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2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: multiple warning lights

14 of the 859 complaints about the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 describe multiple warning lights.

owner complaints
14
of this car's complaints
2%
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 206 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Multiple warning lights by model year

What owners say

Filed Oct 27, 2026 · Engine · 79,000 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle at highway speeds, the vehicle shut off and lost power. The vehicle failed to accelerate and coasted off the interstate to a safe stop. The contact stated that several warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel while the vehicle was losing power. The contact stated that two days prior to the failure, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an oil change, and there was no failure found. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 79,000.

Filed Aug 31, 2026 · Engine · CA

Took it to the dealer for the L87 recall back at the end of April 2026. GM stated that my truck passed the inspection and “upgraded” my oil to the new 0w-40 oil. Now 8-27-2026, 6500miles after the inspection. Driving to work in the morning, and my engine failed. What I believe happened was a lifter got stuck and the engine shook and all lights on the dash were flashing. Vehicle is currently at the dealership and they are saying the “special” warranty does not cover this failure. Which to me is completely unacceptable. Because for 72,900 miles I never had an issue with the truck. But 6500 miles after they changed the oil to the thicker oil now I have an engine failure.

Filed May 27, 2026 · Engine · TX

I was driving and all of a sudden engine and transmission failed many lights appeared on the dashboard brakes were not braking, the truck started to lose power and making weird noises.

Filed May 25, 2026 · Brakes · AR

While driving my 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trail Boss, multiple warning lights and messages suddenly appeared related to the ABS and brake system. The brake pedal became extremely difficult to press and the truck became unsafe to drive. The issue happened unexpectedly while the vehicle was in operation, creating a serious safety hazard and risk of accident or injury. After the incident, the truck was inspected by a mechanic who advised that the brake booster had essentially fallen apart and that I effectively had little to no braking capability. I was also informed that the condition and quality of the braking components were not acceptable for a vehicle of this age. This vehicle is only five years old and has been regularly maintained. For approximately the last three years, routine maintenance including oil changes, tire rotations, and inspections were performed at a Chevrolet dealership. At no time was I warned of any brake-related issue or safety concern. A major brake system failure should not occur suddenly on a properly maintained vehicle, especially without warning. This incident was extremely dangerous and could have resulted in a serious crash. I am submitting this complaint because I am concerned there may be a defect involving the brake system, brake booster, ABS system, or related components on this vehicle.

Filed Oct 24, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · IL

While driving the engine shut off without any warning lights which could have caused a serious accident causing bodily harm or property damages as I was unaware of the issue and was going 50mph at the time - this occurred on 10/23 I noticed a ticking and brought the vehicle to the dealer for inspection on 10/20, at the time of this inspection the technician said that they could not replicate the sound and I explained that this was happening at 3000 RPM. The technician said that I would need to bring the vehicle back and they would need to start to take apart my engine piece by piece and I said the ticking is part of the known lifter problem and the technician shrugged his shoulders offering no other options. That same day I took my vehicle to another independent shop and he confirmed the ticking is a known issue that occurs prior to the lifter collapsing. After the vehicle shut itself off, and I was able to restart the vehicle, many warning lights appeared on my dash, there were none there before, one of the codes that was flashing was ESC and the vehicle began to lurch and downshift. I called my mechanic who said the code was to do with the electronic stability control system but I should be okay to drive until I could get to him for him to look at the codes. On 10/24 I took the vehicle to the mechanic and another code was for Cylinder 3 misfire which he stated could be the collapse of the lifter and the codes will not clear. The vehicle now downshifts without warning, there is an engine knocking that is occurring and the vehicle is not safe to drive as the engine may seize at any moment.

Filed Jul 24, 2025 · Engine · ID

Purchased a 2021 Chevy Silverado in Dec 2020. At 4600 miles had first engine failure requiring lifters and tie rods to be replaced, bank 1/Cylinder 5. Looking back this repair was a bandaid for an engine (6.2L) with problems known to GMC. On May 3, 2025 @ 79,000 miles truck started making loud noises and all dash lights started flashing including engine lights while driving, dangerous because we were on a busy roadway. Pulled over to shoulder and had towed to dealership. Diagnosis was a crank bearing failure, scored cylinder, push rod bent and lifters were damaged. Engine is not repairable. Here we are just short of 3 months and still no truck, no ETA on replacement engine. Even though our Silverado is a 2021 it is not part of the current GMC recall because the engine was manufactured in 2020. We know that NHSTA is investigating 6.2L engines for years 2019 and 2020 and urge the federal safety agency to broaden the current recall. Our truck was our only vehicle and the expenses we have incurred through no fault of our own are a strain on our budget, we are retired and on a fixed income. This is our 2nd Complaint filing on our truck to provide NHSTA with additional information.

