2021 Chevrolet SILVERADO 2500

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2021 Chevrolet SILVERADO 2500 has 103 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.3x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is transmission problems (26% of all complaints), specifically: def tank heater vehicle goes into a limp mode after a defined mileage. dealer confirmed the tank heater is bad. the part is on backorder with no known production date.. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 3 crash reports 3 injuries

103

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

TRANSMISSION

27 complaints

26%

• DEF Tank Heater Vehicle goes into a limp mode after a defined mileage. Dealer confirmed the tank heater is bad. The part is on backorder with no known production date.
• JULY 2022 DPF filter was throwing check engine light. Took to dealer to get diagnosed, part was ordered and the DPF was replaced August 19th 2022. Started to get headaches in vehicle while driving it. OCT 9th ended up in hospital after driving vehicle and was diagnosed with CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
• 2021, Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, Crew-Cab, 6.6L Gas Engine. At @ 25k miles, the "Service 4WD" light came on dash. It later started a grinding noise/sound within the front axle transfer case. Was told they had a problem with moisture intrusion into the transfer case and it would cause corrosion

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“DEF Tank Heater Vehicle goes into a limp mode after a defined mileage. Dealer confirmed the tank heater is bad. The part is on backorder with no known production date.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

17 complaints

17%

• 6.6L GAS TRUCK WOULD NOT START. FORUMS IVE VISITED STATE THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE ECM. AFTER APPROX 30MINS IT STARTED. HOWEVER BEFORE THAT IT SPUTTERED OUT EVERY TIME I WOULD TRY TO START IT. IT APPEARS TO BE AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. IT RAN FINE ONCE IT EVENTUALLY DID START. ALSO AUTO START
• AFTER TWO WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP, THE REAR CAMERA HAS STOPPED WORKING. INSTEAD, I RECEIVE AN ERROR MESSAGE. THERE ARE NO SHORTAGE OF COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS ON VARIOUS MODEL CHEVROLET FORUMS. MOST 2020/2021 CUSTOMERS INDICATING THERE HAS NOT BEEN RESOLUTION OR SPECIFIC ISSUE IDENTIFIED.
• The “Service Trailer Brake System” warning will not stop popping up and beeping

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“6.6L GAS TRUCK WOULD NOT START. FORUMS IVE VISITED STATE THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE ECM. AFTER APPROX 30MINS IT STARTED. HOWEVER BEFORE THAT IT SPUTTERED OUT EVERY TIME I WOULD TRY TO START IT. IT APPEARS TO BE AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. IT RAN FINE ONCE IT EVENTUALLY DID START. ALSO AUTO START ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

12 complaints

12%

• Brakes: the brakes do not stop the vehicle without excessive pressure to the pedal. Especially carrying a trailer with the exhaust brake & trailer brakes in effect. Takes excessive distance for vehicle to stop. Pedal must be pressed 3/4 to the floor for it to start to apply brakes. It is extremely d
• While in a McDonalds drive through Truck lost all braking ability. Pedal went right to the floor. Truck had to be put in park to stop and shut down. After re starting engine brakes started functioning again. Very scary incident.
• My fiance started the truck. Drove about 2 miles from my mothers house, the check engine light came on. The traction control light came on and then she informed me that it felt like all braking power was lost. Truck is being towed to dealership. Could have killed or badly injured someone.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“Brakes: the brakes do not stop the vehicle without excessive pressure to the pedal. Especially carrying a trailer with the exhaust brake & trailer brakes in effect. Takes excessive distance for vehicle to stop. Pedal must be pressed 3/4 to the floor for it to start to apply brakes. It is extremely d”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

8 complaints

• The contact owned a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the contact noticed flames coming from the cab and the bed of the vehicle. The contact stated that the flames grew bigger and the contact pulled over to the side of the road and exited the vehicle before the
• Starting smelling gas inside of the cab, at first thought it was non-issue, but the smell persisted. Several days passed, and when I went to warm up my truck in the morning smelled a strong gas odor, and when I looked under the engine - there was a pool of gas, and gas was leaking. Took it in to
• JULY 2022 DPF filter was throwing check engine light. Took to dealer to get diagnosed, part was ordered and the DPF was replaced August 19th 2022. Started to get headaches in vehicle while driving it. OCT 9th ended up in hospital after driving vehicle and was diagnosed with CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“The contact owned a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the contact noticed flames coming from the cab and the bed of the vehicle. The contact stated that the flames grew bigger and the contact pulled over to the side of the road and exited the vehicle before the ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

DOORS/LATCHES

8 complaints

• The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the tailgate unlatched and caused the tools to fall out of the vehicle. The tailgate warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that occasionally while attempting to close the tailgate,
• The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, the electronic tailgate door erroneously unlatched and continued to open and close. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the fa
• The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the tailgate opened unintendedly. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V060000 (Latches/Locks/ Linkages) however, t

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the tailgate unlatched and caused the tools to fall out of the vehicle. The tailgate warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that occasionally while attempting to close the tailgate,”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

DOORS/LATCHES(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 103 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: DEF Tank Heater Vehicle goes into a limp mode after a defined mileage. Dealer confirmed the tank heater is bad. The part is on backorder with no known production date.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: 6.6L GAS TRUCK WOULD NOT START. FORUMS IVE VISITED STATE THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE ECM. AFTER APPROX 30MINS IT STARTED. HOWEVER BEFORE THAT IT SPUTTERED OUT EVERY TIME I WOULD TRY TO START IT. IT APPEARS TO BE AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. IT RAN FINE ONCE IT EVENTUALLY DID START. ALSO AUTO START
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: Brakes: the brakes do not stop the vehicle without excessive pressure to the pedal. Especially carrying a trailer with the exhaust brake & trailer brakes in effect. Takes excessive distance for vehicle to stop. Pedal must be pressed 3/4 to the floor for it to start to apply brakes. It is extremely d
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: The contact owned a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the contact noticed flames coming from the cab and the bed of the vehicle. The contact stated that the flames grew bigger and the contact pulled over to the side of the road and exited the vehicle before the
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)