2021 Chevrolet Silverado Powertrain & Transmission Problems

On my 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Custom, I began noticing an issue around 79,000 miles where the vehicle did not come to a complete stop as smoothly as expected. Initially, I suspected the brakes, as I purchased the truck new and had not performed any brake maintenance up to that point. I scheduled an appointment with the dealership to have all four brakes replaced; however, upon inspection, I was advised that the brakes were still in good condition, with approximately 90% life remaining. I then completed a test drive with the shop foreman, who was able to replicate the concern to some extent and suggested that the issue may be related to the transmission. At this time, the dealership is in the process of disassembling the transmission to determine whether the issue can be resolved with a repair or if a full replacement is necessary. It is concerning that such a significant issue would arise at approximately 80,000 miles. Based on similar reports I have reviewed, this appears to be a relatively common concern within the 80,000–90,000 mile range. Additionally, this poses a serious safety concern, as the vehicle’s hesitation in coming to a complete stop nearly resulted in a rear-end collision while en route to the dealership. There have been no dash lights on.

Rough shifting in low gears, can be dangerous in intersections due to low acceleration ability. The check engine light is on for replacement of Transmission Valve Body Assembly.

The transmission has been having issues for the past couple days. It is the 10 speed model and I have noticed everyday for the last couple days that there is an unusual shifting pattern between 25-60mph. This is sometimes accompanied with a shudder that feels like going over rumble strips without the sound. The feeling is not constant, but I will come to a complete stop and under light acceleration it will return. Under hard acceleration it is not noticeable. However, I am concerned with the unusual shifting. It can happen at a constant speed where it will do a random shift up or down or under light acceleration it will feel like it’s slipping for just a second. The vehicle has 99,900 miles on it and there are no warning signs or lights active. The vehicle is about to be serviced to do an inspection to find the underlying issue. This is a safety concern because the vehicle could potentially cause more damage to the transmission and with the random shifting, could potentially cause an accident.

The rear wheels suddenly locked up while driving. It did it twice then the check engine light came on and then the transmission would not shift into gear until I turned off the truck and turned it back on. This happened 3 days in a row all while driving. Exactly the same. No prior symptoms or warnings before the incidents happened. The vehicle is currently at the dealership being inspected. There is a recall (N242454440) that addresses this issue but I'm being told that my truck is not covered under that recall because my VIN is not part of it.

I was accelerating to 45MPH on a main road. My truck was running just fine. At about 45 MPH it felt like I hit a wall, and my truck started to rapidly decelerate and seemed to be downshifting very hard. A reduced engine power warning appeared in the message display, and the check engine light illuminated and began to flash. I luckly the car behind me was able to change lanes quickly and missed me and I was able to pull off the main road and turn off the truck. I let it sit for five minutes and restarted the truck. When I did, the truck seemed to drive at 25 MPH, and I kept it at that speed and was able to get it to my work down the road. When I got to work, my company's mechanic ran the code. A P2732:00 Transmission control solenoid valve 6 stuck off and P0700:00 transmission control module requested MIL illumination codes came up. We also noticed my truck no longer went into reverse and the engine would just rev and nothing else happened. I had the truck towed to the Chevy dealer who also got a P2732 error code. The truck as been at the dealer for the last two weeks and I have not told them to fix it yet.

The electronics freeze up and sometimes the stereo turns off and won't come back on. The transmission perks and then revs up then hits gear and kicks real hard. The transmission feels like it's going to vibrate out from under the truck going down the road at certain speeds!

I'm reaching out to hopefully prevent a horrific situation not only to myself or any other GM owners. My vehicle has been diagnosed with having a faulty transmission valve body. There are so many that have failed that the dealer cannot give me a time when the part will be available. Because my vehicle is out of warranty, they are not willing to help. When I looked online it said as of late 2024 there were at least 1,888 field reports were identified.

On 03/13/26, I was taking a family trip when all of a sudden my 2021 chevy silverado (with 6.2L v8) began to lose power and shake uncontrollably causing me to make an emergency roadside stop. Fortunately, traffic was light and I was able to avoid a collision. I immediately heard a loud knocking sound coming from my engine and several check engine safety lights were displayed. On 3/16, I brought my truck to a local GM dealership and was advised that I needed a complete new engine replacement due to catastrophic engine failure because my rods and crankshaft had blown in my engine. The dealership checked for recalls on my truck but were surprised that my vin did not pull up a recall even though there was a recent major engine recall (# N252494000) issued for my exact model truck with the same issues my truck displayed. It should be noted that my vehicle had less than 24,000 miles on it and I have kept up with regular oil change and maintenance service and that before this issue I have had zero issues with this vehicle. To make matters worse my powertrain warranty expired 2 months prior to this incident so I am having to pay out of pocket over $12k for a new engine. On 03/19/26, I contacted Chevy but was told there was nothing they could do for me and stated that NHTSA would have to get my vehicle added to the recall. I am requesting that my vehicle and others like it get added to this massive engine recall so I can get reimbursed for my new engine and also to protect other families from possibly being involved in a major unavoidable crash. Thanks in advance for your help!

