2021 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2021 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500 has 54 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.6x the segment average of 34. The most common issue is electrical problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: i got my truck in may and after two months the battery went completely dead without warning so had dealership tow it to service kept two weeks said it was battery. now same thing happened again. called roadside assistance from phone because on star wouldn't even work. they come out and jumped it. th. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.
54
Total Complaints
5
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.6x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ELECTRICAL
11 complaints- • I GOT MY TRUCK IN MAY AND AFTER TWO MONTHS THE BATTERY WENT COMPLETELY DEAD WITHOUT WARNING SO HAD DEALERSHIP TOW IT TO SERVICE KEPT TWO WEEKS SAID IT WAS BATTERY. NOW SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FROM PHONE BECAUSE ON STAR WOULDN'T EVEN WORK. THEY COME OUT AND JUMPED IT. TH
- • THE NEW GM 2021 TRAILER LIGHTING MODULE AND/OR SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE. IT FAILS A PRE-CONNECTION TEST WITH TESTER, GIVES "CHECK TRAILER WIRING" WARNING ON DASH WITHOUT A TRAILER CONNECTED AND TURNS OFF ANY TRAILER LIGHTING CONNECTED WITHOUT WARNING ON THE ROAD, WITHOUT BLOWING A FUSE. THIS PROBLEM IS M
- • Was driving my 3500 (an 8000# truck capable of towing 20k#) and suddenly the vehicle lost power and steering, forcing me to the shoulder of a curvy mountain road, going downhill. Truck then started blinking lights and telling me to restart. upon restart, the truck would not engage the transmission.
“I GOT MY TRUCK IN MAY AND AFTER TWO MONTHS THE BATTERY WENT COMPLETELY DEAD WITHOUT WARNING SO HAD DEALERSHIP TOW IT TO SERVICE KEPT TWO WEEKS SAID IT WAS BATTERY. NOW SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FROM PHONE BECAUSE ON STAR WOULDN'T EVEN WORK. THEY COME OUT AND JUMPED IT. TH”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2021 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500
Based on 16 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 25K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
DOORS/LATCHES
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 (5)
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles with electronic brake control modules (EBCM) replaced during vehicle assembly. The bolts that attach the brake pressure modulator valve (BPMV) assembly may not be properly tightened, which could fail to seal the two sub-assemblies and allow water intrusion.
Risk: Water in the BPMV may cause an electrical short circuit and increase the risk of fire.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from other structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will replace the BPMV assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 20, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212349181.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2021 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500 Service Intervals
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
These are the terms for a new Chevrolet. If you're buying a used 2021 SILVERADO 3500, 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
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 54 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ELECTRICAL: I GOT MY TRUCK IN MAY AND AFTER TWO MONTHS THE BATTERY WENT COMPLETELY DEAD WITHOUT WARNING SO HAD DEALERSHIP TOW IT TO SERVICE KEPT TWO WEEKS SAID IT WAS BATTERY. NOW SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FROM PHONE BECAUSE ON STAR WOULDN'T EVEN WORK. THEY COME OUT AND JUMPED IT. TH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: Was driving my 3500 (an 8000# truck capable of towing 20k#) and suddenly the vehicle lost power and steering, forcing me to the shoulder of a curvy mountain road, going downhill. Truck then started blinking lights and telling me to restart. upon restart, the truck would not engage the transmission.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BODY/STRUCTURE: The tailgate opened and closes on its own while trailering causing sever binds and damage to the trailer and allowing loads to become unsecured. There is a recall already from GM on this issue, but for some reason our VIN is not included. This is a well documented issue. We have video of this occurr
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BRAKES: I GOT MY TRUCK IN MAY AND AFTER TWO MONTHS THE BATTERY WENT COMPLETELY DEAD WITHOUT WARNING SO HAD DEALERSHIP TOW IT TO SERVICE KEPT TWO WEEKS SAID IT WAS BATTERY. NOW SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FROM PHONE BECAUSE ON STAR WOULDN'T EVEN WORK. THEY COME OUT AND JUMPED IT. TH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500 — Year Comparison
How does 2021 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 54
- Recalls
- 5
- Fire reports
- 1
- Crash reports
- 1
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 34
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2021 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500