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2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 845 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, most often about the engine (52% of complaints, typically around 62,000 miles). It is 6th of 27 Silverado 1500 model years by number of complaints and has 8 recalls.
Most common 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems
Engine
441 complaints · 52%Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power, with an abnormal knocking sound coming from under the hood. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where…
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked with the oil pressure gauge fluctuating. No warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and upon inspection, the contact discovered that the engine oil was extremely low. The…
Transmission
242 complaints · 29%Half of these problems showed up before 63,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, driveline.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle briefly lost motive power before slamming into gear. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, an abnormal sound was coming from…
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle lunged forward while the accelerator pedal was depressed after the brake pedal was depressed. While the contactâs husband was driving approximately 78 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the transmission light…
Electrical
113 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 7,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, adas, wiring.
The antilock brake system (ABS), brakes, and electronic stability control system (ESC) might not illuminate. This could cause the driver to not know if any of these systems are inoperable.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, or while attempting to reverse, the infotainment system displayed a blank screen; however, approximately a minute later the infotainment screen displayed as intended. The contact stated that the radio became silent…
Other or unspecified
74 complaints · 9%Brakes
45 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 94,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH and attempting to decelerate, the brake pedal extended to the floorboard while depressed, and the vehicle failed to immediately decelerate. During the failure, the message "brake failure" was displayed. The…
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While driving 43 MPH, the message "brake failure" was displayed. The contact then lost control of the vehicle, and the vehicle drove from the right side to the left side of the road, the vehicle drove off the road and crashed into a ditch before coming to a stop. The…
Steering
43 complaints · 5%Parked truck in my garage overnight. Came out this afternoon to start up and got the warning message 'power steering ESC' shut it down, restarted the truck five times same message. Silverado 1500 has approximately 3497 miles on it. Rst model.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to steer as needed. The service now message was displayed. The vehicle was restarted three times, but the steering remained inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where the system was…
Fuel system
32 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: delivery.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle was losing motive power with the âengine power reducedâ message displayed. The temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating. The contact initially had the vehicle towed to the dealer and…
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the oil was lowering several quarts at a fast rate, and the oil was burning at a fast rate. After lowering down 3 quarts of oil by 3 weeks. At the same time, driving at approximately 25 - 30 MPH when they noticed black smoke coming from…
Body and structure
29 complaints · 3%Parts named most often: body.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that he noticed that the front driverâs side bumper filler was slightly detached and was wearing down the panel. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and was referred to an auto body shop. The contact took the vehicle to the body shop…
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact became aware of a stain on the rear driverâs side interior of the roof of her vehicle and became aware that the source of the leak was the edge of the window. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be inspected, and the contact was informed that there…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 recalls
Transmission: software
Risk: Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicles and update the transmission control software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed march 6, 2026. Owners may contact gmc customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. Gm's number for this recall is n252516560. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on february 12, 2026.
Full defect summary
General motors, llc is recalling certain 2020 chevrolet silverado 2500, 3500, gmc sierra 2500, 3500, and 2020-2022 chevrolet silverado 1500 and gmc sierra 1500 vehicles that may have been repaired incorrectly under recall 24v797. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up.
Engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
Risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed june 18, 2025. Owners may contact cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or gmc customer service at 1-800-462-8782. Gm's number for this recall is n252494000.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain 2021-2024 cadillac escalade and escalade esv, chevrolet silverado 1500, suburban, and tahoe, gmc sierra 1500, yukon, and yukon xl vehicles equipped with a 6.2l v8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
Transmission: valves/valve body
Risk: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. Gm will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed december 12, 2024. Owners may contact gm customer service at 1-888-988-7267, cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, gmc customer service at gmc 1-800-462-8782 or chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. Gm's number for this recall is n242454440.
Full defect summary
General motors, llc (gm) is recalling certain 2020-2022 chevrolet silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, gmc sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 cadillac escalade, escalade esv, chevrolet tahoe, suburban, gmc yukon, and yukon xl vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
Wheels and tires: temporary/emergency spare tire
Risk: An ABS system that does not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will provide a new 17" spare tire and wheel assembly that is compatible with the accessory wheels, free of charge. Dealers will also apply a new spare tire information label, and provide owners with an owner's manual insert clarifying which spare tire to use with the accessory road tires and with the 17" original tires. Owner notification letters were mailed february 7, 2022. Owners may contact gm customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or gmc customer service at 1-800-462-8782. Gm's number for this recall is n212346510.
Full defect summary
General motors (gm) is recalling certain 2019-2021 gmc sierra 1500 and silverado 1500 vehicles equipped with certain accessory road tires and a 17" spare tire. The 17" spare tire provided with the vehicle is not compatible for use with the accessory wheels, which can cause the anti-lock brake system (ABS) to not function properly under certain conditions.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: The missing tabs may prevent the air bag from deploying properly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag, and replace it if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed august 16, 2021. Owners may contact chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. Gm's number for this recall is n212336560.
