Chevrolet Z71 problems
The Chevrolet Silverado is a range of trucks manufactured by General Motors under the Chevrolet brand. Introduced for the 1999 model year, the Silverado is the successor to the long-running Chevrolet C/K model line. Taking its name from the top trim level from the Chevrolet C/K series, the Silverado is offered as a series of full-size pickup trucks, chassis cab trucks, and medium-duty trucks. The fourth generation of the model line was introduced for the 2019 model year.
The Chevrolet Silverado shares mechanical commonality with the identically related GMC Sierra; GMC ended the use of the C/K nomenclature a model generation prior to Chevrolet. In Mexico, high-trim level versions of the Silverado use the Chevrolet Cheyenne name (not to be confused with the 2003 concept). Competing against the Ford F-Series, Ram Pickup, Toyota Tundra, and Nissan Titan, the Silverado is among the best-selling vehicles in the United States, having sold over 12 million trucks since its introduction in 1998 as a 1999 model year.
History
The Silverado nameplate made its debut for the 1975 model year, becoming the top trim level on all Chevrolet C/K trucks, slotted above Custom Deluxe, Scottsdale, and Cheyenne. For the 1968 model year (seven years before the Silverado), GMC C/K trucks used variations of the Sierra name (Sierra, Sierra Classic, Sierra Grande, and High Sierra). Even after the C/K series officially ended, GM still uses the CK and the CC in their current model codes, to denote a two-wheel drive (CC), and four-wheel drive (CK).
For the 1988 GMT400 model architecture, Chevrolet retained the C/K model nomenclature, with GMC branding its full-size line as Sierras. While sharing the same body and chassis, the model chronology of the Silverado and Sierra are different, with five generations of the Sierra, while four of the Silverado.
In 2018, at the NTEA Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, Indiana, Chevrolet unveiled the first medium-duty Silverado, expanding the model line to a 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD chassis cab. Largely the successor to the 2003–2009 GMT560 chassis, the medium-duty trucks are exclusive to Chevrolet, with no plans for an equivalent GMC version. Instead, Navistar International (now partnering with GM) would sell the medium-duty trucks as a rebadged counterpart, called the CV. This is in fact a very similar nod to how the Avalanche did not have a GMC Yukon–based equivalent, but instead, Cadillac would take its place as the former's rebadged counterpart, the Escalade EXT.
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Chevrolet Z71 model years
Common Chevrolet Z71 problems
Based on the complaints from owners of Chevrolet Z71 cars, common problems reported include transmission issues, electrical problems, engine problems, and steering wheel issues.
- Transmission Issues:
Owners have reported problems with the transmission, such as poor shifting, surging, jerking, and even complete transmission failures. These issues can lead to safety concerns and costly repairs. The transmission problems in Chevrolet Z71 cars can manifest in various ways, affecting the driving experience and potentially causing breakdowns. - Electrical Problems:
Electrical issues in Chevrolet Z71 cars include faulty radios, Bluetooth connectivity problems, malfunctioning reverse cameras, and unresponsive touchscreens. These problems can impact the driver's convenience and safety, with issues like sudden volume increases, radio cutouts, and persistent ringer sounds during calls. - Engine Problems:
Engine-related complaints involve reduced power mode activation, misfiring, and check engine light illuminations. These issues can stem from components like the throttle position sensor, wiring faults, or electronic throttle actuator problems. Engine issues in Chevrolet Z71 cars can lead to performance issues and potential safety hazards. - Steering Wheel Issues:
Owners have reported instances where the steering wheel malfunctions, leading to a sudden loss of power steering while driving. This issue poses a significant safety risk as it affects the driver's ability to control the vehicle effectively. Steering wheel problems in Chevrolet Z71 cars can result in challenging driving conditions and require immediate attention.
These common problems reported by owners of Chevrolet Z71 cars highlight the importance of regular maintenance and prompt attention to any warning signs to prevent serious damage and costly repairs. Addressing these issues promptly can help ensure the safety and reliability of the vehicle for a smoother driving experience.
How many miles does a Chevy Z71 last?
Generally speaking, a Chevy truck that receives proper maintenance should be able to last well over 200,000 miles.
What is the most common problem with Chevy Silverado 1500?
1. 4WD Position Switch Failure. Almost every generation of Chevy Silverado has suffered various issues with the 4WD switch.
Which Silverado to stay away from?
2008 Chevy Silverado 1500
The 2008 model year competes with the 2014 model year as one of the worst ever produced. Due to its frequent engine problems and overuse of oil, which was repair that cost owners over $2,700 to fix, this problem continued onward from the 2007 into the 2009 model years.
Is it worth getting the Z71 package?
