I Am Strongly Considering a Purchase of a 180,000-Mile Silverado, And The High Mileage, While Concerning, Isn't Deterring Me Yet

I owned a 2011 Chevy Silverado 1500 with 240,000 miles on the 5.3 liter engine and original transmission before I traded it off on a brand new 2024 Chevy Silverado 2500HD. I loved that truck and it was still running great, good and strong, with no real issues. It still had good power, didn’t knock or rattle on acceleration, and didn’t burn oil. The only thing I did, was that around 190,000 miles I noticed a lower oil pressure at idle. On the advice of my GM certified auto tech son, I started running 10W-30 oil in it, instead of the 5W-30 it calls for. That solved the low oil pressure at idle issue and the truck was still running great at 240,000 miles.

I bought my 2001 5.3 Tahoe from my brother for $2500 Always maintain everything on it has needed. It had 275,000 miles on it when bought. I rebuilt the transmission continue with all maintenance as needed. Gave it to my daughter (I found a 2003 with only 100,000 miles on it bought it) It is still running back-and-forth to California as well as other areas multiple times. it now has 375,000 miles on it and still running. just redid all ball joints tie rod ends those run for ever if taking care of properly.

I own a 2008 Duramax. I've had is 15 years and it's been the most reliable truck I've ever owned. It has 137,000 miles and runs perfectly. Never a breakdown, just a few maintenance items.

Well my input
I bought a 2003, Silverado 2500 HD 4x4 in 2004 new" from the dealer 100 miles , from test drives. By the way I still own it
6 litre 4 speed auto trans.the best truck I ever owned ( and still do) it is a extended cab 8 ft bed built for commercial use plowing and possibly sander, I have 86,000 miles on it may point? Great track is just changed tranmission fluid, twice and shifting is almost like new, the older silverado Lts are a great buy and more reliable than the new models

I would run the other way as fast as I can! 200,000 mi on a Chevrolet you're asking for trouble.

Check out the frame for rust, a major problem in the northern states. Despite serious winter maintenance by washing and flushing the undercarriage, My 2003 Tahoe LTZ was scrapped at 165,000 even though the engine, transmission, interior were very good. The trailing axle mount rusted out and broke. We found the whole frame was gone and was unrepairable. I he ad a similar problem with a 1996 Silverado where the frame rusted through right behind the cab. I didn't see any comments by the author that even hints at this (PS: I am an
automotive engineer with a Masters in Mechanical Engineering and hold patents on vehicle component design). Recommendation to manufactures?: use better (known) rust prevention technology. When you spend over $50K for a vehicle, an extra couple of hundred bucks is not an issue. WB Kidder

Ij just bought a 2024 Silerado 1/2 ton to replace my 2005 3/4 ton. Funny thing is that I can't part with that 2005 with 197,000 miles on it. Bought it new in 2005. It is not only the best truck I have ever had, but it is the best vehicle, i have ever had period. My 2005 has the 6.0 and it's an HD. I have had no granny issues at all. It came with the large external tranny cooler on it. My 2004 express cvan came with a 6.0 but with no external cooler. The tranny on that went out at 80,000 miles. It burned up bad. I had the 2005 Silerado tranny pan dropped and a new tranny filter installed at 130K. I read about new trucks having tranny issues with low miles. I can't part with my 2005 because they don't make them like they used to. I wouldn't hesitate to buy an older truck that might need some TLC and some maintenance. My son-in-law has a 2004 with over 200K on it. The tranny was rebuilt by the original owner over 6 years ago and it is still going strong. Its cheaper to buy an older one and put a little money into it than it is to buy new and still end up with a tranny problem.

I drive a 2010/4.8L-Reg cab/2wd, the absolute basic model with 115,000 miles on it... no issues. Highway MPG new was 18 when new. I finished a 400 mile run yesterday on the interstate driving between 75-80 (passing a few times a little higher) with the air conditioner running and got 17. Chevy was concerned with the transmission. If you hit the trip odometer setting past the trip it gives you transmission running temperature. Anything over 225 indicates real issues. Mine runs between 145 - 165.

Had a 2000 Silverado 1500 LS regular cab. 300K trouble free miles before it was stolen. 5.3, 2WD. Miss that truck.

I own a 2008 4x4 Chevy Silverado 2500 . I have over 250,000 miles and she still pulls Ike day 1. I love my truck. I'm pretty sure she will outlast me..
Regular maintenance is key

After my sons 100,000 mile high school GMC pickup ran him through college and beyond - to over 250,000 miles, My retirement plan was to buy low milage GMC/Chevy pickups. I ended up with 4, two 1500s and a Tahoe with 5.3s and a 2500 with with a 6.0. All purchased for less than $15K (add that up) and all with less than 80K miles.

My wife uses hers to pull a vintage camp trailer all over the NW and has put on around 40K miles. I do the same with mine and even made a trip to the Arctic Ocean with it and a beefed up vintage trailer. The others get some local running but have not eclipsed 80K miles yet after 4 years.

We take good care of them with tyranny flushes and oil changes. Have added a starter and alternator to mine ( mostly out of concern traveling in remote areas)

The thing that nice. We live 30 miles from a dealer so our local repair guys can handle most of the minor things without waiting in line and several trips to the dealer.
I think we're set for 10-20 years of running...after that they may take my drivers license away anyway

I have a 2013 1500 with 230,000 mi on it and I have a 2011 2500 with 255,000 mi on it only done transmissions and just of late engines are strong

I just sold my 2014 Silverado with the 5.3 and 6L80 transmission. It was 5000 miles short of 300,000 miles. It was a great truck overall. The only things I did to the engine were to replace the high pressure fuel pump under the intake and replace the thermostat. At 100,000 I had a tuner reprogram it. The estimate from ho tuners was 425hp. It was immediately noticable. I won't lie it was quick. Not many trucks could touch it, with the exception of the viper powered dodge I ran up on. He laughed at me.
The major issue I had was the 6L80. It went out at 130,000 I had it remanufactured. It went again at 230k and the third was quick at 250k I went to a friend who builds transmissions every day. I told him to treat it like it was his. I never asked what he did differently besides the torque converter. It was strong when I sold it. I never changed a thing under the hood for performance parts. I was stayed on top of the oil changed. Yes I used the onboard monitor. I stuck with 0w20 synthetic by mobile 1 with wix filters. Btw I still got 22 mpg.
Jaded by the transmission issues I bought a 2024 RAM with the 5.7 and 8 speed. Even with 300k I'll bet the Silverado will still smoke it.

Hell to the no I would stay away from 2008 and 2009 Silverados as they are on consumer reports worst of the worst list due to having way to many electrical issues

I have a 2000 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT 5.3 bought from my father. Proper maintenance all of its life and other than the small issue s like cracked window wiper fluid lines, it has 2,56,857 miles and runs strong. Just got inspection yesterday (good for another year) I hope.

I own a 2008 2500hd with 150k
No issue I could not fix in the drive. Transfer case, transmission,rear axles and front differential are great shape and serviceable for the next 100k. No lift kit just level kit.
my intentions are to fix and replace parts until I die. Or someone takes me out.
Get it before it's gone.

If it helps I've got an '05 Silverado 4x4 with a 4.8 and it about to roll over 307000 miles runs like a top motor transmission and rear end.. I haven't had to do anything major to motor.. I have a pan gasket slow leak other than that no motor issues .. And none with transmission or rear end.. The front end suspension has given me the most issues although I call that regular maintenance due to the type of work that I do... I've definitely gotten my money's with out of this truck.. Good luck. If it were me I'd probably go for it...

My 2005 GMC with 5.3 has nearly 170,000 miles. High oil consumption early on. My mechanic recommended synthetic and oil consumption stopped. Mechanic had other customers with same results. Been through three rear U joints. Front break assemblies with ABS and bearings replaced twice on each side. Misc electrical. PRNDL light burned out. Switch that turns light on when you enter no longer works. Very good truck. No major issues. I have changed tranny fluid twice. Oil every 5,000. I’d buy another 5.3 in a heartbeat.

I am at 245,000 on my 5.3L 2012. The whole top end of the engine was redone at 177,000 when the AFM system broke a lifter, and the original transmission failed at 201,000. The CD player also died of old age and I haven't swapped in the replacement yet. All that said, with a good mechanic and the willingness to replace things as you go, you can keep one on the road much easier than one of the new ones.

I read this article from beginning to end - I just had to add my 2 cents worth into the conversation.
I bought my 2009 Silverado (4x4, 5.3, a/c) from our local dealer here in Richmond, VA. (Now Hendrick Chevrolet)
It now has 155k on the odometer and runs as well as the day I picked it up.
I did, AFTER 9 YEARS, have to replace the original battery AND alternator. (Almost $1,100) Seems something shorted out in one of them, causing n g both to need replacement.
I did have ALL fluids changed (Amsoil) and plugs replaced when it went over 100k.
I would gladly leave here in Virginia and drive to the West Coast today without concern. The heat n air conditioning has always worked great even in our hot, muggy summers.
IF I WERE TO SELL MY TRUCK TODAY (which I would not) the person getting it would be buying a very reliable, good looking and comfortable truck.
This 5.3 has NEVER needed oil added between changes - always still on full mark.
What a great truck.
Doug Sakowitz

I purchased a 2014 silverado 5.3 litre 4x4 in April of 2024 with 141,000 miles . I currently have 167, 721 miles . I change my oil every 3to 4 thous. Miles using synthetic 0 - 20 weight oil and so far so good no tapping or knocking at all . No leaks either . Now when I bought this vehicle I felt noticed the trans shuttering , so I drove up onto the highway and sure enough the shuttering was horrific . So into the trans shop for a rebuilt . Since then I installed a AFM disabler which has me happy with both engine and trans driveability . So far no issues ? Remember I drive to and from work 130 miles a day . Hope this helps someone . PS Yes I'm a Chevy guy .

My 2005,5.3 silverado still does a good job, major problem is it will nickel and dime you for ever, I call it the hungry beast. 170k miles.

I have driven Chevys all my life.
They easily go 250-300,000 miles.
No burning oil, no failed transmissions.
Service properly engine oil & tans fluid.
When the transmission get to be high milage DO NOT FLUSH, only regular fluid & filter change.
At 190,000 l had to replace the throttle body & belt tensioner and alternator.
My recent 5.3 needed a rear main seal at that 198,000 mark. Still, it doesn't burn oil. So at most l put 12-1400 into it in repairs. RMS is the only repair l had done by a garage. I also put american rotors & brake pads on it.
Lasty, it appears l need Lower bj's now at 208,000 miles.
Run's like a top! 16 city. 25-28 highway on clean roads.