- What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? High pressure fuel pump, lifter, and cam shaft failure. - How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Potential crash w/ kids in truck, loss of power, surging, engine damage, etc.. (fuel pump) Potential crash w/ kids in truck, engine seizure, severe engine damaged, metal fragments, loss of power, abrupt lock up, fire hazard, excessive noise, etc.. (lifter/cam shaft) - Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes confirmed by dealer Hiley Chevorlet, case # xxx w/ General Motors. - Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes by service dealer Hiley Chevorlet, case # xxx w/ General Motors. - Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No, no check engine light or messages. Bought the 21' silverado about 18 months ago, recently the truck began to sound and drive terrible, it was found to be a bad high pressure fuel pump, bad lifter, and damaged camshaft. Dealership acknowledged that these are common issues w/ this model & year of vehicle and the parts are defective parts that they use in the manufacturing process of this model. They deemed it was out of warranty range as it's still under year 5 however I exceeded the powertrain warranty by 10,000 miles so they will not cover the issues and damage.

UNKNOWN. I have had issues with my vehicle since the purchase. Very subtle in the beginning, then it became more noticeable. There was a recall issue with a valve in the operation of the transmission, this issue is now affecting the shifting into different gears. The other day a vehicle ran a red light and my wife and I were in the intersection. I tried to accelerate to get out of the way, but here was a delay before the truck's transmission engaged. Luckily it did engage and the collision was avoided. This is a serious issue, an issue that shouldn't exist, an issue that the manufacturer knew about. I would like someone to investigate this and hopefully, help me with this issue. [XXX] [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

My 2021 Chevrolet Silverado, with approximately 84,000 miles, experienced a premature and catastrophic transmission failure while driving. The vehicle began to shudder severely and lost its ability to accelerate properly, creating an unsafe driving condition. I was able to get the vehicle to a dealership. The dealership diagnosed a complete torque converter failure requiring a full transmission replacement. Crucially, at no point before or during this failure did the vehicle's onboard diagnostic systems provide any check engine light or warning message. A sudden loss of power and transmission function on a highway is a major safety risk. I believe this is a widespread defect that needs to be investigated before it causes a serious accident.

A recall repair was performed on my vehicle at approximately 157,000 miles. Approximately 4,000–5,000 miles later, the transmission failed. The vehicle entered reduced power mode and became stuck in gear while driving. The dealership is recommending full transmission replacement but will not provide written explanation for why the failure is not related to the recall repair. I am concerned the recall remedy may have failed and that this condition poses a safety risk.

As I was driving my 2021 Chevrolet z71 pick up I had a warning light appear on the dash indicating the safety traction control system was faulty, at the same time my truck had a loss of power as if it was not operating on all cylinders. I could hear some strange noises that were not normal, at the same time my transmission was shifting abnormally. I managed to drive to a dealer and was told it was a collapsed lifter on cylinder #5 this occurred out of no where, I was informed what took place could have damaged the camshaft and I could be looking at a repair cost upwards of $5,000.00 and the service writer indicated this has been an ongoing issue with the 5.3 liter engine. My truck has been serviced at the dealership it was purchased from, and all oil changes have been performed within a reasonable window from when oil changes and service inspection has been recommended by General Motors.

My vehicle has been at the dealership since February 4 due to a transmission failure involving the valve body, which is currently on national back order along with the converter. These parts are required to complete the repair, and the vehicle is not drivable. This issue occurred after previous major repairs, including engine lifter replacement and a CV axle repair. It has now been 71 days without a repair. The dealer has confirmed the failures, but the manufacturer has not provided a repair timeline or a definitive solution. I have not received consistent updates since March 19, and the vehicle remains out of service with no estimated completion date..

