2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 has a complaint index of 95, the second-worst among 21 model years, and carries a Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 40 complaints, 5 recalls, one fire and one crash, with electrical and structure/body issues each making up 30% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 95/100
- #2 of 21 Silverado 3500 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 40
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Electrical System
Top 2021 Chevy Silverado 3500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System12 (30%)
- Structure & Body12 (30%)
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (18%)
- Brakes5 (13%)
- Fuel System5 (13%)
- Other5 (13%)
- Engine3 (8%)
- Airbags2 (5%)
- Steering2 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Tailgates open or close on their own at highway speed, sometimes dumping cargo and in one case damaging a trailer.
- A fuel system fire was reported at 15,521 miles after smoke appeared from the rear of the truck while driving 45 MPH.
- The trailer lighting module throws false 'check trailer wiring' warnings and cuts trailer lights without a blown fuse.
- The transmission can suddenly lose power and refuse to re-engage drive, including on a downhill mountain road.
- Fuel filter contamination has triggered check-engine and OnStar service warnings tied to water and sludge in the fuel system.
- Side mirrors reset to the downward position on restart and need readjusting every time, reported around 44,000 miles.
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 recalls
5 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 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 model has a complaint index of 95, ranking it 2nd worst out of 21 model years and earning an Avoid verdict.
- What are the biggest problems with the 2021 Silverado 3500?
- Electrical System and Structure & Body issues each account for 30% of complaints, followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 18%, Brakes at 13%, and Fuel System at 13%.
- Does the 2021 Silverado 3500 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2021 Silverado 3500, covering transmission control module software, tailgate electronics, brake control modules, and two seat belt bracket campaigns.
- Was there a fire risk with the 2021 Silverado 3500?
- NHTSA recorded 1 fire complaint, involving smoke from the rear of the vehicle at 15,521 miles linked to the Fuel System.
- How does the 2021 model compare to other Silverado 3500 years?
- The 2021 model's complaint index of 95 is close to the worst year, 2024, which scored 100, while years like 2017 and 2018 scored 0 and 10 and earned Best verdicts.