2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ranks 2nd worst among 21 model years, with a complaint index of 95 and an Avoid verdict. Owners filed 825 complaints, mostly about the engine (52%) and transmission (29%), and NHTSA lists 8 recalls covering transmission, engine, airbags and seat belts.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 95/100
- #2 of 21 Silverado 1500 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 825
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 8
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 20
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 12
- Injuries
- 17
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 17.5
- 15.5 city / 21 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 17 / 0
Top 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some trucks caught fire in the engine compartment while parked or shortly after driving, in one case starting near the fuel tank at the rear of the cabin.
- A front driver-side wheel assembly reportedly detached while braking and steering at highway speed, causing a crash.
- Owners describe airbags failing to deploy in head-on or front-impact collisions despite significant vehicle damage.
- One owner reported the transfer case locking up multiple times, causing a wreck, along with engine misfires and lower-than-advertised fuel economy.
- A tailgate that opened and closed on its own and malfunctioning turn signals were reported before a later crash in which seatbelts and airbags failed to activate.
- Some drivers noted the truck's high hood blocks the view of objects or people directly in front of the bumper.
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 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Silverado 1500 ranks 2nd worst out of 21 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 95 and an Avoid verdict relative to other Silverado 1500 years.
- What are the main problems with the 2021 Silverado 1500?
- Engine problems make up 52% of complaints (433 complaints, median mileage 62,248) and transmission/powertrain issues make up 29% (236 complaints, median mileage 64,000), based on NHTSA data.
- Does the 2021 Silverado 1500 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2021 Silverado 1500, covering transmission control software, the 6.2L V8 engine, a driver airbag missing metal tabs, seat belt bolts and brackets, and tire/wheel issues. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2021 Silverado 1500 compare to other years?
- The 2021 model's complaint index of 95 is close to the worst year, 2014, which has an index of 100. Years like 2012, 2013, 2024 and 2025 score much lower and carry Good or Best verdicts.
- What year Chevrolet Silverado 1500 should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA data, 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 all carry Avoid verdicts, with 2014 having the highest complaint index at 100 and 2021 ranking 2nd worst at 95.