Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH a burning rubber odor and a smoke haze was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. After stopping to investigate under the hood flames were present at the passenger side fire wall of the engine compartment. Moments later the cabin of the vehicle was in flames which quickly spread and the entire vehicle became engulfed in flames. The fire department was called to the scene to extinguish the flames. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. A police report and fire report were taken. The cause of failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The local dealer was contacted. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Car Fire - Started at the rear of the cabin between the cabin rear window and the truck bed The fire engulfed directly around and inside the fuel tank. The car is available for inspection as far as im aware at the tow / salvage yard The safety of myself and any passengers were greatly put at risk. The fire engulfed the inside cabin within seconds, and caused a total loss on the car. The problem has not been identified elsewhere. However the almost exact scenario has occurred in the manufacturers other 2021 model vehicles on the Tahoe and Yukon, with recalls on file for both for incorrect seal around the fuel tank, causing fuel tank fires. The car manufacturer does not want to help at all, they are willing to deal with insurance company and that is it, who will just pay out the value of the car. The police and fire crew local to the incident have ran reports on the fire. …
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message that the rear seats were occupied and that the windows were rolled down was displayed, which required the contact to press the OK button. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was purchased, but no assistance was provided. The traction control and the ABS warning lights were illuminated while depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, the cruise control mode was inoperable. The contact replaced the brake pedal position sensor independently, and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who reprogrammed the sensor. The contact stated that after the repair, the brake lights erroneously illuminated while the vehicle was turned off, causing the battery to drain. …
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado1500. The contact stated while driving the vehicle he felt shuttering and noticed his automatic start does not start. The contact also experienced engine reduced power issues, preceded by a warning sign on the dashboard stating "Engine Power is Reduced" while driving. Additionally, the contact noticed a significant loss of mileage per gallon and a loss of oil. The contact noticed a check engine light on, which had codes that had a crankshaft and cam shaft sensors that are not operating properly, which the vehicle cannot be inspected due to the failure. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed to need a new timing chain to control on the cams and crankshaft. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that upon arriving at the destination and turning off the vehicle, several attempts were needed to release the key from the ignition. The contact also had to leave the key in the ignition on several occasions because the key could not be released or removed. The vehicle originally returned to normal functionality, but the key had since become permanently stuck in the ignition. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the ignition switch. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced several electrical failures, including the door locks erroneously unlocking and locking while driving, and occasionally, the ignition key could not immediately be removed from the ignition switch after turning off the vehicle, causing the battery to drain. Recently, the vehicle failed to immediately start after inserting and turning the key inside the ignition switch. The cause of the failures was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failures, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
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 contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition. The contact stated that several attempts were needed, and up to 45 minutes were needed to remove the key from the ignition. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was referred to a locksmith regarding the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.
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 ,
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed as a failure with the engine wiring harness. The contact was informed that the engine wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 52,696.
Electrical complaints in other Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA has 113 complaints about the electrical system of the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 13% of the model year's 847 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 8,000 miles, and 53% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.