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: other or unspecified
72 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 30, 2025
Around May 20th, 2022, I was driving the pickup when it suddenly the engine turned off on me. I was travelling at approximately 40 mph on city streets and was able to control the vehicle and park the vehicle and restart it. That same week, I took the vehicle to Chevrolet on the city of Orange, where it was inspected. According to the mechanic, no issues were located. Nothing else was done to the vehicle and as a result, I fear the same issue will happen again in the future.
Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Apr 17, 2025
while driving, the emergency brake engages and locks the car up coming to a complete stop mid driving (on highway!). this has happened 3 times now, took it into dealer, they did a computer update and released. It has since happened again, with my child in the car!
Other or unspecified, Apr 12, 2025
I get A shift to park message on my dash behind steering wheel whenever I put the vehicle in park and turn it off. It want let the vehicle completely shutdown.
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Apr 8, 2025
Rain is coming in through the back window. Dealer is stating that the rain is coming from the sliding window but satellite is stating it’s the brake light on the top of the truck.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Apr 7, 2025
Transmission isssues hard shifting and no shifting at times. I informed the dealership about the recall on this issue and they are saying it doesn’t fall under the recall which isn’t true because my vehicles is showing all of the symptoms under the recall #N242454440.
Other or unspecified, Apr 3, 2025
When I am driving my vehicle and I pull in to park, I put the gear shift into park and shut the vehichle off and a light comes on in the dash and says shift to park. And the vehichle will not shut down for several minutes after this light comes on. It also feels like there is a hesitation in the transmission at times after I start the vehicle and start driving.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 30, 2025
Diesel engine continues to overheat, even after the oil temperature sensor failure dealership repair. Truck is very well maintained. However, common and trending issue amongst 1500 Silverado diesel owners is overheating which causes engine to loose power while driving and even get so hot it can catch fire. Warning lights appear only when problem is at engine failure point. Also, we lost power or reduced power on freeway which almost caused an accident and engine was smoking. We had it towed to Epic Chevrolet in Sacramento, CA. Within one week of dealership repair covered under powertrain warranty, dealership said overheating engine is due to a “new” code for coolant pump. In short, fire and driving safety hazard that can cost lives if not addressed by NHTSA.
Other or unspecified, Mar 27, 2025
Paint chipping and cracking not even five years old yet
Other or unspecified, Mar 24, 2025
I had my windshield replaced and the installer said when he removed the old glass, the bottom of the glass didn't have the rubber strip accross the bottom. Our rear sliding window has had a small leak, so we asked him to check it out too. He noticed that the window also does not have the rubber weather seal.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 18, 2025
Baton Rouge Louisiana
Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 18, 2025
Baton Rouge Louisiana
Other or unspecified, Mar 11, 2025
The tumbler in keyed switch is locked up solid . Cannot turn key to start or turn on.
Suspension, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Mar 1, 2025
The car while I’m driving, when I start driving it has a kick could be transmission
Other or unspecified, Feb 22, 2025
Since the purchase of this truck I have been having the same issues consistent with the current recall. It has gotten worse and has almost caused an accident during acceleration due to skipping or locking up of the engine/wheels. Worse when traction control is on. This Happens almost every time the gears shift during acceleration.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Feb 1, 2025
There is a water leak from the rear roof leaking causing water to come inside by the rear window down the rear pillar by the airbag. May cause problems with the rear side airbag and mold. Dealer charged me a $273 diagnostics charge and will not repair under warranty or extended warranty even though there is a TSB on this affecting numerous other trucks
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, 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.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 16, 2025
1. The automatic tailgate opens by itself randomly. It appears to be malfunctioning. I am unable to open it from the tailgate now. When it’s open it continues to attempt to unlatch making the noise. It’s opened while driving. 2. So far I lost a cooler on the highway due to this problem which would cause a road hazard to other drivers. 3. I brought it to the dealer they said it’s not there problem due to my vin not matching the recall even though there’s a recall for this problem with same year trucks. 4. It has not been inspected due it not being an official recall. 5. No warning lights regarding this issue.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jan 10, 2025
When putting vehicle in PARK and releasing the foot brake it rolls back an excessive amount of space sometimes it rolls back so much we begin to get scared thinking we are still in DRIVE and jump back in vehicle just to learn we are in PARK. We have had this issue since the day of getting truck in August of 2024 and how much it rolls back is never consistent on the length of the roll back. Sometimes it feels like it make even slip out of gear and just keeping rolling. It’s very scary and we have almost knocked ourselves out when it happens trying to jump back in to stop it.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 6, 2024
There is a current recall out there for the tailgates releasing on 20-24 Chevy Silverado 2500 and 3500. I own a 1500 and am having the same issue. Water is getting into the rear electronic switch and releasing the tailgate unbeknownst to me. I have lost items that were in the bed on the pickup on the road while traveling. Can the recall include the 1500 models also?
Other or unspecified, Dec 5, 2024
THE TAILGATE HAS FELL DOWN SEVERAL TIMES BY ITS SELF .I REPORTED THE PROBLEM ON THIS TO THE CHEVY DEALER THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE 1500 SERIES. THE TAILGATE EVEN UNLATCHED ITS SELF AT THE DEALERSHIP SO THEY DISCONNECTED THE OUTSIDE TAILGATE SWITCH SO IT WOULDNT UNLATCHED ITS SELF 12/23
Other or unspecified, Dec 2, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the tailgate inadvertently opened on its own. As a result, the contacts tool box fell from the vehicle potentially becoming a dangerous road hazard. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign 24V060000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 17,000.
Vehicle speed control, Wheels, Other or unspecified, Nov 28, 2024
We were driving 40 mph when all the sudden the rear tires locked up without warning. We almost got in an accident and thankfully were able to get off the road. Then, the check engine light came on and the truck went into limp mode and would not shift gears automatically and it was difficult to make it home. We had a mechanic come to our house to run a diagnostic and they informed us of the recall and confirmed it is what the truck was experiencing. We took it to the dealership and they confirmed the recall and that there was no available fix and nothing they could do for us. Meanwhile, ours is not safe to drive.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 7, 2024
Vehicle attempted to do an 'over the air' update to the infotainment system. This prompted an error message, stating the update failed and return to the dealership. Took vehicle to GM dealer, diagnostics were run, and dealer stated that an update was not available, and the module for the infotainment system was bad. Quoted me $1600 for replacement and install. Have read multiple reports with owners' having the same issue. Infotainment system attempts to do an update, and it fails. The owners are left paying out of pocket for something that was not their fault. This needs to be a recall. Not only are you paying a hefty amount for a repair that is not your fault, but the entire Infotainment system doesn't not work (stereo, cooling/heating info, back up camera etc)
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jul 29, 2024
Heard and felt a loud clunk from underneath truck while driving 70 mph on interstate. Pulled off and next available exit with a hotel and parked truck. Cranked truck to move and it would not move forward or backward except for about a foot. Loud grinding noise. Had to call tow truck to tow us to nearest Chevrolet dealer. Dealer service department says transfer case has seized up and must be replaced. Transfer case is currently on backorder and not available from GM. Was given rental car to drive home, which is 10 hours away. Truck has been in shop for 7 days as for this writing and I still do not have an answer about when a transfer case will be available and they can repair my truck. I located transfer case at my local dealer but repair dealer says they have to wait on GM.