2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Body & structure Problems

According to 2 mechanics- including a body shop - the frame has prematurely rusted due to: TSB 19-NA-255 - Wax Coating on Frame Peeling, Metal Shows Corrosion/Rusting There's so much damage to a 2021 truck, that it may not survive this winter. The frame welds are breaking due to the lack of frame protection. I asked my dealership, Lamoille Valley Chevrolet 868 VT RT 15E HYDE PARK, VT 05655, on two separate occasions to check for damage. One time they made no report, the second time they told me it was normal wear and tear. I've been told trucks 20 years older than mine, are in better condition. There was no protection for this frame.

NHTSA ID

11766547

Incident

Sep 23, 2026

Statement for NHTSA Subject: Safety Complaint – 2021 Chevrolet Silverado Unexpected Jerking/Harsh Transmission Engagement I am submitting this complaint regarding my 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2.7L Turbo with approximately 128,000 miles. My vehicle has developed a recurring problem involving harsh/jerking transmission engagement, hesitation, shuddering and abnormal shifting. The truck can jerk when engaging or changing gears and has also experienced a hard engagement when shifting from Reverse into Drive. During normal driving, the vehicle can hesitate or feel as though it is repeatedly fluttering/shifting instead of providing smooth and predictable acceleration. The vehicle has produced diagnostic trouble codes including P0700, U0100 and P0420. I am concerned that this condition could create a safety hazard, particularly if the vehicle unexpectedly jerks, hesitates or fails to respond normally when accelerating or changing gears in traffic. I am requesting that NHTSA document this complaint and review whether there is a pattern or potential safety-related defect involving transmission engagement, shifting or drivetrain control on 2021 Chevrolet Silverado vehicles. GM has published service information concerning delayed and harsh transmission engagement on certain Silverado applications, including 2019–2021 models, which makes me concerned that my vehicle may be experiencing a related issue. I am retaining my repair records, diagnostic information, receipts, videos and mileage/date information documenting when the problem occurs. I am willing to provide this information if requested. Please help me get my truck corrected, I love my Chevy Truck. Thanks Sincerely [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11763481

Incident

Sep 1, 2026

Rear tailgate does not open and sometimes will show a warning on the dash that the tailgate is open when it is not. The tailgate for the heavy duty 2500/3500 trucks were recalled for the same reason but not the 1500 trucks. This is a common issue on the truck forums and is an unsafe condition.

NHTSA ID

11761408

Incident

Jul 6, 2026

The paint is coming off of the roof of my 2021 Chevrolet Silverado pick up truck. This is a common problem with the white color vehicles from Chevrolet. This is a safety issue due to paint chips and paint pieces falling down on the windshield.

NHTSA ID

11757899

Incident

Nov 1, 2024

APPARATUS USED TO HOLD HOOD UPRIGHT, (2 STRUTS), FAIL WITHOUT WARNING. STRUTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED FOUR (4) TIMES IN PAST TWO (2) MONTHS WITH TWO ( 2) OEM PARTS AND ONE (1) AFTER MARKET PART. LAST OCCURANCE, 12/26/2025, CAUSED A MINOR HAND INJURY. IF NOT PREPARED FOR SUDDEN CLOSING OF HOOD, POSSIBLE SERIOUS INJURY COULD RESULT. THE VEHICLE AT PRESENT HAS 19,775 MILES AND HAS BEEN EXAMINED BY THREE (3) SERVICE TECHNICIANS FROM DEALERSHIPS AND CAN NOT EXPLAIN WHY IT IS OCCURING OR HOW TO REPAIR IT.

NHTSA ID

11708060

Incident

Dec 26, 2025

Rear power window has been replaced multiple times, each time it develops cracks and leaks water causing possible mold in the truck cabin.

NHTSA ID

11698924

Incident

Nov 12, 2025

Tailgate operation failure. The tailgate switch appears to be operating when no button is pressed. When vehicle is unlocked or key fob near vehicle tailgate automatically goes down on own. Component is available upon request. Appears to be tailgate release switch 85734717. Safety at risk as although it does not open in driving it does when stopped and in park. Tailgate went down and driver failed to realize this as component had failed and it had been put up and driver drove forward so unable to witness it down as truck was not in reverse. Upon driving forward materials in bed of truck were dispersed in roadway until driver realized tailgate had come down just prior to pulling away. Causes a safety hazard to drivers and others on road. Problem has happened in park and has not been taken into dealer yet as it is out of dealer warranty. Vehicle not inspected by anyone else. No lamps displayed prior to or following failure. No lift gate down warning. Safety failure

NHTSA ID

11671855

Incident

Jul 7, 2025

When it rains. Tailgate opens on it own. Either have to lock truck or quickly put into drive to prevent tailgate from opening on its own. Only in wet weather. Tailgate opened on its own in rainy weather when parked at hardware store. I began to drive away not knowing tailgate opened and lost tool box and material out the back while making a turn. Speaking with GM I was explained it’s a known issue on 2500 models but not for 1500 models.

NHTSA ID

11649429

Incident

Mar 20, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while washing the vehicle, he noticed that water was entering the vehicle through a crack in the rear window seal. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.

