The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has 8 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 855 complaints with NHTSA, including 20 crashes, 12 fires, 17 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Engine (396 reports).
NHTSA rates it up to 5 stars overall for crash safety, depending on the version.
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 recalls
Rear Wheels Can Lock Up, Raising Crash Risk
Certain pickups from model years 2020 to 2022 may have been repaired incorrectly under an earlier recall (24V797).
Engine may fail unexpectedly, raising crash risk
Certain 2021 full-size Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC SUVs and pickups equipped with the 6.2L V8 gas engine may have a connecting rod or crankshaft with a manufacturing defect.
Rear Wheels Can Lock Up, Raising Crash Risk
Certain 2020-2021 GM full-size pickups and SUVs equipped with diesel engines may have a transmission control valve that can fail.
Wrong spare tire can disable anti-lock brakes
Certain 2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks equipped with accessory road tires and 17-inch wheels may have a spare tire that is not compatible with those accessory wheels.
Driver Air Bag May Not Deploy Properly in a Crash
The front driver's side air bag module may be missing one or more metal tabs that hold the plastic air bag cover to the housing.
Seat Belts May Not Be Securely Attached, Raising Crash Injury Risk
Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more points where the seat belts attach to the vehicle.
Front Center Seat Belt May Not Restrain Occupant in Crash
Some full-size Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups from the 2019 to 2020 model years have a problem with the seat belt brackets for the front center seat.
Tires May Fail Suddenly, Raising Crash Risk
Certain GM vehicles from 2020 and 2021, including Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Traverse, and Chevrolet and GMC Silverado and Sierra 1500 models, may have been built with Continental tires that were overcured during manufacturing.
Most common 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems
Problem areas named in the 855 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Engine | 396 |
| Power Train | 244 |
| Electrical System | 113 |
| Unknown Or Other | 74 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 60 |
| Steering | 43 |
| Service Brakes | 40 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 30 |
| Structure | 29 |
| Air Bags | 20 |
What owners report
The lifter on my cylinder one is failing. This is a known issue with the Chevrolet 5.3L 8cylinder engine and 2021 models are known for being notoriously bad with lifter issues. My safety and the safety of other drivers that own 2021 Chevrolet models is impacted due to this issue can cause the engine to completely fail and shut off while driving which could cause severe injuries up to death. The problem is a widespread issue and mine was confirmed by an independent service mechanic. The vehicle is now being inspected by the dealership. The issue did not arise until I reached 104,000 miles.
I bought this vehicle 9/2023. On 02/23/2024, I started my truck, and heard a very loud knocking noise upon starting it. I turned it off. Called the dealership to come pick it up. They were able to repair it, by repairing some of the lifters on one side. Fast forward to 10/25/2026, I started my truck and heard the same knocking noise. Called the dealership to come pick it up. They say my truck is no longer covered under the power train warranty, and it will cost $10,000 to replace the other side of lifters and cam shaft.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle at highway speeds, the vehicle shut off and lost power. The vehicle failed to accelerate and coasted off the interstate to a safe stop. The contact stated that several warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel while the vehicle was losing power. The contact stated that two days prior to the failure, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an oil change, and there was no failure found. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be repla
On October 18, 2026, I was driving my 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the 5.3L V8 engine at highway speeds with my wife and two young daughters in the vehicle when the engine suddenly lost power and the truck began shaking violently. The check engine light flashed, and "Service ESC" and "Service Parking Brake" warnings appeared on the dashboard. The sudden loss of power at highway speeds created a serious safety risk to my family and surrounding motorists. I was able to get the vehicle off the highway safely. Restarting the truck did not resolve the issue, and it was no longer drivable. The truck was towed by a AAA contractor to a Chevrolet dealership. Following inspection, the dealership
My truck experienced a sudden catastrophic engine failure at highway speeds. It is directly related to the current recall on L87 gm engines and has the same symptoms but is not covered under the current recall. The crankshaft failed thus causing the timing chain to break completely destroying the engine.
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 safety rating
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★ 4-star | 4 | 5 | 4 (19.8% rollover risk) |
| 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/EC 4WD | ★★★★★ 5-star | 4 | 5 | 4 (19.8% rollover risk) |
| 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/RC 4WD | ★★★★★ 5-star | 4 | 5 | 4 (19.8% rollover risk) |
| 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/CC 2WD | ★★★★ 4-star | 4 | 5 | 4 (19.1% rollover risk) |
| 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/EC 2WD | ★★★★★ 5-star | 4 | 5 | 4 (19.1% rollover risk) |
| 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/RC 2WD | ★★★★★ 5-star | 4 | 5 | 4 (19.1% rollover risk) |
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 questions
Does the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: Rear Wheels Can Lock Up, Raising Crash Risk; Engine may fail unexpectedly, raising crash risk; Rear Wheels Can Lock Up, Raising Crash Risk; Wrong spare tire can disable anti-lock brakes; Driver Air Bag May Not Deploy Properly in a Crash. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
Based on 855 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine (396), Power Train (244), Electrical System (113).
How safe is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings program gives the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 up to 5 out of 5 stars overall; ratings vary by version, see the table above.
How do I check if a recall on my 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.