2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Electrical Problems

Water entered tailgate through drainage hole in tailgate cap. The water then dripped on the tailgate switch causing it to short out. This short circuit caused my tailgate to open and close randomly without pressing any switches or buttons or key fobs. May tailgate has a small ding it it now from where it kept hitting the wall while parked in the garage. I took the truck to the dealership to get repairs done and was charged 308.88 for the tailgate switch and diagnosis that should have been under a recall for this truck. Safety Recall N232426400 Tailgate May Open Unexpectedly issued May 2024. I called the customer service number [XXX] to try and get reimbursed for the repairs and they told me there is no recall on my truck. I had this problem and it clearly states the year, make and model of my truck in the recall, but because my vin wasn't included I'm out of luck? I will attach all the info i have on this matter. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11734635

Incident

Apr 24, 2026

My 2021 chevy 3500hd diesel had the engine light come on and the service emissions system popped up in the info screen. It said in so many miles speed would be limited. I took it to the dealer and they said the def tank would need replaced because the tank wiring connector overheated and would cost me over $2k.

NHTSA ID

11716547

Incident

Feb 3, 2026

Power unlatching tailgate opens unexpectedly (after big rain storm) The exact problem in this recall: Safety Recall N232426400 Tailgate May Open Unexpectedly However, my truck VIN wasn't part of the recall, even tho it shows it should be in the document above. I had to disconnect the tailgate switch myself to stop the tailgate from randomly opening while pulling a 5th wheel RV..... 3,000 miles from home. Just had it fixed at the dealer for $144, who said it wasn't coved under recall.

NHTSA ID

11700055

Incident

Oct 1, 2025

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 compressor had locked up, broken belt. Steering and brakes failed. Dealer agreed both failed, but would not list the brake failure on the invoice. I was originally invoiced 2900.00 to repair, even though truck had only 29244 miles. That was reduced to 1160.00. Was told it was 2 months past 36 month warranty. Engine was still under warranty, but AC, alternator, power steering and brakes, was not,. I had contacted GM which originally told me they would reimburse me for repairs and would mail me a check, I have the email. When check did not arrive after 2 months, I contacted my case worker again via email and phone. Could not get a response after about 6 attempts. When I called and finally got another person, I was informed they had changed their mind.

NHTSA ID

11631152

Incident

Jul 12, 2024

Electrical components are failing in the tailgate lock/unlock mechanism. The tailgate goes up and down on its own while in park. It will also go up and down on its own after the truck is off and unattended This started happening about a week ago. It is available for inspection upon request and has not been inspected by any agency yet. The tailgate could damage itself or other property randomly. It could also impact someone standing near it causing injury. There is a service appointment scheduled 3 days from now. There were no symptoms or warnings of a problem. The Chevy App actually says that all systems are ok.

NHTSA ID

11627812

Incident

Nov 23, 2024

Without warning tailgate will drop without being actuated, even while driving. Things could fall out of the truck box into traffic following me. The tailgate came down while in my garage overnight and the garage door was opened in the morning with electronic opener causing the tailgate to be scratched up as well! Dealer has said this has become a reoccurring problem with my vehicle model. GM apparently has no service bulletin or recall notice for this problem. I called Chevrolet and they have annotated my issue.

NHTSA ID

11581936

Incident

Apr 8, 2024

Automatic tailgate open by itself while vehicle was traveling at 65mph on I64 in Virginia between Charlottesville and Waynesboro. And when we stopped the tailgate reclosed by itself. But we lost our load in bed of truck. State police was called but no report was made because load did not cause accident. The driver heard a warning sound and display said tailgate open while vehicle was moving at 65 mph.

NHTSA ID

11529880

Incident

Jun 30, 2023

Rear sliding window plastic is getting hot and melting

NHTSA ID

11505842

Incident

Jun 12, 2022

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 writing.

NHTSA ID

11434428

Incident

Sep 26, 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. THE DEALER DOESN'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO AT THIS POINT.

NHTSA ID

11404449

Incident

Mar 22, 2021

Mileage

1,914 mi

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 ADDITIONS ARE.

NHTSA ID

11363792

Incident

Oct 10, 2010

Mileage

1,000 mi