general problems of the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 - part 1

The vehicle has an electric tailgate lock switch failure/defect. The tailgate unlocks on its own and pops open while driving, at stop lights, in drive-thru restaurants, and while parked which causes a safety hazard to the driver and passengers in the vehicle, as well as other drivers around the vehicle. Even after closing the tailgate, it will unlock and pop open on its own again. Then, I tested the closed, locked tailgate by shacking and pulling it open from the top edge which caused the tailgate to unlock and open on its own. This causes a thief risk of personal belongings and vehicle parts. There are no warning lamps or messages about the component failure. Since no recalls for the vehicle's VIN number are listed, it has not been confirmed by the dealer.

Check engine turned on and at the same time the vehicle turned into safety mode abruptly, it slowed down to 10 miles an hour while on the high way and receiving a message stating that the "engine power reduced", the issue was presented to the dealership and they believe to be fixed with a sensor issue, the light came back on a few days after the initial repair and once again the engine lost power while driving the vehicle, the vehicle was then taken back to the dealership for repair once again, both times I mentioned the service bulletin, which they did not consider in their repair, stating that the issue was specific for a code (which all codes present are in the service bulletin) the 2nd repair was done on a actuator, which they stated should fix the issue, and did not, a 3rd time the vehicle lost power while hauling a trailer, this time I brought up the concern of them not reviewing the service bulletin, this time they confirmed that the service bulletin was the issue causing the check engine light (gm service bulletin 21-na-149) now they are looking to slowly start repairing the issue and wait for the check engine light to turn on again to then go back and forth and review step by step the instructions in the bulletin.

A week or two before I took my truck into decorah chevy isr because tailgate was going up and down all by itself while I was driving or parked without me by it. They said it was just the latch button . So they fixed it they said and still my blinker lights would just come on and then I hit a deer and my seatbelt did not latch and my airbags didn't deploy even though my app says they did. I'm wondering if all three are connected with electrical . Either way my air bags did not deploy and my truck has extensive damage and my seatbelt didn't lock ,.

1- tailgate keeps opening by itself. It has opened while driving down the highway and things fell out of back of my truck almost causing an accident. It has opened while sitting in my driveway after I have turned the truck off and gone inside. I have reported this to a dealer they said my VIN is not on the recall list. I would like my VIN added since it is obviously an issue with the silverado's. 2- I recently has to bring my truck to the dealer for the transfer case sounding like there were bolts in a blended and a pinging sound by the bell housing while in park. They stated it was the front axle and fixed it saying it was a power train thing. The noise is back and now out of warranty.

The vehicle has been showing a “shift to park” message error upon shutdown even though the vehicle is fully in park and door automatically unlock when parked. This has left the accessories on and drained the battery.

Vehicle was at a stoplight with the auto start button engaged on it. The vehicle completely stalled. All the power is drained from the car. Leaving me stranded in the highway. I got it towed and when replacing the battery still nothing will roll over or even turn on.

The following is a list of persistent electrical failures in my vehicle, several of which present a significant safety risk. I have attempted to resolve the issues: •emergency onstar button failure: my vehicle's emergency onstar buttons consistently fail to function when the ignition is off. This is a critical safety defect, as the system is designed to work on a backup battery during an emergency, such as a crash. The system only operates when the ignition is on. • excessive and dangerous floor hump heat: following a service visit on October 2, 2025, the front floor hump became excessively hot, melting personal items and posing a fire and burn risk. •fabricated safety warnings: the vehicle's computer system repeatedly displays false and misleading messages. Examples include an incorrect "new brake pads detected" prompt and a "taking your eyes off the road" warning that does not apply to this vehicle. These phantom messages are distracting and can cause driver confusion. •persistent connectivity failures: the vehicle experiences frequent and consistent failures with its WI-fi and gps systems, indicating a potential electrical or software malfunction. Numerous resets attempted by the manufacturer's technical support have not resolved the issue. • computer display anomaly: the Chevrolet symbol appeared in red on the computer screen when the truck was started. The vehicle has repeatedly experienced spontaneous changes to the radio station and the air conditioning switching from cold to hot without driver input. •unusual decompressing sound: when the vehicle has been sitting for an extended period, an unusual decompressing sound can be heard coming from the rear underside whenever a door is opened. Date: software updates on January 27, 2025 and October 2, 2025. Diagnostic test performed on October 2, 2025 that failed to resolve the issues. The onstar buttons only works when the vehicle is turned on. I do have photos and videos available to support your claim.

Auto tailgate would open and shut on its own, the rear tailgate button stopped working and then only the interior switch would work, then after a month, the tailgate would not open and switch shorted out. Seems very similar issue as other chevys with water intrusion.

This is a recurring and random issues: 1. The "stereo" shuts off and will take anywhere from a minute to 10 minutes to come back on. The issue a. This cuts out the use of hands free operation. B. It stops all use of gps c. I can no longer use my cell phone to call in an emergency 2. The backup camera (which is the "stereo") goes blank or dark on occasion. Cannot see to the camera for backing up anymore. 3. The "stereo" stops responding, but still has power. This means the radio or music or whatever is still playing but I cannot turn it down or off. Very unsafe that I cannot turn this off when driving, cannot hear sirens, etc. I have tried to have this addressed by Chevrolet. They "reset" the truck but I did not work. They want to replace the "stereo/backup camera/communication system" but cannot guarantee this will actually fix the issue. It is over $2000 to "try" this fix I contacted gm customer service and was told no recall, no recourse.

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired on two occasions, but the failure persisted. While attempting to open the trunk, the trunk failed to open. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 500.

While driving at anywhere from 18–25 mph or 70–85 mph, my speedometer starts going crazy, the engine accelerates or decelerates, the speedometer shows random numbers, and you can hear and feel that the motor power feels different. Not all the times but is started to show more often.

General motors is selling vehicles that are unsafe, unreliable, and unfit for consumers. My experience shows a clear pattern of negligence, misrepresentation, and disregard for public safety. On or about April of 2021, I purchased a 2021 chevy silverado rst z71 from vetter chvrolet for about $56,000. Gm promoted this vehicle as safe and dependable. Within the short 4 years of owning this truck, I faced major failures: engine issues, transmission problems and electrical malfunctions causing the parking break to engage on its own, at highway speeds of 70-80 mph on which nearly caused a serious accident, and failed electronic stability control (esc) system. This system helps maintain vehicle control, and a problem with it can affect braking, steering, and handling, despite following gm’s maintenance guidelines, gm delayed repairs, denied coverage on certain failures, and left me with thousands in out-of-pocket costs. The vehicle remains unreliable and unsafe. For myself and my family, 2 children under 3 years old and one on the way. This is not an isolated issue—gm has a long history of recalls and defect cover-ups. These vehicles put lives at risk, cause financial hardship, and violate consumer trust. No one should fear for their safety in a vehicle marketed as “dependable. ” this has impacted me by having : • expensive repairs • loss of transportation for extended periods • ongoing fear of driving a defective vehicle with my family in it. Loss of use of my vehicle • fear and emotional distress driving an unsafe product I have contacted gm and the dealership multiple times. Responses were dismissive, repairs were inadequate, and gm refuses accountability. Requested resolution: full reimbursement for all related costs buyback (preferred) of the vehicle or permanent repair at no cost public acknowledgment and stronger quality control. Warning to consumers: think twice before trusting gm. Their failure to correct dangerous defects shows profits matter more than safety.

See attached document for complaint.

Tailgate experienced issues with not unlatching when button is pushed and also unlatching when button is not pushed.

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, or while attempting to reverse, the infotainment system displayed a blank screen; however, approximately a minute later the infotainment screen displayed as intended. The contact stated that the radio became silent and then thirty seconds later the infotainment system operated as intended. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the infotainment system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 44,540.

