YearToAvoid

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Electrical System Problems

NHTSA lists 18 Electrical System complaints for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, which is 21% of its 85 total complaints for the year. There are no related recalls tied to this data, and no crashes, fires, or injuries were reported. Median mileage at failure was 1,656 miles.

Electrical System complaints
18
21% of 85
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
1,656 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the truck failing to start intermittently, sometimes taking about 30 minutes before it would fire up, with the auto-start feature also failing to engage during these episodes.
  • Some owners describe the rear backup camera stopping working shortly after purchase and displaying an error message with no fix identified.
  • Several owners report the tailgate opening or closing on its own while driving, sometimes with no input from the key fob, tailgate switch, or interior switch.
  • Owners describe the 'Service Trailer Brake System' warning triggering repeatedly with a beeping alert that will not stop.
  • One owner reported a factory LED headlamp strobing intermittently before failing completely.
  • Owners report a wiring harness to the DEF tank melting, triggering an engine code, with one owner noting this was not covered under an existing GM recall.

When 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 18, 2021, latest Dec 12, 2025.

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 electrical system complaints: complaints filed per month2Jan 2021Jan 2023Nov 2023Feb 2024Jun 2024Jan 2025Apr 2025Oct 2025
18 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2021 to Dec 2025; peak Jan 2025 (2).

Electrical System recalls for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Electrical System complaints by Silverado 2500 model year

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

  1. 2005103 (38%)
  2. 200614 (8%)
  3. 200712 (6%)
  4. 200823 (12%)
  5. 20099 (15%)
  6. 20102 (10%)
  7. 201110 (10%)
  8. 201211 (21%)
  9. 201312 (24%)
  10. 20147 (18%)
  11. 201565 (37%)
  12. 201622 (18%)
  13. 201716 (30%)
  14. 201815 (28%)
  15. 201921 (28%)
  16. 202018 (17%)
  17. 202118 (21%)
  18. 202230 (32%)
  19. 202316 (34%)
  20. 202458 (42%)
  21. 20257 (25%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are electrical problems on the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500?
NHTSA lists 18 Electrical System complaints for the 2021 model year, making up 21% of its 85 total complaints. That share is higher than some years but below the 2024 model year's 42% and the 2015 model year's 37%.
Is there a recall for electrical issues on the 2021 Silverado 2500?
The data provided lists no related recalls for this Electrical System complaint category on the 2021 Silverado 2500, though one complaint mentions a separate GM recall involving a DEF tank wiring harness that the owner said did not cover their truck.
At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for Electrical System complaints on the 2021 Silverado 2500 is 1,656 miles, indicating many owners reported issues early in ownership.
Did the tailgate issue cause any crashes or injuries?
No. NHTSA data for this Electrical System category on the 2021 Silverado 2500 shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries reported, despite owner descriptions of the tailgate opening unexpectedly while driving.
How does 2021 compare to other Silverado 2500 model years for electrical complaints?
The 2021 model year's 21% share of complaints is lower than 2022 (32%), 2023 (34%), and 2024 (42%), suggesting electrical complaint share has generally risen in more recent model years.

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.