YearToAvoid

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Structure & Body Problems

NHTSA lists 46 Structure & Body complaints for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 6% of its 825 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 42,000. There are no related recalls in this area, and owners most often report the tailgate opening unexpectedly.

Structure & Body complaints
46
6% of 825
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3
Median mileage
42,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical body and structure symptoms owners report

  • Tailgate randomly unlatches and drops open while driving, parked, or during unrelated actions like locking or starting the truck.
  • Electronic tailgate release triggers on its own, sometimes repeatedly, forcing drivers to stop and re-secure the gate.
  • Some owners report the same door key from another Chevy model year opens the 2021 Silverado's locks, raising security concerns.
  • A front bumper filler and bracket were found detached and wearing against the panel, requiring body shop repair.
  • Owners report the third brake light leaking water into the cab, staining the headliner near the rear glass.
  • One owner reported a sharp object between the seat and center console causing an injury requiring stitches.

When 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 body and structure complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 8, 2021, latest Sep 23, 2026.

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 structure & body complaints: complaints filed per month3Mar 2021Mar 2023Feb 2024Jul 2024Nov 2024Apr 2025Nov 2025Apr 2026
46 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2021 to Sep 2026; peak Apr 2024 (3).

Structure & Body recalls for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Structure & Body complaints by Silverado 1500 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200534 (4%)
  2. 200634 (6%)
  3. 200792 (9%)
  4. 2008128 (12%)
  5. 200975 (14%)
  6. 201057 (13%)
  7. 201191 (14%)
  8. 201251 (18%)
  9. 201388 (24%)
  10. 2014141 (9%)
  11. 201563 (5%)
  12. 201625 (3%)
  13. 201730 (4%)
  14. 201814 (3%)
  15. 201925 (2%)
  16. 202034 (5%)
  17. 202146 (6%)
  18. 202225 (4%)
  19. 20239 (2%)
  20. 202414 (5%)
  21. 20253 (3%)

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 tailgate a common problem?
NHTSA lists 46 Structure & Body complaints for the 2021 Silverado 1500, or 6% of its 825 total complaints, and several sample complaints describe the tailgate unlatching or opening on its own.
Is there a recall for the 2021 Silverado 1500 tailgate or body issues?
No. The JSON shows no related recalls listed for Structure & Body on the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500.
At what mileage do structure and body problems show up on the 2021 Silverado 1500?
The median mileage at failure for Structure & Body complaints on the 2021 Silverado 1500 is 42,000 miles.
Did the 2021 Silverado 1500's body problems cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA records 0 crashes and 0 fires tied to Structure & Body complaints for this year, but 3 injuries were reported.
How does the 2021 Silverado 1500 compare to other years for body complaints?
The 2021 model's 46 Structure & Body complaints (6% share) is lower than years like 2013 (24% share) and 2011 (14% share), but higher than 2018 (3%) and 2023 (2%).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.