2021 Chevrolet Silverado transmission and drivetrain problems
239 of the 833 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). Filed under the same heading: 310 manufacturer bulletins, 2 recalls. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA complaint database5 of the 239 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 4 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2021: 13 · 2022: 13 · 2023: 13 · 2024: 28 · 2025: 100 · 2026: 72
Half of the 43 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 30,000 and 105,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
833 complaints in all about the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado, 72 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Power Train” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Chevrolet Silverado transmission and drivetrain problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
I was not personally at risk during my incident, but I can see how I could have been if my situation was a different. My 2021Chevy truck suddenly lost engine power at a traffic stoplight. It almost stalled coming to a stop. Then when trying to accelerate, it had very low power, and was stumbling.
I was on interstate 85 and the whole truck started shaking and check engine light, service ESC light and service parking brake light came on. Thankfully I was near and exit ramp and got off as I had almost no power. I limped my truck back to the dealership where they diagnosed it as lifter failure and replaced both banks of lifters.
My pick up was hit from the rear the drive shaft broke at the well and the rear broke both side of the axle to the housing of the rear I have pick of the rear and the drive shaft
There is a massive shudder that sounds like the whole dash could come loose. feels and sounds like rumble strips and off road driving mixed all together. It happens at all speeds and when rpms are steady around 1200-1400
Engine valve lifter failure at 20,000 miles; engine hesitation and power loss. Error to parking brake and to electronic stability control. Chevrolet to replace damaged lifter but refused to replace both banks of defective lifters. As a result of dysfunction I was stranded 1200 miles from home and have been waiting 2 weeks for repair.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecalls filed under this heading
- 26V083000 CriticalFeb 12, 2026 · 1,055 vehicles
- General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, 3500, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles that may have been repaired incorrectly under recall 24V797. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up.
- 24V797000 CriticalOct 24, 2024 · 463,295 vehicles
- 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.
310 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
The 0 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
P12A6 P0747 P1098 B3055 B3060 B3935 P2714 P0700
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado
Source: the same files- engine problems 437 complaints
- electrical problems 112 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 239 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (29% of everything owners filed about it), and 310 manufacturer bulletins, 2 recalls are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading: 26V083000, 24V797000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 64,000 miles; half of them between 30,000 and 105,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.