Complaint volume
732 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2021 Chevrolet Silverado Complaints
732 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado, grouped by component category.
732 Total complaints
16 Crash reports
11 Fire reports
11 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are engine, power train, engine and engine cooling. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 16 crash reports, 11 fire reports, 11 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 160 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 55,255 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to engine, power train, engine and engine cooling?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2021 Chevrolet Silverado?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2021 Chevrolet Silverado
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado complaints?
16 Crash
11 Fire
11 Injury
0 Fatality
62 Towed
6 Medical attention
What are the most common 2021 Chevrolet Silverado complaint categories?
ENGINE 212
POWER TRAIN 126
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 41
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 38
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 36
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 21
STRUCTURE 19
STEERING 18
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 14
SERVICE BRAKES 14
732 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2025 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | No updates have been made to fix recall. Status has been pending for a long and it’s preventing me from selling the car due to fear of breaking down. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | ENGINE | Purchased a 2021 Chevy Silverado in Dec 2020. At 4600 miles had first engine failure requiring lifters and tie rods to be replaced, bank 1/Cylinder 5. Looking back this repair was a bandaid for an engine (6.2L) with problems known to GMC. On May 3, 2025 @ 79,000 miles truck started making loud noises and all dash lights started flashing including engine lights while driving, dangerous because we were on a busy roadway. Pulled over to shoulder and had towed to dealership. Diagnosis was a crank bearing failure, scored cylinder, push rod bent and lifters were damaged. Engine is not repairable. Here we are just short of 3 months and still no truck, no ETA on replacement engine. Even though our Silverado is a 2021 it is not part of the current GMC recall because the engine was manufactured in 2020. We know that NHSTA is investigating 6.2L engines for years 2019 and 2020 and urge NHTSA to broaden the current recall. Our truck was our only vehicle and the expenses we have incurred through no fault of our own are a strain on our budget, we are retired and on a fixed income. This is our 2nd Complaint filing on our truck to provide NHSTA with additional information. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | ENGINE | Around July 1st, 2025 I was hearing a ticking sound when taking off from a stop. On July 11th I had an oil change completed on the truck at the Local Chevy dealership, after the oil change, I mentioned the noise and was told maybe we could schedule some sort of deep cleaning of the internal components of the engine. After leaving the dealership after the oil change, I was still hearing the ticking sound. I then scheduled an appointment on July 22nd for the dealership to look into the ticking sound. I drove the truck to the dealership and it was working fine; other than the ticking sound when the RPM’s were at 2200. At no time was there any warning lights that came on to alert me to a problem. After approximately 30 minutes of waiting in the customer waiting area, the service advisor came and got me and said “we have big problems” and they were going to need the truck longer to look into it. I walked out to the service bay to get some personal items out of the truck. At that time, the mechanic pointed out some white looking fluffy cotton material and said that just came out the end of your exhaust. I had never seen that material prior to this appointment on July 22. The dealership called me July 24th and told me that the engine and exhaust system need to be replaced. They told me that the bottom end connecting rod came apart, and went through the engine and the exhaust system while it was at their facility on July 22. This truck has the 6.2L V8 (RPO L87) gas engine…. This truck is a 2021 and there is 76,957 miles currently on it (7/24/2025). With a blown engine, and an exhaust system that needs to be replaced. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | ENGINE | Went to accelerate through an intersection and the engine seized up in the middle of the intersection. Complete loss and of engine propulsion. Had to be towed. Could have caused an accident. No warning signs. Truck was running great until it wasn’t running at all. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | POWER TRAIN | Driving Ashland pass in OR, the transmission over heated with the truck dinging for us to pull over an idle, there is no where to pull over on Ashland pass for 8 miles. After sitting in an unsafe location with the truck idling wasting fuel we where able to get back on road after 30min. Upon arrival to location we where able to see that the exhaust system sits right on the transmission pan heating it up when truck is running. This model does not have a dip stick to check transmission fluid resulting in a $2500.00 drop an drain to which I am told by the mechanic that this needs to be done every 40k. That is alot of cost 2x a year. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | SERVICE BRAKES | I have this pick up I was on a hill heading down to stop sighn pressed on brake and went to the floor no resistance nothing luckily it was a rural rd went thru stop sigh coasted to a stop was 1/4 from home lifted hood the brake reservoir was full all brakes were in top shape it was like something shut off the brakes electrically I have driven many large trucks and buses and vehicles never felt this no spongey at all it is at the dealership they are looking at but my concern this could be a far worst circumstance if in heavy traffic or at cross walk can’t even think of it. Scary I would think gm would have some type of secondary for electric malfunction the vehicle is at Cerrone gmc south Attleborough mass. My vehicle is 2021 Chevy Silverado 75000 miles well maintained. In short I believe the mechanics will diagnose and fix it but my concern. That these vehicles need safety checks | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact pulled over to the side of the road however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 47,000 |
