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
827 reports, newest first.
Engine, Aug 31, 2026
Took it to the dealer for the L87 recall back at the end of April 2026. GM stated that my truck passed the inspection and “upgraded” my oil to the new 0w-40 oil. Now 8-27-2026, 6500miles after the inspection. Driving to work in the morning, and my engine failed. What I believe happened was a lifter got stuck and the engine shook and all lights on the dash were flashing. Vehicle is currently at the dealership and they are saying the “special” warranty does not cover this failure. Which to me is completely unacceptable. Because for 72,900 miles I never had an issue with the truck. But 6500 miles after they changed the oil to the thicker oil now I have an engine failure.
Engine, Aug 31, 2026
Catastrophic internal engine failure Metal shavings throughout oil
Engine, Aug 31, 2026
The truck had been driving fine, no dash lights or warning messages appeared. It is available for inspection upon request. My family was at risk if this had happened on the freeway as we had been out just hours earlier. We attempted to start the engine like normal and there was a loud pop or bang and a sound like something dropped and it made loud revving sound never started up again. The initial confirmation by a certified mechanic is to be engine failure. They did not do an in depth diagnosis yet to determine if "the top valves dropped or bottom of the engine connecting rods to the crankshaft". THIS ISSUE ALL ALIGNS WITH THE CURRENT RECALL OF ENGINE FAILURE AS WELL AS THE MAKE. MODEL AND YEAR OF OUR TRUCK. But the dealership Bruce Lowrie Chevrolet says our VIN number does not qualify. Again the issue, make/model and year are all associated with the recall. We are in desperate need for our VIN to be added to the recall as it is fits all the details required.
Engine, Aug 31, 2026
Lifter and cam shaft failure rendering vehicle unable to run on the side of the road 5 hours from home.
Engine, Aug 31, 2026
Number 2 cylinder lifter failure. Metal found in oil. Need to replace the engine
Power train, Aug 30, 2026
Engine failure , early on it had the dod replace. Under warranty and I’m not 100% sure but this time it failed and took out the engine. New rotating system and valves replaced Happened at just under 100k miles With all I’m seeing about these engines I figured I’d report it.
Power train, Engine, Aug 30, 2026
About 2 months after bringing the truck in for the engine recall, my oil cooler blew up and I required that to be replaced, along with the radiator and hoses.
Engine, Aug 29, 2026
At 12,000 miles a lifter malfunctioned. It was repaired by my local Chevrolet dealership by replacing lifters on one side of the engine. The delearship also changed the viscosity of the oil. At 64,000 miles roughly another lifter malfunctioned and needed replacing. Had I been on the highway at the time of failure it could have posed a risk for the safety of my family and others on the road. Each time the check light was flashing at the time of the incident.
Engine, Aug 28, 2026
Truck started violently shaking while driving 70 mph on highway. Check engine light, service electric parking brake warning light, TCS/ESC warning light, started flashing on tachometer. Check engine light remained on when truck was restarted later. Chevy dealer service department reproduced problem and found broken bits of metal in the oil filter. Engine is shot. Likely caused by truck's Dynamic Fuel Management system. Dealer advises only option is to replace engine. Truck was up to date on all service maintenance.
Electrical system, Aug 28, 2026
The check engine light came on and my engine would stall sometimes, it would stall at start up so no safety issue. I took my truck to the dealer a week later where they said a wire was corroded from rubbing on something causing the issues and that it was a common issue.
Power train, Aug 27, 2026
My husband was driving his 2021 Chevy Trailboss when it went into limp mode. It had to be towed to the dealership and it was uncovered that his truck was throwing out codes P0700 P2732 which is a known issue with this truck, resulting in internal valve body hydraulic failure. Since his vehicle is at 70k miles, and over the 60k, the dealer is pushing back and trying to say they don’t have to cover it. GM states that we should pay and then submit a reimbursement form. This is a $3800 fix. This is not our responsibility and this is unsafe. This should be a safety recall for all vehicles of this make, model, and with this transmission. Additionally, he had to have his engine replaced on this truck (we bought it brand new in 2021) with only 10k miles on it. This truck should not be built anymore and anybody facing these issues should not be held liable for them. This is a manufacturing issue and it is only one company’s fault, General Motors!
Engine, Aug 26, 2026
As of august 19, 2026 my engine suffered a catastrophic failure with code P0016 which is cranckshaft camshaft lifter failure. Engine will be replaced. Currently at the dealership for replacement. Had the truck for 2 months and I’m requesting that GM fully replace my truck with a different one because I’m sick of hearing all the failures going on with the 6.2 engines. Such as my truck.
