2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Recalls and Problems
NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 859 owner complaints for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. It has 2 open investigations that name this model year.
Recalled components: powertrain, seat belts, tires, air bags, and 1 more. Most-described problem: engine failure or replacement (166 complaints, 19%). Most-reported area: engine (399 complaints, 46%; median mileage when it happened: 59,300).
Fewer complaints than a typical Silverado 1500 year
The 2021 drew 174 owner complaints in its first three years, against about 176 for a typical Silverado 1500 year.
No Silverado 1500 year stands out enough to avoid; best year: 2018. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
Data: NHTSA recall, complaint and investigation filesUpdated
Best year
Excludes the Silverado EV and heavy-duty 2500 and 3500.
8 safety recalls for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Grouped by the part recalled, largest group first, newest first within each part. Summaries are NHTSA's own wording. Open a recall for what is wrong, the fix and the full notice.
Powertrain 2 recalls
automatic transmission · control module · software
Risk: Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicles and update the transmission control software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 6, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252516560. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 12, 2026.
1,055 vehicles.
General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, 3500, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles that may have been repaired incorrectly under recall 24V797.
NHTSA listing: SILVERADO 1500. Components: Powertrain: automatic transmission, control module, software; Powertrain: automatic transmission, fluid/lubricant, valves/valve body. Chevrolet campaign N252516560.
automatic transmission · control module · software
Risk: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
Fix: 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.
463,295 vehicles.
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.
NHTSA listing: SILVERADO 1500. Components: Powertrain: automatic transmission, control module, software; Powertrain: automatic transmission, fluid/lubricant, valves/valve body. Chevrolet campaign N242454440.
Risk: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.
470 vehicles.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles.
Risk: If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The seat belt brackets may not be secured to the seat frame in the front-row center seating position.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect left-side and right-sidefront-row center seat-belt bracket attachments and reassemble it correctly as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202314670.
624,216 vehicles.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon XL and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles.
Risk: An ABS system that does not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The 17" spare tire provided with the vehicle is not compatible for use with the accessory wheels, which can cause the anti-lock brake system (ABS) to not function properly under certain conditions.
Fix: Dealers will provide a new 17" spare tire and wheel assembly that is compatible with the accessory wheels, free of charge. Dealers will also apply a new spare tire information label, and provide owners with an owner's manual insert clarifying which spare tire to use with the accessory road tires and with the 17" original tires. Owner notification letters were mailed February 7, 2022. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212346510.
626 vehicles.
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 GMC Sierra 1500 and Silverado 1500 vehicles equipped with certain accessory road tires and a 17" spare tire.
NHTSA listing: SILVERADO 1500. Chevrolet campaign N212346510.
Risk: Overcured tires may experience a carcass break in the sidewall resulting in a sudden air loss or could develop a belt edge separation which could lead to partial or full tread/belt loss. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The vehicles may have been manufactured with Continental tires that were overcured.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect vehicles and replace tires that have DOT number and production mold number combinations identified by Continental, free of charge. The recall began December 17, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202319030.
7,516 vehicles.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles.
NHTSA listing: SILVERADO 1500. Chevrolet campaign N202319030.
Risk: The missing tabs may prevent the air bag from deploying properly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The front driver's side air bag module may be missing one or more metal tabs that secure the plastic air bag cover to the housing.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag, and replace it if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 16, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212336560.
12 vehicles.
General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vehicles.
NHTSA listing: SILVERADO 1500. Chevrolet campaign N212336560.
Risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.
597,571 vehicles.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine.
NHTSA listing: SILVERADO 1500. Chevrolet campaign N252494000.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA has opened 5 investigations that name the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500; 2 are still open. An investigation means NHTSA is reviewing reports of a problem. It is not a finding that the vehicle has a defect.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
Engineering analysis EA26005Open since Aug 20, 2026
On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001.
NHTSA listing: SILVERADO 1500. Component: Engine.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Engineering analysis EA25007Open since Oct 23, 2025
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 1,157 reports of engine bearing failure failures in the L87 6.2L engine produced by General Motors (GM).
NHTSA listing: SILVERADO 1500. Components: Engine and cooling; Engine.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
Recall query RQ26001Closed Aug 20, 2026 (opened Jan 16, 2026)
On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001.
NHTSA listing: SILVERADO 1500. Component: Engine.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Preliminary evaluation PE25001Closed Oct 23, 2025 (opened Jan 16, 2025)
On January 16, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE25001 after receiving complaints and field reports concerning engine failures in MY2019-2024 GM’s full-size truck and SUV… NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA ties this investigation to recall 25V-274, listed above.
NHTSA listing: SILVERADO 1500. Components: Engine and cooling; Engine.
Air bag malfunction
Preliminary evaluation PE21010Closed Aug 24, 2023 (opened Apr 9, 2021)
On April 9, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE21-010 to investigate instances of air bag malfunction indicator light (MIL) illumination and potential for frontal air bag non-deployment in several… NHTSA's full summary
A preliminary evaluation is NHTSA's first step, to gather information and decide whether to look further. An engineering analysis is a deeper review, usually opened after a preliminary evaluation. A recall query is a review of whether a recall covered the right vehicles or whether its fix works. NHTSA lists investigations by make, model and model year only, so one can apply to only some versions of a model, such as one engine; its summary says which.
What owners report
Owners have filed 859 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Silverado 1500. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Engine failure or replacement166 · 19%
Median 78,000 miles at failure, from 33 reports with mileage
Check engine light161 · 19%
Median 77,200 miles at failure, from 48 reports with mileage
Loss of power or limp mode124 · 14%
Median 64,000 miles at failure, from 33 reports with mileage
Shaking, shuddering or vibration81 · 9%
Jerking, lurching or harsh shifting69 · 8%
Median 67,400 miles at failure, from 16 reports with mileage
Stalling or shutting off67 · 8%
Median 72,500 miles at failure, from 26 reports with mileage
Misfires or rough running56 · 7%
Hesitation or slow acceleration55 · 6%
Median 70,000 miles at failure, from 25 reports with mileage
Median 59,300 miles at failure, from 58 reports with mileage
Powertrain245 · 29%
Median 63,500 miles at failure, from 44 reports with mileage
Electrical system113 · 13%
Median 7,500 miles at failure, from 15 reports with mileage
Engine and cooling60 · 7%
Median 68,500 miles at failure, from 50 reports with mileage
Brakes44 · 5%
Steering43 · 5%
Fuel and propulsion system30 · 3%
Unknown or other74 · 9%
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2021 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2019 Silverado 1500 drew the most (338) and the 2021 drew 174.
Owner complaints
2021: 859 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Model year
Complaints
2010
425
2011
640
2012
284
2013
366
2014
1,562
2015
1,187
2016
802
2017
840
2018
524
2019
1,105
2020
755
2021
859
2022
663
2023
397
2024
323
2025
111
2026
132
Safety recalls
2021: 8 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Model year
Recalls
2010
3
2011
6
2012
3
2013
3
2014
17
2015
17
2016
14
2017
7
2018
7
2019
10
2020
12
2021
8
2022
6
2023
3
2024
2
2025
0
2026
3
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
What are the most common 2021 Silverado 1500 problems?
In the 859 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the problems described most are engine failure or replacement (166), the check engine light coming on (161), and loss of power or limp mode (124). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 safe?
In NHTSA crash tests the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 earns 4 to 5 stars overall, depending on the version. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
Yes. NHTSA has 2 open investigations that name the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy (EA26005, opened Aug 20, 2026) and loss of motive power due to engine failure (EA25007, opened Oct 23, 2025). It has closed 3 others. An investigation is not a finding that the vehicle has a defect.
How do I check if my Silverado 1500 has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Chevrolet dealers.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Nov 12, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Nov 11, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: SILVERADO 1500.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.