2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 827 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 19 Silverado 1500 model years with reports.
Of the 2021 reports, 20 involved a crash and 12 involved a fire. 17 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, automatic transmission, control module, softwareFeb 12, 2026
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.
Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 26V083000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engine, hard parts internal/mechanicalApr 24, 2025
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.
Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 25V274000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, control module, softwareOct 24, 2024
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.
Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 24V797000 on NHTSA.gov
Tires, temporary/emergency spare tireDec 16, 2021
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.
An ABS system that does not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 21V985000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalJul 1, 2021
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.
The missing tabs may prevent the air bag from deploying properly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
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.
Campaign 21V495000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat beltsDec 23, 2020
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 20V811000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat beltsDec 17, 2020
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 20V792000 on NHTSA.gov
TiresNov 5, 2020
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 20V684000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
112 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Aug 3, 2024
Electric tailgate opener button switch on tailgate failed and allowed tailgate to open while traveling. Lost a tote containing tools onto the roadway when accelerating from an intersection. Luckily it was a rural road with no traffic and no one hit tool tote in the roadway. This seems to be a serious safety hazard especially if a motorcycle would of hit lost cargo in the roadway.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 19, 2024
My check engine light came on. When taking it to the dealership, they say it's the Catalytic converter. The converter is not an electronic part, so we replaced the o2 sensors and the check engine light came back on. I've taken this truck to several people who repairs cars, and The vehicle is only 3 years old , should not need to be replaced. A converter should last 10-15 years. In doing some Research, I found the the 2019 recalled for the ECM module. Causing the same issue as the faulty reading on a catalytic converter. I am now out of warranty due to being 2,000 miles over the limit.
Electrical system, May 6, 2024
Rear tail gate opens when parked and while driving. It also opens when key has been removed.
Electrical system, Apr 28, 2024
Back in March 2024 the tailgate opened on its own only a few times. Now April 2024 it opened on its own several times without a button being pushed. After it opened it made several clocks like the tailgate is trying to lower. Now the tailgate button does not work and can only open it with the key fob
Electrical system, Apr 28, 2024
The key fobs for keyless start/lock/unlock stopped working and batteries replaced still didn’t work. Brought to dealer to be fixed. They replaced a sensor thinking it would be the fix- did not work. They found a corroded wire and replaced it. Asked them what happened and how it corroded. They said it was nothing we did wrong it just corroded. Cost $1000+ for fix for an issue that seemed to “just happen”
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 7, 2024
1. Trucks start/stop delays. When in traffic or crossing over lanes the truck fails to turn back on/start. When the truck does turn back on, the truck jumped forward almost sending me and my family into on coming traffic. 2. When trying to start the truck the starter will turn over constantly not turning on the truck (motor is turning over). The starter will time out after about 20+ seconds. The starter does this when auto start/stop is activated, so we get stuck in traffic almost causing accidents.
Electrical system, Feb 6, 2024
On Sunday, January 4th, the tailgate of the truck began unlatching and opening on its own. It has done this repeatedly since that date. Only unlatches when the vehicle is in park and unlocked. The electronic latch will continue to cycle (click) after the tailgate has initially opened. Exterior taillights and side markers flash as they should with each cycle. This issue is identical to the warranty recall issued recently for the 2020 through 2024 Chevrolet and GMC 2500 & 3500 trucks.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 23, 2024, fire
On the evening of Dec 19th, our 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 DuraMax with 19K miles on it caught fire, burned, and was declared a total loss. We were on our way to go pick up our travel trailer as were we leaving for a trip on Xmas with our 2 dogs and my brother-in-law. Smoke started billowing out from under the hood and within minutes the front end was engulfed in flames. I have pics/videos. We’re ok but that was a scary situation that could have had a different outcome. We could have been on the highway towing our trailer with our 2 dogs and bro-in-law and who knows how long it would have taken the fire department to arrive on scene on the highway. There were no warning lights etc. to notify us. The truck gets driven, taken care of and I had just driven it the day before. We’re not aware or have seen any recalls. All info is on our Chevy app. We filed a claim with our insurance, and it has been paid off now, but in reality, "our fault" in insurers eyes. No cause was determined. That being the case, GM has closed claim and say not liable for personal property lost in fire, as insurance didn't contact GM with any mfg defects and insurance has already paid off the truck. We are repeat Chevy customers. This was our 4th leased Silverado and we also have a Traverse. The lease on the burned-up truck was coming due May 2024. We way overpaid on the milage. We're not filing a homeowners claim for lost personal property as insurance has paid off the truck and we don't want to be dropped. My question is wouldn't this be under warranty? Should the truck not be replaced? We didn't cause the fire. Much more damage could have occurred. People and pets could have possibly been injured or worse. If we were towing our travel trailer, that would be another big loss. The truck is no longer "available". Insurance told me today it's being sold for parts, which honestly kind of scares me. I wouldn't want a truck part that was in a fire, damaged or not. Videos not attached.
