2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · symptom sheet
Engine overheats or leaks coolant
- 30owner reports
- 40,200median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 20, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
431 of the 828 complaints on this car are about the engine. 30 of those describe overheating.
Tick what matches of 30 reports
Overheating 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: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Most owners in this group notice the coolant before they notice the heat: a reservoir that keeps dropping, a sweet smell, or a bright puddle under the front of the car. Across the vehicles on this site, about four in five of these complaints mention coolant, a leak or a puddle, and roughly two in five mention the temperature gauge or overheating.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the radiator (4 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.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 10,000 and 95,000 miles, from the 11 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 16 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 that could cause the engine coolant control valve to fail an onboard vehicle diagnostic test.
This service bulletin advises the technician of possible coolant entering the areas of the engine, either through failed parts or defects in the castings, that may be the cause of the concerns related to the MIL or the engine running rough.
This bulletin advises the technician of a possible kinked coolant hose that might be causing the customers concern of a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated - DTC P026A Set.
This Preliminary information communicates to dealers? information related to a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated due to a U0672 setting. Advises the technician to perform Electric Engine Coolant Pump connection inspections.
12 more on the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 page.
What owners wrote
“The water pump went bad at 31,000 miles. If I continued driving and the pulley fell off the engine would overheat. I took it to the dealer and they confirmed the pump failure and want me to pay over $1,400 for repair that should be covered under warranty. There was no warning lamps lit, the pump just started making a grinding sound.”
Filed Sep 20, 2026 · 31,000 miles
“The coolant control valve failed and the repair resulted in an engine oil leak which persisted for 8 weeks and still has not been repaired. The service manager at the dealership and General Motors Company are trying to figure out how to fix it but are not able to yet. They may have to replace the engine is one thing the service manager said to us this week.”
Filed Apr 15, 2026
“Engine Temperature fluctuates. Check engine light comes on, prompt on dash will say engine is overheating. Engine fan stays on high. Code on scanner states Coolant Control Valve. GM has issued special coverage on this exact issue. However, they tell me my truck is not covered. I am very upset with GM as they are failing to address a known concern with my vehicle.”
Filed Apr 14, 2026
“Lights appeared on dash, brought to the dealership. Dealership states engine damage due to valve train and a remanufactured engine was installed. This was approved by us for a $2000 charge. This charge included new manifolds, water pump, fuel pump and all associated gaskets”
Filed Jan 25, 2026
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 30 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 Which lights mean pull over now? Warning lights by color and urgency
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 176 reports
- 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 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