2021 Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500 Among Least Reliable Vehicles, Consumer Reports Says
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The 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 and closely related 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 are among the least reliable vehicles available today, according to Consumer Reports.
CR recently published its 10 Least Reliable Cars list, which uses data from vehicles from the previous two model years to try and predict the future reliability of vehicles from the upcoming model year. Based on its findings, the 2021 Chevy Silverado and 2021 GMC Sierra are projected to be the least reliable vehicles, receiving a Predicted Reliability Score of just 13 out of 100.
A handful of identified problem areas with the 2019 and 2020 model-year Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra contributed to the low Predicted Reliability Score for the 2021 model-year versions of the pickups. CR’s research found persistent issues with the trucks’ brakes and in-car electronics, along with some smaller and/or less persistent issues with the transmission and power equipment/accessories.
CR says it studies data taken from 329,000 vehicles from the previous two model years when trying to identify the most and least reliable vehicles for its annual ranking. These vehicles are also ranked across 17 potential problem areas, ranging from major components like the engine, transmission and four-wheel-drive system, to less crucial parts like the in-car electronics and body hardware. That means that anything from serious engine trouble to trim pieces falling off can have a negative impact on a vehicle’s Predicted Reliability Score.
The second and third least reliable vehicles for 2021, according to CR, are the Subaru Ascent and Volkswagen Atlas three-row crossovers, which received Predicted Reliability Scores of 18 and 19 out of 100, respectively.
The Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 were the only full-size pickup trucks to appear on CR’s 10 Least Reliable Vehicles list. They weren’t the only pickups period, however, as the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon also make an appearance in this unfortunate ranking.
“One of the main reasons people buy a brand-new car is the promise of a no-hassle ownership experience, free from the drip, drip, drip of service problems that set in as cars age,” CR concludes. “Nonetheless, CR’s exclusive Auto Surveys tell us that some buyers will be taking their brand-new car back to the dealer’s service department sooner and more often than other car buyers will.”
GM has already issued a number of recalls for the 2019 and 2020 model-year Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 so far, including one over braking issues on the trucks.
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Wow guy you have issues.I don’t have issues so f off.Stick to what you know like being a total moron.
The only constant measure here is: the more gadgets and electronics the new vehicles have, the more prone to problems, since now almost everything is electronically or electromechanically driven.
So when you sticj to a good old 6 speed and 5.3L engine in a moderate loaded Silverado you will be happy for life.
The 8 speed was designed, supposedly, to improve MPG, but frankly the only thing that improves your MPG is your MPH. 6 speed vs 8 peed could bareley make a difference after many miles driven.
For the last 17 years i have managed a 23 vehicle delivery fleet for the company i work for. Three of the 23 vehicles are a 14 15 and 16 Silverado. I have had more recalls on the 3 Silverado’s than all my other fleet vehicles combined over the entire 17 years. Just facts here, as i still love my GMs.
There you go C8R,I believe you.That other clown is apparently trying to spread misinformation.My Camaro SS was used as a guinea pig,while they were performing the fix they were in constant contact with Detroit as to the progress and the exact how to.The tech spoke with me afterwards and said as much.The reprogram isn’t a fix but it shifts way more aggressive and I love that.Thanks to GM for caring about my car.I am a lifelong GM owner and no interest at buying anything else.
I’ve owned a Silverado LTZ double cab for 6 years and never once have I needed warrantee or post warrantee non-scheduled service. I canceled my CR subscription last year because I couldn’t believe what they were saying about the Silverado. If GM reintroduces a double cab with Navigation, I’ll be at the dealer in a heartbeat. (I have no use for cell phone apps)
108k on my 97 buick. 133k on my 97 Blazer. No problems!! Maintenance people!!! Drop all fluids once…dare you. Both diffs, transfer case, flush radiator… c’mon now!
I have 2016 sierra slt and it is definitely a lemon. About 25k injectors replaced. Ist one side then other , but with the wrong ones. Then that was fixed. Check engine light kept coming on and they replaced sensors multiple times. Not including the worst shifting transmission ever. Last month the tr hardness was replaced . My gmc warranty ran out but they covered it. 200 miles later now it wont shift out second. I tried to love this truck but even with the extended warranty its in shop just about everymonth. Gm should be embarrassed the way these transmissions work. I only have 62000 miles mostly highway and baby this truck. 4 years old today and what garbage.
You guys are making me nervous. I was just about to pull the trigger on a 2021 Sierra 1500 AT4 Duramax Carbonpro, but now I’m having second thoughts.
Speaking of transmissions, I’m looking at doing this because my 2017 GMC Acadia Denali with 34000 miles is currently on transmission #4. (6T70) It’s great otherwise, good on gas, etc.
I know 2021 is the last year before a big Sierra/Silverado refresh, but frankly, I’ve had some bad luck with first year vehicles like this Acadia, the 2015 Sierra Denali before it (First year for the 8 speed) and my current 2020 Cadillac CT5-V which is currently sitting in my garage with “money light” #3 in only 2300 miles.
One last thought. I used to teach in a trade school there my students would frequently get into the Ford vs GM vs Ram argument, and I’d always tell them “They all make winners, and they all make stinkers. INCLUDING Toyota”
It is just a sheet metal and interior refresh so new “issues” like with MY 14 and 19 redesigns should not crop up and problems with the GM/ford 10 speed seems to be a ford electronic programming issue the mechanical parts/design are the same but the programming is separate but you never know about new designs including the new duramax till they get a lot of miles on many units.With all the problems with the 8 speed it is a mystery to me why the 10 speed was not “fastracked”,so you are rolling the dice with the drivetrain but do you want to wait for a up-to-date interior that you deserve. I do not buy the GM bs they did not have the time to do up a competitive interior I feel they were being tight hoping GM loyalists would take what is given there are too many automotive critics out there and this thing called the internet DOH
Jetfixer 2 of my co-workers just bought a 2021 Silverado RST Duramax 3.0L 4X4 and a 2021 Sierra equivalent and they are extatic about them.They love the mog and the quietness of the 3.0 and the 10 speed is silky smooth.The 10 speed is a GM/Ford joint venture and Ford is having fluid issues but I haven’t heard it from the GM side, probably due to the data from the 8 speed fluid issues.The infotainment system issues seem to happen with the updates to the brake recalls which were never an issue for my truck but if you don’t get them done the insurance company won’t cover you in an accident and you can be sued so it forces us to do it.The brakes on my truck(2019 Custom Trail Boss) never had the advertised issue but whatever.Buy the truck, they’re awesome.CR is garbage.
I have a 2016 GMC Denali 4×4 6.6L Diesel, no major problems love this truck.
I’ve owned GM trucks since 1986. The only one I had an issue with was my 2014 transmission. Recently had a 2019 AT4 put on over 100,000 km no issues. Just purchased a 2021 AT4 6.2. GMC finally started building decent trucks again.
My stance on CR results as far as vehicle reports rely mostly on its own consumers and recall notices. therefore, everyone has a different opinion of what is a problem. Recalls only report a perceived safety issues or known safety failures. Recently, GM issued a recall for “42” trucks, and not one more of the 500,000 manufactured.
On the other hand CR tests retail purchased appliances and do there own research plus a little input from it consumer base. That I’ll take more into my decision. A year and a half ago I purchased an LG washer and dryer rated number 1. They are working and clean clothes as CR tests results were.
I haven’t bought a new vehicle in a while, but have always been a Chevrolet fan. The only Chevrolet I have now is a 2003 Z71 Suburban with 198,000 on the clock. I wouldn’t trade or sell it for anything. That said I have had my share of really irritating problems with it over the years, from brake issues, to constant climate control issues to just really cheesy fit and finish. The biggest reason I would never get rid of it is I have had no issues with the power train/4WD system. It’s a 5.3 Vortec with a 4L60E transmission and because its a L59 motor I can run 85% Ethanol if I ever wanted or needed to. I am a firm believer that the more they try and “upgrade” the more they screw things up by they I am mean every auto maker. As far as work trucks go my first and only choice is Ford and always will be, I have a 1997 E350 with 400,000 on the original power train still on the road still making money!!
The A8 trans. gets a bad rap due to the fluid absorbing moisture. It doesn’t affect every transmission but if you have the fluid flushed as soon as you feel it start to shudder, the new fluid will fix it. Now if you notice the shudder but keep driving it , eventually the torque converter will need to be replaced. It happens with many brands. Toyota camrys, one of the most reliable vehicles out there have had shudder issues for years from 2012 – 2014 , usually requiring a new torque converter. Then when toyota went to an 8 speed auto in 2018 there were complaints of rough and delayed shifts. Go on the Corvette c7 forums and you’ll see some owners with shudder issues , but also many who have never experienced this . As far as the strength and durability, the ZR1 which has 755 hp can be equipped with this transmission, says a lot about the strength of it. And more than 75% of corvettes were sold with the A8 trans between 2015 – 2019.
Add a 2019 LT, V8 with the 8speed transmission. I put 72000 miles on in the 1st year with not a single issue. Loved the truck. When I found out they put the 3.0 duramax with a 10 speed Allison in the 2020 RST, I traded my truck in the next week. Nothing wrong with the 19 but this duramax is a beast. Smoothest transmission I’ve been in other than the tesla. I currently have 31000 miles on the 2020 duramax and couldn’t be happier.
Keep up on your maintenance and you shouldn’t have a problem.
