2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Problems & Issues

On the 2019-2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the T1 generation Silverado can experience brake assist malfunctions, causing a hard brake pedal, longer stopping distances, and warning lights. GM documents a Brake System Control Module (EBCM) software calibration fault on 2019 trucks (PIT5638B, and recall 20V-055 for faulty pre-launch EBCM software) that can disable brake assist and set a Service Brake Assist message.

On the 2019-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the fuel pump module can fail, causing hard starting, stalling, or no-start conditions. GM issued a recall for certain vehicles due to fuel pump issues. GM bulletin 24-NA-139 attributes crank/no-start, stalling and loss of power with DTC P023F/P129F to an internal short in the fuel pump driver control module.

On the 2021-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 6.2L V8 L87, the connecting rods and/or crankshaft in some 6.2L V8 (L87) engines may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure. If the engine fails while driving, the truck loses propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. Applies to: 2021–2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the 6.2L V8 (RPO L87) built March 1, 2021 – May 31, 2024 (GM recall N252494000; also Sierra 1500, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon and Escalade). Not fitted to the 5.3L representative truck.

On the 2014-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, a widely reported Silverado 1500 complaint is a sudden cascade of dash messages — 'StabiliTrak disabled,' then 'Service StabiliTrak,' 'Service Traction Control,' and finally 'Engine Power Reduced' — sometimes with a stumble or stall and limited throttle response. The most common root causes are a faulty accelerator pedal position (APP) sensor or throttle body (electronic throttle), but GM bulletin 18-NA-161 also traces 'Service StabiliTrak' with engine stalling to high-resistance or loose battery cables, a poor BCM ground at G218 (behind the driver-side dash), a starter B+ cable shorting against the starter shield, or a weak battery. Because it can drop the truck into reduced-power limp mode at speed, owners treat it as urgent.

On the 2019-2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the infotainment system can freeze, display a black screen, or reboot randomly. This affects navigation, audio, backup camera, and vehicle settings. Software bugs and hardware failures are both possible causes.

On the 2014-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the integrated door-lock actuators in K2XX/T1 Silverado 1500 trucks are a high-frequency failure. The small motor and plastic gears inside the actuator wear out, so the power lock buzzes, grinds, or clicks, operates intermittently or cycles rapidly, or stops working entirely on one or more doors. Owners frequently report a domino effect — replacing one actuator, then having another door fail within weeks — and some failures are temperature-dependent (works in heat, dead in cold). On Silverados the lock actuator is integrated into the door latch assembly, so the whole latch is often replaced.

On the 2019-2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, silverados with the Bose audio system develop crackling, popping, and static, distortion at higher volume, or entire sections of speakers (e.g., all driver-side, or the center dash speaker) going silent. Causes range from a software/firmware bug in the IOK/Google-built-in radio, to internal Bose amplifier channel failures, to a physically failed center-dash speaker. GM acknowledged the software-related crackling in a TSB but a full fix has lagged, frustrating owners of the 2022 refreshed models.

On the 2019-2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the auto stop/start feature stops engaging and the DIC shows 'Auto Stop Unavailable' or the feature simply never activates. GM traces most cases to the Body Control Module reading the battery as perpetually below ~75% state-of-charge, which disables stop/start to protect restart capability. Contributing factors are a weak/aged AGM battery, loose battery terminal, or a corroded/disconnected ground. Some owners also see premature original-battery failure that leaves the truck slow to crank.

On the 2015-2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, both the 8-speed and 10-speed automatic transmissions can develop a shudder during light acceleration. This torque converter clutch issue is widespread across GM trucks. Multiple TSBs have been issued addressing this concern.

On the 2015-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, silverado 1500 trucks with the 8L90 eight-speed (and the older 6L80 six-speed) can run dangerously hot when the factory transmission thermal bypass valve sticks closed, so fluid never reaches the cooler — common under towing or heavy load. Sustained temperatures above ~220-250°F oxidize the fluid and cook the clutches and torque converter, accelerating the separately-known shudder/wear and shortening transmission life. Compounding this, the transmission cooler lines and fittings are a frequent leak point on these trucks, dropping fluid level and worsening heat. Owners towing in hot climates are most affected.

On the 2020-2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, on trucks with the 3.0L Duramax diesel, the check-engine light may come on with a "Service Emission System" and/or "DEF Level Low" message because the DEF level sensor reads incorrectly, erratically or stuck. GM says this may be caused by a software anomaly. Applies to: Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the 3.0L Duramax diesel (LM2 or LZ0) in the 2020–2025 model years listed in bulletin 22-NA-150 (the bulletin also covers Tahoe, Suburban, Escalade, Sierra, Yukon and HD trucks). Not fitted to the gasoline representative truck.

On the 2021-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 3.0L Duramax Turbodiesel I6 (LM2), silverado 1500 trucks with the 3.0L LM2 Duramax inline-6 turbodiesel are prone to failure of the electronically actuated engine coolant control valve. Failure illuminates the check-engine light, can leave cooling fans running after the key is off (draining the battery), and in some cases causes the engine to run hotter than normal. A frequent root cause is corrosion/terminal damage in the coolant flow control valve actuator harness connector. GM announced Special Coverage N252508341 (September 2025) extending warranty to 15 years / 150,000 miles from in-service date for the affected valve on 2021-2022 Silverado 1500 (and 2021-2023 Tahoe/Suburban and GMC/Cadillac siblings). Owners have reported multi-month back-orders on the replacement valve (part 40009644).

On the 2019-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, on the T1-platform (2019+) Silverado 1500, the plastic frame surrounding the rear window (especially the power/electric sliding window) cracks and the window works loose in its channel. GM's service bulletin 18-NA-383 traces the leak to small cracks in the sliding window's plastic upper rail glass guide (hidden under the roof rear spoiler); owners often blame cab/body flex over uneven roads and towing loads. Water then wicks through the gaps and runs down the inside of the rear glass into the cab, soaking the rear seat and carpet, and wind noise develops. It is widespread enough that dealers issued a sealant TSB and GM has extended goodwill on many out-of-warranty trucks; owners frequently give up on the reseal and swap the slider for a solid fixed pane.

On the 2014-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the aluminum driveshaft on Silverados can develop vibration from worn U-joints or an out-of-balance condition. Additionally, the slip yoke can cause a clunk during shifts or when going from acceleration to deceleration due to worn splines or dry conditions.