2021 Chevrolet Silverado
The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado is sold in the U.S. as a gas and diesel large pickup truck with 36 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Silverado 2WD, is EPA-rated at 27 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for this model year, 3 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 852 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silverado 2WD | Gas | RWD | 2.7L 4-cyl turbo | 20 | 23 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Silverado 2WD | Gas | RWD | 2.7L 4-cyl turbo | 20 | 23 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Silverado 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 2.7L 4-cyl turbo | 19 | 22 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Silverado 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 2.7L 4-cyl turbo | 19 | 22 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Silverado 2WD | Gas | RWD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Silverado 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 16 | 22 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Silverado 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 6.2L 8-cyl | 16 | 21 | 18 | $4,550 |
| Silverado 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Silverado 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 15 | 21 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Silverado 4WD TrailBoss | Gas | 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Silverado 2WD | Gas | RWD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Silverado 2WD | Gas | RWD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 16 | 21 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Silverado 2WD | Gas | RWD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 15 | 22 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Silverado 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Silverado 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Silverado 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 6.2L 8-cyl | 15 | 20 | 17 | $4,850 |
| Silverado 4WD TrailBoss | Gas | 4WD | 6.2L 8-cyl | 15 | 19 | 17 | $4,850 |
| Silverado 4WD TrailBoss | Gas | 4WD | 6.2L 8-cyl | 15 | 19 | 17 | $4,850 |
| Silverado 4WD TrailBoss | Gas | 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Silverado Cab Chassis 2WD | Gas | RWD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 15 | 19 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Silverado 2WD | Gas | RWD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 15 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Silverado 2WD | Gas | RWD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 14 | 21 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Silverado 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 14 | 18 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Silverado 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 14 | 21 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Silverado 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 14 | 20 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Silverado 4WD TrailBoss | Gas | 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 14 | 18 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Silverado 4WD TrailBoss | Gas | 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 14 | 18 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Silverado 4WD TrailBoss | Gas | 4WD | 6.2L 8-cyl | 14 | 19 | 16 | $5,150 |
| Silverado 4WD TrailBoss | Gas | 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Silverado Cab Chassis 2WD | Gas | RWD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Silverado Cab Chassis 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Silverado Cab Chassis 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 14 | 16 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Silverado Cab Chassis 2WD | Gas | RWD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 13 | 18 | 14 | $4,800 |
| Silverado Cab Chassis 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
| Silverado 2WD | Diesel | RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 23 | 33 | 27 | $3,550 |
| Silverado 4WD | Diesel | 4WD | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 22 | 26 | 24 | $4,000 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 43186, 43187, 43192, 43194, 43090, 43101, 43096, 43099, 44027, 43102.
Emissions & certification
Source: EPA emission certificates| Configuration | Smog rating | Emission standard | Where it can be sold new | SmartWay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silverado 2WD, Silverado 4WD, Silverado 4WD TrailBoss, Silverado Cab Chassis 2WD, Silverado Cab Chassis 4WD | 6 / 10 | California LEV-III ULEV50 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 50 | All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards | — |
| Silverado 2WD, Silverado 4WD, Silverado 4WD TrailBoss, Silverado Cab Chassis 2WD, Silverado Cab Chassis 4WD | 5 / 10 | California LEV-III ULEV70 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 70 | All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards | — |
| Silverado 2WD, Silverado 4WD, Silverado 4WD TrailBoss | 3 / 10 | California LEV-III ULEV125 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 125 | All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards | — |
Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.
The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.
Specifications filed with NHTSA
Source: NHTSA vPICDimensions Exterior
| Body style | Pickup |
| Doors | 4 |
| GVWR class | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) |
Engine Basics
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Displacement | 2.7 L |
| Engine configuration | In-Line |
Fuel Economy
| Fuel | Gasoline |
Transmission
| Drivetrain | 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 |
Driver assistance
Standard: Anti-lock brakes, Backup camera, Electronic stability control
Optional: Adaptive cruise control, Automatic emergency braking, Blind-spot monitoring, Forward collision warning, Pedestrian automatic emergency braking, Rear cross-traffic alert
Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: Custom, GM - Chevrolet Silverado Medium Duty, LT, Trail Boss - LT). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.
Dimensions & weight
Source: Transport Canada| Length | 229.5–241.3 in |
| Width (body, without mirrors) | 81.1 in |
| Height | 75.6 in |
| Wheelbase | 139.4–156.7 in |
| Track, front | 68.1 in |
| Track, rear | 68.1 in |
| Curb weight | 4,378–4,868 lb |
Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 8 configurations: 1500 Crew Cab M/Box 2WD, 1500 Crew Cab M/Box 4WD, 1500 Crew Cab S/Box 2WD, 1500 Crew Cab S/Box 4WD, 1500 Double Cab M/Box 2WD, 1500 Double Cab M/Box 4WD …. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.
