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2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: common problems and reliability
· 4th generationOne of the weaker Silverado 1500 years.
839 owner complaints, most about engine. 8 recalls.
Should I buy one?The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has 839 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 8 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and power train. Owners most often flag 8-speed automatic transmission problems: including hard low-speed shifting, banging out of first gear, and early failure.
Safety record for the 2021 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Silverado 1500 years only. How we score it
Is 2021 a good year for the Silverado 1500?
Across the 28 Silverado 1500 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 384 (2023) to 2,323 (1999). With 839 complaints, the 2021 Silverado 1500 sits below the model's median of 1,076.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2021 Silverado 1500
seat belts
Campaign 20V792000General 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. The seat belt brackets may not be secured to the seat frame in the front-row center seating position.
seat belts
Campaign 20V811000General 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. 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.
tires
Campaign 20V684000General 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. The vehicles may have been manufactured with Continental tires that were overcured.
air bags:frontal
Campaign 21V495000General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vehicles. 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.
Show 4 more recalls
tires:temporary/emergency spare tire
Campaign 21V985000General 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. 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.
power train:automatic transmission:control module:software
Campaign 24V797000General 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. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
Campaign 25V274000General 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. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
power train:automatic transmission:control module:software
Campaign 26V083000General 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. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up.
What owners report on the 4th generation Silverado 1500
Owner sentiment for the 2018-2026 Silverado 1500 is mixed and leans cautious. Owners praise the 5.3L V8 and the 3.0L Duramax diesel for power and fuel economy, and several describe their trucks as trouble-free when driven mostly on the highway.
- Very frequent8-speed automatic transmission problems
Including hard low-speed shifting, banging out of first gear, and early failure.
- RecurrentAFM/DFM lifter failure requiring head work
Reported around 100k miles and, in 2019 trucks, within the first 10k miles.
- RecurrentTransmission failure in the 80k-140k range on fleet trucks
- IsolatedDriveshaft clunking when coming to a stop, described as present from the factory
- IsolatedMisfire code that appears roughly every 10k miles and clears on its own
Owner insights for the 4th generation Silverado 1500. Read the full 4th generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Silverado 1500 listings typically run $19,567–$37,495.
Other Silverado 1500 model years
Compare every Silverado 1500 year side by side to see how 2021 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Silverado 1500 against its rivals
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