Chevrolet · Known Issues
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Problems & Issues
2021 model year · 6,243+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2021 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2021 model year · 6,243+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2021 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 6,243+ owner reports, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has 22 documented known issues, with 8 rated critical. The most serious are Brake Booster/Assist Malfunction (T1) ($500-$1,800 repair), Fuel Pump Module Failure ($400-$1,000 repair), 3.0L Duramax 'Service Emission System' Limp-Mode From DEF/NOx Sensor Faults ($200-$1,500 repair), 2.7L TurboMax (L3B) lifter failure, intake-valve carbon buildup, and high oil consumption ($1,500-$6,000 repair), 6.2L L87 V8 connecting-rod/crankshaft bearing failure causing loss of propulsion (recall 25V274) ($0-$12,000 repair), 6.2L L87 V8 Connecting Rod / Crankshaft Failure (Loss of Propulsion Recall 25V274) ($0-$12,000 repair), Sudden Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist / EPS Rack Failure (NHTSA Investigation) ($0-$2,300 repair) and Trailer Brakes Disabled by Incompatible Dexter Electric-Over-Hydraulic Actuator ($90-$400 repair). The most commonly reported issue is 8/10-Speed Transmission Shudder with 3,200 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $90 to $12,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
SEAT BELTS
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.
SEAT BELTS
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
TIRES
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.
+ 8 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.
Don't see your problem? Describe your symptoms to get a diagnosis, or get a full repair guide.
According to Au7o's analysis of 6,243+ owner reports, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has 22 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Brake Booster/Assist Malfunction (T1), Fuel Pump Module Failure, 3.0L Duramax 'Service Emission System' Limp-Mode From DEF/NOx Sensor Faults. Of these, 8 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has 22 known issues documented across 6,243+ owner reports. 8 issues are rated critical: Brake Booster/Assist Malfunction (T1) and Fuel Pump Module Failure and 3.0L Duramax 'Service Emission System' Limp-Mode From DEF/NOx Sensor Faults and 2.7L TurboMax (L3B) lifter failure, intake-valve carbon buildup, and high oil consumption and 6.2L L87 V8 connecting-rod/crankshaft bearing failure causing loss of propulsion (recall 25V274) and 6.2L L87 V8 Connecting Rod / Crankshaft Failure (Loss of Propulsion Recall 25V274) and Sudden Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist / EPS Rack Failure (NHTSA Investigation) and Trailer Brakes Disabled by Incompatible Dexter Electric-Over-Hydraulic Actuator. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Chevrolet Silverado 1500 issues range from $0 to $12,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Brake Booster/Assist Malfunction (T1), typically costs $500-$1,800 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
The T1 generation Silverado can experience brake assist malfunctions, causing a hard brake pedal, longer stopping distances, and warning lights. The electric brake booster or its sensors may be the cause. Repairs typically run $500-$1,800. Severity: high.
The fuel pump module can fail, causing hard starting, stalling, or no-start conditions. GM issued a recall for certain vehicles due to fuel pump issues. The fuel tank assembly design may contribute to pump failures. Repairs typically run $400-$1,000. Severity: high.
The 3.0L Duramax throws a 'Service Emission System' warning with a staged speed-limit countdown (e.g. 'In 175 miles speed will be limited to 65 mph', then 55 mph, then a no-restart threshold), frequently dropping the truck into limp mode. Root causes are faulty DEF level/quality… Repairs typically run $200-$1,500. Severity: high.
The turbocharged 2.7L inline-4 (RPO L3B, marketed as TurboMax) used in fourth-gen Silverado 1500 work-grade and mid-trim trucks has generated a growing body of owner complaints distinct from the better-known 5.3L/6.2L V8 problems. Reported failures include collapsed/failed valve… Repairs typically run $1,500-$6,000. Severity: high.
The 6.2L V8 L87 in 2021-2023 (and some 2024) Silverado 1500 trucks is subject to NHTSA recall 25V274 (GM N252494) for a supplier manufacturing defect: sediment/contamination on connecting rods and crankshaft oil galleries causing rod-bearing damage, plus out-of-spec crankshaft di… Repairs typically run $0-$12,000. Severity: high.
