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2021 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

810 owner complaints analyzed

8 distinct recall campaigns

53,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 171 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 367 of 810 complaints (45.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Transmission and shifting15819.5%
Braking behavior9511.7%
Engine operation698.5%
Electrical and battery issues496.0%
Steering behavior475.8%
Fuel system concerns212.6%

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.

Engine
367
Power Train
226
Electrical System
105
Unknown Or Other
71
Engine And Engine Cooling
50
Steering
41
Service Brakes
40
Fuel/Propulsion System
25
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine367
Power Train226
Electrical System105
Unknown Or Other71
Engine And Engine Cooling50
Steering41
Service Brakes40
Fuel/Propulsion System25

Engine: 367; Power Train: 226; Electrical System: 105; Unknown Or Other: 71; Engine And Engine Cooling: 50; Steering: 41; Service Brakes: 40; Fuel/Propulsion System: 25

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
47
25,000 to 49,999
34
50,000 to 74,999
32
75,000 to 99,999
22
100,000 to 149,999
32
150,000 and above
4
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00047
25,000 to 49,99934
50,000 to 74,99932
75,000 to 99,99922
100,000 to 149,99932
150,000 and above4

Under 25,000: 47; 25,000 to 49,999: 34; 50,000 to 74,999: 32; 75,000 to 99,999: 22; 100,000 to 149,999: 32; 150,000 and above: 4

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (47). 639 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.

2020
3
2021
57
2022
52
2023
62
2024
91
2025
329
2026
216
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20203
202157
202252
202362
202491
2025329
2026216

2020: 3; 2021: 57; 2022: 52; 2023: 62; 2024: 91; 2025: 329; 2026: 216

Pattern summary

Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 158 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 95 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 69 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 11383190 · 2020-12-13 (December 13, 2020)

I AM LEFT HANDED, AND AM MOST COMFORTABLE DRIVING WITH MY LEFT HAND AT THE 9 TO 10 O'CLOCK POSITION. THE CHEVY TRUCK I JUST PURCHASED HAS THE CRUISE CONTROL SETTINGS TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HORN ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THEIR IS A PROTRUDING "THUMB JOYSTICK" WHICH IS USED TO SET THE SPEED UP OR DOWN BY USING YOUR THUMB OR FINGER. MULTIPLE TIMES NOW MY HAND HAS ACCIDENTLY SWIPED THIS "JOYSTICK" WHILE DRIVING ALONG A 30 TO 35 MPH PUBLIC STREET AND THIS TURNS ON AND ENGAUGES THE SPEED CONTROL AT THE LAST SAVED SET SPEED. USUALLY 65 TO 70MPH HIGH…

Owner-reported narrative. 75 miles reported. Look up ODI 11383190 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11384725 · 2020-12-23 (December 23, 2020)

FULL ENJINE FAILURE AT 371 MILES CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL.VEHICLE WAS DRIVEING ON CITY STREET ABOUT 30MPH WHEN FAILURE HAPPEN. JUST PRIOR TO THAT VEHICLE STALLED IN TRAFFIC AT A STOP WHEN WAITING FOR A RED LIGHT. SPRING BROKEN IN PISTON CAUSEING FAILURE. ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH INFO. SYSTEM BLANKING OUT AND NO RADIO THEN WHEN IT DID WORK NO VOLUME CONTROL ON THE RADIO. INFO. SYSTEM FIRST FAILED WHEN BACKING UP AND NO RADIO AT ALL. SECOND TIME WHEN MOVING FORWARD BUT I HAD RADIO BUT NO VOLUME CONTROL. 3RD TIME WHEN BACKING UP AND NO RADIO AT ALL.…

Owner-reported narrative. 371 miles reported. Look up ODI 11384725 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11385179 · 2020-12-28 (December 28, 2020)

THIS 2021 SILVERADO HAND A COMPLETE ELECTICAL FAULURE LEAVING THE VEHICLE DEAD IN THE IN THE ROAD AT NIGHT. WE HAD NO POWER AT ALL, NO WARNING FLASHERS IN THE DARK AT 9:00 PM AT NIGHT. WE WERE ALMOST HIT BY A CAR COMING AROUND CONER AS WE BROKE DOWN AT THE INTERSECTION WERE NO STREET LIGHTS WERE. THIS TRUCK HAS LESS THAN 500 MILES ON IT AND HAS ALREADY HAD THE FULL ENGINE REPLACED, PROBLEMS WITH THE INFOTANMENT SYSTEM AND NOW A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SHUTDOWN. WE WERE UNABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO DO ANYTHING AND WAITED FOR TWO HOURS IN THE RO…

