2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 has a Complaint Index of 60 and ranks 9th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Transmission & Powertrain issues lead complaints at 34%, and NHTSA lists 6 recalls including a brake control module park-outside recall.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #9 of 21 Silverado 2500 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 85
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
Top 2021 Chevy Silverado 2500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain29 (34%)
- Electrical System18 (21%)
- Brakes12 (14%)
- Structure & Body12 (14%)
- Fuel System8 (9%)
- Engine7 (8%)
- Other6 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (4%)
- Airbags2 (2%)
- Steering2 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the truck catching fire in the cab and bed area while driving at low speed.
- Some describe complete loss of braking ability, with the pedal going to the floor and needing to shift into park to stop.
- Others report the engine cranking but failing to start, sometimes fixed after waiting, with no error codes found by dealers.
- Owners describe the rear backup camera failing shortly after purchase and showing an error message.
- Some report a gasoline smell inside the cab and finding a pool of leaked fuel under the engine.
- Owners describe persistent brake squeaking noise and needing excessive pedal pressure to stop, especially while towing.
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- NHTSA 24V060000Feb 1, 2024Structure & Body570,434 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with power-unlatching tailgates. The tailgate's electronic gate-release switch may short circuit due to water intrusion, which can result in the tailgate inadvertently unlatching while the vehicle is in park.
Risk: An unlatched tailgate may open while driving and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2024. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232426400.
- NHTSA 21V758000Sep 29, 2021Brakes3,241 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:electric:control module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles with electronic brake control modules (EBCM) replaced during vehicle assembly. The bolts that attach the brake pressure modulator valve (BPMV) assembly may not be properly tightened, which could fail to seal the two sub-assemblies and allow water intrusion.
Risk: Water in the BPMV may cause an electrical short circuit and increase the risk of fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from other structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will replace the BPMV assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 20, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212349181.
2021 compared with other Silverado 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2021 model year a Complaint Index of 60 and a Caution verdict, ranking 9th worst among 21 model years of the Silverado 2500. Transmission and Powertrain complaints make up 34% of reports.
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Silverado 2500?
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints account for 34% of reports, with a median failure mileage of 97,000 miles. Electrical System issues follow at 21%, often occurring near 1,656 miles, and Brakes issues make up 14%.
- Does the 2021 Silverado 2500 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2021 Silverado 2500, covering transmission control module software, tailgate release switches, brake control modules, spare tires, and seat belt bolts. One recall tells owners to park outside away from structures until repaired.
- How does the 2021 Silverado 2500 compare to other model years?
- The 2021 model's Complaint Index of 60 is worse than years like 2010 through 2014 and 2017, which earned Best verdicts with indexes as low as 0, but better than 2020 and 2024, which are rated Avoid with indexes of 85 and 100.