Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Our database holds 825 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Showing 1–25 of 825 · page 1 of 33
the engine seized. I tore into the motor to inspect what caused it and it spun a connecting rod bearing on cylinder 1. I have been paying 600 a month on it without being able to drive it since this happened in november of 2024.
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.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that after activating the 4WD feature, the rear wheels locked up with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions to be diagnosed. Several unknown parts were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced Safety Recall : N242454440; as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 102,490.
Around 60k miles my truck started shifting rough and at odd times. Then it went into “limp” mode. I took it to the dealership and they replaced my battery and a solenoid. I asked about the transmission and they told me it was because it was in “limp mode”. I’ve continued to have issues with it then a couple of months ago while driving to work at around 60mph the truck harshly downshifted into a low gear causing the rear tires to break loose on the wet roads and sending me into an extended spin. I had the truck towed home and then to the local dealership. After researching, I have found that this is very common with the same vehicles in this year and that there are multiple recalls to address the issues. Unfortunately my VIN is not included. I believe the needed repairs and the associated costs should be GM’s responsibility under special coverages: N242454441 and N242454440-03
My truck started skipping and over time the check engine light came on. I took it in and they are saying it is the lifters, which is costly. I know this truck was built during COVID and I know a lot of the manufacturers were dealing with skeleton crews. I heard this was an issue with the 2021 Silverado trucks, and a recall. Can you please advise?
The water pump went bad at 31,000 miles. If I continued driving and the pulley fell off the engine would overheat. I took it to the dealer and they confirmed the pump failure and want me to pay over $1,400 for repair that should be covered under warranty. There was no warning lamps lit, the pump just started making a grinding sound.
Engine failed and truck caught on fire from the engine failure
2021 silverado engine failure. Yes it was inspected by a dealership and my extended warranty company and serviced by the dealership. Back on August 5th I experienced a misfire cylinder 3 and felt loss of power. On August 7th the dealership diagnosed both camshafts, 1 lifter, 1 valve, and 1 fuel injector was damaged and never received at warning lights or messages on the dashboard. I was without the vehicle for 39 days and within 10 hrs after picking up the truck i got an engine light on and several new codes on it and can not be driven and being towed. I feel these engines need a recall as it is well documented that these engines go between 60 and 80,000 miles and some a lot less than that, mine has 70,800 and went and now being towed with in less than 24 hrs after engine repair. I will be in contact with a lawyer to follow up on this matter.
Engine noise, unable to pass or fail pico test due to to much noise in truck. Engine failure.
LM2 engine coolant control valve failure. My vehicle VIN is not listed for the repair i dont know how it is not but they want me to pay outa pocket
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)
My 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 RST with the 6.2L engine experienced an engine seizure. The engine was replaced by a Chevrolet dealership under a GM safety recall. Immediately after picking up the vehicle following the recall engine replacement, the truck stalled while still in the Chevrolet dealership parking lot. There was no warning before this first stall. We continued our trip because we did not realize at the time that the stall could indicate a problem following the engine replacement. During the drive from [XXX] to [XXX], the problem continued. In [XXX], the check engine light illuminated and the truck began malfunctioning. The vehicle subsequently stalled again. The problem continued after returning to [XXX]. A Chevrolet dealership in [XXX] inspected the vehicle and reproduced/confirmed a problem involving the camshaft position sensor wiring/connector. The dealership demonstrated the problem by manipulating the connector/wiring and recorded a video of the diagnostic procedure. The vehicle is currently at the Chevrolet dealership and is available for inspection. The affected component should also be available for inspection because it has not yet been repaired. The [XXX] dealership has characterized the wiring/connector condition as normal wear. However, the first stall occurred immediately after the GM recall engine replacement, while the vehicle was still on the repairing Chevrolet dealership's property. Unexpected engine stalling creates a serious safety risk because the vehicle can lose propulsion without warning while driving, including at highway speeds or in traffic. I am concerned that the camshaft position circuit/wiring/connector problem may be associated with the recall engine replacement procedure or replacement engine. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether other vehicles receiving this GM 6.2L engine recall remedy have experienced similar camshaft position circuit failures or unexpected stalling after engine repair. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FO
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the transmission was slipping while shifting gears and the transmission was shuddering. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the parts were ordered. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the warranty had expired five months prior. The failure mileage was approximately 53,020.