By itself, the Z71 trim isn't exactly an off-road beast, but assuming that you were planning to buy a four-wheel drive gasoline model anyway, it definitely lends a sportier, more aggressive appearance and is a mandatory gateway for ordering additional levels of off-road prowess.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Chevrolet Z71 years
We have researched Chevrolet problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Chevrolet Z71 cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Chevrolet Z71 model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Chevrolet Z71 model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Chevrolet Z71 years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Chevrolet Z71 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Chevrolet Z71 , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Parking brake problems
- Air bags problems
- Service brakes problems
- Power train problems
- Hydraulic problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Chevrolet Z71 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Z71 model years
A total of 4 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Z71 model years
There were a total of 1 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Z71 model years
There were a total of 6 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 28 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Chevrolet Z71 . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Chevrolet Z71 vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Chevrolet Z71 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2012-09-02
- Date Complaint: 2012-09-04
- VIN: 3GNFK16T02G
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: MASTERCRAFT COURSER TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE UNDER NORMAL HIGHWAY CONDITIONS. SIZE 265/70/17 DOT # UT1Y FWB 4306 WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES AND 5 YEARS OLD. THE SEPARATION CAUSED VEHICLE DAMAGE BUT LUCKILY NO INJURIES. *TR
Chevrolet Z71 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2010-07-15
- Date Complaint: 2010-09-10
- VIN: 2GCEK19T621
- Components: PARKING BRAKE
- Summary: 2002 CHEVROLET 1/2 TON EXT.CAB. Z-71 TRUCK PARKING BRAKE PREMATURELY WORN OUT AND TRUCK SLIPPED FROM PARK AND ROLLED INTO STREET. NO INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE AT THAT TIME. I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW AND IT STARTED FAILING WITHIN 2 YRS OF OWNERSHIP. TOTAL PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. *TR
Chevrolet Z71 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2006-12-15
- Date Complaint: 2010-02-16
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1GNEK13Z62R
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN AN CRASH WHEN SHE WENT TO SLEEP WHILE DRIVING HER 2002 Z71 TAHOE. SHE HIT AN OAK TREE DEAD CENTER OF THE FRONT GRILL AND BUMPER. THE DRIVERS AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Chevrolet Z71 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2009-07-04
- Date Complaint: 2009-07-06
- VIN: 2GCEK19T921
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET Z71. WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. HE STATED THAT THE SHIFTING CABLE WAS FAULTY IN THE MANNER IT WAS BOLTED AND MOUNTED ONTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 130,000.
Chevrolet Z71 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2006-06-13
- Date Complaint: 2008-10-23
- VIN: 2GCEK19T321
- Components: STEERING,PARKING BRAKE,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: NOISE WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, SOUNDS LIKE A SQUEAKY DOOR ONLY LOWER FREQUENCY. TOOK TO DEALER ON MAY 22, 2008, WAS TOLD IT WAS THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS LOOSE. I HAD THIS UNIT CHANGED ON MAY 22,2008. ON JUNE 5, 2008, I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR BRAKE WORK WHICH CONSISTED OF REPLACING REAR BRAKE PADS,ROTORS, & EMERGENCY BRAKE LININGS. SINCE THE STEERING WAS STILL MAKING NOISE I HAD THE DEALER CHECK IT AGAIN, THEY DID AND LUBED THE STEERING SHAFT COVER. STILL MAKES NOISE DOES NOT APPEAR TO AFFECT STEERING. ON EA04011 THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS IS THIS NOW IN EFFECT FOR AUTO TRANSMISSIONS? ON SEPT. 3, 2008, THIS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT OF EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKETS AND BROKEN BOLTS ON MANIFOLD AND ALSO FOR LEAKING WATER PUMP GASKETS ARE THESE NORMAL WEAR OR MANUFACTURING DEFECTS? NO OLD PARTS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION, REPAIR TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE. *TR
Chevrolet Z71 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2002-02-20
- Date Complaint: 2006-10-08
- VIN: 2GCEK19T321
- Components: PARKING BRAKE
- Summary: PARKING BRAKE (E-BRAKES) FAILURE OF CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 Z71 WITH 4-WHEEL DISC ABS BRAKES. TRUCK PURCHASED NEW FROM FAMILY CHEVROLET IN SHINGLE SPRINGS CA. E-BRAKES NEVER WORKED FROM DAY ONE, HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD THIS WAS HOW THEY FUNCTIONED DUE TO 4-WHEEL DISC SYSTEM (FROM DEALERSHIP)-WRONG. AFTER ASKING OTHER CHEVY TRUCK OWNERS WITH THE SAME E-BRAKE SYSTEM, THEY TOO EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEMS. I AM VERY SURPRISED THAT GM DID NOT SEND A RECALL NOTICE OUT FOR THIS PROBLEM. THOUGH GM DID SEND OUT A RECALL ON THE TAIL GATE SUPPORT CABLES, I FIND THIS PROBLEM MUCH MORE OF A SAFETY PROBLEM SINCE THE E-BRAKES ARE SUPPOSE TO HOLD BACK A 2 TON VEHICLE OF WHICH IT DOES NOT. A MECHANIC FROM LES SCHWAB TIRES (AND BRAKES) TOLD ME AFTER HE INSPECTED MY E-BRAKE SYSTEM THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM CONTINUOUSLY OCCURS WITH THIS TYPE OF E-BRAKE SYSTEM WITH GM TRUCKS. *NM
Chevrolet Z71 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2005-06-01
- Date Complaint: 2005-07-13
- VIN: 2GCEK19T821
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
- Summary: 2002 Z71 SILVERADO CHEVROLET TRUCK PERTAINING TO ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FAILURE: ONE MONTH AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE PROBLEM RESULTED IN UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKE APPLICATION. GM INDICATED THAT THE CONDITION CAN OCCUR IF CORRISION FORMS UNDER THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND MOVES THE SENSOR AWAY FROM THE INTERGRAL SPEED SENSOR TOOTHED RING. THE CONDITION DOES NOT SET ANY ABS CODES NOR DOES IT ILLUMINATE THE ABS WARNING LAMP. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER'S MALFUNCTION MAKING IT VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I PERSONALLY KNOW OF SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.
