2021 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
39 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
34,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 39 complaints (30.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 23.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 17.9% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 12.8% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 5.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 12 |
| Power Train | 7 |
| Structure:Body | 6 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Engine | 3 |
Electrical System: 12; Power Train: 7; Structure:Body: 6; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 5; Service Brakes: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Engine: 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 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 27 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 |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2020: 1; 2021: 2; 2022: 1; 2023: 5; 2024: 13; 2025: 12; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 9 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior 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 11434428 · 2021-09-26 (September 26, 2021)
Was driving my 3500 (an 8000# truck capable of towing 20k#) and suddenly the vehicle lost power and steering, forcing me to the shoulder of a curvy mountain road, going downhill. Truck then started blinking lights and telling me to restart. upon restart, the truck would not engage the transmission. Truck was in drive but the motor was just rev'ing. I turned truck off and then back on and it seemed to return to normal. Am not comfortable driving truck at this time. GM has been notified of the issue, and, has not diagnosed an issue, as of this wr…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11434428 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11472736 · 2022-07-07 (July 7, 2022)
Check engine light came on followed almost immediately with an Onstar warning to service the engine and transmission within 7 days. Took truck to dealer. They diagnosed problem was fuel system contamination. Hole was found on the inner mesh liner of the fuel filter which allowed water and a sludge like material to get into the fuel system.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11472736 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11363792 · 2020-10-11 (October 11, 2020)
I GOT MY TRUCK IN MAY AND AFTER TWO MONTHS THE BATTERY WENT COMPLETELY DEAD WITHOUT WARNING SO HAD DEALERSHIP TOW IT TO SERVICE KEPT TWO WEEKS SAID IT WAS BATTERY. NOW SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FROM PHONE BECAUSE ON STAR WOULDN'T EVEN WORK. THEY COME OUT AND JUMPED IT. THE JUMP STARTED TRUCK BUT NOW PARKING BREAK WON'T RELEASE AND I HAVE A SERVICE LIGHT ISSUE,, STILL WAITING FOR CHEVY TO OPEN TO HAVE IT TOWED AGAIN. IS ANYONE ELSE DEALING WITH PROBLEMS? I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER LAST TIME THAT THE ROCKY RIDGE ADDITION…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11363792 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11404449 · 2021-03-23 (March 23, 2021)
THE NEW GM 2021 TRAILER LIGHTING MODULE AND/OR SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE. IT FAILS A PRE-CONNECTION TEST WITH TESTER, GIVES "CHECK TRAILER WIRING" WARNING ON DASH WITHOUT A TRAILER CONNECTED AND TURNS OFF ANY TRAILER LIGHTING CONNECTED WITHOUT WARNING ON THE ROAD, WITHOUT BLOWING A FUSE. THIS PROBLEM IS MUCH LIKE THE TSB REPORT #20-NA-198 FOR EARLIER MODELS. THIS ISSUE WAS ADDRESSED BY THE DEALER BY REPLACING THE MODULE, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS RE-OCCURRED WHILE ON THE ROAD CAUSING A ROAD SAFETY ISSUE (NO TRAILER LIGHTING), SOME TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,914 miles reported. Look up ODI 11404449 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11593978 · 2024-06-12 (June 12, 2024)
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and attempting to depress the brake pedal, there was an abnormal sound coming from the brakes. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the brakes were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The local dealer advised the contact that it was a common manufacturer defect and that she needed to wait until parts became available to replace the brakes. The contact stated that the local dealer had …
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11593978 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11605095 · 2024-07-29 (July 29, 2024)
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, he noticed smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the smoke would become more aggressive as the accelerator or brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle caught on fire however the origin was unknown. The contact and his family exited the vehicle safely and discovered unknown fluid emitting from the rear of the vehicle. The contact used a fire extinguisher to attempt to extinguish the fire however the fire …
Owner-reported narrative. 15,521 miles reported. Look up ODI 11605095 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11631152 · 2024-12-17 (December 17, 2024)
Driving home from work 7/1/2024 approx 5:15PM Smelled burning smell, no noise or dash lights, thought it was another car. 1 minute later, heard a thump from under hood and "Charging System Failure" came on dash. Decided to take to Chevy dealer, which was 5 minutes away. Within next 2 minutes steering failed. As I came to next intersection, brakes failed, went thorough red light, luckily not hit by another vehicle. Coasted to stop and called tow service.Engine was still running until I turned it off. Had towed to local Chevy dealer. AC compresso…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11631152 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11632370 · 2024-12-26 (December 26, 2024)
Injector #4 connector harness issue- Known issue on the 6.6L duramax. Driving with my children for Christmas pickup and power reduction occurred while passing another car on the road. Causing us to hit the breaks as the truck wouldn’t allow us to pass timely. Known harness issue by GM and instead of covering I had to pay to have a new connector spliced in. Multiple warning lights. Check engine, Emissions warning, Reduced power, Traction control, parking brake
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11632370 at NHTSA ↗