Engine, Aug 26, 2026
I own a 2021 Silverado Trail Boss LT with the 6.2L V8. I purchased the vehicle new at Classic Chevrolet in [XXX]. In XXX, it experienced what I can only describe as engine failure. Severe knocking, loss of power, rough idling. I contacted the dealership as it was under warranty (it had approximately 45k miles at the time). They towed the vehicle in and performed repairs. I do not have service records but the repairs totaled approximately 12-15k dollars and involved several engine part replacements. I received the vehicle back after about 2 weeks. I later learned of the factory recall that was issued by GM affecting my truck and took it in for inspection. This XXX5. It was inspected and passed. They did replace the oil to a higher weight oil as recommended. In XXX it experienced the same issues as before. This time while driving on freeway. Sever engine knocking and loss of power. As I was on the way to work, I drove straight to the dealership to drop it off. After inspecting, they determined it warranted a replacement engine under the original recall. They kept the vehicle about 3 weeks and returned back to me in early XXX. It has been driving fine since then, but I am worried the replacement engine may have the same defects as the original engine. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 21, 2026, crash
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine failed to crank. The contact originally suspected a battery failure, as the vehicle had recently been involved in an accident that left the passenger-side mirror damaged with exposed wires. While driving at 70 MPH, a semi-truck sideswiped the passenger-side of the vehicle, causing a dent on the front door and a fractured side-view mirror. The semi-truck driver did not stop, and the contact's son drove the vehicle to the nearest exit. No air bags deployed, no warning lights illuminated, and no injuries were reported. A police report was filed. The vehicle was initially towed to a collision center, where it was determined that the battery was not the cause of the starting failure. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with camshaft, timing belt, and actuator failures. Upon removing the camshaft, metal shavings were found inside the engine, and the dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,733.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 21, 2026
When I put the pickup in park, I get a message that states "Shift to Park". The pickup is completely stopped, the gear shift indicator is in "P". When I get out of the vehicle I get two loud two-horn alerts indicating that the pickup in not in Park, when in fact it is. Doing some research, I have seen that this is a common problem for GM vehicles. The console shift vehicles are actually involved in a class action lawsuit, while the steering column shift vehicles are not.
Other or unspecified, Aug 20, 2026
Check engine for cam shaft sensor wiring harness burnt up and damaged in numerous places shows bulletin board for this issue online but no recall has been made for this safety issue
Power train, Aug 19, 2026
Vehicle bucks upon acceleration in the rear end. Dealer recommends replacing the transmission.
Engine, Aug 19, 2026
Currently had my engine go into "limp mode" after checked engine light came on with code p1010. The coolant control valve is what is the problem, and GM/Chevy has issued a special coverage on this known part for my year make and model (Bulletin N252508341). However, according to the dealership, my VIN does not qualify for this known issue, regardless of my faulty part matching the special coverage for the year make and model of my vehicle. Now I'm stuck paying for the empty promise from Chevy.
Structure, Aug 19, 2026
The paint is coming off of the roof of my 2021 Chevrolet Silverado pick up truck. This is a common problem with the white color vehicles from Chevrolet. This is a safety issue due to paint chips and paint pieces falling down on the windshield.
Power train, Aug 18, 2026
Shuddering at 25 to 50 mph, harsh shifts, hesitation.
Electrical system, Aug 16, 2026
The key will not release from the ignition when in park. This is all over the internet as a very big problem. People are bypassing the ignition interlock so they don’t have to leave the vehicle unattended with the key in the ignition inviting theft. Therefore while driving the ignition could be cut off and the key can come out. This is a huge safety issue. This will kill people.
Air bags, Seat belts, Service brakes, Aug 12, 2026, crash
Turned from [XXX] into my street, about 9 houses down, i could not brake or turn steering wheel. Ended up hitting 2 cars, the problem was that the air bags did not deploy and the seat belt did not lock. truck was totalled. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Aug 10, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated and the messages "Engine Power Reduced" and "Speed Limited to 65 MPH" were displayed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine coolant flow control valve and related components needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Action Number: EA25007 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 6, 2026
On August 22, 2025 the malfunction indicator lamp (code: P146B Evap. purge pump) illuminated with no noticeable change. Ran codes at auto zone which stated engine failed and emissions not ready. August 25, 2025 drove to certified Chevy dealer dropped off vehicle and showed the service advisor the fix finder test results from auto zone as well as the illuminated indicator lamp (check engine light). August 26, 2025 picked up my vehicle with receipt stating "found dtc's P146b and P1467 stored in ECM (engine control module) for evap purge pump fault. inspected evap canister for any signs of fuel and none were found. replaced evap purge pump per special policy #N232395310. Cleared dtc and road tested vehicle to verify repair". September 9, 2025 my engine indicator light illuminated and my engine entered limp mode, a safety feature which reduces cylinder output/capacity. September 12, 2025 while in limp mode, I returned to the service dealer and informed them of the reduced power (limp mode) and my confusion as the second engine symbol that has been illuminated is in a different area than the first and my truck has ONE engine. (editor note: malfunction indicator lamp is for the emissions). My original transmission (8L90) was replace, because my vehicle was under power train warranty and the service advisor took it upon himself to approve the disassembly of my running, in good condition 8L90 transmission without consulting me or my approval. the 8L90 was "discontinued" for the 2020-2022 years without recall come to find out (sarcasm). I now have a new transmission (8L86-85) with the "special coverage" part (#N232395310) still connected, only now I have NO additional powertrain coverage for a new transmission, but the "special coverage" originally issued in 2023, BY MAIL, for 15 yr/150,000miles has extended two years plus mileage. (15 yr / 152,955) .The "special coverage" part should NOT affect the engine! Engines produce power/HEAT not CO2 . Sarbane - Oxley Act.
Power train, Aug 4, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle was jerking erratically. The contact stated that the transmission was shifting hard, and the vehicle drove abnormally rough. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The failure was persistent. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.