NHTSA ID

11642440

Incident

Feb 1, 2025

Mileage

57,000 mi

There is a water leak from the rear roof leaking causing water to come inside by the rear window down the rear pillar by the airbag. May cause problems with the rear side airbag and mold. Dealer charged me a $273 diagnostics charge and will not repair under warranty or extended warranty even though there is a TSB on this affecting numerous other trucks

NHTSA ID

11640045

Incident

Dec 18, 2024

I washed my truck and now suddenly the tailgate opens and closes whenever it decides and I have paint that is bubbling and it looks as if it’s gonna all chip right off the hood

NHTSA ID

11635904

Incident

Jan 10, 2025

Unwanted inadvertent tail gate opening. The tailgate is opening without human interaction causing a safety issue and potential loss of cargo. Damage to tailgate from striking objects due to inadvertent opening

NHTSA ID

11624522

Incident

Nov 6, 2024

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact became aware of a stain on the rear driver’s side interior of the roof of her vehicle and became aware that the source of the leak was the edge of the window. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be inspected, and the contact was informed that there would be no assistance with repairing the vehicle since the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 25,900.

NHTSA ID

11624201

Incident

May 27, 2024

Mileage

25,900 mi

The way I can best describe it is my vehicle falling apart, either due to cheap parts. Or poorly being put together. I was driving down the highway at about 65 miles an hour, when suddenly I hear something smack what seemed to be my headlight, then again snack into my drivers side mirror. I had not seen anything on the road previous to this or anything in the air so it seemed strange to have “hit” something. I was about an hour from my destination still so when I arrived I checked out my headlight. I then discovered I hadn’t hit anything, a piece of the fascia of my truck had blown off in the wind, which was the first sound I heard, then proceeded to impact my drivers side mirror. I’m not sure how long it was in the air or if it had impacted any vehicles on the highway behind me.

NHTSA ID

11616732

Incident

Sep 15, 2024

The tailgate on my 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 opens randomly. Initially, it was not often, but progressively happening. I had to pull over in rush hour traffic this morning to shut the tailgate after it opened randomly. The only reason I knew, was checking the rear camera.

NHTSA ID

11616526

Incident

Sep 25, 2024

While pulling a trailer down the highway the tailgate of my truck dropped all by itself causing considerable damage to the tailgate. If I had been carrying material in the bed of the truck it could have blown out and became a safety hazard for other motorists.

NHTSA ID

11610662

Incident

Aug 24, 2024

Tailgate will come open by its self

NHTSA ID

11604528

Incident

Jul 4, 2024

When my truck is outside and gets rained on. The Tailgate automatically drops and keeps dropping over and over again. It’s been doing this for months. I have many safety concerns. I’ve had my tailgate open while driving. I had a young child standing behind my truck and it automatically opened. Recently over the period of the night it kept sending signals to drop annd lights would alol turn on until my truck battery was drained. I’ve looked up and saw other Silverados in my time frame with same problem with tailgate switch and have been recalled. This is 100 percent same thing going on with my truck. I have video but couldn’t upload below

NHTSA ID

11600662

Incident

Jun 28, 2024

Tailgate will open in it’s own while driving or when parked.

NHTSA ID

11582144

Incident

Feb 9, 2024

My 2021 Silverado (~29500 miles) pickup has a multifunction tailgate. I noticed about two weeks ago that the tailgate would unlatch and come down at random. I might unlock and open the door or I might start the vehicle or I might turn off the vehicle and the tailgate would come down. It is very random and has no pattern to why it is happening. The gate is electrically controlled inside the vehicle as well as the controls on the gate itself. I find this such a serious safety concern because you can not tell when it might come down and if you are pulling a trailer it could be disastrous. My main concern is that I might be backing into a parking spot, which I frequently do, and the tailgate is either down or comes down at the wrong time and at best I might back into something or at worst back into or pinch a person between the tailgate and another object. I have seen this problem reported online but I can not verify independently nor first person that it has happened to others. I am having the vehicle serviced next week under the existing warranty. There never were nor are there now any warning lamps to indicate a problem. Until the repair is completed I have put two bungee cords in place to hold the tailgate up.

NHTSA ID

11581164

Incident

Mar 26, 2024

rear third brake light is leaking water into the cab and causing water stains on the headliner. I am worried about it eventually causing an electrical short or more water damage. I don't have a rear window that slides open and the rear glass has never been replaced nor has the third brake light all original from factory.

NHTSA ID

11545394

Incident

Sep 18, 2023

The tailgate electronic release will randomly open allowing the tailgate to open while driving or parked. This causes your secured load in the bed of truck to now become unsecured. This also forces the driver to make an emergency stop to secure the tailgate. The switch can release the tailgate multiple times causing the operator to spend an excessive amount of time getting the tailgate closed and secured.

NHTSA ID

11516736

Incident

Mar 19, 2023

The tailgate will randomly open while driving allowing contents to fall from the bed of the truck

NHTSA ID

11512405

Incident

Mar 17, 2023

I have major rust on the frame I just purchased the truck. Is their a recall on 2021 Silverado frames1500 custom.

NHTSA ID

11510241

Incident

Mar 1, 2023

Unknown

NHTSA ID

11458148

Incident

Mar 24, 2022