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: engine
429 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Feb 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the engine started to misfire. There was an unknown service warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that left side valve lifters needed to be replaced. The codes displayed were 0329 (Engine/Fuel Exhaust) and 6581 (Modular Component) registering incorrectly. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 15,253.
Engine, Feb 20, 2025
The first time it happened my Truck started shaking a lot on the highway and it left me stranded on the side of the road. It had around 20,000 miles on it. When it got repaired I was told it had to do with the lifters on the left side of the engine. Took them 2 weeks to fix the issue. The second time it happened was on the ramp getting on to the highway, this time at 58,000 miles and now the right side lifters. Except this time they couldn’t fix it and they are going to replace the whole engine and give me a new one. Only thing is that it's been in Chevrolet shop for over 2 months and they have an ETA of a new Engine arriving in about a month if even that. So currently don't have my truck.
Engine, Feb 19, 2025
Engine misfire, likely engine will need to be replaced
Engine, Feb 17, 2025
Around [XXX] on [XXX] the vehicle shut down with no codes showing or any warning. The weather was approximately 13* f. After many failed attempts to restart, and the electrical systems would not power down as if the vehicle thought it was still running. The only way to get the system to shut down was to disconnect the battery. i had to physically push the vehicle to a safe location. The next morning I attempted to diagnose the issue with no success. I had the vehicle hauled to the dealership from which it was purchased in Idaho to have it inspected. Tuesday morning I received word from the dealership that the engine suffered major failure. This will be the 3rd engine in the vehicle. I am uneasy about the dependability of the vehicle as I have recently discovered that this particular engine is having massive failures all over the country. So much so that the NHTSA has opened an investigation for the purposes of safety. I purchased the vehicle for the main purpose of pulling a snowmobile trailer with snowmobile to the mountains and also to tow my boat and trailer. Both of these activities require a vehicle in which I can depend on. While I am waiting for a back order engine the dealership and manufacturer refuse to lend a like vehicle, leaving destitute. I am hoping that this agency can offer some assistance, and I believe it's important that you are made aware of the hazard that this particular engine possesses. As I previously mentioned this the 3rd engine and As far as I can see this will occur again putting myself and others potentially in harms way because of a known issue. This does not make me feel confident of the safety of the vehicle. Be aware where i live there grades in every direction and extreme weather conditions from season to season. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power train, Engine, Feb 4, 2025
2021 Silverado LT Trail Boss 6.2 (production date: 01/2021) was taken to the GM/Chevy dealer (Ed Morse Chevrolet) on 01/29/2024. It was confirmed by the GM mechanic that the engine had failed (75k miles) due to a shattered camshaft and metal in the engine and a complete engine replacement is needed. Had prior complaint at around 6k miles for engine noise along with hard shifts and a check engine light that had appeared then went away on its own (documented). I was told by a GM certified dealership, it was normal in the new trucks and no action was taken. Unsatisfied, I made another appointment for a second opinion and only regular maintenance service was suggested and performed several days after, at a GM certified dealership. All oil changes have been performed in a timely manner. No forewarning prior to engine failure to include check engine light or any system messages, although trucks performance from the initial complaint did not subside. To my knowledge, this vehicles engine is weighing heavy on consumers safety with engine failure and is a well documented issue, leaving many stranded. Thank you!
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Feb 3, 2025
The truck jerks when first driving and will jerk and lundge at various times and speeds. There is a almost grinding nosie. It often says "Reduced Engine Power" and the engine light comes one, the "Service ESC" notice comes on with the vehicle light, when this happens the truck will barely accelerate even if flooring the gas, continues to make a grinding noise. This happens frequently, but then lights go away, then come back on. Dealership pulled multiple codes (image attached). This is a huge safety risk due to failure of acceleration, and the jerking that causes the truck to jerk while in motion and slow.
Power train, Engine, Feb 2, 2025
With absolutely no warning, the 6.2 liter V-8 engine with 28,500 miles on it seized up solid and would not run. I was stranded in heavy Christmas traffic and completely blocked one lane. It was an unsafe situation. I had to summon a wrecker to come and tow the vehicle, and I called 911 for police presence to alert and direct traffic. The vehicle was at the Chevy dealer for a month while they installed a new engine. The dealer never fully confirmed what the cause was - I don't believe they really know - and I only have 10 months of warranty left. I am concerned about another failure and thought I should at least get the warranty on the new engine re-set to 60,00 or more miles.
Engine, Jan 29, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH following a school bus, there was an abnormal screeching sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that a message to pull over safely was displayed. The contact stated that the engine had seized. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the crankshaft bearings and connecting rod bearings had failed. After further diagnostic tests, the contact was informed that the vehicle was not repairable. The vehicle was repaired with a remanufactured engine. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.
Engine, Jan 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed or while stopping the vehicle, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the top of the engine where the lifters were located. The contact stated that the spring in the engine had collapsed, causing the check engine message to be displayed. The contact stated that the dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the lifters on the top of the engine were causing the DEF sensor to engage. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 28, 2025
I brought in vehicle for check engine light is on for p0300 / p0308 had misfire tech removed engine valve cover and determine no movement in valve train components tech determine valve train failure lifters possible camshaft we would need to remove the cylinder head and replace valve train lifters.
Power train, Engine, Jan 27, 2025
At 4K miles, the lifters of the engine went bad. It was determined a rod was bent and had to be replaced. At 26K miles, another cylinder went bad and had to be replaced. At 40Kmiles, serpentine belt had to be replaced. At 41K miles, another cylinder went bad and had to be replaced. Now, at 55K miles, I am getting the same issues with loss of power, engines stuttering and misfiring and will be taking the truck to the dealer on 1/28/25.
