This informational bulletin explains the difference in AFM and DFM engines and what is and is not activated during this occurrence.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Chevrolet Silverado engine problems
moderate 71 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
71
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 71 engine complaints filed for the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 71 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist service personnel as a guideline to perform necessary engine repairs and prevent unnecessary engine replacement.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This diagnostic tip provides a procedure to aid in performing a diagnostic test to verify if the camshaft alignment pin has been sheared away to correct a crank/No Start condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000 miles that may not pass California smog inspection or smog inspection in other states.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the need to inspect the induction system for potential icing issues in very cold ambient temperatures. To allow the ice to melt so that it can be drained from the related components. That any of the listed DTC's may set with or without poor engine performance.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 5.3L V8 engines describe lifter failures as the dominant complaint, with a pattern of sudden power loss, rough running, and catastrophic engine damage. Failures occur at mileages ranging from 7,800 to 160,000 miles, though many cluster in the 30,000–60,000 range. Owners report tapping, ticking, or banging sounds from the engine, often with little to no warning light, followed by complete loss of acceleration, stalling, or violent shaking. Several owners cite the Active Fuel Management (AFM) system—which deactivates cylinders to save fuel—as the root cause, with the AFM lifters collapsing and destroying pushrods, camshafts, and cylinder walls. Repair bills range from $4,500 to $12,000 for lifter and camshaft replacement, or complete engine replacement (often $11,000+). Owners consistently note that Chevy is aware of the issue through Technical Service Bulletins (TSB 15-06-01-002F, 19-NA-219) yet has not issued a recall. A few owners report repeated failures even after repairs. Other issues mentioned include misfire codes (P0300, P0304, P219B, P050D), fuel injector problems requiring frequent resets, rough idle, and radiator failures. One owner reported an engine fire at startup with a block heater. Many complaints name NHTSA campaign 19V328000 but note parts were unavailable for months or limited to certain states.
Same Chevrolet Silverado engine reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
AFM/DFM Lifter Collapse
Active Fuel Management (AFM) or Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) valve lifters collapse, lock, or stick, destroying pushrods, camshafts, and cylinder walls. Owners allege the AFM system, which deactivates cylinders to improve fuel economy, starves these lifters of oil when in V4 mode, causing catastrophic mechanical failure.
When: Mileages 7,800–156,000 miles; majority reported 30,000–70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Tapping, ticking, or banging engine noise; Sudden loss of power or acceleration; Engine stalling without warning; Rough idle or violent shaking/shuddering; Check engine light (often flashing, sometimes none); Difficulty shifting or downshifting; Engine misfire in specific cylinders
Codes mentioned: P0300 (Random Misfire), P0304 (Cylinder 4 Misfire), P0324 (Knock Sensor), P219B (Air Fuel Imbalance), P050D
Repairs/costs cited: Lifter and pushrod replacement $4,500–$7,500; full camshaft replacement $7,000–$10,000+; complete engine replacement $11,000–$12,000+. Owners report multiple dealers refusing warranty coverage and some repeated failures after repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 15-06-01-002F (2016), TSB 15-06-01-002H (2017), TSB 19-NA-219. NHTSA campaign 19V328000 issued; however, owners report parts unavailable or delayed for months, limited to cold-weather states initially. GM refused full refunds, offered partial coverage ($2,720–$3,000) in some cases. One owner cited GM statement: 'GM doesn't currently have a solution for the problem.'
V4-to-V8 Mode Switch Misfire and Shudder
When the AFM system switches the engine from V4 (two cylinders deactivated) to V8 mode or vice versa, particularly at low RPMs (≤1,500), the vehicle misfires, shudders violently, and loses power momentarily. Reaccelerating forces it back to V8 mode where the issue temporarily resolves.
When: Ongoing issue reported across multiple mileages; one owner with extended ownership history
Symptoms owners cite: Miss/shutter during V4–V8 mode transition; Violent vibration at mode switch; Loss of power during transition; Issue resolves when forced back to V8 mode; Recurs immediately upon re-entering V4 mode
Repairs/costs cited: Owner visited dealer 5 times with no resolution. Dealers performed unrelated repairs attempting to mask symptoms. No actual fix applied.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated: 'GM doesn't currently have a solution for the problem' and confirmed service work was 'nothing more than a way to try to mask the symptoms.'
Fuel Injector Failures and Rough Running
Fuel injectors fail or malfunction, causing rough idle, check engine light illumination, and repeated misfire codes. Owners report needing injector replacement or constant code clearing.
When: Low mileage (5,000–53,000 miles); one owner reporting codes starting at 30k miles, recurring at 45k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Rough idle; Vehicle shakes or vibrates; Jerking or surging; Misfiring sound; Repeated check engine light resets needed
Codes mentioned: P0300 (Random Misfire), P050D, Fuel injector fault codes
Repairs/costs cited: Four fuel injector replacement quoted at $12,000. One owner paid for water pump and injector replacement; issue recurred within days. Warranty companies refusing coverage citing missed oil change intervals or citing TSBs as pre-existing conditions.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM refuses warranty coverage under bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties. One owner noted TSB exists but their state not included in remedy program.
