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: power train
237 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Aug 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate while attempting to accelerate. The contact stated that vehicle revved abnormally and failed to immediately respond. The contact stated that the hesitation also occurred while accelerating from a stationary start. The contact also had observed that there was a leak of fluid whenever the vehicle was parked in the driveway. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission was leaking and that the transmission and torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.
Power train, Engine, Aug 9, 2023
Vehicle began to shudder on the highway, managed to pull off at next exit and drive to nearest gas station approximately 3 miles away from the highway. Vehicle was towed to neared GM dealership. Dealership has determined that the fault is caused by a failed or multiple failed Camshaft Lifters inside the engine. This has been reported to be a common issue with the GM 5.3L Engine with no active recalls. The vehicle shudder began on a highway during construction where the highway was restricted to one lane. There was an accident with bumper to bumper traffic where an ambulance required way. The vehicle was not in stable condition and could have caused safety risks to other drivers on the high way as well as my passengers and myself. There were no symptoms prior to the vehicle shudder, the Check Engine Light did not come on until about 3 miles of driving closer to the gas station. The Service is being warranted by GM. There are active GM tickets open. Vehicle is being serviced by Stickland Cadillac Buick GMC Chevy in Brantford Ontario Canada
Power train, Aug 2, 2023
The truck lunges sometimes, and will jerk shifting, also at variable speeds the truck will feel like it is "riding over rumble strips at a low speed" at variable speeds 30 MPH to 70 MPH. It makes for an unsafe feeling having the vehicle lunge unexpectedly, and the shuddering on the highway causes alarming panic, and reaction, and a feeling of delayed response from the accelerator. Yes, everyone says it is a known GM issue, but nothing will be done, unless I contact a lawyer. No No warnings, or lamps of any kind.
Power train, Jul 31, 2023
It’s been going on for some time and have taken it to the dealership for request but with no help. The transmission keeps shuttering bucking between gears this is sometimes violent but seems to be becoming more frequent. This is mostly between speeds of 50-60mph
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jul 25, 2023
Smell gasoline inside the cabin. Vehicle jerk when moving gear from reverse to drive or drive to reverse.
Power train, Jul 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 35-45 MPH, the rear differential detached from the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the rear differential to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 18,315.
Power train, May 5, 2023
Transmission making a whining noise and delays between shifting.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 29, 2023, crash
The transfer case has locked up several times causing me to wreck once. The engine misfires and does not give the MPG advertised. The life of my family has been put at risk with little to no care from the dealer after several attempts for service.
Power train, Air bags, Service brakes, Mar 9, 2023
My safety system service warning comes on for about 30 seconds and then goes back off. This has happened about 4 times now. The transmission causes my truck to shake randomly. My pulley is going out and the local dealer said they wouldn't replace is under warranty(even though my warranty was still is effect) because they said it looked like someone sprayed tire cleaner under the hood(I bought it from the same dealership that I took it to for this service.) The brake seem to shake already when coming to a stop. They seem as if they are wearing prematurely.
Power train, Feb 27, 2023
While vehicle is in 4-wheel drive or 4 auto or 4 L. It makes a grinding whining noise! I have contacted the dealer Newberry motors of Newberry MI 49868. I asked them about a service bulletin I saw on the noises I am hearing, and I was told service bulletins are only assigned to a vin number and not groups of vehicles. which is a lie!!! SO THE GRINDING NOISE IS BAD WHEN IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE. PERIOD. DOES NOT MAKE THE NOISE WHILE IN 2 WHEEL DRIVE. THANKS FOR ANY HELP THAT CAN BE PROVIDED!
Power train, Engine, Jan 18, 2023
Valve lifter failure resulting in bent rod engine failure.
Power train, Oct 10, 2022
Power hesitation, along with loud knocking sounds coming from the engine. Cause truck to completely shut off while driving 35mph. No warning lights or anything came on until complete failure
Power train, Aug 23, 2022
I was not personally at risk during my incident, but I can see how I could have been if my situation was a different. My 2021Chevy truck suddenly lost engine power at a traffic stoplight. It almost stalled coming to a stop. Then when trying to accelerate, it had very low power, and was stumbling. I was only a mile from home, and not busy traffic, so I managed to make it home. Driving very slowly with the engine clearly under very low power. No CEL or warning lights came on. After getting it towed to the dealer the next day, the dealer informed me it was a failed lifter and bent pushrod. After a little google searching, I found it is a common failure in newer GM V8s. I also learned my truck was built in a date window that GM issued a Service bulletin for lifter failures. According to forums and Facebook pages, Many other owners have had the same problem. Even 2-3 time failures with some owners. Even after repairs. Either in the date range of the bulletin or outside of it. My specific situation wasn't dangerous, but I could see how it could be, if I were on a busy highway, or if the truck completely lost power. As far as I see, no Recall has been issued, just many internal service bulletins over several years. And even a class action lawsuit in regards to lifter failure. My truck was fixed with all lifters replaced with an updated part number. 5000 miles since the repair. Gm did a good job with the repair, and after some communication with GM customer service, they replaced all the lifters, and not just the broken one. This gave me a bit more peace of mind, but I worry with so many failures posted online daily, and without a documented case on NHTSA this will continue. Thanks
Power train, Other or unspecified, Aug 23, 2022
Dealer said lifters failed. Was stuck in middle of interstate for 2 hrs
Power train, Aug 9, 2022
I was on interstate 85 and the whole truck started shaking and check engine light, service ESC light and service parking brake light came on. Thankfully I was near and exit ramp and got off as I had almost no power. I limped my truck back to the dealership where they diagnosed it as lifter failure and replaced both banks of lifters. This is a known problem with General Motors and is simply a matter of time before a terrible accident occurs.
