2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: Problems & Reliability
AVOID2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: AVOID — 859 owner complaints (1.62 per 1,000 sold), 1.2× the Silverado 1500 median year; top issue: engine (399 complaints).
CarWhere's verdict score for the 2021 is 2.18, where 1.00 is a typical Silverado 1500 year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; the avoid line is 1.60, so this year clears it by 0.58. Severity drives it: 82% of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury or involve a safety-critical system (engine, powertrain, steering, brakes or fuel).
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints (ODI), recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins, published U.S. sales, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Model years 2015–2026 compared · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
859
NHTSA complaints
1.62
Complaints per 1,000 sold
1,446
Service bulletins
8
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems
Engine is the clear leader, named in 46% of complaints.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2021 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 399 | 46% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 245 | 29% |
| Electrical system | 113 | 13% |
| Unknown or other | 74 | 9% |
| Engine & cooling | 60 | 7% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 recalls
8 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2021, reported between Nov 5, 2020 and Feb 13, 2026.
| NHTSA campaign | Reported | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 26V083000 | Feb 13, 2026 | Powertrain / transmission › Automatic transmission › Control module › Software |
| 25V274000 | Apr 24, 2025 | Engine & cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical |
| 24V797000 | Oct 24, 2024 | Powertrain / transmission › Automatic transmission › Control module › Software |
| 21V985000 | Dec 16, 2021 | Tires › Temporary/emergency spare tire |
| 21V495000 | Jul 1, 2021 | Air bags › Frontal |
| 20V811000 | Dec 23, 2020 | Seat belts |
| 20V792000 | Dec 17, 2020 | Seat belts |
| 20V684000 | Nov 5, 2020 | Tires |
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 1,446 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2021 — close to the 1,260 of the median Silverado 1500 year from 2015 to 2026. Coded bulletins most often cover electrical system (330), engine & cooling (301), powertrain / transmission (188). Bulletins are repair instructions for dealer technicians, not recalls.
The 2021 vs. the year before and after
From the 2020 to the 2021, owner complaints rose 14% (754 → 859) — a step backward. The 2022 that followed fell 23% (859 → 661), so the 2022 has the lighter record so far.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Silverado 1500 | AVOID | 754 | 1,541 | 12 | — |
| 2021 (this page) | AVOID | 859 | 1,446 | 8 | — |
| 2022 Silverado 1500 | AVOID | 661 | 1,513 | 6 | — |
Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Chevrolet Silverado 1500 years to avoid.
What to check on a used 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Engine (399 complaints on the 2021): cold-start it yourself and listen for ticking or knocking; check for oil leaks, low coolant and a lit check-engine light, and ask for oil-change records.
Powertrain / transmission (245 complaints on the 2021): test-drive from cold through every gear and feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder; ask whether the transmission fluid has been serviced.
Electrical system (113 complaints on the 2021): test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system, and have the car scanned for stored fault codes.
Service brakes (44 complaints on the 2021): check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, look at rotor and pad wear, and ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
Recalls: confirm all 8 campaigns above were completed on this VIN.
Nearby Silverado 1500 years with a better rating: 2018.
Know what to pay for the right 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 — then negotiate it
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FAQ
Is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliable?
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: AVOID — 859 owner complaints (1.62 per 1,000 sold), 1.2× the Silverado 1500 median year; top issue: engine (399 complaints). CarWhere's verdict score for the 2021 is 2.18, where 1.00 is a typical Silverado 1500 year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; the avoid line is 1.60, so this year clears it by 0.58.
What are the most common 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 are engine (399, 46%), powertrain / transmission (245, 29%), electrical system (113, 13%). The manufacturer has 1,446 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have?
8 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, most recently 26V083000 (Feb 13, 2026, powertrain / transmission); 25V274000 (Apr 24, 2025, engine & cooling); 24V797000 (Oct 24, 2024, powertrain / transmission). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & method
Complaint, recall and service-bulletin counts for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 come from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation; the per-1,000 rate divides complaints by published U.S. 2021 calendar-year sales; the verdict is CarWhere’s severity-weighted, time-on-road-adjusted score compared with the model’s own median year. Complaints are owner allegations, not verified defects. Full methodology.