Complaint volume
767 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
767 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado, grouped by component category.
767 Total complaints
18 Crash reports
11 Fire reports
12 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 18 crash reports, 11 fire reports, 12 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 162 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 55,888 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?
18 Crash
11 Fire
12 Injury
0 Fatality
64 Towed
8 Medical attention
What are the most common 2021 Chevrolet Silverado complaint categories?
ENGINE 226
POWER TRAIN 130
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 43
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 40
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 39
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 24
STRUCTURE 19
STEERING 18
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 14
SERVICE BRAKES 14
767 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2023 | STEERING | On October 31st while driving my vehicle my power steering light came on stating ESC POWER STEERING Failure/Issue. This caused me to have no power steering. I was able to safely stop the vehicle. I restarted it numerous times with the same message showing up. About 5-10 minutes later it started with no issues and without the same power steering message. This is extremely dangerous! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | STEERING | The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to steer as needed. The service now message was displayed. The vehicle was restarted three times, but the steering remained inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where the system was reset. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired, but the failure recurred. While starting the vehicle, the power steering functionality was inoperable. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 27,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 27,000 |
| Oct 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH and traveling down a 5 percent grade hill, the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard on several attempts. The vehicle failed to slow down. The driver continued to pump the brake pedal. The contact engaged the parking brake. The service trailer brake system and the engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact had an independent mechanic reset the brakes. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the brake master cylinder booster system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 49,400. | Crash: No Fire: No | 49,400 |
| Oct 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Push start button malfunctioned. The vehicle would not turn off last night and took about 30 minutes to get vehicle to turn off. Next day, had the same issue where vehicle would not start and left me stranded. After calling for a tow truck, I was able to start the vehicle. When researching the problem online, I saw several other complaints of the same issue where the buttons malfunctioned and could either not start their vehicle or turn the vehicle off. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Engine suddenly began to run rough and slowed substantially while driving. If this occurred at highway speed, it could have presented a safety risk. Multiple check engine lights and error messages appeared at the time of the event - "service emissions system" and "65mph max speed" Dealer inspected vehicle and found a shorted wiring harness and fuel injector. The faulty parts were replaced | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | STEERING,SUSPENSION | Upper control arm ball joint failed causing me to lose stealing control, luckily I was only driving 10MPH, if I had been on the interstate this could have been more serious possibly fatalities involved, I have read reports this is a common thing, my truck is a 2021 Silverado, I never received a recall notice | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | rear third brake light is leaking water into the cab and causing water stains on the headliner. I am worried about it eventually causing an electrical short or more water damage. I don't have a rear window that slides open and the rear glass has never been replaced nor has the third brake light all original from factory. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,WHEELS | Unknown | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | On three separate instances (two after paying $3,000 to "fix" it) my 2021 Trailboss is flashing warnings of: Park Assist Off, Steering Assist is Reduced Drive with Care, Service 4WD, Service Trailor Brake System...all while driving down the rode and losing all gauges/flatlining and no fuel warning engaging (had a 1/2 tank). The Chevrolet Dealer claims it's not producing a code (Thankfully I recorded the evidence)...Truck has just over 40k miles and has been driven with care. **Pictures are all while driving down the road** Serious electrical and SAFETY ISSUE and it needs to be RECALLED and addressed! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | SUSPENSION | The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle started to pull to the left and the contact became aware that front driver’s side wheel had separated from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road safely. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. A police report was filed. The contact was unsure if the vehicle was diagnosed. The dealer stated that the front driver’s side ball joint was defective. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 37,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 37,000 |
| Aug 2023 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the contact attempted to change lanes and the high beams automatically activated without driver input. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic and confirmed that the high beam headlights were activating whenever the indicators were activated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 100,000 |
| Aug 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES | Started having a rubbing sound in rear end of vehicle. Took it to dealer. Brake calipers are a issue on this model and dealer says, “ found updated rear brake calipers with deflectors to help with dirt in rear calipers/not covered under warranty customer pay expense”, they are replacing rotors under warranty that got worn out. They want me to pay $2400 to purchase and have the “updated brake calipers” installed. If brake calipers are updated then that means there is a known issue with them. Spoke with the manufacturer and they said too bad. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | POWER TRAIN | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | 16,000 |
| Aug 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Tailgate opens on its own or doesn’t want to open with push button | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | ENGINE | Engine lifters failed at 36000 miles, causing the vehicle to misfire. Engine lifters failed a second time at 42000 miles after being repaired, again causing the engine to misfire. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | 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 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | ENGINE | Lifters failed 7,588 miles November 2021. Dealer replace both lifter banks since trucks mileage was less than 8k miles. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | ENGINE | July 18th 2022 16,059 miles engine issues again. This time was 21 hours from home. Cause reported was oil pump failed. New engine to be installed. Asked if previous engine issues was resolved aka lifters but couldn’t get a 100 precent yes or no. Truck now has little over 30k and from time to time makes noises like lifters chattering. I pray it’s been addressed but fell it may still fail again. Just will it be under warranty or out of warranty next time. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | POWER TRAIN | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | POWER TRAIN | 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 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES | While parked I turned on the truck and got service sec warning and power steering failure. Brakes barely worked and wheel was locked. After restarting the car three times it went away and truck became driveable. Took it to a dealership and they said there’s nothing they could do as a code didn’t pop. Seems unacceptable as my family is consistently in the car and if it happens while driving could be extremely dangerous | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Smell gasoline inside the cabin. Vehicle jerk when moving gear from reverse to drive or drive to reverse. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2023 | POWER TRAIN | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 18,315 |
| Jul 2023 | STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES | While pulling out into traffic the vehicle will momentarily lose all electrical power and the engine shuts off causing loss of brakes and steering. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | I bought this vehicle brand new off the lot in 2021. Truck hasn’t had any problems until this year. Every few weeks it will randomly just not want to start, I’ll usually check the battery and the battery will be completely drained. I can’t figure out what is causing the battery to drain like this, but something needs to be done as I have literally been stranded places due to my truck just deciding not to start randomly. Today i’m having this exact problem, my trucked was parked overnight in my garage and I went to go to work this morning and once again the truck won’t start and battery is drained. All my doors are shut and no interior lights are left on. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |