2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500: Problems & Reliability
AVOID2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500: AVOID — 89 owner complaints, rated on its recalls: 6 campaigns, 1 for fire or crash risk; top issue: powertrain / transmission (30 complaints).
CarWhere's verdict score for the 2021 is 1.67, where 1.00 is a typical Silverado 2500 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 0.07. Severity drives it: 62% 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, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Model years 2015–2026 compared · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
89
NHTSA complaints
1.67
Verdict score (1.00 = typical Silverado 2500 year)
1,059
Service bulletins
6
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 problems
Powertrain / transmission is the clear leader, named in 34% of complaints.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2021 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain / transmission | 30 | 34% |
| Electrical system | 17 | 19% |
| Service brakes | 12 | 13% |
| Engine | 8 | 9% |
| Latches, locks & linkages | 8 | 9% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 recalls
6 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2021, reported between Dec 17, 2020 and Oct 24, 2024.
| NHTSA campaign | Reported | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 24V797000 | Oct 24, 2024 | Powertrain / transmission › Automatic transmission › Control module › Software |
| 24V060000 | Feb 1, 2024 | Latches, locks & linkages › Tailgate › Latch |
| 21V758000 | Sep 29, 2021 | Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Electric › Control module |
| 21V578000 | Jul 29, 2021 | Tires › Temporary/emergency spare tire |
| 20V811000 | Dec 23, 2020 | Seat belts |
| 20V792000 | Dec 17, 2020 | Seat belts |
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 1,059 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2021 — close to the 1,042 of the median Silverado 2500 year from 2015 to 2026. Coded bulletins most often cover electrical system (254), engine & cooling (218), powertrain / transmission (149). 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 fell 10% (99 → 89) — an improvement. The 2022 that followed held roughly level (89 → 89).
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Silverado 2500 | AVOID | 99 | 1,386 | 10 | — |
| 2021 (this page) | AVOID | 89 | 1,059 | 6 | — |
| 2022 Silverado 2500 | AVOID | 89 | 1,032 | 3 | — |
Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Chevrolet Silverado 2500 years to avoid.
What to check on a used 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
Powertrain / transmission (30 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 (17 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 (12 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.
Engine (8 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.
Latches, locks & linkages (8 complaints on the 2021): open and lock every door, the liftgate or trunk and the hood, by key fob and by hand.
Recalls: confirm all 6 campaigns above were completed on this VIN.
Know what to pay for the right 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 — then negotiate it
Years-to-avoid tells you which year. Search live listings to see the target price and what verified buyers actually paid for it.
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FAQ
Is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 reliable?
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500: AVOID — 89 owner complaints, rated on its recalls: 6 campaigns, 1 for fire or crash risk; top issue: powertrain / transmission (30 complaints). CarWhere's verdict score for the 2021 is 1.67, where 1.00 is a typical Silverado 2500 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 0.07.
What are the most common 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 are powertrain / transmission (30, 34%), electrical system (17, 19%), service brakes (12, 13%). The manufacturer has 1,059 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 have?
6 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, most recently 24V797000 (Oct 24, 2024, powertrain / transmission); 24V060000 (Feb 1, 2024, latches, locks & linkages); 21V758000 (Sep 29, 2021, service brakes, hydraulic). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 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 2500 come from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation; 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.