Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra owners have been chiming in about where their trucks are made, and the conversation might surprise you. It’s not uncommon to see debates over whether vehicles manufactured in one location are better or worse than those made elsewhere, but when it comes to the Silverado and Sierra, a unique consensus seems to have emerged: no matter if your truck is assembled in Fort Wayne, Indiana, or Silao, Mexico, the quality is top-notch.
The discussion was sparked by Bob Grider in the 2019 - 2025 Chevy Silverado & GMC Sierra Owners Facebook group. He wrote, "You know, some of these newer trucks are built in Indiana, and some are built in Silao, Mexico. I'd like to see some data on the amount of known issues from each to see how they match up. I don't think GM would share any of that information. Do any of your trucks show where they're built? I have a '25 coming and I know it's coming from Mexico."
What Silverado and Sierra Owners Are Saying About US vs Mexico Built Quality
Bob’s post generated a lot of responses, with many Silverado and Sierra owners sharing their experiences. Brad Simon said, "My truck is made in Roanoke, IN. No issues in 30,000 miles." Justin Mihavics chimed in with, "2022 Silverado, built in Fort Wayne, IN with 50k miles on it. I can't find a thing wrong with it."
Interestingly, several owners of Mexico-built trucks echoed similar satisfaction. Corey Lott said, "I have a 2019 GMC AT4 made in Mexico, 94k miles, all good." Erik Heiker shared, "My 2016 LTZ and my 2019 LTZ both were built in Mexico. No issues with either truck. My 2024 SLT was built in Indiana. No issues so far."
Others, like Doc R., have owned multiple trucks from both plants. "I have 2008, 2013, 2018, and 2024 trucks, all made in Mexico. All STL premium plus. 2008 and 2013 trucks have zero trouble. The 2018 model has a broken exhaust stud and a small leak in the oil cooler line and media center. I have had the 2024 for 2 months. Rides like a Cadillac."
Meanwhile, Tim Wilson pointed out, "All of these trucks use the same parts, thus, it won't matter where they are built." Clint Burns reinforced this by stating, "Honestly, some excellent builds come out of Mexico. Always have. Some of the best Suburbans came out of Mexico. Without exception, they were the most dependable we ever sold."
GM's Fort Wayne Factor
The Fort Wayne assembly plant is an important part of GM’s production ecosystem. In fact, years ago GM spent 24 million dollars to boost production at the Fort Wayne facility. Located in the heartland of America, this facility has been a cornerstone of truck manufacturing for decades. It’s known for producing a significant number of Chevy Silverado 1500s and GMC Sierras, and it’s safe to say that they make them with good quality. Employees are often truck enthusiasts themselves, which means there’s a personal touch to the work they do.
Many owners of Fort Wayne-built trucks praised their vehicles’ reliability. Randal Boyle said, "My 2021 truck has a 'Made in Fort Wayne, Indiana' sticker on the door jamb. 5.3 6-speed 25k miles zero issues." Mike Goetz added, "Mine is from Indiana. It's a 2024 truck with 5600 miles. One lane assist switch was replaced under warranty."
Silao, Mexico: A Quiet Production Success Story
On the flip side, Silao, Mexico, doesn’t always get the same recognition. Some buyers are hesitant when they see the "Made in Mexico" label, but those who’ve taken the plunge have found little to complain about. The Silao plant has been producing trucks for years, and GM has invested heavily in ensuring quality standards are identical to those in U.S. plants.
Clint Burns praised Mexico-built vehicles, noting their dependability over decades. Erik Heiker and Corey Lott’s positive experiences further highlight the consistency of quality coming from Silao.
However, not every owner has had a flawless experience. JJ Gonzales commented, "I have a 2024 truck, built in Indiana, bought in May, 5800 miles. Been sitting at the dealership waiting on a transfer since early November, no one knows when it’ll come in. Should have kept my Ram."
GM's Manufacturing Standards
It’s worth noting that GM has a reputation to uphold, and they’ve implemented stringent quality control measures across all their plants. The company’s Global Manufacturing System (GMS) ensures consistency no matter where the vehicle is assembled. This means that a Silverado rolling off the line in Indiana has to meet the same standards as one built in Mexico.
Moreover, GM’s investment in robotics, automation, and employee training has further closed any perceived gaps between facilities. The automaker knows that today’s buyers expect the same level of quality no matter what’s stamped on the VIN.
