YearToAvoid

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

60/100

#9 most-complained of 21 Silverado 2500 years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 has 85 owner complaints and 6 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 60 out of 100 — #9 highest of 21 Silverado 2500 model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is transmission & powertrain (29 complaints, 34% of the total). Complaints report 2 crashes, 1 fire, and 2 injuries.

Complaints
85
Recalls
6
Crashes / fires
2 / 1
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2021 Chevy Silverado 2500 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain29 (34%)
  2. Electrical System18 (21%)
  3. Brakes12 (14%)
  4. Structure & Body12 (14%)
  5. Fuel System8 (9%)
  6. Engine7 (8%)
  7. Other6 (7%)
  8. Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (4%)
  9. Airbags2 (2%)
  10. Steering2 (2%)
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 complaints: complaints filed per quarter112021 Q12021 Q42022 Q42023 Q42024 Q32025 Q22026 Q1
102 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2021 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2025 Q1 (11).

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 recalls

6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 6 recalls for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 →

2021 compared with other Silverado 2500 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Good45747—
2020Avoid8510810—
2021Caution60856—
2022Caution70953—
2023Good35471—

All Chevrolet Silverado 2500 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 ranks #9 of 21 among Silverado 2500 model years (Complaint Index 60/100, verdict: Caution). It has 85 complaints and 6 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 2500?
The most reported problem areas are transmission & powertrain (29 complaints), electrical system (18 complaints), and brakes (12 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 32,000 miles.
Does the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, most recently reported 2024, covering transmission & powertrain, structure & body, brakes, and suspension, wheels & tires.

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.