2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · symptom sheet
Transmission fails or needs replacement
- 28owner reports
- 84,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 9, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
238 of the 828 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 28 of those describe transmission failure.
Tick what matches of 28 reports
Transmission 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, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
This is the end of the road for a transmission: the car stops moving under its own power, or a shop says the unit has to be replaced or rebuilt. Half of the owners here mention a warning light or message, and a quarter mention it happening again or to a second unit.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (28 reports) and the torque converter (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up.
The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 67,000 and 106,000 miles, from the 17 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 3 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.
This Preliminary information communicates Diagnostic aids for a no start or DTC'S following a transmission replacement
This Preliminary information communicates to the dealer technician to replace the transmission valve body on 2019-2021 10 speed transmissions to correct DTCs P2812 and P2814 setting if Service Information does not lead to root case of these DTCs.
Customer Satisfaction Program. Certain 2021 model year Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, equipped with an 8 speed automatic transmission, (RPO MQE), may have a broken reaction carrier in the transmission.
What owners wrote
“Went to put the truck in gear and it will not move the Chevy dealership saids it needs a new transmission and I see that the 21 Silverado has multiple tranny issues I bought extended warranty and they are telling me it might not be covered”
Filed Jan 22, 2026
“The transmission on my truck failed. My truck now requires a new transmission. A repair costing over $7000. The transmission gave out while pulling into a street with my wife and child in the car. The truck would struggle to go into gear and lurch violently. The dealer was able to replicate these problems.”
Filed Mar 20, 2025
“While driving vehicle pulling out into an intersection lost power do to Transmission failure (valve control body). Truck was towed to a Chevy Dealer and was confirmed transmission failure. There was no warning or symptoms prior to this incident.”
Filed Feb 12, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 28 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
- 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 overheats or leaks coolant 30 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 30 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 26 reports
- Tailgate or liftgate will not open or close 26 reports