2010 Chevy Silverado 1500 MPG
EPA ratings for the 2010 Chevy Silverado 1500 run from 12–15 mpg in town to 18–22 on the highway, or 14–18 combined, depending on which of its 9 gasoline versions you look at.
The most efficient pairs the 5.3-liter 8-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, at 18 mpg combined. At the other end, the 6.2-liter 8-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and four-wheel drive manages 14 mpg combined, 4 mpg less. The EPA also rated a hybrid version, the best at 22 mpg combined. That is 1 mpg better than the best gasoline 2009 version (17 mpg).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silverado 15 Hybrid 2WD | 6.0 L 8-cyl hybrid | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 | 22 | 22 | Regular · 404 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado 15 Hybrid 4WD | 6.0 L 8-cyl hybrid | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4-Wheel Drive | 21 | 22 | 21 | Regular · 423 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado C15 XFE 2WD | 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 18 | Gasoline or E85 · 494 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado C15 2WD | 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular · 523 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado C15 2WD | 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Gasoline or E85 · 523 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado K15 4WD | 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Gasoline or E85 · 523 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado C15 2WD | 4.8 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Gasoline or E85 · 555 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado K15 4WD | 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | Regular · 592 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado C15 2WD | 6.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 19 | 15 | Gasoline or E85 · 592 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado K15 4WD | 4.8 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | Gasoline or E85 · 592 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado K15 4WD | 6.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 12 | 19 | 14 | Gasoline or E85 · 635 g CO₂/mi |
2010 Chevy Silverado 1500 fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2010 Chevy Silverado 1500 costs about $3,630 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (18 mpg combined), or roughly 24 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (14 mpg combined) comes to about $4,670 a year, $1,040 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2010 Chevy Silverado 1500 specs
The EPA lists 5 engine choices for the 2010 Chevy Silverado 1500: 5.3 L 8-cyl, 4.3 L 6-cyl, 4.8 L 8-cyl, 6.0 L 8-cyl hybrid and 6.2 L 8-cyl. It came with continuously variable (CVT) and automatic transmissions, in four-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive versions. For fuel-economy purposes it sits in the EPA's "Standard Pickup Trucks" class.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3 L | 8 | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive | 3 |
| 4.3 L | 6 | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 4.8 L | 8 | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 6.0 L hybrid | 8 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 6.2 L | 8 | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive | 2 |
2010 Chevy Silverado 1500 problems
As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 363 owner complaints about the 2010 Chevy Silverado 1500.
Air bags are the most-reported area (43% of component mentions), followed by structure (8%) and engine (7%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 21 complaints a year: fewer than the 2009 (25 a year) and the 2011 (35 a year).
That ranks 16th of 17 Chevy Silverado 1500 model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 363, 7 mention a crash, 1 a fire and 8 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 197 | 43% |
| Unknown or other | 43 | 9% |
| Structure | 38 | 8% |
| Engine | 33 | 7% |
| Power train | 24 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 21 | 5% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 19 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 2% |
| Suspension | 9 | 2% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 8 | 2% |
| Visibility | 8 | 2% |
| Tires | 6 | 1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 1% |
| Seats | 5 | 1% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 1% |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | <1% |
| Steering | 4 | <1% |
| Seat belts | 3 | <1% |
| Wheels | 3 | <1% |
| Equipment | 2 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | <1% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 2 | <1% |
| Traction control system | 1 | <1% |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
Air bag code and light on dash code B0085-00 . Code is set when the key is in on position and the door is opened. Left front side impact sensor. …
The rust damage to the frame is damaged beyond anything form just regular wear and tear and driver fault. To not be remedied is a real issue. …
For the last couple years, I have been talking to Chevrolet GM. My engine has been replaced at 9000 miles. This motor now does not even have 100,000 miles on it. …
2010 Chevy Silverado 1500 recalls
The 2010 Chevy Silverado 1500 has been the subject of 3 recall campaigns.
The most recent, campaign 21V053000 from February 2021, concerns air bags.
All 3 campaigns concern air bags.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Silverado 1500 years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21V053000 | February 5, 2021 | Air bags | 2009–2010, 2013 |
| 21V054000 | February 5, 2021 | Air bags | 2010–2013 |
| 21V050000 | February 5, 2021 | Air bags | 2008–2011 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 4 versions of the 2010 Chevy Silverado 1500, without an overall score.
These ratings use NHTSA's pre-2011 test method, so they can't be compared with stars for 2011 and later models.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Cab with side air bags | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Crew Cab 4-door with side air bags | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Extended Cab with side air bags | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| 4-door Hybrid with side air bags | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Chevy Silverado 1500s can be compared fairly. Among other 2010 models in the EPA's standard pickup trucks class, the 2010 Ford F-150 (17 mpg) and 2010 Ram 1500 (16 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 17 | 914 | 48 | 3 |
| 2009 | 21 | 444 | 25 | 3 |
| 2010 | 22 | 363 | 21 | 3 |
| 2011 | 21 | 563 | 35 | 4 |
| 2012 | 21 | 216 | 14 | 2 |
| 2013 | 21 | 301 | 21 | 2 |
Every Chevy Silverado 1500 model year compared →
Similar 2010 models
FAQ
Is the 2010 Silverado 1500 a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2010 Chevy Silverado 1500 has 21 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (16th most of 17 model years), 3 recall campaigns and up to 22 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2010 Silverado 1500 problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are air bags (197), structure (38) and engine (33). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2010 Silverado 1500 have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2010 Silverado 1500 get?
The EPA rates the gasoline versions at 14–18 mpg combined (12–15 city, 18–22 highway). The hybrid versions reach up to 22 mpg combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2010 Silverado 1500 per year?
About $3,630 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $4,670 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).