On January 3, 2026, I started the truck, but it would not go into gear when I put into drive; I then attempted to put into reverse and same problem. I had to have it towed to the dealership, McCluskey Chevrolet, Kings Automall, Cincinnati Ohio, on Monday, January 5, 2026, this is where I purchased the vehicle on May 14, 2022, with 16,594 miles at time of purchase (estimated), it was towed on a flatbed, and arrived at McCluskey with 60,072 miles. Truck was looked and they found that it needed a valve body. At which time they told me GM warranty expired, over 60,000 miles, really by 72 miles. Ok there is a powertrain warranty then I had to prove oil changes, guess what I'm human and I missed two oil changes so the "extended warranty" McCluskey "gifted me" was void. I then complained I only drove the vehicle 43000 miles and for a 2021 with 60,072 miles this is an issue. Service advisor then went to management and they reduce the cost from est. 4000.00 to 585.00 plus tax through a program that GM offers. Picked up repaired vehicle on 1/30/2026, 2/1/2026 engine light came on went to have a veriscan and it found solenoid 3 stuck off & solenoid 4 (the one that was replaced) stuck on. This is an issue on gas 2021 Silverado 1500 and I wanted to report my experience because this is not "primarily" a diesel problem any longer.

2021 Chevrolet Silverado Z71 Sherrod truck with the 6.2 engine came apart (blew up) driving down the interstate at 65 mph. Had truck towed to dealership and was told needed a new motor. Truck has 89,000 miles on it. I was told truck does not meet recall because of the date it was manufactured but was acknowledged that what happened to it is what the recall is for.

Starting back in June 2025 Loss of engine power multiple times. Many times almost hit from behind as I turned onto a highway. Found out vehicle had a stop sale recall at the time of purchase and I had issues with back right tire. Took truck to a tire shop and learned that the wheel was welded in many places and fracture was visible. Finally, got the dealership to pay attention in October to my concerns. They were going to allow me to trade the vehicle out for another one while paying off the bank but that’s not what they did. They attempted the repair and tried to hand it back to me. 1/27/26 Was recently told this was corrected, and the sales person told me when he picked it up from shop he couldn’t go more than 30 mph. Dealership management told him not to tell me. I am submitting this complaint for immediate review regarding Ruiz Ranch Motors (Spring Branch, TX) for an illegal vehicle sale, prolonged withholding of my vehicle, misrepresentation of a “loaner” vehicle, and coercive threats involving law enforcement. This matter involves ongoing safety risks, financial harm, and improper dealer conduct affecting both myself and my minor child. Summary of Key Facts (Concise): • On June 25, 2025, I purchased a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado (VIN 1GCUYHET7MZ155657) from Ruiz Ranch Motors, financed through Ally Financial. • The vehicle was subject to a GM Stop-Sale / No-Sale Safety Recall (NHTSA 24V797000) at or around the time of sale. • I repeatedly raised safety concerns beginning shortly after purchase. These concerns were dismissed for months. • In November, Ruiz Ranch Motors took possession of my 2021 Silverado under the representation that they were “working on trade numbers” and a solution to correct the experience. Misrepresented “Loaner / Trade” Vehicle: • I was provided a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado, represented as a potential trade option, no trade was made (only dealership delay) this vehicle now has a engine light and no cooperation from dealership

Good morning, While driving and starting my Chevy Silverado 1500 with 3.0 durmax it will suddenly go into a “limp mode” reducing speed and power. Recently while driving on a highway it reduced engine power causing the vehicle to slow down suddenly with many cars speeding by. This caused me to try and pull over the vehicle and avoid hitting other vehicles. When pulling codes off the vehicle there is a p1098 which refers to the engine coolant control valve. This will cause the vehicle to do the described power reduction. Upon researching the issue Gm has recognized and released a special coverage to fix the issue. N252508341. However my vehicles VIN does not pull up the coverage. All the characteristics of the coverage seem to fit the model and issues I have. It’s the same year, model, engine, etc. I’ve attached a DOT report of the special coverage. I’m hoping this will help fix my vehicle and others with this same issue. Although it’s not specifically listed as a safety recall, I feel the cause of the sudden power reduction is known by Gm and warranty issued and the problem should be resolved for all vehicles with this issue. Thank you!

On a very cold day in January I left work to head home in 4-high. Just before I got on the highway, the truck did a hard shift from 1st to 2nd and I felt kind of a clunk. Truck immediately threw a check engine light and went into limp mode (didn't seem to shift at all). Pulled into a parking lot and tried to go in reverse, but truck would not go into reverse. Truck was towed to local dealership where they diagnosed it with a failed valve body on the transmission. Dealership told me the valve body was on back order so I then towed the truck to a local transmission shop who changed out the valve body. Transmission had no issues before this. The morning this happened it was very cold (below zero) and I got a message in the truck that said, "heater performance mode active". Thought that was weird, but dealer did not seem to think it had anything to do with the failure.

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