NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Safety Record
The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 6 recalls and 82 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, leaving its structural performance unrated. However, the vehicle's recall and complaint record is notably heavy. Six separate recall campaigns have been issued, including one "park outside" directive advising owners to park the vehicle outdoors due to a critical brake power-assist control module failure. This is compounded by 82 reported owner complaints. While the lack of crash-test data precludes a Safety Index score or star ratings, the significant recall and complaint volume on record warrants careful consideration for prospective buyers.
The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 was not crash-tested by NHTSA, carries a Heavy recall and complaint burden band, and is subject to six recall campaigns according to NHTSA records.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
| NHTSA crash test | Not crash-tested |
|---|---|
| Recall and complaint burden | Heavy |
| Recalls on file | 6 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 82 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500?
The 2021 Silverado 2500 carries a significant safety concern regarding its brake power-assist system, compelling a "park outside" directive from NHTSA. This serious advisory, issued as part of one of six total recalls for the 2021 model year, indicates an elevated risk. Other recalls address critical systems including transmission software, seat belts, and tailgate retention. The 82 unverified owner complaints further underscore these issues, with nearly half specifically citing problems with the Power Train and Service Brakes, aligning thematically with two of the recall campaigns. While later model years of the Silverado 2500, specifically the 2024, 2025, and 2026, have achieved Safety Index scores of 95, 100, and 98 respectively through NHTSA testing, these figures are not applicable to the 2021 model.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 have any recalls?
The 2021 Silverado 2500 is subject to six recall campaigns covering: automatic transmission control module software, tailgate latch on power-tailgate-equipped trucks, electric brake power-assist control module (this campaign carries a park-outside directive), a 17-inch emergency spare tire, and seat belts. The brake power-assist recall is the most operationally urgent given its park-outside instruction.
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
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH24V060000
Risk: An unlatched tailgate may open while driving and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2024. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232426400.
Reported 2024-02-01
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:ELECTRIC:CONTROL MODULE21V758000
Risk: Water in the BPMV may cause an electrical short circuit and increase the risk of fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from other structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will replace the BPMV assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 20, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212349181.
Reported 2021-09-29
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE21V578000
Risk: An ABS system that cannot control the rear wheels independently increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will provide the appropriate spare tire and apply a new spare tire information label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 18, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212329780.
Reported 2021-07-29
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
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500?
NHTSA has logged 82 owner complaints for the 2021 Silverado 2500, all unverified allegations. The most frequently reported components are Power Train (27 reports), Electrical System (17), Service Brakes (12), Latches and Locks (8), and Engine (7). Two complaints allege a crash, one alleges a fire, and two allege injuries.
82 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500?
Six recall campaigns have been issued for the 2021 Silverado 2500, a significant number for a single model year. Prospective buyers of a used model should verify the VIN at nhtsa.gov to confirm all necessary recall work has been completed.
- The 2021 Silverado 2500 has a park-outside directive associated with its electric brake power-assist control module recall, one of the more serious recall instructions issued for this model year.
- Six separate recall campaigns cover this model year, spanning transmission software, tailgate latches, seat belts, spare tires, and braking assist, a range that touches multiple independent safety systems.
- Eighty-two unverified owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA, with Power Train and Service Brakes together representing the majority of reported concerns and mirroring the subject matter of active recalls.
- NHTSA has not assigned this model year a Safety Index or star ratings, so shoppers cannot rely on a federal crash score and should verify open recall status by VIN at nhtsa.gov before any purchase decision.
RANKINGSWhere the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 places
The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 safety questions
Was the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 crash-tested by NHTSA?
No. NHTSA has not run a New Car Assessment Program crash test on this configuration, so it carries no Safety Index. Its safety record here is built from 6 recalls and 82 owner complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 6 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, including a park-outside or do-not-drive campaign, which is the most serious class of recall. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 82 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. 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 2500 years
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 2021.
- SCORE This configuration was not crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. We report its recall and complaint record only.
- 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.