2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 recalls and problems

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has 8 safety recalls and 863 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Chevrolet dealer.

Recalls
8
Complaints
863
Crashes / fires
21 / 12
Injuries / deaths
21 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 recalls

Recall 26V-083: Power Train

Reported Feb 12, 2026 · 1,055 vehicles affected · General Motors, LLC

Problem: General 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.

Risk: Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicles and update the transmission control software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 6, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252516560. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 12, 2026.

Recall 25V-274: Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Apr 24, 2025 · 597,571 vehicles affected · General Motors, LLC

Problem: General 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.

Risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.

Recall 24V-797: Power Train

Reported Oct 24, 2024 · 463,295 vehicles affected · General Motors, LLC

Problem: General 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.

Risk: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.

Recall 21V-985: Tires

Reported Dec 16, 2021 · 626 vehicles affected · General Motors, LLC

Problem: General 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.

Risk: An ABS system that does not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will provide a new 17" spare tire and wheel assembly that is compatible with the accessory wheels, free of charge. Dealers will also apply a new spare tire information label, and provide owners with an owner's manual insert clarifying which spare tire to use with the accessory road tires and with the 17" original tires. Owner notification letters were mailed February 7, 2022. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212346510.

Recall 21V-495: Air Bags

Reported Jul 1, 2021 · 12 vehicles affected · General Motors, LLC

Problem: General 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.

Risk: The missing tabs may prevent the air bag from deploying properly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag, and replace it if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 16, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212336560.

Recall 20V-811: Seat Belts

Reported Dec 23, 2020 · 470 vehicles affected · General Motors, LLC

Problem: General 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.

Risk: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.

Recall 20V-792: Seat Belts

Reported Dec 17, 2020 · 624,216 vehicles affected · General Motors, LLC

Problem: General 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.

Risk: If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect left-side and right-side front-row center seat-belt bracket attachments and reassemble it correctly as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202314670.

Recall 20V-684: Tires

Reported Nov 5, 2020 · 7,516 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: General 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.

Risk: Overcured tires may experience a carcass break in the sidewall resulting in a sudden air loss or could develop a belt edge separation which could lead to partial or full tread/belt loss. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect vehicles and replace tires that have DOT number and production mold number combinations identified by Continental, free of charge. The recall began December 17, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202319030.

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Engine401
Power Train249
Electrical System113
Unknown or Other74
Engine and Engine Cooling60
Steering43
Service Brakes40
Fuel/Propulsion System30
Structure29
Air Bags20
Suspension18
Latches/Locks/Linkages15

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 26
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 7
  • Latches/Locks/Linkages › Tailgate › Latch — 5
  • Back Over Prevention › Warnings — 3
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical — 2
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control — 2
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings — 2
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Engine Control Module (Ecu/Ecm) — 2

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 56,400 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Power Train · reported Nov 10, 2026
The tires were locking in lower gears similar to the other recalls with other models in a current recall. Transmission Control Valve Recall (NHTSA 24V797) We Had to unplug battery to be able to drive vehicle.
Power Train · at 98,000 miles · reported Nov 9, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the rear wheels locked up momentarily and released. The contact continued driving the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic evaluation. The contact was informed that metal shavings were found in the transmission fluid, and the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 98,000.
Power Train · reported Nov 6, 2026
I was getting on the highway when the motor made loud banging and clicking noises. I brought it to the dealer and they said it needed a new motor and want $21,000 to replace it. I see this specific motor 2021 Silverado 1500 6.2 liter L87 has had a recall but GM will not pay any of the costs because it is over the warranty mileage. It has 135,000 miles on it. I bought is used with about 10,000 miles, so I have requested a GM Global Warranty History (VIS) as I believe this motor was replaced previously and just blew again. Please let me know if there is anything I can do.
Engine · reported Nov 6, 2026
Regarding 6.2 liter engine, GM issued a 150,000 mile extension on the warranty, changed the oil to a heavier weight. Experienced mis-firing of the engine, took it to a dealer, they diagnosed it to be problems with lifter and cam. When dealer checked with GM, they were informed that this was not covered under the 150,000 mile warranty. We contacted GM Customer Service (Case #117160740) and got the same information. There are only 123,000 miles on this vehicle and the problem occurred after GM authorized changing the oil to a heavier weight. We think the combination of the 6.2 liter engine…
Engine · reported Nov 3, 2026
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.

Other Chevrolet Silverado 1500 years

Compare all Chevrolet Silverado 1500 years · All Chevrolet models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: 26V-083 (power train), 25V-274 (engine and engine cooling), 24V-797 (power train), 21V-985 (tires), 21V-495 (air bags) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

Owners report engine problems most often (401 reports), followed by power train (249). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 56,400 miles.

Are Chevrolet recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Chevrolet dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.