Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Maintenance & Repair Costs (Complete Guide)

Launched in ’99, the Silverado 1500 has long been regarded as one of America’s most trusted full-size pickup trucks

It’s available in a wide selection of engine choices and trims which means there’s a Silverado 1500 for any job.

In this article we’ll give you the full breakdown of maintenance, tune-up and running costs of this iconic pickup.

Here is the short answer to are Chevy Silverado 1500 expensive to maintain:

The Chevy Silverado 1500 has very reasonable maintenance costs. It would cost you around $700 to maintain a Silverado 1500 every year, which is significantly lower than the average of $936 annually for full-size pickup trucks. A tune-up will be around $400, including the replacement of spark plugs.

Are Chevy Silverado 1500’s Expensive to Maintain?

Not only is a Chevy Silverado 1500 reasonably inexpensive to buy brand new, but it is also reasonably cheap to maintain, and that is one of its big advantages.

When looking to buy a new vehicle it’s important to assess maintenance costs to ensure you’re able to properly look after it.

Failing to stay on top of routine servicing and repairs will lead to poor reliability and shorten the lifespan of your truck.

Below you’ll find a complete price breakdown for some of the most common costs for the Silverado 1500, all data is from RepairPal:

How Much is a Tune-Up on a Silverado 1500 ?

This will vary greatly depending on where you take your truck and you’ll likely have to pay more at a Chevy dealership than your local mechanic.

You can expect to pay in the region of $386 – $468 for a fairly comprehensive Silverado 1500 tune-up that includes, but is not limited to:

• New spark plugs
• Filters changed
• Coolant flush
• Cleaning IAC valve (idle air control)
• Throttle body clean
• Transmission and differential fluid change

Whilst your truck is under warranty it is advised you get your truck serviced at a registered Chevy dealership.

Regular tune-ups are highly recommended because:

• They can bring more power back to your engine.
• Helps your engine run efficiently and start smoothly, which equates to lower emissions and better fuel economy.
• Ensures long-term engine health and performance

Alternator Replacement Cost?

A new alternator on a Silverado 1500 will set you back between $591 – $805 for a replacement which should last around 80,000 to 150,000 miles or 5 – 10 years

Labor costs are around $130 while parts are priced between $500 and $650.

While the battery is used for starting your truck when the engines off, the alternator keeps your truck alive when the engine is running.

The alternator powers most electronic components while you’re driving around or idling and is also responsible for charging the battery of your truck while driving.

Oil Change Cost?

An oil change should be performed on the Silverado 1500 every 3,000 – 5,000 miles for conventional oil.

Synthetic oil typically should be changed every 7,500 – 10,000 miles.

The cost of an oil change should cost in the region of $138 to $149, this includes parts and labor, however does not include taxes and fees. An oil change is one of the most meaningful and vital services for your truck.

At most, oil change intervals should not exceed 10,000 miles, twelve months, or 350 hours of engine run time (whichever comes first)

Wiper Blade Replacement Cost?

This is a relatively simple and quick fix, and you can easily save yourself a few bucks by buying your own wiper blades and installing them yourself, there are plenty of YouTube tutorials on this. 

Most Chevy Silverado 1500s use a 22″ wiper blade on both passenger and driver sides but be sure to double-check first.

Wiper blades for the Chevy Silverado 1500 can be picked up for around $40, and installed by yourself for free. 

However, if you want a professional to fit them for you then you can expect to pay in the region of $75 to $89 for parts and labor with taxes and fees on top.

Air Filter Replacement Cost?

According to RepairPal, air filter replacement cost on a Chevy Silverado 1500 is between $67 to $82, not including taxes and fees.

The good news is this task, which should be performed annually or whenever the filter is clogged or dirty, is another fairly straightforward DIY.

Simply open the hood, locate and open the air filter’s housing, remove the old one, insert the new one and replace the housing cover.

This will help both your car and your bank account breathe a little easier, lots of tutorials on YouTube for this one also. 

Battery Replacement Cost?

According to AdvanceAutoParts, the cost of a battery replacement for a Chevy Silverado 1500 should cost between $180 and $320.

Whilst there are no specific mileage recommendations for when a battery needs to be replaced, they do eventually die.

In general, it’s a good idea to replace your battery once every 4-5 years.

A vehicle’s battery life varies depending on many different factors such as climate, driving habits, and battery type, among many others.

New Brakes Cost?

Chevy Silverado 1500 brake pads can last anywhere between 30,000 to 60,000 miles and necessary brake work isn’t a cost you can afford to neglect.