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11385179 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11386322 · 2021-01-03 (January 3, 2021)

WHEN THE TRUCK IS PUT IN REVERSE THE BACK UP CAMERA BECOMES VERY 'FUSSY' AN UNUSABLE. THE ONLY HAPPENS AT NIGHT WHEN IT IS NEEDED THE MOST. THE BACK UP CAMERA PROVIDE NO HELP IN FACT MAYBE DANGEROUS.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11386322 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11387453 · 2021-01-11 (January 11, 2021)

INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. XM RADIO HAS NO SOUND AT ALL, OR AS I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE XM RADIO VULUME ON ITS OWN GOES SO LOW YOU CAN NOT HEAR IT AND THEN YOU CAN NOT TURN IT UP OR DOWN WITH THE VOLUME CONTROL ON THE DASH OR THE ONE ON THE STEERING WHEEL. TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE ONE HAS TO TAKE THIER EYES OFF THE ROAD AND USE THIER PHONE IF IT IS PAIRED WITH THE SYSTEM OR TURN THE RADIO TO FM OR AM. AFTER DOING THIS THE VOLUME CONTROL WORKS ON XM. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I GOT THIS VEHILCE NOV 30,2020 UNTIL NOW ON AND …

Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11387453 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11390093 · 2021-01-26 (January 26, 2021)

I HIT A COUPLE OF PALM TREES AND AN OAK TREE AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T GO OFF.. HUGE CONCERN DO I WANT TO BUY ANOTHER ONE?

Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11390093 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11390737 · 2021-01-29 (January 29, 2021)

THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS), BRAKES, AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM (ESC) MIGHT NOT ILLUMINATE. THIS COULD CAUSE THE DRIVER TO NOT KNOW IF ANY OF THESE SYSTEMS ARE INOPERABLE.*DT*DT

Owner-reported narrative. 7,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11390737 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11395222 · 2021-02-08 (February 8, 2021)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS FAILED AND WOULD NOT PROPERLY SECURE THE OCCUPANTS. IN ADDITION, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WAS ALSO FAULTY AND THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT STRAP HAD TWISTED AND BECAME EMBEDDED BETWEEN THE SEATS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11395222 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

8 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

20V684000 · Tires

Reported: 2020-11-05 (November 5, 2020)

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.

Consequence: 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 partial or full tread/belt loss. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect vehicles and replace tires that have DOT number and production mold number combinations identified by Continental, free of charge. The recall began December 17, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202319030.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
20V792000 · Seat Belts:Critical Fasteners | Seat Belts

Reported: 2020-12-17 (December 17, 2020)

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.

Consequence: 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 in a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect left-side and right-side front-row center seat-belt bracket attachments and reassemble it correctly as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202314670.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
20V811000 · Seat Belts:Critical Fasteners | Seat Belts

Reported: 2020-12-23 (December 23, 2020)

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.

Consequence: 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 risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V495000 · Air Bags:Frontal

Reported: 2021-07-01 (July 1, 2021)

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.

Consequence: The missing tabs may prevent the air bag from deploying properly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag, and replace it if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 16, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212336560.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V985000 · Tires:Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire

Reported: 2021-12-16 (December 16, 2021)

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.

Consequence: An ABS system that does not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will provide a new 17" spare tire and wheel assembly that is compatible with the accessory wheels, free of charge. Dealers will also apply a new spare tire information label, and provide owners with an owner's manual insert clarifying which spare tire to use with the accessory road tires and with the 17" original tires. Owner notification letters were mailed February 7, 2022. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212346510.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
24V797000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Fluid/Lubricant:Valves/Valve Body | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module:Software

Reported: 2024-10-24 (October 24, 2024)

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.

Consequence: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
25V274000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical

Reported: 2025-04-24 (April 24, 2025)

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.

Consequence: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
26V083000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module:Software | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Fluid/Lubricant:Valves/Valve Body

Reported: 2026-02-12 (February 12, 2026)

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.

Consequence: Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles and update the transmission control software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 6, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252516560. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 12, 2026.

NHTSA campaign record ↗