On October 18, 2026, I was driving my 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the 5.3L V8 engine at highway speeds with my wife and two young daughters in the vehicle when the engine suddenly lost power and the truck began shaking violently. The check engine light flashed, and "Service ESC" and "Service Parking Brake" warnings appeared on the dashboard. The sudden loss of power at highway speeds created a serious safety risk to my family and surrounding motorists. I was able to get the vehicle off the highway safely. Restarting the truck did not resolve the issue, and it was no longer drivable. The truck was towed by a AAA contractor to a Chevrolet dealership. Following inspection, the dealership verbally diagnosed a broken camshaft and advised that the entire engine required replacement. The truck had approximately 98,000 miles at the time. A written diagnosis has been requested, and the vehicle is currently at the dealership. The truck has a documented history of engine problems. In July 2023, at approximately 33,500 miles, a Chevrolet dealership diagnosed code P0300 and documented misfires on cylinders 1, 3, and 7. Warranty diagnostic and repair work was performed. Another check engine light concern was documented in November 2024 at approximately 62,300 miles. In April 2025, at approximately 69,600 miles, Chevrolet again investigated a P0300 multiple-cylinder misfire condition. Beginning around 75,000 miles, the truck also began displaying recurring low-oil warnings. I added oil whenever these warnings appeared and maintained regular oil changes, supported by service records. Despite these prior engine concerns and dealership visits, the engine suffered a catastrophic failure without an immediate warning before reaching 100,000 miles. I am concerned about the potential for sudden engine failure and loss of propulsion at highway speeds and believe this warrants a safety investigation.
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: check engine light
192 of the 859 complaints about the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 describe check engine light.
- owner complaints
- 192
- of this car's complaints
- 22%
- typical repair cost reported
- $8,500
- typical mileage
- 77,000
- recalls
- 1
Check engine light by model year
What owners say
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While driving approximately 35 - 40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost automotive power. The contact parked and restarted the vehicle; however, the RPM fluctuated and the failure persisted while driving. The vehicle then failed to restart and was towed to the dealer and DTC: P0016 was retrieved. The failure was associated with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine coolant control valve had failed and required replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in Special Coverage Program: N252508341 (Coolant Control Valve), nor was the VIN included in the associated technical service bulletin. The contact stated that the failure occurred on several occasions. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000.
Coolant control valve Is available for inspection Safty issues include Loss of power steering and brakes while driving Sudden power limp mode Sudden engine over heating and engine seizure Loss of visibility due to smoke and Loss of defrosting Inspection done by chevolet (live oak Fl) Check engine light and code p1098 appeared after defect.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 6.2L Truck was driving and fully lost capability to accelerate. Truck alarmed driver to shift to neutral and restart engine. Attempt to restart engine was not successful. Error code was sent via email in a diagnostic report to owner with code P0016. No check engine lights or alarms were on the dash. Truck is currently at an auto mechanic. Safety issue was leaving driver and passengers stranded. Auto mechanic states truck needs new engine. Tried to verify VIN to the GM recall notice (N252494000) and was told not included in recall, even though truck has same motor listed in recall AND giving the error code. There was no warning messages, lights or symptoms prior to this failure. Request to have this complaint investigated to be included in the recall with the information provided.
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the 6.2L V8 (RPO L87), built November 2020. Mileage at failure: 11268. On XXX the check engine light came on with DTCs P0011 and P0016. The engine developed a rattle at startup and when lifting off the throttle around 40 mph. On XXX Fowler Chevrolet ([XXX]) isolated the abnormal engine noise to the crankshaft bearings. Cutting open the oil filter showed excessive bearing material. The dealer advised engine replacement before complete engine failure and quoted $12,561.66. This is the same failure described in recall 25V‑274 (GM N252494000): crankshaft/connecting rod bearing failure in the L87 engine, which can cause loss of propulsion while driving. My VIN is not included in the recall because it was built before the XXX start of the recall build window. The engine is the same L87 and failed the same way. The vehicle has been maintained with regular oil changes and I have records. GM Customer Assistance case XXX was opened XXX. The vehicle is currently not safe to drive due to risk of engine seizure and loss of motive power. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was smoking. The contact stated that the engine was smoking heavily with a strong oil odor, before the vehicle shut off. The contact stated that the engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was restarted and driven to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the technicians confirmed the engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The failure mileage was 78,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that after activating the 4WD feature, the rear wheels locked up with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions to be diagnosed. Several unknown parts were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced Safety Recall : N242454440; as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 102,490.