Full defect summary
General motors, llc. (gm) is recalling certain 2021 chevrolet silverado 1500 vehicles. The front driver's side air bag module may be missing one or more metal tabs that secure the plastic air bag cover to the housing.
Seat belts: critical fasteners
Risk: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began january 29, 2021. Owners may contact gmc customer service at 1-800-462-8785, cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. Gm's number for this recall is n202322230.
Full defect summary
General motors, llc (gm) is recalling certain 2020 chevrolet bolt EV and 2021 gmc canyon and sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, yukon, yukon xl, cadillac escalade and escalade esv and chevrolet blazer, camaro, colorado, equinox, silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, suburban and tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.
Seat belts: critical fasteners
Risk: If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will inspect left-side and right-side front-row center seat-belt bracket attachments and reassemble it correctly as necessary, free of charge. The recall began january 26, 2021. Owners may contact gmc customer service at 1-800-462-8782, chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. Gm's number for this recall is n202314670.
Full defect summary
General motors, llc (gm) is recalling certain 2019-2021 chevrolet silverado 1500 and gmc sierra 1500, 2021 chevrolet suburban and tahoe and gmc yukon xl and 2020-2021 chevrolet silverado 2500 and 3500 and gmc sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The seat belt brackets may not be secured to the seat frame in the front-row center seating position.
Wheels and tires: tires
Risk: Overcured tires may experience a carcass break in the sidewall resulting in a sudden air loss or could develop a belt edge separation which could lead to partial or full tread/belt loss. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will inspect vehicles and replace tires that have dot number and production mold number combinations identified by continental, free of charge. The recall began december 17, 2020. Owners may contact gmc customer service at 1-888-988-7267, buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. Gm's number for this recall is n202319030.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain 2020 buick enclave, cadillac xt5, gmc acadia and chevrolet traverse vehicles and 2020-2021 chevrolet silverado 1500, gmc sierra 1500 vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with continental tires that were overcured.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
Summary
On january 16, 2026, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened recall query rq26001.â this investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of recall 25v-274. Odi has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement. General motors (gm) issued recall 25v-274 to address concerns of engine failure in the l87 engines produced between march 1, 2021 and may 31, 2024. Gm cited the root cause as a supplier manufacturing and quality issue. Gmâs recall remedy for recall 25v-274 consisted of two different repairs, either an oil viscosity change or
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
Summary
On january 16, 2026, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened recall query rq26001.â this investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of recall 25v-274. Odi has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement. General motors (gm) issued recall 25v-274 to address concerns of engine failure in the l87 engines produced between march 1, 2021 and may 31, 2024. Gm cited the root cause as a supplier manufacturing and quality issue. Gmâs recall remedy for recall 25v-274 consisted of two different repairs, either an oil viscosity change or
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) has received 1,157 reports of engine bearing failure failures in the l87 6.2l engine produced by general motors (gm). Of the 1,157 reports received, 173 are outside of the scope of recall 25v-274. These engines are installed in model years (my) 2019â2024 chevrolet silverado 1500 and gmc sierra 1500, and 2021-2024my chevrolet suburban and tahoe, gmc yukon/yukon xl, and cadillac escalade/escalade esv vehicles. The subject engine failures were investigated as part of a preliminary evaluation (pe25001).â gm determined that these engine failures were due to multiple supplier manufacturing and quality issues. Gm issued recall 25v-274 to address the suppl
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Summary
On january 16, 2025, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened preliminary evaluation pe25001 after receiving complaints and field reports concerning engine failures in my2019-2024 gmâs full-size truck and SUV t1xx platform equipped with the l87 6.2l v8 engine. These complainants alleged engine bearing failures resulting in knocking and growling noises from the engineâs bottom end and in some cases more severe consequences such as broken connecting rods leading to engine damage, or engine failure. If the engine fails during vehicle operation, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. On april 24, 2025, gm issued recall 25v-274 to address the concern with l8
Air bag malfunction
Summary
On april 9, 2021, the office of defects investigations (odi) opened pe21-010 to investigate instances of air bag malfunction indicator light (mil) illumination and potential for frontal air bag non-deployment in several vehicles manufactured by general motors (gm). The vehicles included model year (my) 2020 through 2021 ct4 and ct5 passenger cars, sierra and silverado trucks (1500/2500/3500 models), xt4 and my 2021 escalade, suburban, tahoe, yukon suvs.technical service bulletin (tsb) 21-na-005, issued in march 2021, addresses air bag mil illumination with diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) b0001-1b or b0012-0d. It cites rust particles in the connection terminal interface of the driver air bag
Questions about the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (441 complaints, typically around 62,000 miles); transmission (242 complaints, typically around 63,500 miles); electrical (113 complaints, typically around 7,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have?
- 8 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 12, 2026 (transmission). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2021 a bad year for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
- It is 6th of 27 Silverado 1500 model years by number of complaints, with 845 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.