Following recall review by the dealership, experienced sudden, catastrophic engine failure nearly stranding me on the road with my son. Awaiting final diagnostics from the dealership, but every indication, errors, and symptoms align with all the other complaints that I have reviewed on line for the make/model of my vehicle. Recall assessment and corrective actions ineffective resolving engine failure.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, there was an abnormal sound coming from the front driver's side of the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and became aware that the exhaust manifold bolts had detached. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the warranty mileage limitation had been exceeded. The manufacturer was contacted by phone, and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,248.
Loss of power , catastrophic engine failure
My engine has been replaced twice already for total failure first time was in November 2023 and the second time was May 2026.
The automatic power-unlatching tailgate assembly failed. The tailgate unlatches, opens, and cycles closed completely on its own while the vehicle is in motion and driving on public roads and when the gear shifts from drive to park and park to drive. The vehicle and the tailgate assembly are fully available for inspection upon request. The tailgate opening unpredictably while driving at road speeds creates an extreme safety hazard. It risks cargo flying out into traffic, which could cause a severe multi-vehicle accident or injure pedestrians. Additionally, it creates a massive driver distraction while trying to monitor the opening and closing tailgate in the rearview mirror while maintaining control of the vehicle. Sometimes there isn’t a warning light and sometimes it shows a warning light “tailgate open” I have taken it to the dealership and was told it isn’t part of the active recall for similar makes and models and my vehicles year/make/model needs to be added to the current recall for these concerns. It opened on its own while in park and turned off when the mechanic was replacing the license plate light.
While driving on the road, the transmission in my truck completly neutralized all the gears (meaning it just started revving and slowing down rapidly in the middle of the road with cars in front of and behind me). And almost got me hit by several cars. I got the vehicle towed to the Chevy dealership it was bought from. The mechanics then confirmed the code was for a failed valve body in the trucks transmission. Which they had recalled in all the diesels but not gas engines.
While coming to a stop, a snap ring came off the brake master cylinder. Vehicle top speed was 40mph, with the parking brake automatically engaged. ***Note from mechanic: Vehicle has several brake faults, C05CC and C05CF master cylinder piston position sensor performance, C2A17 hydraulic brake sponginess, and C0277 brake pedal position sensor fault. Tech recommends Hydraulic Brake Unit replacement***
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.
Vehicle went into reduced power mode and was taken to the dealership. They had to tear down the motor to diagnose the problem and determined it was the crankshaft and the motor needed to be replaced. It was out of factory warranty however it has an extended warranty and the warranty covered 80% of the repair. We still had to pay over $3k out of pocket. Vehicle is now making engine noises again and will be getting taken back to the dealership to be looked at. Currently not part of the recall however truck was built at the Mexico plant in question. We believe it may have the faulty components as well.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the engine was idling rough and the vehicle vibrated violently. The contact stated that while accelerating, the vehicle hesitate while responding. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Took it to the dealer for the L87 recall back at the end of April 2026. GM stated that my truck passed the inspection and “upgraded” my oil to the new 0w-40 oil. Now 8-27-2026, 6500miles after the inspection. Driving to work in the morning, and my engine failed. What I believe happened was a lifter got stuck and the engine shook and all lights on the dash were flashing. Vehicle is currently at the dealership and they are saying the “special” warranty does not cover this failure. Which to me is completely unacceptable. Because for 72,900 miles I never had an issue with the truck. But 6500 miles after they changed the oil to the thicker oil now I have an engine failure.
Catastrophic internal engine failure Metal shavings throughout oil
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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