A Tip for Buyers: Where to Find the Assembly Location
For those curious about where their truck was built, it’s easy to find this information. Check the window sticker, which clearly lists the assembly plant. Additionally, the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) can reveal this information—vehicles built in the U.S. often start with a 1 or 4, while those made in Mexico typically start with a 3.
Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Truck Running Smoothly
No matter where your Silverado or Sierra is made, regular maintenance is key to keeping it in top shape. Here are a few tips:
- Oil Changes: Stick to the recommended schedule, usually every 7,500 miles or as indicated by your oil life monitor.
- Transmission Service: Ensure the transmission fluid is clean and topped up to avoid shifting issues.
- Tire Maintenance: Rotate your tires every 6,000-8,000 miles and check alignment regularly to prevent uneven wear.
- Brake Inspection: Have your brakes checked annually or at the first sign of unusual noise or reduced stopping power.
- Cooling System: Flush and replace coolant every 5 years or as recommended to prevent overheating.
For owners who want to ensure their Silverado or Sierra stays trouble-free, regular maintenance is key. If you’ve ever dealt with transmission concerns, you’ll want to read this story about how one Silverado owner tackled the issue head-on with a fix that worked wonders.
It’s unlikely that GM will ever release detailed comparisons of its plants, and frankly, they don’t need to. The real-world experiences of Silverado and Sierra owners speak for themselves. Whether your truck hails from Indiana or Mexico, you can feel confident that it’s built to the same high standards.
So, if you’re in the market for a new Silverado or Sierra, don’t let the assembly location sway your decision. Instead, focus on finding the right configuration, features, and price that fit your needs. Because at the end of the day, a well-built truck is a well-built truck—and GM has proven they can deliver that from both sides of the border.
What about you? Do you own a Silverado or Sierra? Where was it made, and how has your experience been? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
If you're curious about the 2025 Chevrolet Silverado's focus on capability and affordability, check out our detailed coverage here.
Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.
Comments
Quality debate’s always on…
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Quality debate’s always on point, love seeing truck talk heat up
It's interesting how…
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It's interesting how location can impact perceived quality. Data transparency would certainly help clarify these concerns.
2022 Silverado 2500HD, the…
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2022 Silverado 2500HD, the truck is ok at best for quality. Far from Top Notch.
If they're such high quality…
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If they're such high quality, why are there so many problems with lifters? Why do the 6.2 engines have such high failures? Why are there so many transmission valve body failures?
I came here to say the same…
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In reply to If they're such high quality… by Keith (not verified)
I came here to say the same exact thing! Far too many instances of brand new 6.2L motors being replaced prior to customers taking possession.
Yes you can find out where…
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Yes you can find out where it’s built ,some are also built in Canada ,Oshawa plant .Problem is the parts come from all over ,most important is the drivetrain which you can also find out where that was built ,for many years Canadian trucks had the best quality ,assembled in Canada with Canadian drivetrains ,I think the VIN number tells the country ,usually a sticker in door drivers side for assemble location .I am a Canadian retiree GM .i would try to get a Canadian or USA made truck ,Made in USA may have the most American content but not 100 percent sure as auto parts cross borders many times before the vehicles are assembled
General Motors (GM) full…
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General Motors (GM) full-size trucks are built in several locations, including:
Flint, Michigan: GM's oldest assembly plant in North America, Flint produces full-size pickup trucks for Chevrolet and GMC.
Fort Wayne, Indiana: This plant builds the GMC Sierra and over 1,300 trucks per day.
Oshawa, Canada: This plant builds the Silverado, but not the lift kit models or those with an eight-foot bed.
Wentzville, Missouri: This plant builds the GMC Canyon midsize pickup truck and the GMC Savana full-size van.
Springfield, Ohio: This plant builds the Silverado.
Silao, Mexico: This plant builds the Silverado.
GM also manufactures parts for its vehicles in factories across North America and Mexico.
NO vehicle company on this…
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NO vehicle company on this planet shares quality date with customers or the media. In fact, I cannot remember seeing quality date from any Engineering, IT or any other variant of company on this planet with regards to their products. Why would you expect any company to publicly expose all of their issues to public scrutiny?
If you want to look at vehicle data, go to JD Powers, or the numerous vehicle magazines that run customer surveys .