Filed Jun 3, 2025 · Engine · ID

May 3, 2025 while driving home truck starting making noise and all the dash lights started blinking including the 'check engine' light. Felt not safe to drive, afraid I would lose control of truck. Immediately pulled over and called dealership who advised to have truck towed in. Truck is still in shop and apparently needs a new engine, problem seems to be the same as the recalls for engines made in 2021-2024. The engine on my truck was manufactured in 2020 and not part of the current recall. This is the 2ND time engine has failed. June 7, 2021 at 4,600 miles again driving and engine started making noise, all dash lights flashing. Again didn't feel truck was safe to drive. Towed to dealership. Cause was a 'failure of lifters on cylinder 5 and a bent push rod.

Filed May 9, 2025 · Engine · TN

Driving the truck at 45 mph, the engine stalled and the dash had all the lights on showing codes. Had it towed home and called the dealership the next business day. I was told it was the drive belt pulley that had gone bad causing loss of engine power. I had that replaced and the dealership then told me that the lifters were bad. I had to get that replaced because I needed my truck. The dealership had had it for almost three weeks at that point. $1300 to replace a lifter.

Filed Apr 1, 2025 · Engine · AZ

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The component that failed is the lifter in my 2021 GM truck, which caused severe engine damage. The vehicle is currently at the dealership and is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? My safety and the safety of my child were significantly put at risk when the engine failure occurred on the freeway while traveling at 65 miles per hour. Multiple warning lights illuminated on the dashboard, and the truck became hard to control. I was fortunate to maneuver the vehicle safely out of traffic without harm, but the sudden loss of engine power could have led to a serious accident. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, the problem has been confirmed by the dealership, which conducted diagnostics and determined that the lifter malfunction caused severe engine damage, necessitating a full engine replacement. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership, which is an authorized service center for GM. However, it has not been inspected by the manufacturer directly, police, or insurance representatives. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There were no warning lights, messages, or any other symptoms prior to the failure. The vehicle was driving normally when, all of a sudden, it began to shake and slow down,

Filed Feb 10, 2025 · Transmission · TX

I have a 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 Custom crew cab truck with an 8-speed transmission. I have had transmission issues for a few months. I am experiencing hard shifting from 2nd gear down to 1st gear, slipping while at cruising speed, shuddering between 20mph-50mph, transmission getting too hot. I was told by an automotive shop that they experienced the hard shifting and that they also heard a whining sound while driving. They told me that they a found a Service Bulletin that came out in December of 2024, that there could be a pinched line on top of the transmission that could be causing the overheating. I have read that the transmission control module needs to be reprogrammed, a fluid flush and refill, the Thermal Bypass Valve could be at fault. Basically everything that has been released about the transmissions on 2020- 2024 GM vehicles as being safety problems, I am experiencing. I have checked my VIN on the federal safety agency website and also with a dealership, and both show that there is not a recall for my VIN. I do not tow anything, just normal ever day driving. I now have 90,000 miles on the truck and the issue first happened at around 87,000 miles. The issues with this truck are clearly manufacturer defaults and something should be done on their dime, not mine. The first time that I experienced the problems was at the end of November in traffic, which a hard shift into 1st gear, felt like I was hit from behind, but was not. Dash lights came on (traction control light, parking brake light, check engine light) and the truck went into "Limp Mode". I was able to exit the highway and get into a parking lot. I looked in the owners manual and found a quick solution and was able to regain power and all lights went off except for the check engine light. Got the code checked and it came up Transmission Control Module was potentially the issue. Code was cleared and didn't have the problem for a long time.

Filed Jan 23, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · IL

Lifter failure at 8629 miles. All warning lights went on at time of incident, truck would barely drive home and I had it towed into the dealership where they replaced the entire bank of lifters. This is on my repair order- "Checked and found dead mis on cylinder 4 and ticking noise from engine//performed compression test and found no compression on cylinder 4//removed passenger side cylinder head and found lifter bad causing push rod to bend//replaced all lifters on right bank and 1 pushrod//changed oil and filter//filled coolant and test drove and found all ok. I called Chevy at time of incident (1/21/22) and opened case# 9-7252876703 stating I wanted both banks of lifters replaced because I pull a 30' camper with my family and didn't want the other side to fail while I'm pulling 7000+ pounds. They declined to replace the other bank stating that since the vehicle had more than 5000 miles it did not qualify for both sides to be replaced and it was for only vehicles after 11/21 and mine was built 2/21. I still would like to get the other bank of lifters replaced under warranty.

Filed Oct 4, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · AL

While leaving work I started the truck like normal and the dash lit up like a Christmas tree. Saying service ESC, service power steering,and service brake system. The ESC light was on as well as the check engine light. There was no forewarning about this.

Questions about the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 warning lights

Is multiple warning lights a common problem on the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

14 of 859 owner complaints about the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (2%) mention multiple warning lights. The model year with the most reports is 2019.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

There are 0 recalls and 206 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Check engine light 192Engine failure 149Loss of power 86Knocking 63Misfire 53Stalling 51Jerking 43Harsh shifting 33Hesitation 33Shudder 32Transmission failure 31Won't shift 25Slipping 17Oil consumption 15Overheating 15Power steering loss 15Ball joint 13Fire or smoke 13Fuel pump 11Won't start 11Grinding brakes 10No deployment 9Brake failure 9ABS 8Airbag light 7Backup camera 5Seat belt 5Water leak 5

All model years of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500

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