2021 Chevrolet Silverado Common Problems & Defect Telemetry
Authoritative defect intelligence synthesized from 787 verified NHTSA owner complaints, 8 federal safety recalls, and interquartile failure mileage telemetry.
The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado receives a 5.5/10 MazicBay Reliability Index based on 787 verified NHTSA federal complaints and 8 safety recalls. The primary reported failure mode is Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports with a median failure point at 27,000 miles (IQR: 8,008 – 59,982 mi). Out-of-warranty repairs benchmark at $950 – $3,200 .
15.1 complaints / 10k sold
Verified US federal records
Crash, fire & stall audit
8 Active / Free Remedies
Top Reported Problem Clusters (7)
Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports
- Engine sudden stall / hesitation while driving
- Abnormal oil burning / consumption
- Check Engine Light (MIL) flashing
- Engine overheating / coolant loss
“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”
“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 ...”
“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, ...”
Transmission Hesitation, Hard Shifting & Slipping Reports
- Hard gear shifts / delayed engagement into Drive/Reverse
- Transmission shudder / jerking under acceleration
- Transmission slipping between gears
“Vehicle bucks upon acceleration in the rear end. Dealer recommends replacing the transmission.”
“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...”
“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 vehi...”
Electrical Parasitic Drain, Infotainment & Harness Reports
- Unexplained battery drain after sitting overnight
- Infotainment display / instrument cluster blackouts
- Accessory malfunction / alternator fault warnings
“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”
“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...”
“May 28 ,2026 I left work to get some lunch And when I went back inside my vehicle I turned it on and the check engine light came On and on the dash it was telling me to park the truck and it wasn’t going more then 45mph so I called my dealer ship simspson Chevrolet in garden g...”
Service Brakes, ABS Actuator & Master Cylinder Reports
- Spongy or hard brake pedal travel
- ABS / Brake warning light illuminated
- Extended stopping distance / pedal vibration
“Turned from ... 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 INFORMAT...”
“The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message that the rear seats were occupied and that the windows were rolled down was displayed, which required the contact to press the OK button. The vehicle wa...”
“I was on the highway doing 70 MPH with my family driving down I-40 through western NC (mountainous terrain) when my brakes went out and the vehicle went into limp mode. I was able to safely pull over thank God and then had my vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer just inform...”
Electric Power Steering Assist & Suspension Noise Reports
- Sudden loss of electric power steering assist
- Steering wheel pull or highway wander
- Clunking / knocking noise over bumps
“Turned from ... 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 INFORMAT...”
“On or around XXX a my 2021 Silverado started making a rattling sound from the engine. The truck began to stall and the engine shut off three times while driving. I attached scanner the next day and the track showed P00011 and P00016 codes. Those codes are for the Camshaft Sens...”
“Vehicle experienced sudden power steering failure and needed to be towed. A list of preceding error codes presented upon diagnostic review including power steering motor circuit, control module power circuit low input/low voltage, steering failure mitigation, power steering ma...”
Airbag Occupant Detection & Inflator Defect Reports
- SRS Airbag warning lamp illuminated
- Passenger occupant classification sensor failure
- Seat belt retractor lockup
“Turned from ... 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 INFORMAT...”
“A tire purchased new as part of a complete set failed on June 29, 2026, approximately 58 days after purchase. The vehicle was being driven on a smooth road surface under normal driving conditions when the tire suddenly failed. There was no known impact with a pothole, curb, ro...”
“Air bag light was on , took to dealership because this was absolutely a safety hazard! The left front crash sensor is defective.”
Fuel Pump Pressure Loss & Fuel Delivery Defect Reports
- Sudden loss of propulsion power at highway speeds
- Extended engine cranking / failure to restart
- Fuel odor near fuel tank / engine bay
“- What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? High pressure fuel pump, lifter, and cam shaft failure. - How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Potential crash w/ kids in truck, loss of power, surging, eng...”
“At 62000 miles, I was having a transmission problem but had no check engine lights associated with the issue. The day I took it to the dealership for the transmission, the check engine light came on for the first time ever when I started the vehicle. The dealership first said ...”
“I own a 2021 Silverado 1500 6.2 v8. Since October of 2025 this truck has been in and out of the dealership. First engine (Oct. 24, 2025) issue as my teen driver was on the expressway and luckily was able to get off and get safely to an unknown persons driveway. Then the motor ...”
Official NHTSA Safety Recalls (8)
SEAT BELTS
Summary: 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.
SEAT BELTS
Summary: 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.
TIRES
Summary: 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Summary: 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.
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
Summary: 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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
Summary: 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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
Summary: 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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
Summary: 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.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist for 2021 Chevrolet Silverado
Before purchasing a used 2021 Chevrolet Silverado, perform the following targeted inspections based on reported federal defect patterns:
Scan the OBD-II port under the dash for pending freeze-frame codes (e.g. P0300 misfires, P0087 fuel rail pressure, P0420 catalytic efficiency).
Test vehicle at low-speed stop-and-go and highway merges. Check for delayed reverse engagement or gear shift shudder between 2nd and 3rd gears.
Verify that all 8 NHTSA safety recall campaigns have been performed by an authorized dealership using the VIN.
Ensure the instrument cluster, center screen, and auxiliary charging ports operate with stable 12.0V–14.4V alternator voltage.
Defect & Reliability Q&A: 2021 Chevrolet Silverado
Is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado a reliable used car?
The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado earns a 5.5/10 MazicBay Reliability Index based on 787 federal owner reports. Vehicles maintained under factory service schedules exhibit strong longevity past 150,000 miles.
What is the most frequent defect reported on the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado?
The leading complaint category is Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports, with a median failure point around 27,000 miles (IQR: 8,008 – 59,982 mi).
Are there free recall repairs available for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado?
Yes, the NHTSA records 8 safety recall campaign(s) for this model year. All safety recalls are performed 100% free of charge by authorized franchise dealerships regardless of vehicle warranty status.