2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 176owner reports
- 45,000median miles
- $4,500median quote
- 2involved a crash
Newest report Sep 29, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
431 of the 828 complaints on this car are about the engine. 176 of those describe engine failure, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2021 Silverado 1500.
Narrower sheets: Engine knocking or ticking (44 reports)
Tick what matches of 176 reports
Engine failure on other Silverado 1500 years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017.
What this problem usually is
These are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (171 reports) and the timing chain (7 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the engine covers the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Silverado 1500
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy. Open.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy. Closed aug 20, 2026.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure. Open.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure. Closed oct 23, 2025, led to recall 25V-274.
Crank position sensor failure - stall. Closed sep 14, 2006.
What owners paid
18 of the 176 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,100 to $10,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 17,400 and 85,000 miles, from the 90 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 5 service bulletins or notices for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition where the connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components in these vehicles may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
This bulletin advises the tech to inspect deeper into what may be to main cause of an engine failure.
This bulletin advises the tech to inspect deeper into what may be the main cause of an engine failure.
This Preliminary information communicates the following issues and directs dealership to inspect the engine harness for shorting.
1 more on the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 page.
What owners wrote
“I was driving down the road at no more the 15 mph up hill in 4x4 when the engine shut off. No warning lights or noise and would not turn over. Had it towed to the local dealership to find out the main thrust bearing seized. I have to wait two to three months for a new engine which is covered under warranty. No wheels in the meantime. Only has 25,640 miles on it.”
Filed Apr 17, 2025 · 25,640 miles
“Total catastrophic engine failure. Occurred at roughly 80,000 miles. Engine bearing shattered causing total engine loss. Needed to be replaced. Occurred in May 2023. There were no precursors to the event and the engine had been well maintained. I noticed an investigation of my vehicles engine and thought I should report this.”
Filed Jan 20, 2025 · 80,000 miles
“The crankshaft bearings failed causing engine to knock very loudly. I didn't get an engine light. Dealership did replace one bearing and said lifters we fault and replaced. This happened with just over 33000 miles on truck. I didn't receive any extended warranty from manufacturers for any problems that may occur in future from pieces of metal or other contamination to inside of engine.”
Filed Jan 19, 2025 · 33,000 miles
“My lifters gave out on a brand new engine with 4000 miles on it. Truck was currently at 60,000 miles on odometer. I was traveling 75mph when everything locked up and all my lights on my dash board lit up. Causing multiple cars to swerve around as I guided the limping truck off the highway.”
Filed Sep 2, 2024 · 4,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 2 of 176 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Check engine light or misfire 168 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 121 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 95 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 44 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 30 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 30 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 28 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 26 reports
- Tailgate or liftgate will not open or close 26 reports