repaired · 2026 Q3
Control module: software
NewRisk. Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 863 owner complaints about the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, most often about the engine. It is covered by 8 safety recalls, and for recall 21V-985 the manufacturer reports only 53% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 10, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: DestinationFearFan, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has problems
863 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
401Engine6 crash/fire/injury
248Power train6 crash/fire/injury
113Electrical system4 crash/fire/injury
60Engine and engine cooling
43Steering
40Service brakes
30Fuel/propulsion system
29Structure
20Air bags
10120 other systems11 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 401 | 6 |
| Power train | 248 | 6 |
| Electrical system | 113 | 4 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 60 | 2 |
| Steering | 43 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 40 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 30 | 1 |
| Structure | 29 | 2 |
| Air bags | 20 | 10 |
| 20 other systems | 101 | 11 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
8 recalls
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
Risk. Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Control module: software
Risk. Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2023 Q4
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire
Risk. An ABS system that does not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.
Show 4 more recalls
repaired · 2023 Q2
Air bags: frontal
Risk. The missing tabs may prevent the air bag from deploying properly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
repaired · 2022 Q4
Seat belts
Risk. If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the…
repaired · 2022 Q4
Seat belts
Risk. If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury…
repaired · 2022 Q3
Tires
Risk. Overcured tires may experience a carcass break in the sidewall resulting in a sudden air loss or could develop a belt edge separation which could lead to…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.
Mileage at failure
When do engine problems start?
59kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 58 engine complaints. 84% were reported before 100,000 miles.
Only 21% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.
19under 30k miles49under 100k miles9100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Engine
28 owners mentioned a cost$6,500median
Middle half: $2,000 – $10,550
Power train
10 owners mentioned a cost$5,400median
Middle half: $850 – $7,975
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2021 vs. every other Silverado 1500 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Silverado 1500 median. How we score
'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 safety ratings
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/CC 4WD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★Overall rating
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (19.8% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Optional
- Lane departure warning: Optional
5 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, and the recalls they led to.
- Loss of motive power due to engine failureOpen
- Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedyOpen
- Air Bag MalfunctionNo recall
- Loss of motive power due to engine failureLed to recall 25V-274
- Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedyNo recall
In owners' words
What Silverado 1500 owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
Regarding 6.2 liter engine, GM issued a 150,000 mile extension on the warranty, changed the oil to a heavier weight. Experienced mis-firing of the engine, took it to a dealer, they diagnosed it to be problems with lifter and cam. When dealer checked with GM, they were informed that this was not…
I was getting on the highway when the motor made loud banging and clicking noises. I brought it to the dealer and they said it needed a new motor and want $21,000 to replace it. I see this specific motor 2021 Silverado 1500 6.2 liter L87 has had a recall but GM will not pay any of the costs because…
The truck shut down while on the highway, complete loss of power and would not restart. Chevrolet dealership concluded that the engine has locked up/failed. Chevrolet states that 2021 6.2-L L87 engine is not included in Recall 25V-274 despite similar mechanical failure.
Own a 2021 Silverado 1500?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.