Chevrolet Silverado 1500 / 2021
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems
Owners have filed 1,064 complaints about the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with NHTSA. Engine accounts for 33.2% of them — the clear leader, ahead of power train at 21.5%.
Complaints1,064
Crashes34
Fires16
Injuries18
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Engine 33.2% · 353
Power train 21.5% · 229
Electrical system 10.1% · 107
Unknown or other 6.4% · 68
Engine and engine cooling 5.3% · 56
Steering 3.8% · 40
Service brakes 3.7% · 39
Structure 2.4% · 26
Severity
Of those complaints, 34 describe a crash, 16 describe a fire and 18 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 29 model years of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 in this data, 2021 sits 5th by complaint volume. 2014 draws the most.
Filings are rising — 811 in the last three years against 249 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 52,324 miles.
In owners' own words
Leaking radiator with no ETA on parts availability and this is also an issue with the coolant valve being on back order and both have many reports of this failing as well with some google searches. The dealership has my vehicle and has been inspected by them. I also do not understand why radiators are not apart of the powertrain when it cools the most critical part the engine. If the Radiator fails the engine fails. Engine
At 46000 miles the motor was replaced because of an internal oil consumption issue after the motor was replaced at 1500 miles the motor locked up while traveling down the road they rebuilt this motor. I went to go pick it up. Drove it 20 miles and oil was blowing out the rear main seal. after this, I sold the truck back to Gwatney Chevrolet and purchased a 2024 model with a 6.2 L I have not had any problems yet. Engine
Most mornings after starting truck and driving off, it appears to be a hesitation or brief loss of power. Issue has been present for several years. It's hard to determine if it's engine or transmission issue. Truck is available for inspection. It usually occurs when leaving house in the morning so there is no safety issue because it happens within the first minute of driving. No warnings, cannot recreate issue. Engine
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…