2021 Chevrolet Silverado Safety Report

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado presents a mixed safety picture, with a significant number of owner complaints despite no official NHTSA safety ratings or recalls for this specific model year. With 797 total complaints, including 18 crashes, 13 fires, and 13 injuries, there are clear areas of concern. The most frequently reported issues revolve around the ENGINE (197 complaints) and POWER TRAIN (137 complaints), often describing catastrophic failures, loss of power, and harsh shifting. Several complaints detail engine seizing, lifter failures, and transmission valve body issues, some leading to vehicles being undrivable for extended periods due to parts shortages. Beyond the powertrain, other notable complaint categories include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (49 complaints) and SERVICE BRAKES (24 complaints), with reports of electronics freezing, power steering loss, and master brake cylinder failures. A recurring theme is the inadvertent opening of the tailgate, categorized under LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES (24 complaints), which poses a risk of cargo loss or striking other vehicles. While there are no official recalls for the 2021 model year, some complaints reference issues similar to those covered by recalls for other model years or related components, such as tailgate malfunctions and engine problems. The absence of NHTSA crash test ratings (Overall, Frontal, Side, Rollover are all N/A) makes it difficult to assess the vehicle's passive safety performance. However, the reported incidents of crashes and injuries, coupled with critical component failures like brake and steering issues, highlight potential active safety risks. The high volume of complaints, particularly concerning major mechanical systems, suggests that while the vehicle's crashworthiness is unknown, its reliability and prevention of incidents are areas of significant concern for owners.

Our recommendation: Given the high volume of critical engine and transmission complaints, and the absence of official safety ratings, potential buyers should proceed with caution and thoroughly inspect any 2021 Chevrolet Silverado, ideally with a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic focusing on powertrain health.