The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is associated with 792 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 8 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Engine, accounting for 233 reports (29% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 30 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3l 6-cyl, 2.7l 4-cyl, 5.3l 8-cyl, 6.2l 8-cyl, and 4.3l 6-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 15 to 27 MPG combined.

Key Data Findings
  • • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 792 reports
  • • Safety Recall Campaigns: 8 campaigns
  • • Top Reported Defect Area: Engine (233 / 29%)
  • • Safety Incident Signals: 20 crash / 11 fire / 12 injury reports
  • • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
  • • EPA Efficiency: 15–27 MPG (30 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
Fuel Economy
15–27MPG
30 EPA certified variants (3l 6-cyl, 2.7l 4-cyl, 5.3l 8-cyl, 6.2l 8-cyl, and 4.3l 6-cyl configurations)
Reported Complaints
792
792 submitted owner reports
Safety Recalls
8
8 official NHTSA recalls
NCAP Safety Rating
4 / 5 Stars Overall

What is the fuel economy and range of the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

Official EPA laboratory test ratings, electric driving range, and annual energy cost estimates by certified vehicle variant

Variant Engine Drivetrain Transmission City Highway Combined EV Range Est. Annual Fuel Cost
Silverado 2WD Diesel 3L 6-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 10-spd 23 MPG 33 MPG 27 MPG — $2,950 / yr
Silverado 4WD Diesel 3L 6-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 10-spd 22 MPG 26 MPG 24 MPG — $3,300 / yr
Silverado 2WD 2.7L 4-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 20 MPG 23 MPG 21 MPG — $2,950 / yr
Silverado 2WD 2.7L 4-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 20 MPG 23 MPG 21 MPG — $2,950 / yr
Silverado 4WD 2.7L 4-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 19 MPG 22 MPG 20 MPG — $3,100 / yr
Silverado 4WD 2.7L 4-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 19 MPG 22 MPG 20 MPG — $3,100 / yr
Silverado 2WD 5.3L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 17 MPG 23 MPG 19 MPG — $3,250 / yr
Silverado 4WD 5.3L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 10-spd 16 MPG 22 MPG 19 MPG — $3,250 / yr
Silverado 4WD 6.2L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 10-spd 16 MPG 21 MPG 18 MPG — $4,200 / yr
Silverado 4WD 5.3L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 16 MPG 22 MPG 18 MPG — $3,400 / yr
Silverado 4WD TrailBoss 5.3L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 10-spd 16 MPG 21 MPG 18 MPG — $3,400 / yr
Silverado 4WD 5.3L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 10-spd 15 MPG 21 MPG 18 MPG — $3,400 / yr
Silverado 2WD 5.3L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 15 MPG 21 MPG 17 MPG — $3,600 / yr
Silverado 4WD 4.3L 6-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 15 MPG 20 MPG 17 MPG — $3,600 / yr
Silverado 2WD 4.3L 6-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 16 MPG 21 MPG 17 MPG — $3,600 / yr
Silverado 4WD TrailBoss 6.2L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 10-spd 15 MPG 19 MPG 17 MPG — $4,450 / yr
Silverado 4WD TrailBoss 6.2L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 10-spd 15 MPG 19 MPG 17 MPG — $4,450 / yr
Silverado 4WD 5.3L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 15 MPG 20 MPG 17 MPG — $3,600 / yr
Silverado 2WD 5.3L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 15 MPG 22 MPG 17 MPG — $3,600 / yr
Silverado 4WD 6.2L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 10-spd 15 MPG 20 MPG 17 MPG — $4,450 / yr
Silverado 4WD TrailBoss 5.3L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 10-spd 15 MPG 21 MPG 17 MPG — $3,600 / yr
Silverado 2WD 5.3L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 15 MPG 19 MPG 16 MPG — $3,850 / yr
Silverado 4WD TrailBoss 5.3L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 14 MPG 18 MPG 16 MPG — $3,850 / yr
Silverado 4WD 5.3L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 14 MPG 18 MPG 16 MPG — $3,850 / yr
Silverado 4WD TrailBoss 4.3L 6-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 14 MPG 18 MPG 16 MPG — $3,850 / yr
Silverado 2WD 5.3L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 14 MPG 21 MPG 16 MPG — $3,850 / yr
Silverado 4WD 5.3L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 14 MPG 21 MPG 16 MPG — $3,850 / yr
Silverado 4WD 5.3L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 14 MPG 20 MPG 16 MPG — $3,850 / yr
Silverado 4WD TrailBoss 6.2L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 10-spd 14 MPG 19 MPG 16 MPG — $4,750 / yr
Silverado 4WD TrailBoss 5.3L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 13 MPG 18 MPG 15 MPG — $4,100 / yr
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.

What are the crash test safety ratings for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

Official 5-Star Safety Ratings evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant Overall Rating Frontal Crash Side Crash Rollover Rating Rollover Risk
PU/CC 2WD 19.1%
PU/EC 2WD 19.1%
PU/RC 2WD 19.1%
PU/CC 4WD 19.8%
PU/EC 4WD 19.8%
PU/RC 4WD 19.8%
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 models.
View complete 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crash test & safety breakdown →

What defect complaints are reported for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

Summary of 792 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Total Complaints
792
Crash Reports
20
Fire Reports
11
Complaints w/ Injury
12
Total Injuries
17

Top Reported Problem Categories

Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA

Engine 233 complaints
Powertrain 135 complaints (2 crashes)
Engine & Cooling 46 complaints (1 crash)
Electrical System 41 complaints
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 41 complaints (1 crash)

Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.

View all 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems & component breakdown (109 categories) →

Are there open safety recalls on the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA

NHTSA Campaign #26V083000 Active Recall
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

Defect Summary: 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.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles and update the transmission control software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 6, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252516560. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 12, 2026.
NHTSA Campaign #25V274000 Active Recall
Affected Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL

Defect Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.
NHTSA Campaign #24V797000 Active Recall
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

Defect Summary: 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 cause the rear wheels to lock-up.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.
View all 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 recalls & campaign history (8 campaigns) →
Official US Government Data Provenance

The specifications, safety ratings, defect reports, and recall campaigns published on this page are retrieved directly from official United States Government agency databases:

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI): Consumer complaints and defect reports.
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP): Frontal, side, and rollover 5-Star crash safety test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / FuelEconomy.gov: Standardized multi-cycle dynamometer fuel economy, MPGe, and electric driving range ratings.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.