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2019 Chevrolet Silverado HD electrical problems
severe 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
2fires
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 17 electrical complaints filed for the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado HD, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
Among the 6 model years of Chevrolet Silverado HD in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Electrical accounts for 24% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 8 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2019 Silverado 2500/2500HD shows a pattern of electrical gremlins spanning the trailer brake controller, engine management, battery, and infotainment. Trailer brake system warnings appear intermittently—sometimes with actual brake failure—and cycle through dinging alerts that distract drivers for hours. Dealerships cannot duplicate or fix the issue even after installing a Pollak 7-Way connector per GM's TSB PIT5311E.
Engine power loss occurs without warning, throwing the truck into limp mode with speed capped at 30–65 mph; one owner documented a P-2138 sensor mismatch code. Dealerships tell owners this is a "known issue" Chevy hasn't fixed. Fuel injector pigtail connectors fail while towing, and a block heater cord recall remains unfixed more than a year after issue discovery due to parts shortages.
Rear window defrosters overheat and shatter glass; owners' complaints align with a Customer Satisfaction Program, but some VINs were excluded from coverage. Battery systems lose charge, one exploded during jump-start, and a coolant sensor integrated into the reservoir triggers false warnings. A few owners report door locks engaging on their own, flickering brake lights when parked, and infotainment dropping data when the radio is active.
Same Chevrolet Silverado HD electrical reports on nearby years: 2020 · 2021 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Trailer brake warning intermittent/false alerts
Recurring "Check Trailer Wiring" or "Service Trailer Brake System" messages, sometimes accompanied by actual trailer brake failure or dinging alerts that cycle every 5 seconds. Owners report the issue is intermittent and difficult to diagnose; dealerships find no defects. A Pollak 7-Way Plug Connector was installed per GM TSB PIT5311E on at least one vehicle without resolving the problem.
When: 11,000 to 139,000 miles; can occur within first week of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Check Trailer Wiring message; Service Trailer Brake System message; Repetitive dinging/warning alert cycling every 5 seconds; Actual trailer brake failure to respond; Trailer not slowing as intended; Inability to control infotainment (speed display, phone calls, volume)
Repairs/costs cited: Pollak 7-Way Plug Connector installation per GM TSB PIT5311E on at least one case; no repairs successful due to intermittent nature and inability to replicate at dealership; trailer repairs attempted but ineffective
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Technical Service Bulletin PIT5311E (Pollak 7-Way Plug Connector installation); owners report this TSB did not resolve the issue
Accelerator Pedal Position (APP) sensor voltage correlation failure
Engine power loss and forced speed reduction (limp mode) triggered by APP sensor mismatch. One owner documented a P-2138 diagnostic code (voltage correlation error between dual APP sensors). Dealerships recognize this as a known issue on Silverado models but state Chevy has not proactively issued a fix. The failure can occur suddenly while driving, creating a safety hazard.
When: Failure mileage varies; described as a common, recurring issue on the model
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of full engine power; Vehicle enters limp mode; Speed forcibly reduced to 30–65 mph maximum; Warning message: speed reduction in effect; Vehicle deceleration while driving on highway or in traffic; Issue resolves itself after ~10 miles or after turning off and on
Codes mentioned: P-2138
Repairs/costs cited: One owner replaced gas pedal assembly after learning it is a common failure; dealership able to reproduce the issue; one dealer confirmed this is a known issue Chevy has not fixed proactively
Rear window defroster thermal runaway and window shattering
Rear window defroster overheats, producing smoke and burning smell, culminating in spontaneous window shattering. Owners report this aligns with GM Customer Satisfaction Program N192265660 but their VINs were not listed in the program. One owner brought symptoms to dealership but was denied service because the VIN was excluded from the program. The bulletin notes a known fire hazard.
When: Approximately December 2022 for one case; timing varies
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke or hot smell from rear defroster when activated; Rear window spontaneously shatters; Glass fragments scattered inside vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Rear window replacement; parts on backorder with no ETA; owners report out-of-pocket costs
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Customer Satisfaction Program N192265660; however, not all affected VINs are listed in the program, and dealership refused to address the issue when VIN was not on the list
Block heater cord failure and unavailability
Block heater cord for diesel engine fails or becomes unsafe; covered under multiple recalls (N212329840, N182206310, N182206311). Dealerships remove the failed cord but have no replacement parts in stock, leaving owners without a functioning heater block for weeks or months. Without the heater block in cold climates, diesel engines will not start properly, and fuel may gel while driving, causing the truck to stall.