| Jul 2025 | ENGINE | P0016 camshaft position not plausible Service manager at Loftons Chevrolet in Henderson Tn states that truck needs a new motor but not covered under recall | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | P146B (EVAP Purge Pump System Performance) engine code started occurring around 50,000 miles. This is similar to the recall for 2019-2020 Chevy Silverado, Cadillac XT4, and GMC Sierra 1500 covered by N202324990. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that after arriving to her destination, the contact became aware that the tailgate was unintendedly lowered. While attempting to close the tailgate, the tailgate failed to latch securely. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 117,000 |
| Jul 2025 | ENGINE | The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, an abnormal boom sound was heard coming from the engine. The vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the engine seized. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer and was diagnosed with crank shaft sensor failure. The contact was later informed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 85,000 |
| Jul 2025 | ENGINE | Losing power while driving and acceleration and uneven idle sometimes | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | July, 10 2025 My 2021 chevy Silverado has stalled today in the middle of the road. When trying to start, it sounds like if it wants to turn over but it won’t. I bought a brand new battery and problem is not resolved. I did some digging and sounds like fuel pump will not come on. This truck is only 4 years old and I should be having these issues. Please help thanks | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, or while attempting to reverse, the infotainment system displayed a blank screen; however, approximately a minute later the infotainment screen displayed as intended. The contact stated that the radio became silent and then thirty seconds later the infotainment system operated as intended. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the infotainment system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 44,540. | Crash: No Fire: No | 44,540 |
| Jul 2025 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the transmission shifted hard while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the TCM was reprogrammed; however, the failure worsened, and the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (Power Train) and linked the failure to the recall. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not under recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 120,000 |
| Jul 2025 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | My truck is experiencing what is commonly known as the Chevy shakes. Whenever the transmission goes over 2000RPM or below 2000RPM my truck jumps. Also, the rear wheels lock up for a short time while I start driving for about 50 feet. Almost as the brakes are pressed slightly. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | ENGINE | My vehicle has almost 53,000 miles, I went for an oil change, hasn't even been 5,000 miles since last one, and I had no oil on the dipstick. I wanted to get it changed before a short trip. Glad I did. This could have caused the engine to blow up. I didn't know new vehicles could lose oil like that . The problem was confirmed by an independent oil change station where I always go. No inspections have been done by anyone. No warning lights came on telling me that the oil was low. No other issues prior to this. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | STRUCTURE | Tailgate operation failure. The tailgate switch appears to be operating when no button is pressed. When vehicle is unlocked or key fob near vehicle tailgate automatically goes down on own. Component is available upon request. Appears to be tailgate release switch 85734717. Safety at risk as although it does not open in driving it does when stopped and in park. Tailgate went down and driver failed to realize this as component had failed and it had been put up and driver drove forward so unable to witness it down as truck was not in reverse. Upon driving forward materials in bed of truck were dispersed in roadway until driver realized tailgate had come down just prior to pulling away. Causes a safety hazard to drivers and others on road. Problem has happened in park and has not been taken into dealer yet as it is out of dealer warranty. Vehicle not inspected by anyone else. No lamps displayed prior to or following failure. No lift gate down warning. Safety failure | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | POWER TRAIN | Vehicle is shifting harshly. Looked up recalls. "Certain" 2021 Silverado 1500's have recall for transmission problem that can cause rear wheels to lock up and cause a crash. GM says my truck is not included in the recall. I have filed an official complaint with GM. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | ENGINE | While towing a trailer on a highway during a trip, my truck experienced a catastrophic engine failure with no prior warning. I was driving at highway speeds when the vehicle suddenly lost all engine power, creating an immediate and dangerous situation. I had to use extreme effort to steer the truck and trailer off the road and onto a narrow shoulder. There was no safe breakdown lane, and we were stranded for over eight hours waiting for assistance. Due to the size and weight of the trailer, the truck and trailer had to be towed separately, further complicating the situation. The vehicle was towed to the nearest Chevrolet dealership, where it was diagnosed and confirmed that the engine failure falls under the ongoing 6.2L V8 engine recall. The dealer stated the engine must be replaced under the recall. Unfortunately, that was over eight weeks ago, and I have still received no timeline, no updates, and no meaningful support from either the repairing dealer or the selling dealer (which is located three hours away from the incident site). Since then, my vehicle has remained undrivable, and I have had no access to alternative transportation. I was offered a reimbursement of $44 per day toward a rental car, but the process requires me to pay out-of-pocket and submit extensive documentation for potential reimbursement. Without knowing how long the delay will be, this could result in thousands of dollars in unreimbursed costs, which is simply not sustainable for me. This situation not only created a serious safety risk during the initial breakdown but has left me without reliable transportation for two months, with no indication of when my truck will be repaired. The lack of communication and accountability from GM and its dealerships is unacceptable given the known defect. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | POWER TRAIN | As I am driving, the truck shutters off and on and its shifts hard when shifting gears. I drive long distances daily and if the transmission fails, this could cause an accident that could put the safety of my children’s lives, or mine, at risk. It has not yet been inspected, but I spoke with several transmission specialists and have been told this is a very common issue among 2021, and other year models close to that, Chevrolet Silverados. The cost for confirmation would be upwards of $1000, which is not something I am able to afford. There have not been any warning lights or lamps. Only shuttering and harsh shifting. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | POWER TRAIN | Repair & Breakdown Timeline – 2021 Chevy Silverado Owner: [XXX] and [XXX] VIN [XXX] Warranty: Extended vehicle warranty (active) Millenium ________________________________________ Repair History Summary Oct 2024 – Issue: Hard shifting; GM recall for purge pump – Action Taken: Purge pump replaced under recall – Status: Returned to owner Nov 19, 2024 – Issue: Continued shifting problems – Action Taken: Transmission replaced – Status: Vehicle kept until Feb 2025 Feb 12, 2025 – Issue: Vehicle returned to owner – Action Taken: GM reimbursed car payments during downtime – Status: Returned to owner April 2025 – Issue: Loss of power; wouldn’t shift past 15 mph – Action Taken: Generic transmission code cleared, no fix – Status: Returned with unresolved issue June 9, 2025 – Issue: Random downshifting; RPM/speedometer erratic – Action Taken: External TCM wire replaced – Status: Returned June 11 June 18, 2025 – Issue: Recurring downshifting issue – Action Taken: Internal TCM wire replaced – Status: Returned June 25 June 27, 2025 – Issue: Hard downshifting, braking sensation during acceleration – Action Taken: Returned to shop – Status: Ongoing •7 total repair visits, 4 of them since February 2025 transmission replacement •Symptoms continue despite following GM’s repair instructions •Dealership has followed GM repair guidance each time •Vehicle remains a safety risk, especially with children onboard •Similar Silverado models have recalls, but this VIN is not include I have two young children, and this vehicle has now placed us in extremely unsafe situations multiple times. We’ve been stranded in traffic, unable to accelerate, and fearful for our safety. Despite repair after repair, the problem continues. At this point, I do not believe this truck can be fixed, and I am unwilling to keep driving it—or trade it in knowing another family could end up in the same dangerous situation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | POWER TRAIN | Unknown transmission failure | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2025 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission was shifting hard. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving at 70 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was purchased for diagnostic testing, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The contact used a scanner and retrieved DTC: B3205-4B-BCM, and a message that the steering column circuit was locked. Additionally, the scanner displayed a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (Power Train); which the contact related to the failure. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall and referred the contact to a Chevrolet dealer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that assistance could not be provided because the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 100,000 |
| Jun 2025 | SERVICE BRAKES | 2021 Silverado 1500 TrailBoss LT Brake Sensor Monitor failure causes you not to be able to see brake pad wear/life remaining on dash information. Brake Pads (front and rear) replaced with sensor on 12/14/2023 and was unable to reset the brake pad monitor on dash (would not reset passed 51%) at approx 32K miles 01/2024, Front Left Sensor Monitor replaced again by dealership for $293 06/2025 Truck prompting if brake pads were replaced recently on dashboard 06/13/25 Brake Pad Life showing at 71% Front and 77% Rear at approx 50K miles 06/14/25, Brake Pad Sensor Monitor Error Message | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |