Service Trailer Brake System error. There's a known issue for a faulty wire harness and BCM. Error makes it hard to drive and see the speed, keeps popping up.
The worst 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical13
- Transmission7
- Body6
- Locks6
- Brakes5
- Fuel system5
- Engine3
- Airbags2
- Steering2
- Driver assistance1
- Lights1
- Tires1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
Recalls 5
Power train: automatic transmission: fluid/lubricant: valves/valve body
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Recall number 24V797000 · Recall details
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch
- What is wrong
- 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 unlatching while the vehicle is in park.
- Risk
- An unlatched tailgate may open while driving and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2024. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is N232426400.
Recall number 24V060000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: electric: control module
- What is wrong
- 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 be properly tightened, which could fail to seal the two sub-assemblies and allow water intrusion.
- Risk
- Water in the BPMV may cause an electrical short circuit and increase the risk of fire.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised to park outside and away from other structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will replace the BPMV assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 20, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is N212349181.
Recall number 21V758000 · Recall details
Seat belts: critical fasteners
- What is wrong
- 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 may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.
- Risk
- If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8785, Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.
Recall number 20V811000 · Recall details
Seat belts: critical fasteners
- What is wrong
- 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 frame in the front-row center seating position.
- Risk
- If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect left-side and right-side front-row center seat-belt bracket attachments and reassemble it correctly as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is N202314670.
Recall number 20V792000 · Recall details
See all 5 recalls for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
Defect investigations
Air Bag Malfunction
On April 9, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE21-010 to investigate instances of air bag malfunction indicator light (MIL) illumination and potential for frontal air bag non-deployment in several vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM). The vehicles included model year (MY) 2020 through 2021 CT4 and CT5 passenger cars, Sierra and Silverado trucks (1500/2500/3500 models), XT4 and MY 2021 Escalade, Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon SUVs.Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 21-NA-005, issued in March 2021, addresses air bag MIL illumination with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) B0001-1B or B0012-0D. It cites rust particles in the connection terminal interface of the driver air bag inflator housing as the cause of the air bag MIL illumination. Illumination of the air bag MIL under these circumstances may result in a non-deployment of the frontal driver air bag during a frontal collision and increased risk of injury to the driver.GM stated a correlation exists between production delays due to the pandemic shutdown and premature corrosion initiation on the surface of the air bag inflator housing, which, in some cases, caused rust development during a seven (7) month period of vehicle production. In the rare instance when a rust particle dislodges from the driver air bag inflator housing and enters the air bag connector prior to assembly, an intermittent resistance spike at the air bag connector may result. The condition generates excessive resistance in the air bag electrical system when the steering wheel horn cover is manipulated or the steering wheel is turned. This excessive resistance is momentary. A crash commanding air bag deployment would need to occur exactly when the momentary excessive resistance occurs. Thus, there is a very low likelihood the hazard will present a risk during a crash of sufficient severity to warrant a commanded deployment. This failure mechanism occurs early in life and results in an air bag MIL illumination that corresponds to a DTC warning the driver that the vehicle requires service. The vehicle's air bag remains functional while the MIL is illuminated, and the DTC is present.Once the connection of the driver air bag module to the clockspring is made at the plant, or at the dealership for service, there is no longer an opportunity for rust migration into the connection point. The connector is sealed and has gold terminals, eliminating the expectation of fretting corrosion. All subject vehicles passed standard corrosion validation testing for extensive corrosion with no issue of air bag non-deployment.There is a low rate of occurrence: 1.41 incidents per thousand vehicles (IPTV) for all related occurrences, and 0.04 IPTV for occurrences with a mention of visible rust and/or corrosion on the air bag inflator housing. The average occurrence mileage for the subject vehicles is approximately 2,100. Every occurrence related to the alleged defect experienced an air bag MIL illumination and there are no verified allegations of air bag non-deployment within all data sources.To date, there have been no reported fires, crashes, injuries, or fatalities related to this issue. In view of the low rate, and the nature of early-life failure, the high detectability of failures, and low potential hazard to drivers, this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.Review the ODI reports cited above at under the following identification numbers: 11537927, 11528888, 11525020, 11521401, 11506057, 11493107, 11486767, 11441525, 11433146, 11425658, 11423440, 11385267, 11376429, 11373466, 11366995.
PE21010
Technical service bulletins for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 887
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- Beginning with 2026 model year production, the floor console/armrest lamp design was changed by removing...
- Unknown or other
- This PI communicates information that Engineering has released an updated Trailer Lighting Control Module...
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
- Unknown or other
- This document assists GM dealer technicians with diagnosing torque converter concerns to ensure torque...
- Unknown or other
What 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked or while driving at undisclosed speeds, the tailgate unintendedly opened or closed. The failure was a recurring failure. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V060000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the repair was not free because the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance.
