2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
95/100
#2 most-complained of 21 Silverado 1500 years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has 825 owner complaints and 8 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 95 out of 100 — #2 highest of 21 Silverado 1500 model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is engine (433 complaints, 52% of the total). Complaints report 20 crashes, 12 fires, and 17 injuries.
- Complaints
- 825
- Recalls
- 8
- Crashes / fires
- 20 / 12
- Injuries / deaths
- 17 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 17.5
- 15.5 city / 21 hwy
Top 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine433 (52%)
- Transmission & Powertrain236 (29%)
- Electrical System118 (14%)
- Other73 (9%)
- Brakes46 (6%)
- Structure & Body46 (6%)
- Steering41 (5%)
- Fuel System28 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires26 (3%)
- Airbags20 (2%)
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V083000Feb 12, 2026Transmission & Powertrain1,055 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:fluid/lubricant:valves/valve body
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.
Risk: 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 25V274000Apr 24, 2025Engine597,571 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
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.
Risk: 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 24V797000Oct 24, 2024Transmission & Powertrain463,295 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:fluid/lubricant:valves/valve body
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.
Risk: 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.
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15.5 MPG
- Highway
- 21 MPG
- Combined
- 17.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2021 compared with other Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ranks #2 of 21 among Silverado 1500 model years (Complaint Index 95/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 825 complaints and 8 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
- The most reported problem areas are engine (433 complaints), transmission & powertrain (236 complaints), and electrical system (118 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 53,210 miles.
- Does the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, most recently reported 2026, covering transmission & powertrain, engine, suspension, wheels & tires, and airbags.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
- EPA rates the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 at 17.5 MPG combined (15.5 city / 21 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,800. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.