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 8, 2024
Truck lost power and shut down without warning while driving in traffic. Happened twice on the way home from church with my family. First time truck shut off as we were turning across a busy intersection. Coasted off on to shoulder of highway. After several attempts truck restarted. It shut off again before reaching home. Has to call a tow truck. Has truck towed to local Chev dealer on New Years Eve. Dealer kept truck three days. Could not find problem. I picked up truck, drove home, truck shut off just before I reached my house. Coasted into driveway. Called dealer. Said bring it back. Waited two hours. Truck started so I drove back to dealership, approximately 15 miles. Truck shut off again without warning on highway in front of dealership. I sounded horn and flashed lights as I coasted across oncoming traffic into dealership parking lot. This was on Wednesday Jan 3rd. Friday afternoon dealer called and said that hey have not been able to isolate problem. Said they know they are losing communication between modules but don’t know where. The “fix” they claim is to take the cab off the truck and replace entire wiring harness! Cost is $6300. Truck has 48,000 miles on it. All highway and road miles. Can’t afford $6300 to repair a 2.5 year old truck. I am fortunate that neither me or my family were involved in a crash due to truck shutting off unexpectedly. This is a very dangerous issue.
Electrical system, Dec 29, 2023, fire
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH a burning rubber odor and a smoke haze was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. After stopping to investigate under the hood flames were present at the passenger side fire wall of the engine compartment. Moments later the cabin of the vehicle was in flames which quickly spread and the entire vehicle became engulfed in flames. The fire department was called to the scene to extinguish the flames. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. A police report and fire report were taken. The cause of failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The local dealer was contacted. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Electrical system, Oct 21, 2023
Push start button malfunctioned. The vehicle would not turn off last night and took about 30 minutes to get vehicle to turn off. Next day, had the same issue where vehicle would not start and left me stranded. After calling for a tow truck, I was able to start the vehicle. When researching the problem online, I saw several other complaints of the same issue where the buttons malfunctioned and could either not start their vehicle or turn the vehicle off.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 14, 2023
Engine suddenly began to run rough and slowed substantially while driving. If this occurred at highway speed, it could have presented a safety risk. Multiple check engine lights and error messages appeared at the time of the event - "service emissions system" and "65mph max speed" Dealer inspected vehicle and found a shorted wiring harness and fuel injector. The faulty parts were replaced
Steering, Electrical system, Wheels, Sep 14, 2023
Unknown
Electrical system, Aug 25, 2023
On three separate instances (two after paying $3,000 to "fix" it) my 2021 Trailboss is flashing warnings of: Park Assist Off, Steering Assist is Reduced Drive with Care, Service 4WD, Service Trailor Brake System...all while driving down the rode and losing all gauges/flatlining and no fuel warning engaging (had a 1/2 tank). The Chevrolet Dealer claims it's not producing a code (Thankfully I recorded the evidence)...Truck has just over 40k miles and has been driven with care. **Pictures are all while driving down the road** Serious electrical and SAFETY ISSUE and it needs to be RECALLED and addressed!
Electrical system, Aug 14, 2023
Tailgate opens on its own or doesn’t want to open with push button
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Jul 3, 2023
While pulling out into traffic the vehicle will momentarily lose all electrical power and the engine shuts off causing loss of brakes and steering.