When: Recall issued; problem persists for over 1 year on at least one vehicle with no resolution
Symptoms owners cite: Block heater failure; Engine starting difficulty in cold weather; Fuel gelling concern
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership removal of failed cord without replacement availability; part shortage prevents repair completion
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls N212329840, N182206310, N182206311 issued; however, replacement parts are not available
Rear vision camera intermittent failure
Rearview camera screen goes blank during reverse operation, requiring the vehicle to be put in park and restarted before the camera functions again. "Service Rear Vision System" warning appears on the instrument cluster. Dealership testing could not replicate or diagnose the failure.
When: 20 miles on odometer (early in vehicle ownership)
Symptoms owners cite: Rearview camera screen goes blank; Camera non-functional in reverse; Service Rear Vision System message on instrument panel
Repairs/costs cited: No diagnosis or repair performed; dealership unable to replicate the issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer directed owner to bring vehicle to dealer for diagnosis
Fuel injector pigtail connector failure and limp mode on trailer duty
A known injector pigtail connector fails while towing, triggering limp mode without warning. The truck loses power, shakes, and cannot accelerate on the highway. Resetting the DTC temporarily resolves the issue, but the fault returns each time the truck encounters rough road vibration. One dealer acknowledged this is a known issue but refused warranty coverage.
When: While towing on highway; can occur on rough roads repeatedly
Symptoms owners cite: Limp mode activation while towing; Loss of acceleration; Vehicle shaking; Sudden loss of speed; Truck stalls or loses drivability when hitting rough spots
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel injector pigtail connector replacement; cost $566.67; dealer refused warranty coverage, stating NHTSA would have to force a fix
Electrical circuit faults causing multiple symptoms
Owners report a cluster of intermittent electrical issues including blinker lights flickering when the vehicle is off, spontaneous door locks, and repeated "reduced power engine" messages related to fuel injectors. Owners suspect an underlying electrical circuit issue and note that recalls exist for similar problems on this model.
When: Multiple occasions; recurring intermittent faults
Symptoms owners cite: Blinker lights flicker while vehicle is off; Vehicle locks itself without input; Fuel injector faults triggering reduced power messages; Repeated recurrence despite dealership repair attempts
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership repairs attempted but issue persists
Infotainment display information dropout
The main information center ceases to display certain data (tire pressure readings, rearview camera feed) when the radio is active. Information display does not resume until the radio is turned off or the vehicle is reset.
When: 120,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Tire pressure information disappears from display; Rearview camera no longer displayed when radio is in use; Information dropout when radio is active
Repairs/costs cited: No diagnosis or repair performed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer referred owner to NHTSA Hotline
Battery and charging system faults
Battery losing charge, engine will not crank, and ammeter reading below normal voltage. Dealership replaced all battery and alternator cables plus ignition key switch under warranty. Separately, a factory GM battery exploded during a jump-start attempt, sending battery acid and causing chemical burns.
When: Intermittent; sudden failure during jump-start attempt for one vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Battery loses charge; Engine will not crank; Ammeter showing below normal voltage; Battery explosion during jump-start
Repairs/costs cited: Battery and alternator cable replacement; ignition key switch replacement; all under warranty on one vehicle; battery replacement necessary after explosion
Coolant level sensor false warning
Warning light instructs owner to check and add coolant; dealership diagnosis reveals the coolant level sensor is built into the coolant reservoir, and the entire reservoir must be replaced due to sensor failure, not an actual coolant leak.
When: 34,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Warning light to check and add coolant; False low-coolant alert
Repairs/costs cited: Entire coolant reservoir replacement required due to integrated sensor failure
Engine fire
Vehicle caught fire in the engine compartment, spreading to the rest of the truck. Single complaint with no additional detail provided.
When: Unknown mileage or circumstances
Symptoms owners cite: Fire in engine compartment; Fire spread to rest of truck
Repairs/costs cited: Unknown; vehicle likely a total loss
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Vehicle caught fire in engine compartment and caught rest of truck on fire .
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated while driving at 30-35 MPH with a 2017 Heartland Bighorn trailer hitched to the vehicle, the message “Check Trailer Wiring” was displayed. The brake pedal was depressed, however, the trailer brakes failed to respond and the trailer did not slow down as intended. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring for an…
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that the main information center changed the information displayed, such as tire pressure. The back-over prevention camera was no longer displayed when the radio was in use. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer…
I purchased the 2019 Chevy Silverado 2500 Duramax on July 3rd with 60,000 miles on it and it is in great condition and so great for the price. Then about a week later I had to pull a trailer and it started to ding and say Warning check trailer wiring and then it would say trailer connected and it would go back and fourth ever 5 seconds and would be dining the whole time. I had to drive like that…
Had electrical trouble with your 2019 Chevrolet Silverado HD?
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 electrical problem on the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado HD?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 17 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 75,500 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2019/Chevrolet/Silverado HD.
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.