Certain 6.2L L87 V8 engines left the factory with manufacturing defects in the connecting rods and/or crankshaft — sediment/debris left in the crankshaft oil galleries and out-of-spec crankshaft finish starve the rod bearings of oil. The bearings spin, the rod can knock or seize,… Repairs typically run $0-$12,000. Severity: high.
The Silverado 1500 uses a rack-mounted electric power steering (EPS) system, and owners across multiple model years report sudden, momentary loss of steering assist — usually at low speed — often with a 'Service Power Steering / Drive Carefully' message, a clicking or notchy feel… Repairs typically run $0-$2,300. Severity: high.
Silverado 1500 trucks built with the factory Integrated Trailer Brake Control system (RPO JL1) do not simply pass current to the trailer. The Trailer Brake Power Control Module (K133) continuously injects a low-level test pulse onto trailer brake output circuit 47, and the Chassi… Repairs typically run $90-$400. Severity: high.
Both the 8-speed and 10-speed automatic transmissions can develop a shudder during light acceleration. This torque converter clutch issue is widespread across GM trucks. Multiple TSBs have been issued addressing this concern. Repairs typically run $200-$3,500. Severity: medium.
Silverado 1500 trucks with the 3.0L LM2 Duramax inline-6 turbodiesel are prone to failure of the electronically actuated engine coolant control valve. Failure illuminates the check-engine light, can leave cooling fans running after the key is off (draining the battery), and in so… Repairs typically run $0-$600. Severity: medium.
GM's small-block V8s (Gen III/IV LS and Gen V LT) in the Silverado 1500 are notorious for snapping exhaust manifold bolts. The steel bolts and the aluminum cylinder heads expand and contract at different rates through countless heat cycles, fatiguing the bolts until the heads sna… Repairs typically run $250-$900. Severity: medium.
The full-size Silverado 1500 is one of the most frequently targeted vehicles in the U.S. for catalytic converter theft. Its high ground clearance and underbody-mounted, easily reached converters let thieves cut them out in seconds, often in broad daylight, and lifted trucks are e… Repairs typically run $300-$3,000. Severity: medium.
On the T1-platform (2019+) Silverado 1500, the plastic frame surrounding the rear window (especially the power/electric sliding window) cracks and the window works loose in its channel. GM technicians attribute it to excessive cab/body flex over uneven roads and towing loads. Wat… Repairs typically run $350-$1,200. Severity: medium.
A widely reported Silverado 1500 complaint is a sudden cascade of dash messages — 'StabiliTrak disabled,' then 'Service StabiliTrak,' 'Service Traction Control,' and finally 'Engine Power Reduced' — sometimes with a stumble or stall and limited throttle response. The most common… Repairs typically run $150-$700. Severity: medium.
Silverado 1500 trucks with the 8L90 eight-speed (and the older 6L80 six-speed) can run dangerously hot when the factory transmission thermal bypass valve sticks closed, so fluid never reaches the cooler — common under towing or heavy load. Sustained temperatures above ~220-250°F… Repairs typically run $150-$1,200. Severity: medium.
The turbocharged 2.7L Turbomax four-cylinder develops a metallic rattle/knock on cold start-up, most pronounced in the first few seconds before oil pressure builds. The root cause is premature wear in the turbocharger wastegate linkage/actuator, which can also throw a turbo-under… Repairs typically run $300-$2,500. Severity: medium.
The mechanical (belt-driven) water pump on the LS/LT V8 Silverado 1500 is a common wear-out item. The internal shaft seal fails and coolant seeps from the pump's weep hole, often appearing as orange/Dex-Cool residue or a puddle at the front-center of the truck; the weep-hole drip… Repairs typically run $200-$1,450. Severity: medium.
The aluminum driveshaft on Silverados can develop vibration from worn U-joints or an out-of-balance condition. Additionally, the slip yoke can cause a clunk during shifts or when going from acceleration to deceleration due to worn splines or dry conditions. Repairs typically run $100-$600. Severity: low.
The infotainment system can freeze, display a black screen, or reboot randomly. This affects navigation, audio, backup camera, and vehicle settings. Software bugs and hardware failures are both possible causes. Repairs typically run $0-$1,200. Severity: low.
The auto stop/start feature stops engaging and the DIC shows 'Auto Stop Unavailable' or the feature simply never activates. GM traces most cases to the Body Control Module reading the battery as perpetually below ~75% state-of-charge, which disables stop/start to protect restart… Repairs typically run $250-$450. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.