2021 Chevrolet Silverado vs 2021 Ram 1500
The public data splits evenly; the trim-level specs decide it.
| 2021 Chevrolet Silverado | 2021 Ram 1500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Pickup truck | Pickup truck |
| Powertrains | Gas, Diesel | Hybrid, Gas, Diesel |
| Best combined mpg | 27 | 26 |
| Safety Signal | 35 | 35 |
| NHTSA recalls | 12 | 15 |
| Critical recalls | 2 | 1 |
| Owner complaints | 937 | 675 |
| NHTSA overall stars | 5 | 5 |
2021 Chevrolet Silverado
The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado is sold in the U.S. as a gas and diesel pickup truck with 36 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Silverado 2WD, is EPA-rated at 27 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 12 recall ca
F2021 Ram 1500
The 2021 Ram 1500 is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid, gas and diesel pickup truck with 15 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the 1500 2WD, is EPA-rated at 26 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns
Recalls at a glance
Silverado
Power Train
minorProblem: 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.
Risk: Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicles and update the transmission control software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 6, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252516560. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 12, 2026.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
criticalProblem: General Motors (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Chevrolet Silverado Medium Duty 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD vehicles. The brake pressure sensor assembly may leak brake fluid into the brake pressure switch and cause a short circuit.
Risk: An electrical short in the brake pressure switch can overheat the circuit and increase the risk of a fire while driving or parked.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the brake pressure switch wire harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 11, 2025. Owners may contact GM customer assistance number at 1-866-467-9700. GM's number for this recall is N242482680. Vehicles in this recall that were previously repaired under 23V266 will need to have the new remedy completed.
Engine And Engine Cooling
highProblem: 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.
Fix: 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
1500
Seat Belts
highProblem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2026 Ram 1500 vehicles. The second-row seat belt buckle anchors may have been improperly installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
Risk: An improperly installed seat belt buckle anchor may fail to properly restrain occupants, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and attach the seat belt buckle anchor to the body structure as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 18, 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 67D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 6, 2026.
Air Bags
highProblem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Ram 1500, Ram 2500, Ram 3500, Ram 4500, and Ram 5500 vehicles. The steering column control module may cause the driver's side air bag not to deploy as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the steering column control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 11, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 14C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 13, 2025.
Electrical System
highProblem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Ram 1500 vehicles. The driver's side air bag may not be connected properly, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: A driver's side air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers secured the connectors for the air bag, free of charge. All vehicles have been remedied. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 08C.
Green cells mark the better value on that row. Complaint counts scale with sales volume; treat them as a pattern signal, not a verdict. Sources: EPA, NHTSA.