The tailgate randomly opens and closes during driving causing contents to fall out of the tailgate and creating a hazard for other motorists and damaging personal property. The tailgate now will not open and there is no manual override to open the tailgate. Certainly a design flaw and now not allowing access to the tailgate. I've contacted 5 local gm/Chevrolet dealer service departments and they cannot offer any guidance on how to manually or power open the tailgate. I have a tonneau cover on the tailgate which makes it pretty much unable to access. I'm a firefighter and put my gear in the tailgate and need access ASAP. Please advise on how I can get gm/chevy to assist with this issue. A police officer was behind me when the contents fell out of the tailgate on 6/9/25. This has happened several times since and most recently on 1/17/26. This needs addressed ASAP. Thanks!.

Engine started making clicking noise when accelerating. Followed by a large screeching noise. Dash read "shift to neutral and start again" pulled to stop and tried to start. Does not crank at all.

My 2021 silverado has the same issue as the current recall, whereas the tailgate open by itself when the vehicle is operations. This happens when it rains. The first time I noticed it I lost a cooler out of the back of my truck on the interstate highway. The second time it came down when hauling a trailer and cause minor damage to the tailgate. I have since removed the fuse that controls the tailgate. I notified Chevrolet of the issue, but the stated that my truck is not under the current recall.

I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding a persistent and unacceptable failure with my 2021 Chevrolet silverado trail boss. The vehicle intermittently fails to start due to a recurring “service steering column lock” error. While the key fob still locks, unlocks, and remote starts the truck, the push-to-start system becomes entirely non-functional once inside the vehicle. This defect is not only frustrating — it’s dangerous. My wife has already been stranded twice, once in below-freezing temperatures in January, and again in may, causing her to be late for work and left alone at night in unsafe conditions. A truck purchased for over $60,000, marketed as rugged and dependable, should not be experiencing a critical failure like this at just 48,000 miles. What’s more concerning is that this appears to be a known issue within the gm community, with no official recall despite technical service bulletins (tsbs) acknowledging the problem. Customers are being left with unreliable transportation and no consistent fix. This failure is both a mechanical and safety issue, leaving drivers vulnerable without warning. I urge NHTSA to investigate this defect, pressure gm for a formal recall, and ensure corrective action is taken before someone is injured due to being stranded or the failure progressing to more critical steering or ignition malfunctions.

I purchased this truck 3/20/2025. I have since realized it wasn't me doing something wrong. The truck hesitates and shakes during shifting upon acceleration from a stop and when putting it in park and attempting to turn the truck off it has a message on the display saying "shift to park" and it will not turn off until you repeatedly restart it and play woth the gear shift to get it to register that it's in park. I have made an appointment to take it to the dealership to be looked at. The truck has 75,000 miles on it.

The tailgate is opening automatically without anyone near the vehicle or keys. It has only started recently and I see similar vehicle models are being recalled for the same issue. My concern is that this could happen while driving down the road, posing a risk to other drivers if there are items in the bed of the vehicle. Prior to the tailgate opening unexpectedly, the button to push on the tailgate that opens it quit working. It will only open with the keys or button in the cab, or now at random times.

No check engine light, and my transmission didn't engage gear. I left vehicle off for the night, started it and it worked perfectly fine. Still, no check engine light was on.

Tailgate, inadvertently opens. Causing, causing items in my truck bed to be exposed, although I haven’t lost anything while traveling. I have witnessed this occurrence while truck is locked sitting in my driveway, last incident was last night, 13 Feb 25. Also, noticed it when pulling out of a repair shop after getting brake pads put on vehicle. Wife had witnessed it a few months ago while driving back from town. I noticed a recall had been made about Chevrolet trucks and inadvertently opening tailgates. However my truck was not listed as a recall, when I checked VIN. Called Chevrolet garage to see if they could find my VIN on the recall list. Most of the recalls were on the 2500 and 3500 series but it also listed trucks with switch in cab for tailgate to open. I do have an appointment for the problem at Chevrolet garage in the 18th. To fix problem and prevent causing a hazard on the roads.

I turned my truck on after grocery shopping and a notice to "service power steering" popped up on my dashboard. I took it to a mechanic shop where they ran diagnostics. They discovered a TSB # 21-na-149 and error code u0131. They believe there is an intermittent fault within the wiring causing the power steering to go out. My biggest fear is that this happens while I am negotiating a curve and lose power steering causing a crash or someone to get injured. There was also a "service esb" notice on the dashboard after the power steering notification.

The truck jerks when first driving and will jerk and lundge at various times and speeds. There is a almost grinding nosie. It often says "reduced engine power" and the engine light comes one, the "service esc" notice comes on with the vehicle light, when this happens the truck will barely accelerate even if flooring the gas, continues to make a grinding noise. This happens frequently, but then lights go away, then come back on. Dealership pulled multiple codes (image attached). This is a huge safety risk due to failure of acceleration, and the jerking that causes the truck to jerk while in motion and slow.

Started the vehicle and the steering wheel would not turn. Warning said: service esc & service power steering drive and the stability control light came on. After ready many complaints about the same thing, we turned the car off for 20 minutes and then on again and it worked. But this is dangerous.

I washed my truck and now suddenly the tailgate opens and closes whenever it decides and I have paint that is bubbling and it looks as if it’s gonna all chip right off the hood.

The rear power tailgate was randomly opening and closing on its own, on several different occasions. The safety risk was, if the tailgate would have opened when traveling down the roadways, items in the back could have fell out and possibly striking another vehicle and causing an accident. The truck has been taken to gandrud Chevrolet in green bay WI, confirmed there was a faulty tailgate switch and replaced. There was no warning before the switch failed, it just happened on its own.

1. The automatic tailgate opens by itself randomly. It appears to be malfunctioning. I am unable to open it from the tailgate now. When it’s open it continues to attempt to unlatch making the noise. It’s opened while driving. 2. So far I lost a cooler on the highway due to this problem which would cause a road hazard to other drivers. 3. I brought it to the dealer they said it’s not there problem due to my VIN not matching the recall even though there’s a recall for this problem with same year trucks. 4. It has not been inspected due it not being an official recall. 5. No warning lights regarding this issue.

Unknown. Park switch module is not working correctly. The vehicle keeps displaying message saying the vehicle needs to be the parking position.

I was driving down the highway when my tailgate open on its own. This has happened 4-5 times where items could have fallen from my truck bed and caused an accident. There is an active recall for this issue but according to my VIN my vehicle isn’t affected but it clearly is. Dealer has inspected and confirmed it’s the same issue as with other models.

My windshield wipers stop working on low and high and from time to time my vehicle will not go in reverse. When it does finally go in reverse it's a very hard jerk, also when I'm driving it gets a drag an acts like it wants to stop going. It happens frequently and it has been going on for months.

Unknown - the truck began jerking/braking on its own while driving last week. I took it to a local transmission shop where it has sat for the past week as they said the transmission control module/tcm needs to be replaced but the part needed is on back order. This issue sounds similar to the recent transmission recall (n242454440) though our VIN does not show there to be a recall on our exact vehicle. Our truck meets the specifications of the recall and having it inoperable has placed a hardship on my family. How can I get it fixed under this recall at a local gm dealer?.

Vehicle attempted to do an 'over the air' update to the infotainment system. This prompted an error message, stating the update failed and return to the dealership. Took vehicle to gm dealer, diagnostics were run, and dealer stated that an update was not available, and the module for the infotainment system was bad. Quoted me $1600 for replacement and install. Have read multiple reports with owners' having the same issue. Infotainment system attempts to do an update, and it fails. The owners are left paying out of pocket for something that was not their fault. This needs to be a recall. Not only are you paying a hefty amount for a repair that is not your fault, but the entire infotainment system doesn't not work (stereo, cooling/heating info, back up camera etc).

The inner tailgate on my 21 silverado is not functioning properly. The upper electronic button on the tailgate operates the inner tailgate and will release when opening the vehicle. It will continue to release by itself and can cause damage to the vehicle or to other vehicles while carrying a load.