The average cost to replace your Silverado 1500 brake pads, according to RepairPal, is between $269 and $348.

Brake pads will wear out at different rates depending on factors such as climate and your style of driving.

Pro tip: To prolong the life of your brakes – Keep your speed low in heavy traffic and avoid any sudden braking.

Cost to Change Coolant?

If it’s just a top-up your truck requires then this is a simple task you can perform yourself.

You can pick up coolant at any gas station for a few bucks and top up to the level required.

If on the other hand, you require a coolant change, which simply involves draining the coolant from the base of the radiator and then replenishing with fresh fluids, this is going to cost you a bit more.

According to RepairPal, the average cost of a Chevy Silverado 1500 coolant change is between $97 and $123 (excluding taxes and fees).

You may also be interested in our article: Chevrolet Silverado Beeping? (7 Common Causes)

How Much Does a New Transmissions Cost?

Transmissions on the Chevy Silverado 1500 typically last 10 – 14 years or around 150,000 to 200,000 miles, depending on how well they are maintained and how the truck is driven.

The average cost for an aftermarket or rebuilt transmission for a Silverado 1500 is anywhere from $1800 – $3400. This range may vary depending on the model year.

Tire & Wheel Assembly, Rotate & Balance Cost

Tire rotate ensures each tire gets worn evenly whilst balancing ensures they roll smoothly and there’s no vibration (this also helps improve your fuel economy).

According to RepairPal, the average cost for a Chevy Silverado 1500 tire & wheel assembly rotate & balance is between $79 and $100 – this does not include taxes and fees.

How much Insurance Cost?

According to insruaviz.com, the average cost of Chevy Silverado 1500 insurance is $132 / month or $1578 / year (that is roughly $200 above the national average).

These figures can vary greatly depending on a number of factors such as your age, driving record and state requirements etc.

It’s always best to shop around and get at least 3 quotes, make sure the company you choose is reputable.

Chevy Silverado 1500 Repair Costs Compared to Similar Trucks

In this section we’ll compare the maintenance costs of the Chevy Silverado 1500 to some of its biggest rivals, using data from RepairPal.

Chevy Silverado 1500 Vs Ford F-150

The number one challenger to the Ford F150’s reign at the top, is the Chevy Silverado 1500, both are hugely popular and as you might expect they are evenly matched in terms of maintenance costs.

The Chevy 1500 is slightly cheaper with an average annual repairs total of $714 Vs the F-150’s $788.

Deciding on which vehicle to choose will ultimately come down to whether or not you are a Ford or Chevy loyalist, however, we can confirm the repair costs are slightly less with the Silverado.

You may also be interested in our article: Chevrolet Silverado: 11 Common Problems

Chevy Silverado 1500 Vs Nissan Titan

The Nissan TITAN first came onto to scene in 2004 as an alternative full-size pickup truck.

The clear winner of the repair cost comparison here is the Titan, with an annual average repair cost of $555, that’s $159 less than the Chevy Silverado 1500.

To put that into perspective the average annual repair cost for all full-size trucks is $936 per year, and as you can see that is almost double what you might expect to pay with the Titan.

You can find a full price breakdown of Titan ownership costs here.

Chevy Silverado 1500 Vs Ram Pick-Up

In recent years there has been a fierce rivalry between the Ram 1500 and Chevy Silverado 1500, both perennial favorites with American auto shoppers.

In terms of repair costs, the Ram is the cheaper option of the two with an average annual repair cost of $691 Vs. $714 for the Chevy.

You may also be interested in our article: Ram 1500 Maintenance Costs

How Long is the Chevy Silverado 1500’s Manufacturers Warranty?

When you drive your new Silverado 1500 off the dealership lot, you’ll be covered by Chevrolet’s factory warranty of 36,000 miles / 3 years basic coverage and 60,000 miles / 5 years (whichever comes first) powertrain coverage.

This length of protection is actually quite common among car manufacturers however it is on the shorter side of warranties

You can check your vehicle warranty status, track your service history, view your Owner’s Manual and more at the Chevrolet Owner’s Center, If you cannot find the VIN number, the only real way to check your vehicle’s factory warranty is to call or visit your local dealership.

Whilst your truck is under warranty it is advised you get your truck serviced at a registered Chevrolet dealership. 

Related: 21 Best & Worst Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Years (Explained)

Resources

https://repairpal.com/reliability/chevrolet/silverado-1500

https://my.chevrolet.com/home