2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
Common Problems
Ranked from 44 federal NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
10 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Tailgate malfunctions causing unintended opening and closing
13complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe tailgate opens and closes unintentionally, potentially leading to safety hazards such as falling objects.
- 2
Transmission failures leading to unexpected shifting and loss of power
7complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission shifts gears unexpectedly, causing the vehicle to lose power and potentially skidding or jack-knifing.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 24V797000
- 3
Electrical system failures causing erratic behavior
6complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe electrical system malfunctions, causing the vehicle to behave erratically, such as unintended tailgate movements and dashboard warnings.
- 4
Brake system failures causing unexpected stops and rolling back
5complaintsHigh severityBrakesThe brake system fails, causing the vehicle to stop unexpectedly or roll back while driving.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 21V758000
- 5
Electrical System Issues
4complaintsMedium severityElectricalVarious electrical components such as wipers, cameras, and lighting systems fail or malfunction.
- 6
Steering Column Lock Error
4complaintsLow severitySteeringService steering column lock error message appears frequently, sometimes accompanied by false front collision alerts.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 7
Brake Squealing
2complaintsLow severityBrakesBrakes produce a high-pitched squealing noise, especially at low speeds.
$250–$700est. brake pads + rotors (per axle) · 1–2.5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 21V758000
- 8
Engine failures leading to catastrophic engine seizure
2complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine seizes catastrophically, often without warning, leading to complete loss of power and potential engine damage.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotes - 9
Engine Stall at Idle
2complaintsLow severityEngineEngine stalls at idle, requiring multiple attempts to start, often without check engine light or error codes.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 10
Transmission Fluid Line Failure
2complaintsHigh severityTransmissionTransmission fluid line crimps separate, causing transmission fluid to leak and leave the vehicle stranded.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 24V797000
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.