Total Complaints
97 filings
CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 · model year
97 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2021CHEVROLETSILVERADO 2500 carries 97 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 1 fire, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and Not Rated/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2021 SILVERADO 2500 is power train with 25 filings, followed by electrical system (17) and service brakes (11). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2021 SILVERADO 2500, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
97 filings
Crashes Reported
3 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 25 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 17 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 11 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 7 |
| ENGINE | 6 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 6 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 5 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 3 |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS | 2 |
| STEERING | 2 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| AIR BAGS | 2 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:THROTTLEBODY/MANIFOLD | 1 |
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:ELECTRIC:CONTROL MODULE
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
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and GMC Sierra 2500 vehicles equipped with a 17" spare tire (RPO ZHQ or ZXT) and either the 20" accessory road tire (RPO REM) or the 18" accessory road tire (RPO Q2V). Operating the spare tire with other 20" or 18" ti
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
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 caus
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 m
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 fram
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with power-unlatching tailgates. The tailgate's electronic gate-release switch may short circuit due to water intrusion, which can result in the tailgate inadvertently
The vehicle experienced a sudden and complete transmission failure at approximately 77,800 miles. There was no prior abuse or modification. The failure resulted in loss of normal drivability and required full transmission replacement. The transmission was replaced with a remanufactured unit due to catastrophic internal failure. Repair costs were approximately $7,000. I am aware of similar GM transmission issues and recalls affecting comparable model years and components. Although my VIN is not currently listed under a recall, the failure appears consistent with known GM transmission defect patterns. The failure occurred while the vehicle was in the middle of an intersection in heavy traffic, resulting in sudden loss of vehicle functionality. A child passenger was onboard at the time. The incident created a significant safety hazard due to loss of drivability in an active traffic environment.
On 01/16/2026, Quirk Chevrolet completed product safety recall N242482680 for the Brake Pressure Switch Connector Fire on my vehicle. Shortly after, my vehicle would come to an abrupt stop on its own while driving. This happened twice on my way home and then the third time at home at which point, it would no longer move forward or backward. The vehicle needed to be towed to the dealership that did the recall. After researching online, I discovered this is a known issue after the recall because the recall component is faulty. One source reports the cause is an improperly manufactured jumper harness which is missing protective tape or a faulty internal C-clip in the cylinder. Another source states the post-service emergency brake issues often stem from a software update meant to enhance safety or an incomplete repair of the brake pressure switch wiring harness. The update automatically engages the parking brake. I absolutely know that the catastrophic failure of my vehicle's brak
first issue was around April-May 2025 when my engine started knocking and burning fuel. Warning light came on and it went right in to the dealer where I have all my maintenance done. They determined that it due to (2) faulty fuel injectors and I had them replaced at that time. In December of 2025 my engine started doing the same thing as before with the knocking and burning fuel and reduced speeds when on the highway so again it went into the dealer. It has since been in there and first was told it was the fuel injector again. They priced out the one was bad and I asked them to replace the remaining 6 fuel injectors so I didn't have this issue again in the near future. They did and the vehicle had the same issues going on. During the next inspection it was determined that the engine needed new rocker arms. These were replaced but this also did not solve the problem and the vehicle would not pass the regeneration on the engine. During the next inspection it was determined that
first issue was around April-May 2025 when my engine started knocking and burning fuel. Warning light came on and it went right in to the dealer where I have all my maintenance done. They determined that it due to (2) faulty fuel injectors and I had them replaced at that time. In December of 2025 my engine started doing the same thing as before with the knocking and burning fuel and reduced speeds when on the highway so again it went into the dealer. It has since been in there and first was told it was the fuel injector again. They priced out the one was bad and I asked them to replace the remaining 6 fuel injectors so I didn't have this issue again in the near future. They did and the vehicle had the same issues going on. During the next inspection it was determined that the engine needed new rocker arms. These were replaced but this also did not solve the problem and the vehicle would not pass the regeneration on the engine. During the next inspection it was determined that
first issue was around April-May 2025 when my engine started knocking and burning fuel. Warning light came on and it went right in to the dealer where I have all my maintenance done. They determined that it due to (2) faulty fuel injectors and I had them replaced at that time. In December of 2025 my engine started doing the same thing as before with the knocking and burning fuel and reduced speeds when on the highway so again it went into the dealer. It has since been in there and first was told it was the fuel injector again. They priced out the one was bad and I asked them to replace the remaining 6 fuel injectors so I didn't have this issue again in the near future. They did and the vehicle had the same issues going on. During the next inspection it was determined that the engine needed new rocker arms. These were replaced but this also did not solve the problem and the vehicle would not pass the regeneration on the engine. During the next inspection it was determined that
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that the connector for the heater system was causing the vehicle to overheat, subsequently enabling the vehicle to go faster than 50 MPH. If the vehicle reaches 75 miles, it would immediately decrease in speed to 5 MPH. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed a P20C1 code, indicating reductant heater failure had occurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the dealer, who recommended calling the NHTSA Hotline to file a safety complaint. The manufacturer was informed of the failure they also referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a safety complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
Mileage: 68,000
Unexpected roof rail airbag deployment without vehicle impact or accident. Front left and right side deploy - rear left and right side deploy spontaneously without notice.
Driving about 45 mph and unexpectedly both roof rail air bags deploy stoping vehicle on the road.
I own a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Duramax diesel with approximately 100,300 miles. The truck began displaying a âService Emissions Systemâ warning and a countdown message that in a certain number of miles the vehicle will be limited in speed (for example to 65 mph). GMâs own Duramax diesel ownerâs supplement explains that when a âService Emission Systemâ message appears it is accompanied by a distance-until-speed-limit countdown and that the truck will progressively limit speed first to about 65 mph and then to about 55 mph if the condition is not corrected, telling the owner to see the dealer. This creates a safety risk because the derate can occur while driving on highways or rural roads, where an unexpected limit on maximum speed can interfere with merging, passing, and keeping up with traffic. This is our only vehicle, and we must use it for important medical appointments, including cardiology and surgery-related visits. The condition started only about 300 mile
I own a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Duramax diesel with approximately 100,300 miles. The truck began displaying a âService Emissions Systemâ warning and a countdown message that in a certain number of miles the vehicle will be limited in speed (for example to 65 mph). GMâs own Duramax diesel ownerâs supplement explains that when a âService Emission Systemâ message appears it is accompanied by a distance-until-speed-limit countdown and that the truck will progressively limit speed first to about 65 mph and then to about 55 mph if the condition is not corrected, telling the owner to see the dealer. This creates a safety risk because the derate can occur while driving on highways or rural roads, where an unexpected limit on maximum speed can interfere with merging, passing, and keeping up with traffic. This is our only vehicle, and we must use it for important medical appointments, including cardiology and surgery-related visits. The condition started only about 300 mile
I own a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Duramax diesel with approximately 100,300 miles. The truck began displaying a âService Emissions Systemâ warning and a countdown message that in a certain number of miles the vehicle will be limited in speed (for example to 65 mph). GMâs own Duramax diesel ownerâs supplement explains that when a âService Emission Systemâ message appears it is accompanied by a distance-until-speed-limit countdown and that the truck will progressively limit speed first to about 65 mph and then to about 55 mph if the condition is not corrected, telling the owner to see the dealer. This creates a safety risk because the derate can occur while driving on highways or rural roads, where an unexpected limit on maximum speed can interfere with merging, passing, and keeping up with traffic. This is our only vehicle, and we must use it for important medical appointments, including cardiology and surgery-related visits. The condition started only about 300 mile
Took truck to dealer with concern of higher than normal braking force needed. Couldnât verify concern. Looked today under the steering column and the brake booster is leaking fluid inside the cabin of the truck when the brake pedal goes through the firewall. There was Almost no brake fluid inside the reservoir causing the brakes to fail with no warning. Looked at similar trucks and all have brake fluid leaking from the same location. With as little as 10,000 miles. Mine has 22,000 miles and itâs failed requiring complet replacement of the brake booster. Taking to the dealership to replace the complete brake booster assembly when part is available. This is a 21 Chevy 2500 truck that pulls up to 18,000 pounds. higher than normal braking application needed, can be deadly or lead to complete brake failure whether loaded towing a trailer at a weigh of 25,000lbs or even the 7,000 pounds empty the truck weighs would reasonably result in the loss of someoneâs life. Only thing that drew m
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while slowing down and coming to a stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed while in drive; however, the vehicle started to roll backwards. The contact depressed the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards, and the RPM became elevated to 5,000 RPM. The contact immediately turned off the vehicle to prevent the RPM from continuing to increase. The vehicle was shifted to park, restarted, and then shifted to drive(D) and the brakes released. While releasing the brake pedal, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was immediately turned off and towed to the residence. The dealer was informed of the failure of the clutch pack, which was welded together from friction. The dealer scheduled an appointment; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Mileage: 100,000