Factory warranty running out?
The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.
What to check before you buy →Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.
Recalls (9)
Source: NHTSA recall databaseService Brakes, Hydraulic
N242482680Engine And Engine Cooling
N252494000Power Train
N242454440Tires
N212346510Air Bags
N212336560Seat Belts
N202322230Seat Belts
N202314670Tires
N202319030These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.
NHTSA defect investigations
Engine — Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy open
On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001. This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V-274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement. General Motors (GM) issued Recall 25V-274 to address concerns of engine failure in the L87 engines produced between March 1, 2021 and May 31, 2024. GM cited the root cause as a supplier manufacturing and quality issue. GM’s recall remedy for Recall 25V-274 consisted of two different repairs, either an oil viscosity change or a
Opened Aug 20, 2026 · action EA26005 · the investigation’s page →
Engine — Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy closed
On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001. This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V-274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement. General Motors (GM) issued Recall 25V-274 to address concerns of engine failure in the L87 engines produced between March 1, 2021 and May 31, 2024. GM cited the root cause as a supplier manufacturing and quality issue. GM’s recall remedy for Recall 25V-274 consisted of two different repairs, either an oil viscosity change or a
Opened Jan 16, 2026 · closed Aug 20, 2026 · action RQ26001 · the investigation’s page →
Engine — Loss of motive power due to engine failure open
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 1,157 reports of engine bearing failure failures in the L87 6.2L engine produced by General Motors (GM). Of the 1,157 reports received, 173 are outside of the scope of recall 25V-274. These engines are installed in Model Years (MY) 2019–2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, and 2021-2024MY Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, GMC Yukon/Yukon XL, and Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV vehicles. The subject engine failures were investigated as part of a Preliminary Evaluation (PE25001). GM determined that these engine failures were due to multiple supplier manufacturing and quality issues. GM issued recall 25V-274 to address the supplie
Opened Oct 23, 2025 · action EA25007 · the investigation’s page →
Engine — Loss of motive power due to engine failure closed
On January 16, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE25001 after receiving complaints and field reports concerning engine failures in MY2019-2024 GM’s full-size truck and SUV T1XX platform equipped with the L87 6.2L V8 engine. These complainants alleged engine bearing failures resulting in knocking and growling noises from the engine’s bottom end and in some cases more severe consequences such as broken connecting rods leading to engine damage, or engine failure. If the engine fails during vehicle operation, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. On April 24, 2025, GM issued recall 25V-274 to address the concern with L87 en
Opened Jan 16, 2025 · closed Oct 23, 2025 · action PE25001 · the investigation’s page →
Air Bags:Srs Malfunction Warning Lamp/Light — Air Bag Malfunction closed
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
Opened Apr 9, 2021 · closed Aug 24, 2023 · action PE21010 · the investigation’s page →
Whether any of this applies to one specific Silverado
A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2021 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Chevrolet publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.
Hear about a recall before the letter does
The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.
Parts & accessories for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado
Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.
Find parts for this Silverado →Owner complaints
Source: NHTSA complaint database20 involved a crash · 12 a fire · 17 injuries · 0 deaths reported
20 per 10,000 built · Chevrolet reported 425,769 Silverado built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)
Filed per year: 2020: 3 · 2021: 57 · 2022: 52 · 2023: 65 · 2024: 91 · 2025: 330 · 2026: 254
Most-cited components
In depth: engine problems → · transmission and drivetrain problems → · electrical problems →
In owners' own words
Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: (TBD); Manufacturer Recall Campaign Number: N222375270 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available.
Driver side front marker light bulb not working after 700mi. Not a big problem but annoying enough for a 2 week old, $49,000 truck
Wife was headed to town when the truck started bucking and surging then leaving her stranded along side the road. NO MIL on until 5 mins after the bucking and surging started. called GM and basically said oh we will just fix it.
The air bag light and service restraint message came up constantly, it seem like it would self clear, then come right back. Truck had only 250 miles on it when it started, it is still at the dealer waiting for parts. They told me it was because of corrosion (in a brand new truck)
Transmission slipped then went limp at 35-40 mph. Truck would not accelerate at all. Had towed back to dealership
Parked truck in my garage overnight. Came out this afternoon to start up and got the warning message 'power steering ESC' shut it down, restarted the truck five times same message. Silverado 1500 has approximately 3497 miles on it. Rst model
Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.
