2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Engine Problems
Engine complaints account for 433 of 825 total complaints (52%) filed on the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the highest engine complaint share of any model year listed. Owners report stalling, misfires, engine fires, and failure to accelerate, with a median failure mileage of 62,248. A related recall (25V274000) covers engine inspection and repair on 6.2L V8 models.
- Engine complaints
- 433
- 52% of 825
- Crashes reported
- 4
- Fires reported
- 4
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 62,248 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Engine catches fire in the engine compartment, sometimes minutes after the vehicle is parked and shut off.
- Vehicle stalls unexpectedly at low speed or while idling in traffic, occasionally with no warning light illuminated.
- Engine misfires, backfires, or pops through the intake while driving, in some cases traced to a broken valve spring or bad lifter.
- Vehicle fails to accelerate when the pedal is pressed, sometimes accompanied by a loud knocking sound and an illuminated check engine light.
- Engine fails to crank or start, in one case after unrelated collision damage to wiring.
- Loud ticking noise combined with power loss and a transmission that slips between gears.
When 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 engine complaints were filed
First complaint Dec 13, 2020, latest Sep 24, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 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.
Engine complaints by Silverado 1500 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are engine problems in the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
- NHTSA lists 433 engine complaints for the 2021 Silverado 1500, which is 52% of all 825 complaints filed for that model year — the highest share among the years listed.
- Is there a recall for the 2021 Silverado 1500 engine?
- Yes. Recall 25V274000 covers 2021-2024 Silverado 1500 and related GM models with a 6.2L V8 gas engine; dealers inspect the engine and repair or replace it as needed.
- At what mileage do engine problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine complaints on the 2021 Silverado 1500 is 62,248 miles.
- Do engine problems on the 2021 Silverado 1500 involve fires or crashes?
- NHTSA records list 4 fires and 4 crashes among the 2021 Silverado 1500 engine complaints, with no reported injuries.