Chevrolet Z71 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2005-01-31
- Date Complaint: 2005-02-05
- VIN: 2GCEK19T321
- Components: PARKING BRAKE
- Summary: PREMATURE TOTAL PARKING/EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILURE. FAILED TEXAS VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTION. VEHICLE INSPECTOR INFORMED ME THE SAME FAILURE WAS COMMON AMONG 2002 TRUCKS LIKE MINE AND WARNED OF A COSTLY REPAIR. PARKING BRAKE WAS VERY SELDOM ENGAGED YET BECAME TOTALLY WORN OUT AT SOME POINT PRIOR TO VEHICLE REACHING 50,000 MILES. DEALER ADMITTED TO A POOR DESIGN BUT SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL. HE SAID A BULLETIN WAS ISSUED TO REPLACE THE JUNK PART WITH A BEEFED UP VERSION. MY REPAIR COST EXCEEDED $400.*JB
Chevrolet Z71 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2004-10-10
- Date Complaint: 2005-01-05
- VIN: 2GCEK19TX21
- Components: PARKING BRAKE
- Summary: PARKING BRAKE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. TOOK VECHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY STATED IT WAS A DESIGN PROBLEM. DEALER REPLACED PARKING BRAKE PADS. VERY COSTLY TO REPAIR. ASKED SERVICE ADVISOR WHAT WILL KEEP THE PARKING BRAKE FROM FAILING AGAIN? UNABLE TO ANSWER! HAVE NOT RECIEVED ANY RESPONSE FROM GM. *AK
Chevrolet Z71 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2004-12-28
- Date Complaint: 2004-12-28
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: THE CONSUMER WAS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING. WHEN DRIVING, THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE THE FRONT END WAS GOING TO COME OFF. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING COLUMN. *JB
Chevrolet Z71 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2004-10-04
- Date Complaint: 2004-11-17
- VIN: 1GTEK19T02E
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: BRAKES WERE SERVICED, HOWEVER THEY DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. ANOTHER DEALER STATED NO DEFECTS WERE FOUND. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. ALSO, AFTER CHANGING THE OIL THERE WAS METAL FOUND IN THE OIL. *AK THE DEALER STATED THAT METAL IN THE OIL WAS NORMAL THE BRAKES FELT SPONGY. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT METAL IN THE OIL MEANS THE ENGINE WILL NOT LAST. *TC
Chevrolet Z71 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2004-01-04
- Date Complaint: 2004-11-02
- VIN: 2GCEK19T621
- Components: PARKING BRAKE
- Summary: PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. APPLYING THE PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING.*AK
Chevrolet Z71 1996
- Date Of Incident: 2004-08-03
- Date Complaint: 2004-08-03
- Fire: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHILE IN THE STREET VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND THE KEY WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. ABOUT 3:00 AM FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. *AK
Chevrolet Z71 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2004-05-17
- Date Complaint: 2004-06-14
- VIN: 2GCEK19T711
- Components: PARKING BRAKE
- Summary: THE PARKING BRAKE CLIP FAILED AND IT COST A LOT OF MONEY TO REPLACE IT EVERY TIME THAT IT BROKE. THREE DEALERSHIPS INDICATED IT WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN DEFECT. *AK THE CLIP WHICH ALLOWED THE PARKING BRAKE SHOES TO FALL INSIDE THE DRUM ROTOR GIVING NO WARNING. THEY WORE METAL TO METAL WITH STILL NO SIGN OF FAILURE, UNTIL THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE AND IT DID NOT HOLD. THREE DEALERSHIPS INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THEY WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. GM FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. *SC JB
Chevrolet Z71 2002
- Date Of Incident: 2004-04-19
- Date Complaint: 2004-04-20
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: ON 4-19-04 WHILE PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND INTO MY STREET, MY TAILGATE ON MY 2002 CHEVY SILVERADO FELL FROM THE VERTICAL (LATCHED POSITION). I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE VEHICLE, AND UPON WALKING TO THE REAR OF TRUCK, I NOTICED THAT BOTH TAILGATE SUPPORT STRAPS HAD SNAPPED (BROKEN) APPROXIMATELY 4 INCHES FROM THE END. THE TAIGATE ENDED UP RESTING ON REAR BUMPER AT A DOWNWARD ANGLE.
Are you having problems with your Chevrolet Z71?
