Is the 2021 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500 reliable?

The 2021 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500 has 1015 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2021 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500?

Top problems: ENGINE (387 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (219 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (102 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2021 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500?

Yes, there are 8 recall(s): SEAT BELTS, SEAT BELTS, TIRES, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE. Contact any Chevrolet dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to insure a 2021 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2021 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500 is approximately $1,753/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2021 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500

Q: Is the 2021 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500 often stolen?

The Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500 was the #6 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025 with approximately 12,400 thefts (NICB Hot Wheels data). Theft risk tier: above-avg.

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2021 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500 has 1015 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.3x the segment average of 796. The most common issue is engine problems (38% of all complaints), specifically: full enjine failure at 371 miles causing loss of control.vehicle was driveing on city street about 30mph when failure happen. just prior to that vehicle stalled in traffic at a stop when waiting for a red light. spring broken in piston causeing failure. also had problems with info. system blanking . There are 8 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 12 fire reports filed.

12 fire reports 16 crash reports 8 injuries

1015

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

1.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

387 complaints

38%

• FULL ENJINE FAILURE AT 371 MILES CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL.VEHICLE WAS DRIVEING ON CITY STREET ABOUT 30MPH WHEN FAILURE HAPPEN. JUST PRIOR TO THAT VEHICLE STALLED IN TRAFFIC AT A STOP WHEN WAITING FOR A RED LIGHT. SPRING BROKEN IN PISTON CAUSEING FAILURE. ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH INFO. SYSTEM BLANKING
• ON THURSDAY FEB 18TH IS WAS SNOWING WHEN I LEFT WORK, DROVE AROUND THE BELTWAY APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES GOING ON AVERAGE 30-40 MPH.NO ISSUES JUST BAD ROADS. RIGHT AFTER I LEFT THE HIGHWAY AND TURNED ON TO A MAIN ROAD, I WAS APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE ON THAT ROAD IN THE MIDDLE LANE DRIVING STRAIGHT AT ABOU
• ----WARNING LIGHT FLASHING AT 103 MILES ON VEHICLE ,, DEALER RESET ----450 MILES ON VEHICLE STALLING ,,WARNING LIGHTS ECM - ENGINE SYSTEMP2635 THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION SYSTEM IS NOT PERFORMING AS EXPECTED. AN ISSUE HAS BEEN DETECTED IN THE FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM USED TO MAINTAIN, CONTROL AN

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 3 fire reports💥 3 crashes

“FULL ENJINE FAILURE AT 371 MILES CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL.VEHICLE WAS DRIVEING ON CITY STREET ABOUT 30MPH WHEN FAILURE HAPPEN. JUST PRIOR TO THAT VEHICLE STALLED IN TRAFFIC AT A STOP WHEN WAITING FOR A RED LIGHT. SPRING BROKEN IN PISTON CAUSEING FAILURE. ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH INFO. SYSTEM BLANKING ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2021 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500

Based on 202 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 50K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 56K mi · 95 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 8K mi · 15 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

In line with typicalmedian 8K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

DOORS/LATCHES

Later than typicalmedian 45K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

High-mileage issuemedian 96K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

High-mileage issuemedian 64K mi · 39 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (8)

SEAT BELTS17/12/2020

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.

Above-average theft risk

#6 most stolen in 2025

The Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500 was the #6 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 12,400 thefts reported to law enforcement.

Notes: Full-size truck; catalytic converters + wheel theft

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2021 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,753

Full coverage / month

$146

Liability only / year

$598

vs US avg

+5%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.06x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age1.05x

= Full coverage estimate$1753

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500 Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

45K mi

Engine coolant

150K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

23K mi

Engine air filter

45K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

45K mi

GM Oil Life System dynamically calculates oil change interval. DEXOS-approved oil required.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Chevrolet New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Chevrolet. If you're buying a used 2021 SILVERADO 1500, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Chevrolet dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 1015 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: FULL ENJINE FAILURE AT 371 MILES CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL.VEHICLE WAS DRIVEING ON CITY STREET ABOUT 30MPH WHEN FAILURE HAPPEN. JUST PRIOR TO THAT VEHICLE STALLED IN TRAFFIC AT A STOP WHEN WAITING FOR A RED LIGHT. SPRING BROKEN IN PISTON CAUSEING FAILURE. ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH INFO. SYSTEM BLANKING
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: ----WARNING LIGHT FLASHING AT 103 MILES ON VEHICLE ,, DEALER RESET ----450 MILES ON VEHICLE STALLING ,,WARNING LIGHTS ECM - ENGINE SYSTEMP2635 THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION SYSTEM IS NOT PERFORMING AS EXPECTED. AN ISSUE HAS BEEN DETECTED IN THE FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM USED TO MAINTAIN, CONTROL AN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: FULL ENJINE FAILURE AT 371 MILES CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL.VEHICLE WAS DRIVEING ON CITY STREET ABOUT 30MPH WHEN FAILURE HAPPEN. JUST PRIOR TO THAT VEHICLE STALLED IN TRAFFIC AT A STOP WHEN WAITING FOR A RED LIGHT. SPRING BROKEN IN PISTON CAUSEING FAILURE. ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH INFO. SYSTEM BLANKING
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: WHEN THE TRUCK IS PUT IN REVERSE THE BACK UP CAMERA BECOMES VERY 'FUSSY' AN UNUSABLE. THE ONLY HAPPENS AT NIGHT WHEN IT IS NEEDED THE MOST. THE BACK UP CAMERA PROVIDE NO HELP IN FACT MAYBE DANGEROUS.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 8 recalls have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)