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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2023 | POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE | 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. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | ENGINE | While driving at approximately 60 Miles per hour, two engine valve lifters on Cylinder 8 suddenly failed reducing the speed of the vehicle suddenly and stalling the vehicle out on a freeway. This mileage of this vehicle at failure was 16,996 miles. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | WHEELS | There is a current recall on this type of vehicle because the spare tire is not the correct size for the vehicle. This is recall #N212346510. Unfortunately, my specific vehicle is not included in that recall for some unknown reason. I experienced a flat tire, road service came and replaced with the spare which is too small for the vehicle, and I was only able to travel to a tire dealership in order to have the original tire repaired and placed back on the vehicle. I still have the wrong size spare even though there is an open recall for this problem. The dealership will not replace the spare without manufacturer recall one my specific vehicle VIN and/or direction to complete the exchange from the manufacturer. Evidently, only a certain percentage of the effected vehicles were recalled. That hardly seems safe. This problem can lead to issues with the brake system if a car uses the wrong size spare. How do I get my specific vehicle added to this recall in order to have the needed service? Please advise. Thank you. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | STRUCTURE | The tailgate electronic release will randomly open allowing the tailgate to open while driving or parked. This causes your secured load in the bed of truck to now become unsecured. This also forces the driver to make an emergency stop to secure the tailgate. The switch can release the tailgate multiple times causing the operator to spend an excessive amount of time getting the tailgate closed and secured. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | ENGINE | The transition shifting make some sounds and feels ansafety wile you drive all dealerships say is normal Blacksburg va and salem Va said is normal I call GENERAL MOTORS THEY SAID IF THE DEALERSHIP SAYS NO IS NOTHING WE CAN DO NOW I HAVE A 45 K DEBT ON A TRUCK THAT NO WORKS RIGHT FEELS ANSAFETY TO DRIVE AND NO BODY CAN HELP | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2023 | SEAT BELTS | The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while her son was sitting in the driver’s side rear passenger seat, the seat belt fractured. The contact stated that she then sat her son in the middle rear passenger’s side seat and the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the driver’s rear and middle rear passenger seat belts and seat belt buckles needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V811000 (Seat Belts). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 33,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 33,000 |
| Apr 2023 | ENGINE | The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle started to stall and jerk. The check engine warning light illuminated, followed by the vehicle losing motive power and stalled. The contact was not able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the engine wiring harness chafing were zip tied, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the connector to the ECM was replaced but the failure reoccurred again. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was contact, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 6,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 6,000 |
| Apr 2023 | ENGINE,LANE DEPARTURE | Cel flashing , traction control warning, stabilitrac warning, engine running rough, acceleration increased over normal driving. Happened multi times. After multiple restarts the cel light is on solid. Truck towed to dealer today. Have not heard back. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES | Loud growling. Breaks safety concern due to fail. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | ENGINE | ENGINE LIFTER FAILURE AT 17K MILES. SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF POWER AT TIME OF FAILURE. ROUGH IDLE AFTERWARDS WITH TRUCK VIBRATING. NO WARNING LIGHTS AT TIME OF FAILURE. STOPPED VEHICLE AND SHUT OFF ENGINE. NUMEROUS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED UPON RESTART. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. PASSENGER SIDE BANK OF LIFTERS AND RODS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. SUBSEQUENTLY, DRIVER SIDE BANK OF LIFTERS FAILED AT 23K MILES. NO WARNING LIGHTS. AS BEFORE, SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF POWER AND NO THROTTLE RESPONSE. POWER LOSS POSES SIGNIFICANT RISK/DANGER WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. SECOND EVENT IS CURRENTLY AT DEALER FOR REPAIR. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | STRUCTURE | The tailgate will randomly open while driving allowing contents to fall from the bed of the truck | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2023 | STRUCTURE | I have major rust on the frame I just purchased the truck. Is their a recall on 2021 Silverado frames1500 custom. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | POWER TRAIN | 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! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | ENGINE | 1 and 7 lifter failure occurred. Truck failed while driving on a congested highway putting myself and others at risk when speed was speed was reduced and truck eventually stalled. Truck was serviced by local dealer and confirmed lifter failure. KNOWN ISSUE!!! NO WARNING PRIOR TO MALFUNCTION. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | AIR BAGS | I had a head on crash on 2/14/23. The other driver was moving in excess of 50mph. The hit was center of the front bumper pushing the bumper and radiator in to the engine compartment. No air bag deployment. However the Onstar system activated immediately. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE | ESC failed. The 2021 Chevy Silverado (39495 mi) began to shutter and a slight bouncing of the rear end. The ESC light came on the service ESC warning on the dashboard then the check engine light began to blink at the same time the parking brake light came on. The dash warning switched to have parking brake serviced. The truck as best as I could tell applied the parking brake several times for no reason while at highway speeds and traffic on all sides. All warnings stopped when Auto engine shut down at exit ramp light. Previously brought into dealership for “Service ECS” and “Service Power Steering Drive With Care”. I was told “ unable to replicate “ (23194 mi). Vehicle was returned to me. They did confirm the dash warning was stored in the computer. I do not believe any warning (blinkers) or brake lights came on to warn vehicles behind me of the rear brakes being applied by the ESC. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | The 2021 LT Trail Boss with the 5.3L engine started a really rough idle, engine knocking, random misfiring, had Service Emergency Brake, Service ESC messages on the display, check engine light and several other dash warning lights. The dealer diagnosed the truck with lifter fail apart (failure), intake valve push rod bent, and PCM failure. Odometer reading 19,368 miles. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | STEERING,SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES | So I have been having issues with my truck losing oil. My dealership told me that Walmart made an issue with the oil filter causing it to leak oil out. After the dealership corrected the issue. I was on my way to the store this morning it was damp so I was having a lot of traction issues. Got to the gas station checked tires, no issue with them. Temperature is above freezing. Just thought maybe it’s in my head. Well I get about 2 miles from my house and low oil light comes on again. So this is an issue. It has happened 2 times to me. Had I not been cautious I could have slipped off the road or had a collision because the oil mixing with the water on the roadways. I will be reaching out to my dealership tomorrow to try and get them to correct this issue again. Seems there is a service bulletin on how to tighten the oil filter. Because of oil leaks. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2023 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | Valve lifter failure resulting in bent rod engine failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2022 | ENGINE | On 12/26/22 my wife noticed a noise coming from the engine of the pick up truck. On 12/27/22 I started the truck and noticed a noise coming from the engine. I lifted the hood to try and locate where the noise was coming from but I could not see anything. There were no lights on the dash. I drove to work and parked it. 8 hours later I started the truck back up and the noise was still there. I began driving home and the truck made a spurted noise causing me to jerk the wheel nearly driving off the roadway. The truck is still making the noise. I contacted the Chevy dealer and they explained they would take a look into the issue. I’ve done some research and noticed that a bunch of 2020-2022 Silverado’s have been having lifter issues. I’ve also seen that the dealers are only replacing one side of the lifter banks and the others are failing 500-2000 miles after the repairs. I’ve also seen that people’s trucks have failed on highways and streets causing accidents and or traffic hazards. This is something Chevy needs to look into and fix to prevent any serious injury or death created by these issues. I don’t have photos but I do have a video of the noise that I could email if need be since I can not attach the video to this form. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2022 | ENGINE | Lifter failure | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Anytime the weather gets colder than 32degrees Fahrenheit the DEF system freezes, which even if the tank is full makes the truck go into limp mode until it thaws out. The engine light pops on and off with no codes associated with it. Now the breaks and break lines are freezing when it gets below freezing. These are just a few of the reoccurring problems we’ve experienced since buying the truck less than a year ago. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2022 | TIRES | LT 275/65R18 **Both right and left front tires are very deafening when driving down the highway. ** yes this vehicle is available upon request. ** Our safety is at risk because the tires right and left front Howell so bad we would never be able to hear a rescue squad. ** Burtness Chevrolet in Orfordville Wisconsin confirmed there is no problem at all big trucks sound like this. This vehicle is going in for an inspection Monday, November 14, 2022 at symptoms Chevrolet in Evansville Wisconsin. ** This 2021 Chevy Silverado Z 71 has not been inspected by the manufacture or the police or insurance representative. ** This 2021 Chevy Silverado Z71 had no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure of the left and right right front tire. The left front tire was evaluated by Burtness Chevrolet in Orfordville Wisconsin on October 26, 2022. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2022 | WHEELS | **The right and left front tires howling is so loud On this 2021 Chevy Silverado Z 71,it is deafening you would never be able to hear a rescue squad. ** This vehicle is available for inspection upon request. ** we feel that we are at a safety risk because of the howling being so loud is deafening. This is definitely a safety risk and a hazard. ** this problem has been inspected by Burtness Chevrolet in Orfordville Wisconsin on October 26, 2022. ** this vehicle has not been inspected or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives. ** This 2021 Chevy Silverado Z 71 had no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure of the 2 front tires. October 19,2022. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |