2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 64,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

The truck shut down while on the highway, complete loss of power and would not restart. Chevrolet dealership concluded that the engine has locked up/failed. Chevrolet states that 2021 6.2-L L87 engine is not included in Recall 25V-274 despite similar mechanical failure.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Took my truck 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 6.2 to GMC for engine noise and was told my engine needs to be tore down to replace the camshaft and lifters for $11,000 or I could replace the engine for around the same cost. Truck doesn’t fall under the 6.2 recall even though this is one of the issues that the motor has been recalled for?Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 64,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

2021 Silverado with 5.3 engine/8spd transmission/38,000 miles just outside of the 5-year powertrain warranty *No current recalls under this VIN as of 10/07/2026* Undiagnosed issues with symptoms similar to transmission or rear end slippage, torque converter or clutch pack problems. No warning lights or messages have appeared 1) Vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle previously had a bell housing installed to catch internal metal shavings; however, the housing assembly failed again and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for a diagnostic test. The contact associated the failure with the torque…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 60,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 8,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

The check engine light came on and my engine would stall sometimes, it would stall at start up so no safety issue. I took my truck to the dealer a week later where they said a wire was corroded from rubbing on something causing the issues and that it was a common issue.Owner complaint, filed 2026

The key will not release from the ignition when in park. This is all over the internet as a very big problem. People are bypassing the ignition interlock so they don’t have to leave the vehicle unattended with the key in the ignition inviting theft. Therefore while driving the ignition could be cut off and the key can come out. This is a…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 89,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

While coming to a stop, a snap ring came off the brake master cylinder. Vehicle top speed was 40mph, with the parking brake automatically engaged. ***Note from mechanic: Vehicle has several brake faults, C05CC and C05CF master cylinder piston position sensor performance, C2A17 hydraulic brake sponginess, and C0277 brake pedal position…Owner complaint, filed 2026

While driving my 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trail Boss, multiple warning lights and messages suddenly appeared related to the ABS and brake system. The brake pedal became extremely difficult to press and the truck became unsafe to drive. The issue happened unexpectedly while the vehicle was in operation, creating a serious safety…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 42,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (26), Tailgate: latch (5).

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

According to 2 mechanics- including a body shop - the frame has prematurely rusted due to: TSB 19-NA-255 - Wax Coating on Frame Peeling, Metal Shows Corrosion/Rusting There's so much damage to a 2021 truck, that it may not survive this winter. The frame welds are breaking due to the lack of frame protection. I asked my dealership…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Rear tailgate does not open and sometimes will show a warning on the dash that the tailgate is open when it is not. The tailgate for the heavy duty 2500/3500 trucks were recalled for the same reason but not the 1500 trucks. This is a common issue on the truck forums and is an unsafe condition.Owner complaint, filed 2026

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

While driving vehicle service power steering light came on had no power steering had to wrestle steering wheel no power steering a smaller person would not have able to handle itOwner complaint, filed 2026

Sudden loss of power steering, usually upon initial start. May return, may not return during drive. Began around 1 week ago. Sudden loss of power steering when turning either right or left has occurred causing a dangerous situation. Upon loss of power steering, 2 warnings appear. One for loss of power steering and the other for the…Owner complaint, filed 2026

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

At 62000 miles, I was having a transmission problem but had no check engine lights associated with the issue. The day I took it to the dealership for the transmission, the check engine light came on for the first time ever when I started the vehicle. The dealership first said it was a faulty solenoid on the purge valve, replaced that…Owner complaint, filed 2026

P146B (EVAP Purge Pump System Performance) engine code started occurring around 50,000 miles. This is similar to the recall for 2019-2020 Chevy Silverado, Cadillac XT4, and GMC Sierra 1500 covered by N202324990.Owner complaint, filed 2025

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

Air bag light was on , took to dealership because this was absolutely a safety hazard! The left front crash sensor is defective.Owner complaint, filed 2026

25 to 30 MPH front end collision with no air bag deployment. During repair it showed airbags deployed although none were out.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 8,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

last October 2025 while going a slow rate of speed my passenger front ball joint severed and this past 17 oct 2026 my driver side ball joint broke also going a slow rate of speed after turning onto a highway.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Ball joint Failure of front passenger wheel assembly Wheel literally folded under truck . Both ball joints broke . 64k miles luckily I was only doing about 20 mph .Owner complaint, filed 2026

Parts named most: Automatic emergency braking (7), Warnings (5).

What to check before you buy

• Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
• Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
• Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

When I am driving over 40mph and accelerate my breaks lock up. It's almost like I hit something really hard. It has done this at 70 mph and almost cause an accident behind me. My truck doesn't have automatic emergency braking on it. I have read a form a lot of people are having this same issue with this year and make.Owner complaint, filed 2024

I was on the highway doing 70 MPH with my family driving down I-40 through western NC (mountainous terrain) when my brakes went out and the vehicle went into limp mode. I was able to safely pull over thank God and then had my vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer just informed me that a software update is needed, and not covered under…Owner complaint, filed 2026

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

While towing at night with horses, trailer lights started blinking on and off, eventually for longer periods, then stopped working all together. Research shows this is a common problem in GM vehicles related to the wiring and trailer light module. This is especially dangerous when pulling horses at night and all of the sudden lights go…Owner complaint, filed 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the contact attempted to change lanes and the high beams automatically activated without driver input. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic and confirmed that the high beam headlights were activating whenever the indicators were…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 100,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

A tire purchased new as part of a complete set failed on June 29, 2026, approximately 58 days after purchase. The vehicle was being driven on a smooth road surface under normal driving conditions when the tire suddenly failed. There was no known impact with a pothole, curb, road debris, or other road hazard before the failure, and there…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Unknown,don’t want to have an accident if my rear wheel lock up on me for my recall of my vehicle don’t want to put my family at riskOwner complaint, filed 2024

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

I am left handed, and am most comfortable driving with my left hand at the 9 to 10 o'clock position. The chevy truck I just purchased has the cruise control settings to the left side of the horn on the steering wheel. Their is a protruding "thumb joystick" which is used to set the speed up or down by using your thumb or finger. Multiple…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 75 miles

On 4/27/26, my family and I were traveling south on Colorado C470 at 8 AM. Our 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 had catastrophic engine failure at highway speed as we were passing an 18 wheeler. The failure caused the vehicle to lose power and engine, and the display said to put the truck in Neutral and restart the engine. After coasting to the…Owner complaint, filed 2026

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

I am submitting a safety complaint regarding a vehicle restraint system failure. I was involved in a collision with a deer. During the incident, the seat belt pretensioner activated; however, the seat belt did not properly restrain me. I experienced forward movement despite the pretensioner activation. The airbags did not deploy. Because…Owner complaint, filed 2026

I dropped an ink pen between the drivers seat and the center fold down seat. While attempting to retrieve the pen I reached between the drivers seat and the console just forward of the seatbelt connector with my right hand. When I pulled my hand out a sharp piece of metal on the seat frame sliced the fatty portion of my hand below the…Owner complaint, filed 2024