My questions are: Built in…
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My questions are: Built in the USA vs Mexico, down to the final bolt how much does GM have in a truck built in the US vs built in Mexico. That includes parts, labor to build, total cost of operating, all of it. How much does GM spend, total, in each country? And, if that sum is different between the two countries then is the price of that particular vehicle different based on where it was built. And, finally, does GM identify as an American company? And, keep in mind some answers to earlier answers can weigh in, if GM is an American company and, yet, builds vehicles in other countries then i would like to know GM's motives for building vehicles in multiple countries seeing that they sell vehicles anywhere without considering where they were built. Lots of thoughts but thank you for any input.
As I recently former quality…
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As I recently former quality supervisor at a truck plan I can tell you that the Mexico truck is nowhere near the same quality as the Indiana truck. If you would like specific and further detail go to any Chevrolet or GMC dealership in the country and ask the repair people the difference between a Mexican made truck and and Indiana made truck. The Mexican made truck is very poor quality parts missing parts falling off not assembled very well at all dealerships get more Mexican made trucks in for repair than they do American-made trucks by far
2019 Silverado rst Ft. Wayne…
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2019 Silverado rst Ft. Wayne Ind. Assembly plant, brake problem fixed under recall, plugged up a.c. drain tube fixed under warranty, found because Drivers side floor was soaking wet.(assembly debris found in drain line), oil cooler line to radiator replaced under 60,000 warranty, throttle body problem. All fixed under warranty except gas petal sensor to throttle body. A lot of trouble thru all that. And the still want me to upgrade, I will think long and hard before I go thru that again. 78,000 mile on clock now.
This article confuses me big…
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This article confuses me big time! You would think GM quality is the best in the world by reading this article. I have seen many complaints over the years with GM trucks.
Transmission issues, oil burning etc! Is this article written by GM brass?
They all have those issues…
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In reply to This article confuses me big… by Rob Mosley (not verified)
They all have those issues. GM, Ford, Dodge etc., it doesn't matter.
IMO, these internet industry…
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In reply to This article confuses me big… by Rob Mosley (not verified)
IMO, these internet industry news platforms have organized themselves as friendly advertising platforms. Hell, you try Google searching for a product your interested, 90% of the results shown are really just paid advertisements that offer no real advise except who to give our money to. You will never hear these sites tell you not to spend your hard earned money.
It isn't necessarily where…
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It isn't necessarily where they are made. It all.cpmes down to the final QC inspector and the US managers letting the line workers know wjat sort of quality level the line workers are expected to perform to in order to keep their jobs. The same thing goes for US companies that make certain items in the Asian markets and then bring their products to be sold in the US. They all have certain quality standards they hold their workers to.
If you run your GM trucks to…
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If you run your GM trucks to 7,500 miles between oil and filter changes, you are going to be ruining your engine. We'll, you will if you are a typical driver, because the owner's manual states that the 7,500 miles is the "extended range", and that is only for people that barely drive their vehicles. You can not drive in stop and go traffic, heavy traffic, shorter trips, can not drive in dusty areas or in extreme heat/cold environments. So basically you should drive like granny, to church and the grocery store on Sunday that the hair salon on Wednesday.
That's b.s. everyone I know…
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That's b.s. everyone I know says the ones that come from Mexico are not nearly as good and not just when it comes to GM I buy a new truck every few years and do a lot of driving and I always look for made in USA or Canada
Where was the transmission…
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Where was the transmission made? Everyone I know with a Chevy or GMC has had to rebuild or replace their transmission.
Always drive Chevy trucks…
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Always drive Chevy trucks. Current one is a 2022 Silverado extended cab . Just passed 119000 miles, only issue so far is wore out the tires and the trailer light controller in the plug failed. This one like all I've had was made in Indiana. Usually go to 200000 or 250000 then trade. Have had 8 over the years and only one transmission issue over that time, otherwise super. I do stick to the maintenance guidelines.
These trucks are also built…
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These trucks are also built in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada as well.
The wheels on my older…
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The wheels on my older Silverado needed to be replaced and now the wheels on my Sierra needs replacement. Why do the keep on pitting so they keep leaking air? Never had problems with our older vehicles.
I'd like to know where…
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I'd like to know where people are getting these "quality" GM vehicles at. Bought a 2020 GMC Sierra and it's been in the shop more in the last 4 years than my last 3 vehicles combined! One of which bought new put almost 300k miles on in 11 years. So far I've had to have the transmission rebuilt. Had to have solenoids replaced in the transmission in the first 9 months. Had to have the computer flashed twice for glitches and issues it was having. All in all I'm almost 15k in repairs since buying the truck brand new. All service has been done and maintained per GM parameters. They're absolutely garbage far as I'm concerned and won't ever buy another GM product.