Electrical system, Jun 26, 2023
I bought this vehicle brand new off the lot in 2021. Truck hasn’t had any problems until this year. Every few weeks it will randomly just not want to start, I’ll usually check the battery and the battery will be completely drained. I can’t figure out what is causing the battery to drain like this, but something needs to be done as I have literally been stranded places due to my truck just deciding not to start randomly. Today i’m having this exact problem, my trucked was parked overnight in my garage and I went to go to work this morning and once again the truck won’t start and battery is drained. All my doors are shut and no interior lights are left on.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 25, 2023
The monitor has disconnected many phone calls and rejected software updates. The monitor has been reported to the dealership and has been in many times for harness replacements, harness for the door locks and the timeframe for the repairs was a couple of weeks. The monitor still disconnects calls and I must pull the car over and restart the truck the monitor stays off sometimes until the monitor wants to engage. The history of the truck with this issue has been documented with the dealership
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 7, 2023
The 2021 LT Trail Boss with the 5.3L engine started a really rough idle, engine knocking, random misfiring, had Service Emergency Brake, Service ESC messages on the display, check engine light and several other dash warning lights. The dealer diagnosed the truck with lifter fail apart (failure), intake valve push rod bent, and PCM failure. Odometer reading 19,368 miles.
Steering, Suspension, Electrical system, Sep 22, 2022
Body control modules sas modules no communication service esc light and traction control lights coming on vehicle looses all steers ng when lights come on at any speeds it says service esc power steering loss drive with caution have had it into multiple shops and no diagnostic scanners can get into the 3 systems there 6050 miles on vehicle we haven’t gotten in a wreck yet but that is totally not out of the question it will happen and when it does its going to be devistating
Electrical system, Jun 7, 2022
2021 Chevy Silverado durmax brought it in three times now for starting issues 2nd time found data module was bad two weeks later brought it back for same issues. Dealer said they can’t find anything wrong I’ve broke down on hwy 5 in. Dangerous spot and know I don’t feel safe driving this.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Jun 5, 2022
Can't pull a trailer without the SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT coming on a dinging over and over. Had my trailer completely rewired only to find out its a malfunction on my truck not my trailer. My truck is a 2021 Silverado z71 trail boss with low mileage
Electrical system, Jan 3, 2022
The ESC, parking light, traction control, and engine light came on while driving home. The engine started to shake. There was an issue with braking and steering the vehicle that made it difficult to control. A message on the dash said Service ESC. A report was sent via OnStar Notifications that said An issue with the emissions system is detected. After trying to restart the vehicle a few times, the lights will not go away. The truck is driving rough.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Nov 21, 2021
Driving down the road and out of know where engine starting knocking and lagging, idled rough. Drove to dealer lifter failure was what was diagnosed. 10000 miles on the truck driven easy, no towing or anything. Dealer also informed me 3 other silverados were there for the same problem! Ridiculous!!
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Sep 8, 2021
On July 27, I encountered a failure of the rear vision display system on a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado. In short, the system used to display the rearview image went blank, and remained blank, the moment I first shifted the vehicle into reverse. Hence, no rearview image was visible while I was in the process of backing up the vehicle. I believe this may be a noncompliance with FMVSS 111 or a closely related safety defect (I worked in Safety Engineering at General Motors and Ford for a combined total of more than 30 years). I made a video to document this failure, and I uploaded it to YouTube. It is available at the following URL: https://youtu.be/zhBZwteAcBg This vehicle was provided to me as a loaner vehicle while my personal vehicle was being repaired by Quality Chevrolet in Escondido, California. Shortly after leaving the dealership, I pulled over to the side of the road and paired my cell phone with the vehicle. It took several attempts to successfully accomplish this. I then made a hands-free call and then proceeded to drive home. Within a couple miles, I decided to make a U-turn. Given the size of this vehicle, completing this U-turn required backing up. The moment I placed the transmission in reverse, the center display went blank and consequently no rearview image was displayed. Even after I shifted the transmission back to Drive, the center screen (which is also used to display other things like the radio station, time, temperature, etc.) continued to remain blank. However, the audio continued to function (noted at 1 minute and 15 seconds into the video). I decided to make a video to document the condition prior to turning off the ignition as my experience has been that such malfunctions are likely associated with software errors that can be difficult to track down and replicate. I drove this loaner vehicle several other times before returning it to the dealer. On each occasion, the rearview image displayed when the vehicle was put in Reverse.