Engine, Jan 26, 2025
Engine failure
Engine, Jan 24, 2025
My 2021 Silverado with only 80,655 miles had to have the engine replaced. On 11/20/24, my vehicle indicated a P0303 code for miss-fire in cylinder 3. I took my vehicle to for repair to a local Chevy Dealership and was informed of the following: 1) Needed programming changes to the fuel injection based on service bulletin N242450631. This repair was completed by the dealer. 2) Needed a “tear down” for further diagnostic. It was determined that the specific code could not be repaired and the entire engine needed to be replaced which was done at my cost. The details on service bulletin N242450631 are limited and do not describe issues that could be caused by the fuel injector problem. Relative to service bulletin N242450631 fuel injector issue, based on my experience with my vehicle, I believe this fuel injector programming bulletin issue caused the engine malfunction and subsequent need to replacement. Before the bulletin repair was completed, I know that my vehicle engine surged often. Looking back now, this constant surging had to be hard on the engine and likely caused the failure. Regardless, if it wasn’t the service bulletin that caused the issue, a vehicle engine should last more than 80,000 miles. I believe GM needs to take responsibility for the engine failure which I believe was caused by faulty workmanship, design, computer engine programming, or some combination of these issues.
Engine, Jan 24, 2025
Driving down the road and the vehicle shut off and said to restart. Wouldn't start back up. Check and found a 400 amp fuse was blown. Tested starter and was fine. Restarted the vehicle and it made a loud rattling noise and shut back off. Sent it to the dealer and they found that number 1 and 2 rods overheated and locked up the motor.
Engine, Jan 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving 50-55 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle decelerated to 35-40 MPH. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming a quart of oil per month. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed lifter. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 23, 2025
At start up check engine light, service esc, service parking brake. Code reader shows code P0304 misfire cylinder number 4.
Engine, Jan 23, 2025
Lifter failure on number 2 cylinder.
Power train, Engine, Jan 23, 2025
Lifter failure at 8629 miles. All warning lights went on at time of incident, truck would barely drive home and I had it towed into the dealership where they replaced the entire bank of lifters. This is on my repair order- "Checked and found dead mis on cylinder 4 and ticking noise from engine//performed compression test and found no compression on cylinder 4//removed passenger side cylinder head and found lifter bad causing push rod to bend//replaced all lifters on right bank and 1 pushrod//changed oil and filter//filled coolant and test drove and found all ok. I called Chevy at time of incident (1/21/22) and opened case# 9-7252876703 stating I wanted both banks of lifters replaced because I pull a 30' camper with my family and didn't want the other side to fail while I'm pulling 7000+ pounds. They declined to replace the other bank stating that since the vehicle had more than 5000 miles it did not qualify for both sides to be replaced and it was for only vehicles after 11/21 and mine was built 2/21. I still would like to get the other bank of lifters replaced under warranty.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 22, 2025
I have just been made aware that there is a lot going on right now with the l87 6.2 motor. I purchased my truck last September so I e had it almost a year 1/2. I recently started having what seems like a misfire issue as of 1/20/2025. I have it scheduled to be checked out Friday 1/24/2025. I’m just reporting this to cover my back if any recall or anything comes about. In addition I’ve had regular oil changes and maintenance on the truck. It’s currently inspected and insured.
Engine, Jan 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH and attempting to overtake a semi, the vehicle lost automotive power and stalled. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. No further information was available. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Engine, Jan 22, 2025
2021 Chevy Silverado RST 6.2 Crankshaft Failure – Trust bearing / Main Bearing – Verified by GM dealership. This incident occurred without any prior warning indicators. The check engine light illuminated only after the engine began to seize, and the engine abruptly stalled. At the time of the failure, the vehicle was traveling at 60 MPH on a busy highway. Upon the event, the vehicle came to an immediate stop and could not be restarted. The engine failed to turn over, rendering the vehicle inoperable and partially obstructing traffic. The vehicle was subsequently towed to a local General Motors dealership, where it was determined that the failure was due to a crankshaft thrust and main bearing issue. The vehicle has 27,000 miles on the odometer.
Engine, Jan 21, 2025
Started my truck and the check engine light was flashing along with a few other warming lamp lit up. When I went to drive the truck the engine started to make some noise, and didn't have much power. After being diagnosed by the dealer ship the motor needed new valves, lifters and camshaft. The bill for the repairs is going to be around $8,500 and GM is not willing to help with the costs.
Engine, Jan 20, 2025
Total catastrophic engine failure. Occurred at roughly 80,000 miles. Engine bearing shattered causing total engine loss. Needed to be replaced. Occurred in May 2023. There were no precursors to the event and the engine had been well maintained. I noticed an investigation of my vehicles engine and thought I should report this.
Engine, Jan 19, 2025
Major engine failure / main bearing failure with the engine burning oil and no warning signs no oil leaks or no burning oil smoke out of exhaust. I’m in the process of having the engine re built out of pocket on this date 1/19/2025 and have no documentation from repair shop at this time so I can’t up load any further information till I get it completed,
Engine, Jan 19, 2025
I was driving 65mph down the freeway when the truck suddenly turned off and the dash told me to put in neutral and start again so I did just that. Made it about another mile and the truck completely turned off and wouldn’t turn back on there was nowhere to pull over or get off the freeway in that time frame so I was stopped in the middle of the highway with my family in the truck. Luckily a guy in another truck was able to push me over to the shoulder with his vehicle where I sat and waited four hours for a tow to the dealership. Two days later they called me and told me it’s spun a bearing and threw two rods and needed a new engine. I’m anal about servicing my vehicles they told me it just happens, but it was a brand new truck with only 35k miles. Ever since I got the new engine installed it’s constantly squeaking and they can’t seem to pin point the issues I feel like it’s going to happen again and this next time I’ll probably be out of warranty and it’ll be out of pocket for me to fix.