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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Oct 2022 | ENGINE | Vehicle will not start and cranks until starter kicks out, about 30 seconds each time. I am afraid if this happens at a traffic signal or stop sign it could be bad. I took it to the dealer on July 30-2022. (2972 mileage) and they could not verify concern. I found a safety bulletin on a GM website for a extended crank/ no start. It is PIP5806D, The dealer says they know nothing about this. It lists a labor operation number 4088148, due to a corrupt signal from camshaft position sensor to the ECM. It has happened now 4 times, and current mileage is 6973. I have been dealing with Champion Chevrolet in Reno NV. It has started after 8 to 10 crank time outs and the battery starts slowing the crank speed down, but around 10 to 15 minutes have passed by then. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2022 | ENGINE | Engine oil cooler defect was diagnosed by chevrolet dealership. Everytime I drive the truck, it would leak oil and would have a burning smell all underneath the truck. The part was on backorder for over a month and a half. After this long wait of not being able to drive the truck, the dealership finally put a new oil cooler in. The problem persists and they are not able to figure out from the engineer what will solve the problem. I have been out of a truck for over a month and a half now with no hopes of the issue being resolved. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2022 | POWER TRAIN | Power hesitation, along with loud knocking sounds coming from the engine. Cause truck to completely shut off while driving 35mph. No warning lights or anything came on until complete failure | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2022 | ENGINE | Per the repairing dealership, a lifter went bad. GM will not replace all of the lifters, just one side of the engine, due to the vehicle having over 8000 miles. Mine currently has 12,500. I no longer feel safe knowing that GM is replacing only half of the know defect with new parts that have the same issue (Told to me by the repair facility.) The vehicles engine could fail again, resulting in loss of acceleration. No warning was observed during, however after the fact, check engine and other warning lights were illuminated. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2022 | STEERING,SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Body control modules sas modules no communication service esc light and traction control lights coming on vehicle looses all steers ng when lights come on at any speeds it says service esc power steering loss drive with caution have had it into multiple shops and no diagnostic scanners can get into the 3 systems there 6050 miles on vehicle we haven’t gotten in a wreck yet but that is totally not out of the question it will happen and when it does its going to be devistating | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2022 | ENGINE | Engine misfire due to faulty valves which caused vehicle to lose power and stall. Check engine light began to flash on dash. Took directly to Chevrolet dealership. Dealership confirmed faulty valves and bent pushrod on left side of engine. Dealership to repair engine under warranty. Dealership stated that right side engine valves had already been replaced in November 2021 at approximately 13,000 miles. This was before I purchased the truck in May 2022 and I was not made aware of this repair. Truck now has 22,900 miles. Dealership stated that this is a known issue with Chevrolet 5.3 liter engine and they preform similar valve replacements on this engine at least once a week. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Truck caught on fire while driving down I75 interstate in Florida. No component or system failure lights where present. Smoke was smelled by the passengers and within seconds the truck was on fire. The safety of the passengers was at FULL risk, and lucky to be alive! The truck was full engaged as soon as the truck pulled over on the side of the interstate. Investigation by GM & Insurance company took place. The truck is available for further investigation. We are unsure how the fire started. It did come up from both sides of the cab, and very quickly. Nothing has been confirmed by any inspections completed by GM & Progressive. GM & the Service Dealer are not engaging as they should be. | Crash: No Fire: Yes | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | ENGINE | 2021 Silverado RST, 5.3. Started having strange loud random clicking sounds when first starting. Would loose power, at take off or when trying to accelerate. This was at 9400 miles on the vehicle. Was not showing any check engine light or issues on dash. When examining engine compartment, found loose bolts, that had broken. Took it to local Chevy dealership, acted like there was nothing wrong with it. Instantly trying to get out of performing work. I had a feel it was going to be lifter issues. Found out while there around 4 thousand miles it already had lifters replaced. After debating with them for two days, and trying to convince them there was issues. They finally found multiple problems with lifters, misfiring, rocker arm not moving due to collapsed lifter. They found broken bolts in cylinder heads. Ended up having to replace all left and right side lifters. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | POWER TRAIN | I was not personally at risk during my incident, but I can see how I could have been if my situation was a different. My 2021Chevy truck suddenly lost engine power at a traffic stoplight. It almost stalled coming to a stop. Then when trying to accelerate, it had very low power, and was stumbling. I was only a mile from home, and not busy traffic, so I managed to make it home. Driving very slowly with the engine clearly under very low power. No CEL or warning lights came on. After getting it towed to the dealer the next day, the dealer informed me it was a failed lifter and bent pushrod. After a little google searching, I found it is a common failure in newer GM V8s. I also learned my truck was built in a date window that GM issued a Service bulletin for lifter failures. According to forums and Facebook pages, Many other owners have had the same problem. Even 2-3 time failures with some owners. Even after repairs. Either in the date range of the bulletin or outside of it. My specific situation wasn't dangerous, but I could see how it could be, if I were on a busy highway, or if the truck completely lost power. As far as I see, no Recall has been issued, just many internal service bulletins over several years. And even a class action lawsuit in regards to lifter failure. My truck was fixed with all lifters replaced with an updated part number. 5000 miles since the repair. Gm did a good job with the repair, and after some communication with GM customer service, they replaced all the lifters, and not just the broken one. This gave me a bit more peace of mind, but I worry with so many failures posted online daily, and without a documented case on NHTSA this will continue. Thanks | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Dealer said lifters failed. Was stuck in middle of interstate for 2 hrs | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | ENGINE | My truck has had lifter issues twice now. Finally, a new engine had to be installed and I have recently began getting the check engine light along with sputtering sensation while the truck is on idle. Also, I purchased this truck, brand new, and I was without it for close to six months. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | ENGINE | Collapsed Lifters an Bent Push Rods | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | POWER TRAIN | I was on interstate 85 and the whole truck started shaking and check engine light, service ESC light and service parking brake light came on. Thankfully I was near and exit ramp and got off as I had almost no power. I limped my truck back to the dealership where they diagnosed it as lifter failure and replaced both banks of lifters. This is a known problem with General Motors and is simply a matter of time before a terrible accident occurs. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | ENGINE | Lifters blew in my brand new engine with only 18k miles while driving. Engine was shaking & knocking & lost power when trying to accelerate. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2022 | POWER TRAIN | MY PICK UP WAS HIT FROM THE REAR THE DRIVE SHAFT BROKE AT THE WELL AND THE REAR BROKE BOTH SIDE OF THE AXLE TO THE HOUSING OF THE REAR I HAVE PICK OF THE REAR AND THE DRIVE SHAFT. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Towed Medical attention | Unknown |