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How paint problems are infuriating 2015 Chevy Silverado owners

A check of recent truck forums finds that a number of owners of 2015 Chevy Silverados are having problems with paint flaking or peeling off. The problems are serious enough that people are taking their complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, because they aren’t receiving help from the dealerships.

On one discussion about “weak paint”, one owner asked “Has anyone else noticed that the paint on 2014+ silverados chip and scratch very easily? Seems like every time I wash my 2015 I find new chips or scratches.”

Another person adds, “Yes the paint quality on the 2014+ trucks is poor, my 15 already looks about how my 08 did after it was 7 years old. You can thank the epa for that.” And yet another posted, “My black 2015 gets scratches just by looking at it. I have a buddy who needed to get his front end repainted a month after purchase because of all the stone chips.”

A person who claims to work for a dealership denies there is a problem with the paint on 2015 Chevy Silverados “Well as a painter at a Gm dealership, your 2015 weak paint complaint is completely false. The paint is actually pretty good vs the 09-13s. We haven't been seeing any issues with 14 and ups at all.”

But yet another owner fires back “about the fragile paint on the K2XX trucks, worst paint I have ever seen, but the problem is wide spread over all the newer GM vehicles, water based paints suck but our air has improved 700 percent since GM was forced to switch.”

Chevy Silverado Paint Problem Complaints Are Widespread
The complaints are widespread, from different climates all over the U.S. and Canada. A check of the website CarComplaints.com, that compiles consumer issues on all types of vehicles, finds that the concerns are serious enough that many owners have taken their complaints to NHTSA.

For the 2015 model year there have been four complaints to NHTSA over paint problems with the 2015 Chevy Silverado. The complaints are that the paint either peels or chips too easily. The paint problems seem even more pronounced for the 2014 Chevy Silverado. For the 2014 Chevy Silverado there are 33 complaints, again for peeling or excessive chipping.

I have messaged the public relations person who oversees truck production for General Motors but haven’t heard back yet. It is true that the auto companies are constantly reformulating paint mixtures to be more environmentally friendly but paint peeling within the first few months or even the first few years is inexcusable. I can’t find any recalls for paint for these model years but there are enough forums and complaint sites to indicate that the issues are widespread enough to trigger concern.

Mary Conway covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin. Follow Mary on Twitter at @maryconwaymedia.

Comments

Jocko May (not verified)    July 25, 2020 - 10:37AM

the paint problems have been going on since 2002 at least. my black paint looks as if it is a pattern of sap or paint thinner/remover sprayed on the hood and roof. I noticed a 2004 on carguru with the same pattern of black paint failure. Chevy and their dealers have no intention of making repairs.

Ted Lenssen (not verified)    August 29, 2020 - 3:15PM

2015 Silverado LTZ
I've owned three Silverado's including the one I now have. The previous two had paint issues. I now have one that has very small crackling of paint on fenders, doors, hood and roof of my truck. Very disappointing. It is at a point where blistering of paint is occurring. My brother in law who own's a bodyshop told me it was a issue of GM and their paints but they (GM) would not do anything to help me. I won't be buying another. Very unfortunate they don't take ownership for this issue. The new prices are far beyond there value.

Monty Howe (not verified)    November 1, 2020 - 5:55PM

My 2015 Chevy silverado has paint peeling on the rear passenger door by the window. Only has 24000 miles on it.

Michael Lakin (not verified)    November 28, 2020 - 11:45AM

2015 Silverado just noticed paint bubbling up over both rear wheel wells. Not happy about it. I've had 2001 & 2010 silverados & never had any problems with paint bubbling or peeling off. I take care of my vehicles & am very disappointed to see this. I have not talked to dealership about this yet but will on my next oil change, tire rotation. Money doesn't grow on trees. You'd think that when you pay that kind of money for a vehicle it would be better then this.

Donna Jarvis (not verified)    December 2, 2020 - 9:48AM

Paint fading or bad clear coat on hood, top of vehicle and top of trunk. 2013 Buick Verano made in Lake Orion, Michigan. What can i do?

Mark Johnson (not verified)    December 12, 2020 - 8:42AM

In reply to by Donna Jarvis (not verified)

gm refused to do anything about the paint was failing on my three month old 2018 silverado. I was in contact with gm's executive offices. Nothing but a waste of time. The only advice I can give you is to learn from this. After seeing how gm treated me, my immediate family, extended family, and many friends will never buy another gm product. Good luck!

Donna Lane (not verified)    February 28, 2021 - 1:51PM

In reply to by Mark Johnson (not verified)

We bought our 2015 White Chevy Siverado 3500 new.It currently only has 25,000 miles.My husband took it to the car wash a few weeks ago he was using the hand wand and the paint started peeling around the back drivers side window!!!.He called Mid State where we purchased from, said there was nothing they could do as it was past the warranty.This is like others are talking about,the paint just started peeling off.It sits in the open and is not near any trees and we dont live in an area with any type of smog or chemicals in the air.Took it to auto body shop - the guy said it is definitely an issue with Chevys.He said he had another truck in the shop with same issues at that time.He said that it is common to see the paint peel around the windshield also.After reading all of the comments here, I plan on reaching back out to the dealership and asking to speak with the owner and go from there.Weve owned a black 90 GM that started with paint damage within 1st year.Had a pewter 98 Chevy S10 no issues.We had a 2001 1500 Silverado pewter no issues and a 06 Red 2500 Silverado no issues. So what a huge diappoitment to be a loyal GM truck owner all these years and have something like this happen and the most expensive vehicle weve owned.

Mike Evans (not verified)    March 4, 2021 - 6:04PM

I have a 2015 Chev. Silverado which I bought in 2016 new. I just discovered a large piece of paint pealing from the edge of my back door drivers side. It seems to have buckled up and has peeled off.
The warranty doesn't cover paint.

Mike (not verified)    March 8, 2021 - 5:18PM

2015 Silverado LT Blue......Paint literally fading away chips all over lower door and rockers Rot in cab corners rockers even has a rot hole 4.5 yrs in service....really !! even inside by doors rockers showing rust. I am going to chevy I know they will do nothing but Ill start there

Parker Davidson (not verified)    March 15, 2021 - 5:37PM

I have a 2015 Chevy 1500.. roof started to chip and then turned into a quarter size chip. Then a couple months down the road on my rear driver side door of of the pillars paint just flaked off and now my rear passenger door is having the same problem.. I guess gm is making paint only last up to 5 years?? What the hell

Michael Owens (not verified)    April 14, 2021 - 3:32PM

I bought my 2014 Silverado about a year ago, had 60k miles, a bubble was forming on my drivers side rear door. Once that bubble popped, a massive amount of paint pealed off. As of a month ago, my roof has about a 1 square foot area where the paint is pealing off as well. Dealership won’t accept responsibility. I think a lawsuit is in ORDER

Rick Scully (not verified)    June 27, 2021 - 2:02PM

I bought a new 2015 high country with pearl white. About 50000 the paint started to flake off my left side front pillar, just like a lot of people on this site. GM told me to see the dealer ship and see if they deemed it GM defect. I saw three dealer ships and two said it wasn't and the third said it was but would not put it in writing. I went to two body shops and both said it is a GM defect and they want between $990-1400. I think this is bullshit, GM can not take responsibility for their mistakes. I agree, class action lawsuit.

Morgan Clayton (not verified)    July 2, 2021 - 1:42PM

I have a 2015 Suburban and the paint is fading all over. Chevy nor Chevy dealers would acknowledge the bad paint. I was told that my vehicle had too many miles on it even though I had been trying for years to get them to cover or even help cover the cost of repainting. Looks like I'm out of pocket. I wish Chevy would stand behind their brand.

Kevin Eckerich (not verified)    July 21, 2021 - 11:09AM

I have a 2015 Silverado the paint is pealing at the A pillar post of the cab, B pillar of the second door, roof above the windshield and back of the cab above the window.
GM is one of the worst to admit there is a problem here.

William filling (not verified)    August 27, 2021 - 8:12AM

Have a 15 Silverado, black out lifted from dealer. First noticed paint peeling up drivers side post between door and window.

When loading something in truck yesterday, noticed multiple spots on roof just coming off down to metal. Very aggravating as it will finally be paid off in the next 2 months.

What is our options?

I have a 12 year old Nissan paint still looks great!

Kevin Eckerich (not verified)    August 30, 2021 - 11:24AM

I have a 2015 Silverado paint is pealing not chipping off the top of the cab, Left hand A pillar post Left rear door and back of the cab GM will not recognize the issue as a failure. So GM guess this will be the last vehicle I ever buy from you and will defiantly make this a Public display as I continue to drive this truck to make people aware of your Poor, Poor quality standard's.

David Roberts (not verified)    October 30, 2021 - 10:00AM

In 2018 my Summit White Silverado paint started peeling off the roof and back door. GM wouldn’t do anything. More and more spots still do it today. This is a major problem with these trucks and can not believe GM will not help.

Melinda (not verified)    January 18, 2022 - 1:18PM

2015 Silverado-paint is peeling on both passenger doors-half way up windows. Any suggestions?

David (not verified)    January 19, 2022 - 1:17PM

In reply to by Melinda (not verified)

I went to Advance Auto and got a can of color match spray paint and clear coat. Sanded and sprayed the area with several coats then clear coat. It takes some time and prep but turned out almost unnoticeable. As I’ve found other areas will start peeling and I wasn’t going to pay a bunch of money to get the doors repainted then turn around and fix other areas.

Marcie Thumann (not verified)    February 24, 2022 - 1:38PM

My 2016 Chevy 3500 HD Dually is peeling/flaking off on the rear doors next to the window! This should be a recall!

Verlin A Belcher (not verified)    June 26, 2022 - 2:41PM

My 2015 silverado is peeling in the same place as others. The bed is almost all gray now. I went to the dealer and they had me go to their body shop. They were gong to charge me 4,600.00 to fix it. BS! I want everyone to see that chevy has a problem with paint so do not buy one. I am 63 yrs old and this is my first chevy pickup. I guess Iam going back to ford.

Mike Slocum (not verified)    September 2, 2022 - 9:53PM

2014 Silverado Crew Cab. Paint peeling off passenger side rear door.Talked with the guy who sold me the truck from Fremont Chevy in California and he kept saying he would look into it for me which went on for about a year. I even purchased the Auto Butler Treatment when I bought the truck to protect the paint which was 900.00 dollars. He had me bring my truck in to the dealership to look at it and see about fixing it, (which took about 3 hours to get there in traffic) and he was a no show! Pulled in to the service Dept. and the guy came out I told him I had an appointment to look at the paint chipping he looked at it and said that there was nothing they could do about it! that took all but about 20 seconds!!!! went back home and left a message with the guy who was a no show and have still never heard from him! Have since had my door painted on my own and now the Front of the hood is starting to peel! Will there ever be a recall on this paint problem? Or has anyone had their paint problem fixed by Chevy!

Mike Slocum (not verified)    September 2, 2022 - 9:54PM

2014 Silverado Crew Cab. Paint peeling off passenger side rear door.Talked with the guy who sold me the truck from Fremont Chevy in California and he kept saying he would look into it for me which went on for about a year. I even purchased the Auto Butler Treatment when I bought the truck to protect the paint which was 900.00 dollars. He had me bring my truck in to the dealership to look at it and see about fixing it, (which took about 3 hours to get there in traffic) and he was a no show! Pulled in to the service Dept. and the guy came out I told him I had an appointment to look at the paint chipping he looked at it and said that there was nothing they could do about it! that took all but about 20 seconds!!!! went back home and left a message with the guy who was a no show and have still never heard from him! Have since had my door painted on my own and now the Front of the hood is starting to peel! Will there ever be a recall on this paint problem? Or has anyone had their paint problem fixed by Chevy!

Adam (not verified)    January 14, 2023 - 6:57PM

I have a 2014 pearl white with identical pealing. The vehicle is the same generation as those shown. Does anyone know if those are included?

Jon Thornburg (not verified)    February 2, 2023 - 7:46PM

I have a 2014 GMC 2500hd summit white. I have a paint bubble all the way up the left side of the hood about 3-4 inches wide that just let loose. another spot at my 3rd brake light about the size of a baseball. No help from dealers. How can I make a formal complaint to GM.