NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Safety Ratings
The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 scores 73 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Average), with a 4-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 8 recalls, and 753 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 achieved a NHTSA Safety Index of 73/100, positioning it within the Average band for its model year. This score primarily reflects its robust performance in crash testing, tempered by a less favorable record regarding defects. While the vehicle presents as a reasonable safety choice, the eight recalls issued for this specific model year warrant careful consideration before any acquisition.
The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 holds a NHTSA Safety Index of 73/100 and an NHTSA overall crash-test rating of 4 out of 5 stars, sourced from federal NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 94 Sedans from 2021 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ranks 87 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 73 / 100 (Average) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 4 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 19.8% |
| Recalls on file | 8 |
| Owner complaints | 753 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 87 of 94 Sedans tested for 2021 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
The 2021 model year marks a meaningful upward step for the Silverado 1500 in the NHTSA Safety Index, climbing four points to 73/100 from the 2020 model year's 69/100 and moving from the Below Average band into Average territory. That improvement is driven primarily by crash protection, which accounts for 61 of a possible 70 index points, anchored by the 5-star side-impact result and consistent 4-star scores across overall, frontal, and rollover categories. The rollover risk figure of 20 percent with a No Tip dynamic result adds meaningful context for a full-size pickup. Where the 2021 year loses ground is in its defect record component, which contributes only 6 of a possible 20 points, reflecting the weight of eight recall campaigns. Two of those campaigns address automatic transmission software, one targets internal engine hard parts shared with a broad GM platform, and a 2021-specific frontal air bag campaign flags a potential missing module component. The avoidance-tech score of 6 out of 10 reflects that both forward collision warning and lane departure warning are optional rather than standard on this year, while electronic stability control is standard. Taken together, the crash-test picture is genuinely strong for this model year, but the recall and complaint volume keeps the overall index squarely in the middle of the Average band.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 perform in crash tests?
The 2021 Silverado 1500 achieved an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA. Its side-impact performance was a significant positive, earning a perfect 5 stars. Both frontal crash protection and rollover resistance were rated at 4 stars. The Silverado 1500 demonstrated a 20 percent rollover risk, with its dynamic tip-test resulting in "No Tip."
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15363
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have any recalls?
Eight recall campaigns cover this model year. Key components include the automatic transmission control module software, internal engine hard parts, frontal air bags, and temporary spare tires. The frontal air bag campaign is specific to 2021 Silverado 1500 units where the driver-side module may be missing a component. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is noted in the provided data, but buyers should verify remedy status by VIN.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE26V083000
Risk: Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles and update the transmission control software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 6, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252516560. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on Febr
Reported 2026-02-12
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL25V274000
Risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevro
Reported 2025-04-24
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE24V797000
Risk: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
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 defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-80
Reported 2024-10-24
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE21V985000
Risk: An ABS system that does not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will provide a new 17" spare tire and wheel assembly that is compatible with the accessory wheels, free of charge. Dealers will also apply a new spare tire information label, and provide owners with an owner's manual insert clarifying which spare tire to use with the accessory road tires and with the 17" original tires. Owner notification letters were mailed February 7, 2022. Owners may co
Reported 2021-12-16
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL21V495000
Risk: The missing tabs may prevent the air bag from deploying properly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag, and replace it if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 16, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212336560.
Reported 2021-07-01
SEAT BELTS20V811000
Risk: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.
Reported 2020-12-23
SEAT BELTS20V792000
Risk: If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect left-side and right-side front-row center seat-belt bracket attachments and reassemble it correctly as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202314670.
Reported 2020-12-17
TIRES20V684000
Risk: Overcured tires may experience a carcass break in the sidewall resulting in a sudden air loss or could develop a belt edge separation which could lead to partial or full tread/belt loss. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect vehicles and replace tires that have DOT number and production mold number combinations identified by Continental, free of charge. The recall began December 17, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-4
Reported 2020-11-05
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA has logged 753 unverified consumer allegations for this model year. Reported problem areas are led by the Engine at 336 allegations, followed by Power Train at 219 and Electrical System at 102. Eighteen alleged crashes and 11 alleged fires are included in that total. These are unverified allegations, not established facts.
753 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
For the 2021 Silverado 1500, a critical safety measure for any prospective owner is to verify recall compliance. Eight distinct recall campaigns have been issued for this model year. These include a necessary remedy for the air bag system and two separate software fixes addressing transmission performance. Confirmation of completed repairs via a dealership is essential.
- The 2021 model year's Safety Index of 73/100 is four points higher than the 2020 model year's 69/100, representing a band change from Below Average to Average, driven by strong crash-test scores.
- A 2021-specific recall covers certain Silverado 1500 vehicles where the front driver-side air bag module may be missing a component, making VIN-level remedy verification critical for used buyers.
- Two separate recall campaigns address automatic transmission control module software on 2021 Silverado 1500 units, issued in different years, meaning both must be checked independently by VIN.
- NHTSA has received 753 unverified consumer allegations for this model year, with the Engine category alone accounting for 336 of those reports, the highest single-component total in the complaint record.
RANKINGSWhere the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 places
The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 safety questions
Was the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 73 out of 100, placing it in the Average band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 earned 4 out of 5 stars for overall, 4 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 19.8%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 8 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 753 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Silverado 1500 years
Rivals in Sedan (2021)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Audi RS 5 Sportback | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Audi S5 Sportback | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Nissan Maxima | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Audi A4 Allroad | 99/100 | not rated | 1 |
| 2021 Cadillac CT5-V | 97/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Infiniti Q50 | 97/100 | not rated | 3 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 15363), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2021.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 87 of 94 in the Sedan class for 2021.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.