The Chevy Silverado is a full sized pickup truck for full sized jobs. No job is too big or too tough for this truck that has served workplace and home for over 15 years. No matter how sturdy a vehicle is though, it can run into mechanical problems. Let’s look at some common Silverado repair problems and their associated costs.

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Won’t Start

Some owners report that it takes a few attempts for the engine to start. This problem can be intermittent, but over time typically increases in frequency. The engine might turn over a few times or not at all. A starting problem is more common in Silverados with over 130,000 miles.

If your Silverado battery is healthy, the issue is most like the starter. Replacement estimates are around $330 to $515. The labor costs for starter replacement are around $90.

Service 4WD Message

You might see this message displayed but not have any driving problems. Other owners report that their truck shifts into 2WD or 4WD unintentionally. In most cases, the cause is a failed 4WD transfer case encoder motor position sensor. This is seen more often in Chevy Silverados with over 125,000 miles.

If you replace the sensor yourself, the parts cost around $55. If you take it to the shop, total cost will run you around $150.

Incorrect Fuel Level

You know your tank is full, but the fuel gauge reads low. Or maybe it reads empty one moment and full the next. The problem is a faulty fuel level sensor which is more common in trucks with over 120,000 miles. Replacing the gauge alone might not fix the problem. Most technicians recommend a complete fuel pump replacement.

Chevy Silverado fuel pump replacement costs around $600 to $820, parts and labor. The parts alone cost around $500.

Clunky Steering

Some Silverado owners report a clunking sound or feeling when steering. This might be more noticeable over uneven terrain. Others report problems when making slow, tight turns in either direction. This problem is more frequent in vehicles with more than 90,000 miles.

Many times the steering rack must be replaced to fix clunky steering. This can cost you up to $1,020 with the price of parts alone around $800.

Poor Heating

If your truck won’t heat up, you might have a bad heater core. You might also notice window fogging or discover a coolant leak. You may even smell coolant (a sweet scent) inside the truck cabin.

Silverado heater core replacement costs around $700 to $890, parts and labor. This is a labor intensive repair, and the man hours alone can run up to $750.

Cover expensive repairs with a Chevrolet extended warranty. Get a free extended vehicle protection plan quote from CARCHEX today.

As the leading auto warranty provider, CARCHEX has collected years of repair warranty claim data on thousands of vehicle makes and models. Specific types of Chevy Silverado repairs highlighted in this article are derived from data provided by RepairPal, a CARCHEX partner. Repair costs derived from both RepairPal, as well as CARCHEX based on actual warranty related data.

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Published in Car Repair Cost by CARCHEX on December 23, 2015