2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Problems and Top Complaints – Is Your Car A Lemon?

Updated on July 10th, 2023 Author: Brian Jones

When the time comes to get a big truck for those tough jobs, many people look toward the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. It’s no wonder that it continues to excel when the manufacturer claims it offers “heavy-duty solutions for any situation.” However, most customers find themselves looking for solutions to all the defects, including those with the electrical system and exterior lighting.

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NHTSA Complaints for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500

Electrical System Problems

With a solid electrical system, every ride can be enjoyable. However, the opposite can be claimed when there are malfunctions.

Here’s one review left on Edmunds talking about electrical system troubles. “Do not buy. I’ve had mine for 2 1/2 months and it’s been in the shop for a total of 4 weeks. It has major electrical issues. GM unwilling to compensate me at this time to rent another work truck and they don’t even know when the problem will be fixed. At first they didn’t have a fix, now they tell me they are sourcing parts. DON’T BE A SUCKER!”

It looks like GM hasn’t learned anything over the years. It wasn’t that long ago that Chevy Silverado trucks were the subject of class-action lawsuits because of infotainment system issues. In fact, some previous models had a system that would max out without any direction from the driver, causing quite the alarm while driving down the street. Hopefully, no one was trying to meditate in peace and quiet on the way to work.

Problems with the Exterior Lighting

Seeing clearly at night and having others see your vehicle is essential for on-road safety. However, the lighting lacks with 2021 Chevy Silverado 3500 models.

One NHTSA complaint says, “The new GM 2021 trailer lighting module and/or system is defective. It fails a pre-connection test with tester, gives ‘Check Trailer Wiring” warning on dash without a trailer connected and turns off any trailer lighting connected without warning on the road, without blowing a fuse. This problem is much like the TSB Report #20-NA-198 for earlier models. This issue was addressed by the dealer by replacing the module, but the problem has reoccurred while on the road causing a road safety issue (no trailer lighting), sometimes without warning. The dealer doesn’t know what else to do at this point.”

It should come as no surprise that this Chevy truck has so many issues. One look at all of the recalls shows how little care was put into this heavy-duty model. NHTSA Campaign Number 20V792000 states that more than 600,000 vehicles have a bracket on the front seat belts that might not be securely correctly, while NHTSA Campaign Number 20V811000 goes on to describe that some seat belt assemblies contain the wrong bolts, further putting occupants at risk. What’s more is the open investigation happening right now. NHTSA Action Number PE21010 examines various complaints that the air bags are not deploying, causing injury to occupants. If everyone held GM to Hot Wheel-type standards, this Silverado would be a winner. Beyond that, this truck simply disappoints.

Your Lemon Law Legal Rights

Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes Chevrolet pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.

About the Author:

Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.

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