On XXX the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado was taken to Mayse Automotive Group at [XXX] dealership for the complaint of the key getting stuck in the ignition and unable to remove causing a safety and security risk. Service department found that the transmission control in column needed to be replaced. The park switch control was defective and providing incorrect data. Service department confirmed that many vehicles alike have needed same repairs. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Water entered tailgate through drainage hole in tailgate cap. The water then dripped on the tailgate switch causing it to short out. This short circuit caused my tailgate to open and close randomly without pressing any switches or buttons or key fobs. May tailgate has a small ding it it now from where it kept hitting the wall while parked in the garage. I took the truck to the dealership to get repairs done and was charged 308.88 for the tailgate switch and diagnosis that should have been under a recall for this truck. Safety Recall N232426400 Tailgate May Open Unexpectedly issued May 2024. I called the customer service number [XXX] to try and get reimbursed for the repairs and they told me there is no recall on my truck. I had this problem and it clearly states the year, make and model of my truck in the recall, but because my vin wasn't included I'm out of luck? I will attach all the info i have on this matter. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The tailgate will go up and down when the vehicle is turned off and in park. It will also do this while driving the vehicle. * I notice there has already been a recall for this issue, but my VIN shows NO RECALLS
Service engine light kept coming on the dash, and the code came back to a faulty DEF heater. My truck had a reduced power countdown on the dash indicating the truck was going go to into limp mode after x amount of miles. On warmer days the code would go away and there would be no reduced power. The vehicle was diagnosed at a GM dealership and confirmed the DEF heater was bad, but was notified that there is a bulletin with GM for this issue occurring in many other diesel trucks. My safety was put at risk due to the rapidly changing reduced speed milage, at any point it could drop from 100miles, to 10 miles until reduced speed. This could cause an instant car accident while driving if the truck were to randomly slow down to a speed much slower than the speed limit. IE- driving on the north way (65 speed limit) and having the speed drop to 5mph unexpectedly when you just had over 100 miles to reduced speed.
My 2021 chevy 3500hd diesel had the engine light come on and the service emissions system popped up in the info screen. It said in so many miles speed would be limited. I took it to the dealer and they said the def tank would need replaced because the tank wiring connector overheated and would cost me over $2k.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that the tailgate occasionally opened and closed unintendedly. The failure had occurred several times. The dealer was contacted and notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired; however, an appointment was scheduled. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V060000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,040.
Power unlatching tailgate opens unexpectedly (after big rain storm) The exact problem in this recall: Safety Recall N232426400 Tailgate May Open Unexpectedly However, my truck VIN wasn't part of the recall, even tho it shows it should be in the document above. I had to disconnect the tailgate switch myself to stop the tailgate from randomly opening while pulling a 5th wheel RV..... 3,000 miles from home. Just had it fixed at the dealer for $144, who said it wasn't coved under recall.
My 2021 Chevy Silverado 3500 [XXX] Motor began requiring a quart of oil every 3-4 weeks. I took my vehicle to a GM dealer in October 2024 and the stated the couldn't find any issues. Fast forward to December 2024 my motor began reading low compression and saying stop the vehicle. I took the vehicle back and pressured them to find out whats wrong with the truck as I only have 76,000 miles and I have performed all of the necessary maintenance. I even have a Chevrolet Platinum protection plan for warranty coverage. I have gotten the run around for months and I have yet to get my vehicle repaired. After taking my truck to a certified 3rd party the verified that the lifters failed and the motor would likely need to be replaced or rebuilt. The mechanics reported this Information to the Chevrolet warranty company and the stated the refuse to provide and repairs unless I produce oil change receipts or return the vehicle back to a dealership and pay for the dealer to tear the motor down. PLEASE HELP ME!!! Im stuck paying $819 a month for a truck I haven't driven regularly since December 2024. Please please please help me Sincerely [XXX] General Motors [XXX] 2021 3500 hd wt 4x4 Case # 9-XXX [XXX] I have a 2021 chevy 3500 lt (dually) Been having issues with a rough idle so I figured to replace the plugs, coil packs and wires as my truck just hit 70,000 miles. After doing the full tune up nothing changed, so I scheduled an appointment with my local chevy dealership. They kept my truck for about a week and never completed the diagnosis. I picked the truck back up and took it to another chevy dealer and the told me after a week or so that I had lifter issues and the truck would probably need a new motor. The truck seemed a little sketchy from the gate in the first 50k miles it consumed oil like it was a ol 250k mile chevy.... the alternator went out at around 50k miles and the fuel efficiency would be 6-8 mpg at best..... INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Compare the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
Other model years
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Questions about the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
Is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 reliable?
Owners have filed 41 complaints about the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, 1.3 times a typical Silverado 3500 model year.
What is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 year score?
The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 scores 62 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chevrolet Silverado 3500: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500?
Electrical system, with 13 complaints. Next is transmission (7).
How many recalls does the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 have?
5 recalls, covering power train, latches/locks/linkages and service brakes, hydraulic.
What year does the Chevrolet Silverado 3500 have the most electrical problems?
The Chevrolet Silverado 3500 model years with the most electrical complaints are 2024 (19 complaints), 2015 (16 complaints) and 2021 (13 complaints).
VIN decoder
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