Reported by Chevrolet itself: 102 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 4 killed, 126 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 24 per 100,000 built. Every Silverado model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.
When owners reported it
miles, typically
Half the 175 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 26,000 and 92,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.
Median mileage by component
| Component | Reports | Median miles | Vs same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 106 | 64,000 | 1.28× |
| Power Train | 44 | 64,000 | 1.3× |
| Electrical System | 13 | 44,540 | 1.59× |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 13 | 45,000 | 1.07× |
Vs same age is this model year’s median for the system divided by the median of every 2021-model-year complaint about the same system, all makes: under 1× means owners of this car reported it at lower mileage. Here, owners reported later: electrical system (1.59×). Which systems go early across the whole fleet: the component study.
Across 2018–2022 model years the Chevrolet Silverado ranks 54 of 79 nameplates in the odometer-at-first-complaint study: owners reported problems at 1.44× the mileage of vehicles the same age (median 35,000 miles against a fleet 23,512).
Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.
Crash ratings
Source: NHTSA NCAP| Configuration | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PU/EC 2WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 19% |
| PU/EC 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 20% |
| PU/RC 2WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 19% |
| PU/RC 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 20% |
| PU/CC 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 19% |
| PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 20% |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.
Service bulletins & campaigns
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications- 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first · GM service campaign N252494003-02Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition where the connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components in these vehicles may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and…
- 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first · GM service campaign N252494003-01Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition where the connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components in these vehicles may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and…
- 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first · GM service campaign N252494003Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition where the connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components in these vehicles may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and…
- Term not in NHTSA’s summary · GM warranty extension 22-NA-244This warranty administration service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories - Dealer-Installed, Repaired or Replaced During Warranty Coverage Period.
- 15 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first · GM service campaign N242454441-02Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition where the transmission control valve has worn, resulting in a gradual loss of pressure within the valve.
- 15 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first · GM service campaign N242454441-01Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition where the transmission control valve has worn, resulting in a gradual loss of pressure within the valve.
1 more in this page’s JSON.
The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every GM warranty extension (33) → · Every warranty extension on file, all makes →
Most often about: Engine, Equipment, Electrical System, Unknown Or Other, Power Train.
- PIP6127B Service bulletin2026-10-05 · Unknown Or Other
- This document assists GM dealer technicians with diagnosing torque converter concerns to ensure torque converter replacement is necessary. The torque converter part number will be placed on order restriction, and the technician will be asked to follow 25-NA-148 before requesting a part through PQC.
- PIT6477D Service bulletin2026-10-05 · Unknown Or Other
- This preliminary PI was created to advise techniians in the field that they will not be able to perform a GDS automated bleed with the scan tool dues to a issue with the software in the scan tool
- PIP6133 Service bulletin2026-09-26 · Unknown Or Other
- This PI was created to help address the correct repair regarding a low coolant message on the DIC
- PIT5698F Service bulletin2026-09-26 · Unknown Or Other
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
- PIP5700H Service bulletin2026-09-21 · Unknown Or Other
- This PI communicates the proper part numbers for transmission connectors and internal harness to prevent confusion when ordering
- PIP4902W Service bulletin2026-09-04 · Unknown Or Other
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- PIP6127A Service bulletin2026-08-27 · Unknown Or Other
- This document assists GM dealer technicians with diagnosing torque converter concerns to ensure torque converter replacement is necessary. The torque converter part number will be placed on order restriction, and the technician will be asked to follow 25-NA-148 before requesting a part through PQC.
- PIC6551C Service bulletin2026-08-20 · Unknown Or Other
- This Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless projection issues
A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.
Diagnostic trouble codes on file
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaintsCodes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.
| Code | What it means | Most often filed under | Where it appears |
|---|---|---|---|
| P0300 P0300 on Chevrolet → | Misfire detected, but not isolated to one cylinder. | Engine · Ignition coils → | 22 bulletins · 5 owner reports |
| P2463 P2463 on Chevrolet → | Soot has built up in the diesel particulate filter beyond the allowed limit. | Engine | 15 bulletins |
| P0016 P0016 on Chevrolet → | The crankshaft and camshaft are not where they should be relative to each other — timing, chain or phaser. | Engine | 5 bulletins · 9 owner reports |
| P12A6 P12A6 on Chevrolet → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Engine | 14 bulletins |
| P30BF P30BF on Chevrolet → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Unknown Or Other | 14 bulletins |
| P0442 P0442 on Chevrolet → | A small leak in the evaporative emissions system. | Engine · Gas cap → | 13 bulletins |
| P0455 P0455 on Chevrolet → | A large leak in the evaporative emissions system — often a fuel cap left off. | Engine · Gas cap → | 13 bulletins |
| P0106 P0106 on Chevrolet → | The manifold pressure sensor reading does not track what the engine is doing. | Service Brakes · Brake pads → | 12 bulletins |
| P0308 P0308 on Chevrolet → | Cylinder 8 is misfiring. | Engine · Ignition coils → | 10 bulletins · 1 owner report |
| P1098 P1098 on Chevrolet → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Engine | 9 owner reports |
| P050D P050D on Chevrolet → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Engine | 7 bulletins · 1 owner report |
| P0747 P0747 on Chevrolet → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Power Train | 6 bulletins · 2 owner reports |
Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.
Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.
At the New York inspection station
Source: New York State DMVIn New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado failed the emissions check on 5.9% of first inspections — higher than the 1.9% for every 2021 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.4% (every 2021 vehicle: 1.5%).
failed emissions
10,065 initial inspections of 9,827 vehicles.
| Measure | The 2021 Silverado | Every 2021 vehicle | Behind it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Failed the emissions check | 5.9% | 1.9% | 10,042 |
| Failed the safety inspection | 1.4% | 1.5% | 10,065 |
| Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit | 0.17% | 0.19% | 10,065 |
| Miles driven a year | 12,032 | 10,343 | odometer at inspection |
| Average odometer | 63,599 | 54,681 | odometer at inspection |
New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2021 vehicle” is every 2021 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).
Compare the 2021 Silverado with
Any vehicle, your weights →| Head-to-head | Verdict | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Ford Ranger · Large Pickup truck · grade D | Ranger +26.9 |
Silverado by model year
all years, side by side →Common questions about the 2021 Silverado
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsDoes the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado have any recalls?
NHTSA has posted 9 recall campaigns for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado, 3 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 26V083000, covering Power Train. There is an active park outside advisory — act on it before driving. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.
How safe is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado?
NHTSA gave the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 4-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it F (41/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado?
Across the 36 EPA-rated configurations of the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado, the best EPA combined figure is 27 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.
What are the dimensions of the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado?
Transport Canada measured it at 229.5–241.3 in long, 81.1 in wide (body, without mirrors), 75.6 in tall, on a 139.4–156.7 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 4,378–4,868 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.
What do owners complain about on the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado?
Owners have filed 852 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado, most often about engine, power train, electrical system. Of those, 20 involved a crash, 12 a fire, 17 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.
How clean is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado?
The EPA smog rating for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado runs 3 to 6 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III ULEV125, California LEV-III ULEV50, California LEV-III ULEV70, Federal Tier 3 Bin 125, Federal Tier 3 Bin 50, Federal Tier 3 Bin 70 — which the table above lists per configuration.
Are there service bulletins for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado?
The manufacturer has filed 2855 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado, most often covering engine, equipment, electrical system. The most recent is dated 2026-10-05. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.
How does the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado do at state inspection?
In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado failed the emissions check on 5.9% of first inspections — higher than the 1.9% for every 2021 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.4% (every 2021 vehicle: 1.5%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.
Is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado better than the 2021 Ford Ranger?
The Ford Ranger wins clearly, 85.7 to 58.8, on safety, fuel & range. We publish a full side-by-side of the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado against the 2021 Ford Ranger — specifications by family, equipment feature by feature, safety record and ownership costs. You can re-weight what matters to you and the verdict recalculates.
What we hold, and what an empty row means
Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.
| Data | Held | Source | What it covers — or what empty means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy & configurations | 36 configurations | EPA certification records | Every configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures. |
| Emission certificates | 36 configurations | EPA emission certificates | Smog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new. |
| Recalls | 9 | NHTSA recall campaigns | A complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags. |
| Owner complaints | 852 | NHTSA complaint database | Also complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold. |
| Crash ratings | 6 tested | NHTSA NCAP | Only the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them. |
| Service bulletins | 2855 | NHTSA manufacturer communications | Everything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall. |
| Investigations | 5 | NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation | Open and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative. |
| Driver-assist crash reports | none | NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01 | No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like. |
| Specifications filed with NHTSA | 8 fields | NHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patterns | What the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder. |
| Measured dimensions | 7 fields | Transport Canada, Canadian Vehicle Specifications | Length, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions. |
| Trims, pricing & equipment | none | Manufacturer press kit | We have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind. |
Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.
Sources & method
Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.
EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.