2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Sep 10, 2026 · Body, Engine · FL

Statement for the federal safety agency Subject: Safety Complaint – 2021 Chevrolet Silverado Unexpected Jerking/Harsh Transmission Engagement I am submitting this complaint regarding my 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2.7L Turbo with approximately 128,000 miles. My vehicle has developed a recurring problem involving harsh/jerking transmission engagement, hesitation, shuddering and abnormal shifting. The truck can jerk when engaging or changing gears and has also experienced a hard engagement when shifting from Reverse into Drive. During normal driving, the vehicle can hesitate or feel as though it is repeatedly fluttering/shifting instead of providing smooth and predictable acceleration. The vehicle has produced diagnostic trouble codes including P0700, U0100 and P0420. I am concerned that this condition could create a safety hazard, particularly if the vehicle unexpectedly jerks, hesitates or fails to respond normally when accelerating or changing gears in traffic. I am requesting that the federal safety agency document this complaint and review whether there is a pattern or potential safety-related defect involving transmission engagement, shifting or drivetrain control on 2021 Chevrolet Silverado vehicles. GM has published service information concerning delayed and harsh transmission engagement on certain Silverado applications, including 2019–2021 models, which makes me concerned that my vehicle may be experiencing a related issue. I am retaining my repair records, diagnostic information, receipts, videos and mileage/date information documenting when the problem occurs. I am willing to provide this information if requested. Please help me get my truck corrected, I love my Chevy Truck. Thanks Sincerely [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 31, 2026 · Engine · 70,000 miles · LA

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the engine was idling rough and the vehicle vibrated violently. The contact stated that while accelerating, the vehicle hesitate while responding. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Aug 18, 2026 · Transmission · TX

Shuddering at 25 to 50 mph, harsh shifts, hesitation.

Filed Jul 28, 2026 · Transmission · 105,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 - 60 MPH, the transmission failed to shift properly, and the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the valve body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.

Filed Apr 18, 2026 · Engine · MO

When taking off it will sometime have hard shifts, shuddering, and acceleration hesitation. While driving, it will do static jolts. Dealer couldn’t pin point problem and advised for a new transmission or we could drive it until it dies. Dealer didn’t recommend to change transmission oil in fear of creating more damage.

Filed Apr 14, 2026 · Transmission · IL

On my 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Custom, I began noticing an issue around 79,000 miles where the vehicle did not come to a complete stop as smoothly as expected. Initially, I suspected the brakes, as I purchased the truck new and had not performed any brake maintenance up to that point. I scheduled an appointment with the dealership to have all four brakes replaced; however, upon inspection, I was advised that the brakes were still in good condition, with approximately 90% life remaining. I then completed a test drive with the shop foreman, who was able to replicate the concern to some extent and suggested that the issue may be related to the transmission. At this time, the dealership is in the process of disassembling the transmission to determine whether the issue can be resolved with a repair or if a full replacement is necessary. It is concerning that such a significant issue would arise at approximately 80,000 miles. Based on similar reports I have reviewed, this appears to be a relatively common concern within the 80,000–90,000 mile range. Additionally, this poses a serious safety concern, as the vehicle’s hesitation in coming to a complete stop nearly resulted in a rear-end collision while en route to the dealership. There have been no dash lights on.

Filed Mar 10, 2026 · Engine · GA

In 2024, the vehicle began experiencing severe jerking and drivability issues that appear to be transmission-related. We first took the vehicle to Terry Cullen Chevrolet in Southlake. The vehicle remained in the shop for months while still under warranty, yet the issue was never properly resolved. Attempts to communicate with management were largely unsuccessful, and we received little support in addressing the problem. Following guidance from Chevrolet corporate customer service, we then took the vehicle back to the original dealership, Nash Chevrolet in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Nash Chevrolet also held the truck for several months without resolving the issue. During this time, my husband who is self-employed in the home renovation industry—was left without adequate transportation. Because his work requires a truck, he was unable to complete scheduled projects, resulting in an estimated loss of $50,000–$60,000 in income. After the vehicle was returned to us, the same issue occurred again. When we attempted to contact Nash Chevrolet for assistance, our calls were no longer returned. We were forced to seek help elsewhere and brought the truck to a GMC/Buick dealership in Newnan, Georgia. The vehiche is unsafe to drive and after further research found this information and this is exactly the issue we have experience out of this truck making it unsafe to drive-8-Speed Transmission Issues (2015-2019): Litigation exists for 2015–2019 Silverados equipped with Hydra-Matic 8-speed transmissions, alleging rough shifting, hesitation, and vibration.

Filed Feb 15, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · KY

I just bought this truck off a used car lot certified dealer and I noticed the engine light on then the truck would hesitate to start and I know the battery is dying so I looked it up and I got a recall on 2021 Chevy Silverado just like mine just wondering why mine is not under recall or why won’t mine get fixed but everybody else is the same year in the same problems can get fixed. I think mine should be fixed.

Filed Jan 23, 2026 · Engine · NY

I am the owner of a January 2021 6.2 liter Chevy Silverado 1500. I have had multiple issues with this vehicle. Oil pressure control solenoid, many no starts, failure to starts, engine lights, oil lights. Truck started to use an excessive amount of oil before scheduled oil changes. The engine sometimes hesitate and fails to accelerate. The engine became noisy. My mechanic started that the engine is noisy and the oil pressure is at 15 lbs. They said it will need a replacement engine that is not covered under my expired power train warranty. The mechanic stated it's not a matter of if it will go, is a matter of when We are a family of 5 and this is our family vehicle. We feel very uncomfortable driving this vehicle with our family knowing the engine is going to fail at any time while driving. This is a heartbreaking expense that I don't believe that we should have to pay for. We have always maintained our vehicle and have never abused it.

Filed Jan 18, 2026 · Engine · AL

Most mornings after starting truck and driving off, it appears to be a hesitation or brief loss of power. Issue has been present for several years. It's hard to determine if it's engine or transmission issue. Truck is available for inspection. It usually occurs when leaving house in the morning so there is no safety issue because it happens within the first minute of driving. No warnings, cannot recreate issue.

Filed Jan 7, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · 81,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact received notice of an unknown recall in approximately July 2025. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced, and the failure was associated with the recall. The contact was also advised that the parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle remained with the dealer for three months and was repaired when the parts became available. The contact stated that two days after the repair, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle vibrated and hesitated. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer where it was diagnose,d and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and three cases were filed. The failure mileage was 81,000.

Filed Oct 27, 2025 · Transmission · 62,265 miles · ME

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered and hesitated while shifting into gear. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the transmission was flushed due to a possible torque converter failure; however, the failure progressed. The vehicle was taken back to the same local dealer, where it remained for further investigation; however, no cause for the failure was found. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,265.