2021 Chevrolet SILVERADO 2500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
84 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
32,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 17 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 28 of 84 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 16 | 19.0% |
| Braking behavior | 16 | 19.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 6.0% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 4.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.4% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 28 |
| Electrical System | 17 |
| Service Brakes | 12 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 8 |
| Engine | 7 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
Power Train: 28; Electrical System: 17; Service Brakes: 12; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 8; Engine: 7; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Unknown Or Other: 6; Structure:Body: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 67 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 21 |
| 2025 | 29 |
| 2026 | 11 |
2021: 11; 2022: 5; 2023: 7; 2024: 21; 2025: 29; 2026: 11
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 16 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11563860 · 2024-01-05 (January 5, 2024)
While driving down the road at 40mph the crimp connection for the transmission cooling line came apart and spilled all my transmission fluid out the power hose and left me stranded in the middle of the road.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11563860 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11566508 · 2024-01-19 (January 19, 2024)
The transmission fluid line that goes from the radiator to the cooler came apart at the crimp were the rubber and metal tube connect, this allowed all the transmission fluid to spray all over the motor while driving and leaving us stranded.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11566508 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11428269 · 2021-08-08 (August 8, 2021)
Brakes: the brakes do not stop the vehicle without excessive pressure to the pedal. Especially carrying a trailer with the exhaust brake & trailer brakes in effect. Takes excessive distance for vehicle to stop. Pedal must be pressed 3/4 to the floor for it to start to apply brakes. It is extremely difficult to stop this vehicle at any speed over 45mph. Have not taken to dealer, was expecting a recall but none until now. Steering: when I turn the steering wheel at low speeds such as backing into a parking spot, there’s a loud squealing noise c…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11428269 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11430756 · 2021-08-27 (August 27, 2021)
While in a McDonalds drive through Truck lost all braking ability. Pedal went right to the floor. Truck had to be put in park to stop and shut down. After re starting engine brakes started functioning again. Very scary incident.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11430756 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11518758 · 2023-04-24 (April 24, 2023)
2021, Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, Crew-Cab, 6.6L Gas Engine. At @ 25k miles, the "Service 4WD" light came on dash. It later started a grinding noise/sound within the front axle transfer case. Was told they had a problem with moisture intrusion into the transfer case and it would cause corrosion to sensor. Truck was taken to dealership and in shop for @ 1 week or so. After repair was completed, less than 3k miles later, it happened again. Same problem ("Service 4WD"), same noises, same diagnoses. Truck was taken back to the dealership. T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11518758 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11635352 · 2025-01-10 (January 10, 2025)
The DEF heater short circuit and derates the truck. If the government says we have to have this they should cover the cost to fix it.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11635352 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11489468 · 2022-10-16 (October 16, 2022)
Service steering column lock continually appears on my screen. Front collision detectors are also going off for no reason.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11489468 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11618543 · 2024-10-07 (October 7, 2024)
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving 70-75 MPH, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle independently decelerated to approximately 50 MPH then down to 40 MPH before being able to pull off on a nearby exit. The contact stated that the vehicle then stalled and lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the fuel pump module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired due to the part being on backorder. The m…
Owner-reported narrative. 83,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11618543 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11711815 · 2026-01-19 (January 19, 2026)
first issue was around April-May 2025 when my engine started knocking and burning fuel. Warning light came on and it went right in to the dealer where I have all my maintenance done. They determined that it due to (2) faulty fuel injectors and I had them replaced at that time. In December of 2025 my engine started doing the same thing as before with the knocking and burning fuel and reduced speeds when on the highway so again it went into the dealer. It has since been in there and first was told it was the fuel injector again. They priced …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11711815 at NHTSA ↗