Crankshaft Splitting
Crankshaft develops a complete split, detected by metal debris in oil and a distinct bass thumping sound that worsens over days.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Solid bass thumping sound from engine; Sound worsens over days; Metal debris/grit visible in drained oil
Repairs/costs cited: Requires complete engine replacement. Owner reports no recall issued.
Radiator Failure and Coolant–Oil Mixing
Radiator fails at relatively low mileage, causing coolant to mix with engine oil. One owner experienced failure twice within 20,000 miles.
When: 58,000 miles and 78,000 miles (same vehicle, two failures)
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant leak; Oil mixed with coolant; Abnormal coolant odor in vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: First replacement $2,900 at independent shop (dealer quoted $3,800). Both cooling and oil systems require thorough flushing. Second failure occurred during normal city driving.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer initially refused powertrain warranty coverage for first failure.
Engine Block Heater Cord Fire and Recall Parts Unavailability
Engine block heater cord recalled (NHTSA 19V328000 for some vehicles); cord was cut off during recall service with no replacement available for extended period. One vehicle caught fire when block heater was plugged in. Another TSB addressed block heater cord hazard.
When: Block heater fire at 24,500 miles; recall initiated 2019, parts not available until late 2019 or later
Symptoms owners cite: Engine block heater cord fire in engine compartment; Lack of available replacement parts
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle destroyed by fire; insurance and manufacturer investigators examined it. For recall service, cord cut off with no immediate remedy. Replacement parts delayed by months and limited to certain geographic regions (cold-weather states first).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA campaign 19V328000. Manufacturer prioritized cold-weather states for parts distribution, forcing owners in non-cold-weather states to drive hundreds of miles to other states for recall service.
Oil Pump Failure
Oil pump fails at low to moderate mileage, producing low oil pressure warning and engine shutdown messages.
When: 43,000 miles and 147,466 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Low oil pressure warning light; Vehicle displays 'turn off engine' message; Engine stalls
Repairs/costs cited: Oil pump replacement. Repairs performed at independent shops.
Defective Engine Pistons
Engine pistons diagnosed as defective, requiring replacement.
When: 90,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalling upon acceleration; Check engine light flashing
Repairs/costs cited: Parts on backorder at time of complaint; vehicle remained at dealer unrepaired.
Exhaust Manifold Bolt Fracture
Exhaust manifold bolts fracture, creating knocking sounds from engine compartment.
When: 130,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Knocking sound from engine compartment; Metal-on-metal sound
Repairs/costs cited: Identified by owner inspection; dealer inspection found no engine issues initially.
Intermittent No-Start and Electrical Control Issues
Vehicle fails to start; diagnosis reveals module, fuel relay, and cable issues requiring replacement, yet failures recur after repair.
When: 39,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fails to start; No warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Module and fuel relay replaced at first dealer; vehicle failed again. Second dealer replaced unknown cable; repairs completed. Vehicle remained unrepaired through second failure cycle.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Case number 9-5039253021 provided by manufacturer.
Transmission Failure (Stall and Inoperative Shifter)
Vehicle stalls with abnormal engine sound; transmission becomes inoperable (shifter will not move). Diagnosed as transmission failure, not engine-related.
When: 92,564 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal engine sound; Vehicle stalls; Gear shifter becomes inoperable
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement performed.
Engine Seizure (Hybrid Model)
In a 2017 Silverado Hybrid, the hybrid engine seized after check engine light and shaking. Repair did not resolve the problem; engine continued to seize.
When: 71,090 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine warning light; Vehicle shaking; Engine seizure
Repairs/costs cited: Engine repaired at Coughlin Automotive but continued to seize post-repair.
Thermostat and Torque Converter Failures
Vehicle shudders briefly during driving; shuddering becomes recurring. Diagnosed as thermostat and torque converter failures.
When: 38,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brief vehicle shudder; Shuddering becomes recurring; No warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; vehicle remains inoperable.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but provided no assistance.
Serpentine Belt Obsolescence
The serpentine belt controlling AC and water pump is obsolete and discontinued by the manufacturer. As a stretch belt, it cannot be replicated or sourced through aftermarket suppliers without an original unused belt.
When: Unknown mileage; rendered vehicle inoperable
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle inoperable due to missing belt
Repairs/costs cited: No repair solution available; vehicle declared total loss by owner due to inability to source part.
Synthesized from 71 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Vehicle has a ticking noise and under powered. Took truck to dealer. Valve covers removed and valves are not opening completely. Cam lobe is worn. Removed both cylinder heads, oil pan and timing cover. Replaced cam shaft and all 16 lifters, replaced the vlom.
Had engine trouble with your 2017 Chevrolet Silverado?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 71 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 33 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 30,000 and 90,000 miles, with the median around 58,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 90,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Chevrolet/Silverado.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.