My truck started skipping and over time the check engine light came on. I took it in and they are saying it is the lifters, which is costly. I know this truck was built during COVID and I know a lot of the manufacturers were dealing with skeleton crews. I heard this was an issue with the 2021 Silverado trucks, and a recall. Can you please advise?
2021 silverado engine failure. Yes it was inspected by a dealership and my extended warranty company and serviced by the dealership. Back on August 5th I experienced a misfire cylinder 3 and felt loss of power. On August 7th the dealership diagnosed both camshafts, 1 lifter, 1 valve, and 1 fuel injector was damaged and never received at warning lights or messages on the dashboard. I was without the vehicle for 39 days and within 10 hrs after picking up the truck i got an engine light on and several new codes on it and can not be driven and being towed. I feel these engines need a recall as it is well documented that these engines go between 60 and 80,000 miles and some a lot less than that, mine has 70,800 and went and now being towed with in less than 24 hrs after engine repair. I will be in contact with a lawyer to follow up on this matter.
My 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 RST with the 6.2L engine experienced an engine seizure. The engine was replaced by a Chevrolet dealership under a GM safety recall. Immediately after picking up the vehicle following the recall engine replacement, the truck stalled while still in the Chevrolet dealership parking lot. There was no warning before this first stall. We continued our trip because we did not realize at the time that the stall could indicate a problem following the engine replacement. During the drive from [XXX] to [XXX], the problem continued. In [XXX], the check engine light illuminated and the truck began malfunctioning. The vehicle subsequently stalled again. The problem continued after returning to [XXX]. A Chevrolet dealership in [XXX] inspected the vehicle and reproduced/confirmed a problem involving the camshaft position sensor wiring/connector. The dealership demonstrated the problem by manipulating the connector/wiring and recorded a video of the diagnostic procedure. The vehicle is currently at the Chevrolet dealership and is available for inspection. The affected component should also be available for inspection because it has not yet been repaired. The [XXX] dealership has characterized the wiring/connector condition as normal wear. However, the first stall occurred immediately after the GM recall engine replacement, while the vehicle was still on the repairing Chevrolet dealership's property. Unexpected engine stalling creates a serious safety risk because the vehicle can lose propulsion without warning while driving, including at highway speeds or in traffic. I am concerned that the camshaft position circuit/wiring/connector problem may be associated with the recall engine replacement procedure or replacement engine. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate whether other vehicles receiving this GM 6.2L engine recall remedy have experienced similar camshaft position circuit failures or unexpected stalling after engine repair. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FO
The check engine light came on and my engine would stall sometimes, it would stall at start up so no safety issue. I took my truck to the dealer a week later where they said a wire was corroded from rubbing on something causing the issues and that it was a common issue.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Condition where the connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components in these vehicles may have...
- Under Field Actions N252494000, N252494001, the service procedure includes performing a PICO test on...
- Condition that could
- This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the camshaft actuator magnet to correct customer...
- This informational bulletin advises the technician of a part number change for long block engines used in...
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced...
- This bulletin advises the tech to inspect deeper into what may be to main
- The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle...
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Recall number 25V274000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 check engine light
Is check engine light a common problem on the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
192 of 859 owner complaints about the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (22%) mention check engine light. The model year with the most reports is 2021.
How much does it cost to fix check engine light on the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $8,500 (median of 15 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
There is 1 recall and 321 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Engine failure 149Loss of power 86Knocking 63Misfire 53Stalling 51Jerking 43Harsh shifting 33Hesitation 33Shudder 32Transmission failure 31Won't shift 25Slipping 17Oil consumption 15Overheating 15Power steering loss 15Warning lights 14Ball 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
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