Power train, Aug 5, 2022, crash
MY PICK UP WAS HIT FROM THE REAR THE DRIVE SHAFT BROKE AT THE WELL AND THE REAR BROKE BOTH SIDE OF THE AXLE TO THE HOUSING OF THE REAR I HAVE PICK OF THE REAR AND THE DRIVE SHAFT.
Power train, Engine, Jul 20, 2022
At 7,316 miles my 2021 Silverado 5.3 V8 had lifter failure while driving, the truck would not accelerate correctly and I was forced to pull off the road, luckily it was able to turn off at the next road before the vehicles behind me caught up. The check engine light was blinking and was making a lot of popping noises. I was able to take back roads and drop it off at the dealership for repairs.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 15, 2022, crash
Vehicle began having issues at 3 months old... Random service messages, defective headlight, wierd engine noises at startup and stalling upon acceleration/deceleration. I took it to the dealer several times about the issues I were having but they always say they aren't able to replicate any issues. 3 months later I was driving on the highway and the engine started knocking. Had it towed to the dealer and it took them 6 months to replace engine, tcm, starter, and other parts. After finally getting the truck back, it was still stalling and there was a check engine light... Dealer did not reassemble the vehicle properly and several parts and bolts were still missing. It went right back in the shop and catalytic converters were replaced. I also mentioned missing parts and bolts. I get the truck back again and it still seems like it wants to stall. I was turning into a parking lot a few days later and it seemed like it wanted to cut off. While I was distracted trying to see if the truck cut off, I hit a small pole... Truck was damaged way more than it should have been because the dealer did not reassemble it properly. Body shop said my bumper was only held on by 2 bolts and several other bolts and pieces were missing. They said if my bumper was attached properly the damage would not have been as bad. The vehicle was already unsafe because of stalling and the dealer made it structurally unsafe as well... I have opened cases with gm and they aren't doing anything about it. Here this truck is 14 months old and it's been in their possession more than mine... I have asked them about replacing the vehicle and they insist on fixing the issues but never do and I end up driving an u safe vehicle around.
Power train, Engine, Jul 13, 2022
Add 1 more victim to the ongoing and growing list of GM owners of vehicles with 5.3/6.2Lmotors with DFM lifter failure. 50 miles after returning from a 500 mile trip from N. Wisconsin fishing trip this motor threw in the towel. Dealer assessment cylinder #6 lifter failure with an extra bonus of damage bad enough to require replacement of entire cylinder head! This motor has 11K. miles on it, and I have had oil changed multiple times as I am old school and don't buy into the whole 7500K. thing. Guess I should have saved my cash for something more fun! Check engine light did not come on till almost 2mi. after vehicle started running badly, flashing check engine light did not come on till I was almost home 15 mi. Had it towed to the dealer on my own dime!
Power train, Engine, Jul 11, 2022
Vehicle engine has experienced engine lifter failure at 28,000 miles. Engine began shaking violently, check engine lights flashing, traction control light, and stability control lights all came one while driving on the highway several hours away from home. Vehicle had to be towed by Chevy roadside assistance to the nearest dealership. Chevy dealership inspected and said they have to order new lifters for my engine and it would take several weeks for repair.
Engine, Power train, Jul 10, 2022
The 2021 silverado v8 randomly started making a knocking noise. The steering wheel would shake randomly as I accelerated and stayed above certain speeds. I’m barely able to drive slowly residential speeds at most. If I drive any faster I’m worried for my safety that the car while break down in the middle of a busy road posing a danger to my family and those around me. I’m not sure if this is a lifter issue, or engine issue but it seems to be a widespread issue that I haven’t recurved any recall notice for.
Power train, Jan 31, 2022
There is a massive shudder that sounds like the whole dash could come loose. feels and sounds like rumble strips and off road driving mixed all together. It happens at all speeds and when rpms are steady around 1200-1400.
Power train, Engine, Jan 21, 2022
I have a 2021 Silverado 6.2 being repaired for failed lifters. I see this is a common trend and can cause hazards when pulling over for a faulty motor. 10 speed Transmission downshifts from 2 to 1 harsh with rpms jumping up causing for me to apply more brake pressure to stop. I have had a few incidents when I get close to the vehicle in front coming to a stop. I have taken vehicle to dealer for issue and they couldn’t replicate issues. Check engine light has popped up once or twice but never stayed on long enough to throw a code.
Suspension, Power train, Engine, Jan 20, 2022
Engine valve lifter failure at 20,000 miles; engine hesitation and power loss. Error to parking brake and to electronic stability control. Chevrolet to replace damaged lifter but refused to replace both banks of defective lifters. As a result of dysfunction I was stranded 1200 miles from home and have been waiting 2 weeks for repair. Still 1200 miles from home with 2 kayaks, 2 bikes etc.
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!!