2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 1%of 855 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,020miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 1% of the 855 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,020 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I just bought my new silverado yesterday, and when I drove it for the first time at night I realized that the infotainment display stays extremely bright even when the instrument cluster is dim. This is dangerously distracting while driving at night. The model I have does not givee an option to adjust the infotainment screen separately.”
NHTSA complaint #11397162, filed 2021-02, 40 miles“rear third brake light is leaking water into the cab and causing water stains on the headliner. I am worried about it eventually causing an electrical short or more water damage. I don't have a rear window that slides open and the rear glass has never been replaced nor has the third brake light all original from factory.”
NHTSA complaint #11545394, filed 2023-09“Transmission lags between 1st & 2nd gear some times as long as 3 seconds making transfer case hit hard . I have had this truck at the dealer 2 are 3 times with this and other matters , the maintenance technician reports he can not reduplicate my grievance , this malfunction occurs more prominently in cold weather in morning on first take off . All so turn signal malfunction at random no particular pattern , Tech. all so unable to reduplicate .”
NHTSA complaint #11561217, filed 2023-12“While towing at night with horses, trailer lights started blinking on and off, eventually for longer periods, then stopped working all together. Research shows this is a common problem in GM vehicles related to the wiring and trailer light module. This is especially dangerous when pulling horses at night and all of the sudden lights go out. GM issued a technical service bulletin. This should be a recall...”
NHTSA complaint #11733974, filed 2026-04“The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the contact attempted to change lanes and the high beams automatically activated without driver input. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic and confirmed that the high beam headlights were activating whenever the indicators were activated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11539460, filed 2023-08, 100,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11026022Jun 2, 2025This service bulletin provides technicians with information on available BCM calibrations to restore bulb outage detection on vehicles produced by a second stage manufacturer…
- 11019325Apr 15, 2025This informational bulletin provides information on the turn signal stalk not cancelling and/or mis cancelling.
- 11017243Mar 25, 2025This service bulletin provides technicians with information on available BCM calibrations to restore bulb outage detection on vehicles produced by a second stage manufacturer…
- 11014170Jan 27, 2025This service bulletin provides information on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leak Information and Replacement Guidelines.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 1% |
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 1 | 0% |
| 2023 | 12 | 3% |
| 2022 | 4 | 1% |
| 2021 | 6 | 1% |
| 2020 | 12 | 2% |
| 2019 | 16 | 1% |
| 2018 | 7 | 1% |
| 2017 | 16 | 2% |
| 2016 | 17 | 2% |
| 2015 | 28 | 3% |
| 2014 | 40 | 3% |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% |
| 2012 | 5 | 2% |
| 2011 | 7 | 1% |
| 2010 | 4 | 1% |
| 2009 | 9 | 2% |
| 2008 | 6 | 1% |
| 2007 | 19 | 2% |
| 2006 | 8 | 2% |
| 2005 | 9 | 2% |
| 2004 | 10 | 1% |
| 2003 | 7 | 1% |
| 2002 | 1 | 0% |
| 2001 | 12 | 3% |
| 2000 | 9 | 1% |
| 1999 | 5 | 1% |
| 1998 | 7 | 2% |
| 1997 | 3 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
396 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
243 complaintsElectrical system
113 complaintsOther or unknown
75 complaintsEngine cooling
60 complaintsBrakes
45 complaintsSteering
43 complaintsFuel system
32 complaintsBody and structure
29 complaintsAir bags
20 complaintsSuspension
18 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology