects, engine failure, 597,571 units; inspection, repair or engine replacement, higher-viscosity oil.
- NHTSA — Recall 24V797 — 2020–2022 diesel Silverado and Sierra (and 2021 SUVs): transmission control valve failure can lock the rear wheels, 463,295 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 14V374 — 2014–2015 Silverado and Sierra and 2015 Tahoe, Suburban and Yukon: electrical short can shift the transfer case to neutral, 392,459 units; transfer case control module reprogram.
- NHTSA — Datasets and APIs (Recalls API) — Recall campaign counts by model year and each campaign's reported number of potentially affected units, retrieved September 28, 2026.
- NHTSA — Recalls lookup by VIN — VIN lookup for open recall campaigns on a specific vehicle.