Photo: Chevrolet / modified
OEM Systems LLC of Okarche, Oklahoma, has issued a recall for certain 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD trucks equipped with incorrect rear bumper mounting brackets. The small number of affected vehicles have rear mounting brackets that may come loose.
The company began addressing this issue after Express 4×4 Truck Rental notified them of a failed hitch in the field. OEM Systems immediately contacted the supplier, Contract Manufacturing LLC, and subsequently provided photos of the failed hitch to their engineering department. Lo and behold, the supplier determined that the rear bumper mounting brackets were not approved for the hitch.
Armed with this information, Express 4×4 Truck Rental promptly reached out to customers, urging them to stop towing their diesel-powered Silverado HDs. A quick search of the rental company’s website reveals two types of diesel-powered Silverado HD trucks, the 3500 LT 4×4 Crew Cab Service Body and the 2500 LT 4×4 Crew Cab Pickup.
Both the 3500 and 2500 with the 6.6L Duramax turbodiesel V8 use Allison 10-speed automatic transmissions, although there is a catch. They are Allison-branded transmissions, not Allison-made transmissions. If you are looking for a real Allison in a Silverado HD, step up to the mid-range 4500, 5500, or 6500.
OEM Systems ordered replacement brackets and hooks before filing the recall paperwork with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The parts were shipped to Express 4×4 Truck Rental, which will repair all 38 affected trucks.
Photo: Chevrolet
The replacement mounting brackets are made of double thick steel, while the hitch is a completely different design. Instead of Contract Manufacturing, the replacement parts were ordered from the folks at B&W Trailer Hitches in Humboldt, Kansas.
For the 2025 model year, the Silverado HD lineup starts at $45,300 for the 2500 and $46,500 for the 3500 with a regular cab and extended bed. Other configurations include a crew cab with either an extended or standard bed, plus a crew cab with either bed. The standard powertrain comes in the form of a 6.6-liter small-block dubbed the L8T, which is the only fifth-generation small-block to feature an iron block.
Additionally, the L8T does without cylinder deactivation and start-stop technology. Designed specifically for truck applications, the L8T delivers 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet (630 Nm) of torque. It runs perfectly at 87.
As for the Duramax, the most you can expect is 470 ponies and 975 lb-ft (1,322 Nm) of twist. For 2025, the maximum towing capacity for the Silverado 3500 is 36,000 lb (16,329 kilograms), while the maximum payload is 7,237 lb (3,283 kilograms).
For the 4500 medium-duty truck, be prepared to shell out at least $59,535. Stepping up to the 6500 means $63,835 up front and a GVWR of up to 23,500 pounds (10,659 kilograms) compared to maximums of 19,500 (8,845) for the 5500 and 16,500 (7,484) for the 4500.