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while slowing down and coming to a stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed while in drive; however, the vehicle started to roll backwards. The contact depressed the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards, and the RPM became elevated to 5,000 RPM. The contact immediately turned off the vehicle to prevent the RPM from continuing to increase. The vehicle was shifted to park, restarted, and then shifted to drive(D) and the brakes released. While releasing the brake pedal, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was immediately turned off and towed to the residence. The dealer was informed of the failure of the clutch pack, which was welded together from friction. The dealer scheduled an appointment; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Mileage: 100,000
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while slowing down and coming to a stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed while in drive; however, the vehicle started to roll backwards. The contact depressed the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards, and the RPM became elevated to 5,000 RPM. The contact immediately turned off the vehicle to prevent the RPM from continuing to increase. The vehicle was shifted to park, restarted, and then shifted to drive(D) and the brakes released. While releasing the brake pedal, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was immediately turned off and towed to the residence. The dealer was informed of the failure of the clutch pack, which was welded together from friction. The dealer scheduled an appointment; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Mileage: 100,000
We believe that it is the park sensor in the column . When you place the truck into park, the screen displays the words shift to park period and the dinger.Inside the truck continues to ding for a long time, even with opening and closing the door ... The truck is actually in park, so it does not move.But the display says it's not.And apparently it is not registering because it keeps dinging
Unable to remove key from ignition for a period of time ie. 30 sec. to a minute or more. After driving the vehicle for a either a long or short period of time and you park it, you can't turn the ignition lock all the way off.
In December of 2024 Safety Recall N2424440-01 was applied. On the morning of Saturday August 23, 2025 while driving on a two (2) lane highway with the cruise control set to 60 MPH the vehicle âshutteredâ then the shifted into a lower gear locking the rear wheels bringing the vehicle to an almost complete stop in very short distance. I was able to pull off the road out of traffic. Since it was a light traffic morning, no one else was close limiting the risk to me. Had there been anyone behind me they would have been caught off guard by the sudden stop with no signal of brake lights showing. The vehicle is in âlimp modeâ and will not exceed 35 or 40 MPH. The vehicle will shift in to park and neutral. It will not move in reverse forward. The vehicle has been transported to the nearest Chevrolet dealership for diagnostics and service.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated while the vehicle was turned off and shifted into park, the tailgate opened independently. The failure occurred frequently, and the contact removed the fuse to prevent the tailgate from unlatching independently. The contact stated that the failure only occurred while the vehicle was not in drive. The dealer had been contacted and notified of the failure. After researching the failure, the contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V060000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages); and related the failure to the recall. The dealer confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V060000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and a case was opened. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The tailgate on my truck is electrically opened & closed. I've been having trouble with the tailgate opening randomly, even while driving. This has happened multiple times and can create a very dangerous situation, especially if i'm hauling something in the bed of the truck and it could possibly fall out if the tailgate were to open. Once i was hauling a bunk bed and the tailgate opened without me knowing it. Fortunately, we were driving through town on a flat road when it happened & nothing fell out. Someone behind me pulled up beside me to let me know my tailgate just opened. I recently took my truck to my local Chevy dealer & they said there was no recall on it & they wanted $170 for them just to look at it. I looked online and see recall# N232426400 for it but i've never received a notice & the dealer says there is no recall on it for my truck. (I have a video of it opening & closing by itself but it's too large to send you)
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Fuel Line Leak
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.