2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500.

20202022
Complaints
944
per 10K Sold
17.8
US Sales
529,765
Crashes
27
Fires
16
Injuries
11
Fatalities
Recalls
8

Worst 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1309 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:54,023 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:2
#2199 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:70,588 mi
Crash-related:3
#389 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:6,570 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:4
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500.

Engine Problems
309
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Avg Miles
54,023
Transmission / Drivetrain
199
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
70,588
Electrical Faults
89
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
4
Avg Miles
6,570
Engine & Cooling
40
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
65,146
Steering Defects
38
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
15,252
Brakes
33
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
62,755
Fuel System
22
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
5,000
Body Structure
22
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
3,000
Airbags
17
complaints
Crashes
8
Fires
1
Avg Miles
10,379
Suspension Failures
15
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
11,386
Unintended Acceleration
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
75
Wheel Issues
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
1,100
Latches / Locks
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
40,894
Seat Belt Issues
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
16,750
Wipers & Visibility
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Tailgate:Latch
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
72,000
Headlight/Taillight Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Warnings
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Engine Control Module (Ecu/Ecm)
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Adas:Parking Assist:Warning
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Ignition
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

8 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,694,761 vehicles.

26V083000Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module:software · Power Train:automatic Transmission:fluid/lubricant:valves/valve Body
~1,055 affected

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.

25V274000Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:hard Parts Internal/mechanical
~597,571 affected

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.

24V797000Power Train:automatic Transmission:fluid/lubricant:valves/valve Body · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module:software
~463,295 affected

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.

21V985000Tires:temporary/emergency Spare Tire
~626 affected

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.

21V495000Air Bags:frontal
~12 affected

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.

20V811000Seat Belts:critical Fasteners · Seat Belts
~470 affected

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.

20V792000Seat Belts:critical Fasteners · Seat Belts
~624,216 affected

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.

20V684000Tires
~7,516 affected

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.

Other Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Years

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has 944 NHTSA complaints, 27 crash-related, and 8 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 309 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (309 complaints, avg 54,023 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (199 complaints, avg 70,588 mi); Electrical Faults (89 complaints, avg 6,570 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 46,234 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 include 27 crash-related reports, 16 fire reports, 11 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have any recalls?
Yes — 8 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,694,761 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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