Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 while driving 55 MPH and passing another vehicle, the rear wheels inadvertently locked-up momentarily, causing the vehicle to momentarily shudder and to downshift to second gear while the RMPS revved significantly. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. The dealer replaced the knock sensor; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the failure recurred while the vehicle was being test-driven; however, the dealer was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving off an off-ramp at approximately 40-60 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle suddenly lost power and turned off. The contact restarted the vehicle to continue driving. The failure had occurred twice. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the brakes grabbed, causing the vehicle to lunge forward, decelerate, and then lunge forward again, before coming to a complete stop. The contact shifted to park(P) and then to drive(D) and continued driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer four times before receiving notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (Power Train). The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the transmission shifted independently to a lower gear. The contact stated that the downshift of the transmission caused the rear wheels to lock up. The contact pulled over and turned off and restarted the vehicle, and was able to reset the transmission. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent, but whenever the failure occurred, the check engine warning light was illuminated before the vehicle shifted to a lower gear. The vehicle was taken to an Auto Parts Store, where a handheld scanner was used to clear the transmission fault code. The contact stated that after the code was cleared, the vehicle operated normally, but the failure eventually reoccurred. …
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, after making a left turn at a traffic signal, the rear wheels locked up. The contact stated that there was an abnormal screeching sound while depressing the brake pedal in a panic stop, and the vehicle jolted violently. The contact stopped the vehicle with the engine still running and observed the "Service Engine Soon" message displayed. The contact attempted to drive forward, and the rear wheels locked up. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to an Auto Parts store. The contact stated that a store representative used a handheld scanner and was able to retrieve DTC: P0747 (Transmission Valve Body #1 Open). The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The vehicle was initially taken to the local dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (Power Train). The contact stated the vehicle was not repaired. While driving 30-35 MPH, the rear-end locked up and caused the vehicle to enter the wrong lane. The contact stated that other vehicles were able to drive around the vehicle during the failure. The engine revved, and the RPMs revved too high. The driver was able to pull over safely. The check engine, traction control, parking brake, and maintenance warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the rear-end had locked up, and the #5 cylinder and wiring harness needed to be replaced. The mechanic was unable to unlock the rear-end. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the rear wheels locked up, causing the vehicle to slide across the road. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle and came to a stop in the middle of the road. The check engine and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The contact turned off and then restarted the vehicle and became aware that the transmission failed to shift into the intended gear. The vehicle was towed to the contact's place of employment. The contact who is a certified mechanic performed a diagnostic test and retrieved DTC: P0747, indicating a failure with the pressure control cylinder in the transmission. The contact also found information on NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission was shifting hard. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving at 70 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was purchased for diagnostic testing, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The contact used a scanner and retrieved DTC: B3205-4B-BCM, and a message that the steering column circuit was locked. Additionally, the scanner displayed a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (Power Train); which the contact related to the failure. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall and referred the contact to a Chevrolet dealer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact received notice of an unknown recall in approximately July 2025. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced, and the failure was associated with the recall. The contact was also advised that the parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle remained with the dealer for three months and was repaired when the parts became available. The contact stated that two days after the repair, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle vibrated and hesitated. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer where it was diagnose,d and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle briefly lost motive power before slamming into gear. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, an abnormal sound was coming from the transmission. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. After test-driving the vehicle, the dealer diagnosed that the fuel injectors had failed, and there was a misfire in cylinder #6 had, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The fuel injectors were replaced. The dealer test drove the vehicle and the failure persisted. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the lifter rocker arm had seized. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated, and the rear wheel seized. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal and the vehicle stalled. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart; however, reverse(R) was the only operational gear. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. However, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that weeks before the failure, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module › Software
General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, 3500, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles that may have been repaired incorrectly under recall 24V797. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles and update the transmission control software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 6, 2026.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Fluid/lubricant › Valves/valve body
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
Remedy: Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a…
Transmission complaints in other Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA has 242 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 29% of the model year's 847 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 26V-083 (software, Feb 12, 2026); NHTSA recall 24V-797 (valves/valve body, Oct 24, 2024). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.