This is the problem” when someone says maintenance maintenance maintenance you wont have any issues” you buy a new vehicle to not have to wory about it breaking down or recalls out side of normal maintenance like an oil change. We shouldn’t have to worry about reliability period! At least under 100.000mi
Well I listened to everyone’s comments, thought it over, and then went ahead and ordered a 2021 Sierra 1500 AT4 Duramax CarbonPro. A few of my thoughts:
*I have the 10 speed auto in my CT5-V Cadillac AWD and, so far, I’m very impressed.
*I realize the ’22s will come with a redesign, but from everything I’ve read, its about appearance, but no real new tech.
*Push button shift? I’m “old school” and perfectly happy with the column shifter.
*Panoramic sunroof? I spend 95% of my time alone in the truck. I do like having a sunroof, but it doesn’t need to be larger.
*Bigger infotainment screen? When I’m focusing on the road, the size of that screen is unimportant. (To me)
*Outdated interior design? Yes, its very similar to the interior in my 2015 Sierra Denali, but I LIKED that interior so…
*Redesigned front end? The ’21 already has the improved headlights my 2015 DESPERATELY needed, so again, its fine.
So I’m a GM guy, and have been since my first used crappy Chevrolet Chevette in 1984 which I later traded in for a new 1985 Chevrolet Fiero GT right through to a few Tahoe’s and Silverado’s as well as my current 2019 Chevrolet Silverado RST with SCA Black Widow package, which by the way was the only thing that kept me from moving to a very appealing Ford Raptor. Also just added a brand new GMC Acadia Denali for my wife, so very much a GM guy. However, given the lack of upgraded and improved engines, interiors, technology and a modern panoramic moon roof is quickly getting me to consider my next truck, which will happen in 2024 (I only keep my trucks 4-5 years) will very likely be a Ram or a F150, especially given that they both have performance Rapotors and T-Rex with very appealing updated engines, interiors, technology and yes a modern panoramic moon roof. At this point GM has absolutely no competition for either the Raptor or T-Rex, and given this article, maybe they shouldn’t. What is next with GM? How can you possibly have poor reliability, you haven’t really changed anything in nearly 20 years, I mean these LS engines have been around nearly as long as I have with little more than this crappy DFM added, by the way, if there was a way I could remove my DFM and mail it back to you, I would. My biggest question for GM is how the hell can you possibly have reliability problems with your transmissions? The current 10-speed was developed in partnership with Ford, how could GM possibly F-this up? Not to mention the new 8 speed is a slightly modified version of the 10-speed, so what the hell is GM doing? Getting back on track, I was just looking at the 2021 Silverado’s and they are turning me more into a future Ford F150 or Dodge Ram guy. In 2021, how can every model from LT and above still have a mechanically adjustable passengers seat? What the hell? Is the GM design and engineering team left over from 1962? How in the hell can you offer mechanically adjusted passenger seats when you competition offers power adjustable for no to little cost? Next, and because I’m an open air guy, when in the next 50 years can we ever expect to see a modern panoramic moon roof in a GM product? I’m beginning to think we never will, again likely due to the fact that the design and engineering team are hold overs from 1962, or possibly 1902. Okay, so I lied, really my BIGGEST issue with GM is interiors, of which I guess a modern panoramic moon roof could be considered. Interiors, what can I say, these are worse than anything GM ever built in 1962. Being very serious, the interiors look like they were designed in a Lego studio, a LOT, and I mean A LOT!!! of hard dark plastics all over the place. Oh, and I would be remised if I didn’t ask what is up with all the fake wood grain plastics? Or worse yet, the UGLY bronze plastic bezel around the infotainment system on the upgraded interior, if that’s an upgrade, I’ll take the bland Lego studio stuff, as ugly as that is. Okay, so seats, where to start, oh, lets go again with the mechanical front passenger seat, same as the interiors….FIX IT!! Every time I have someone ride in my 2019 RST Silverado Black Widow, I’m so embarrassed to say I paid +75K for a really nice lift, wheels and exhaust, only to suffer from crappy hard plastic Lego interior and a terrible mechanical front passenger seat. The question I always get on that front passenger seat is “isn’t this 2020? how can you possibly have a mechanical seat”? Most of these folks then start picking on how crappy my 2019 interior is to their dated 2013, 14, 15…..F150 or Ram. How sad is it that a dated F150 or Ram interior can look better than a 2019 Silverado interior? SAD, VERY VERY SAD Team GM, just SAD. Oh, did I mention, the interior on the 2019, 20 and now 21 Silverado is SAD SAD SAD!!! Fix it GM, if you have any hope of getting back a +30 year GM guy. Okay, so now on to the other interior item, the infotainment center…..I mean what can I say…..SAD, just SAD. The infotainment in the 2019, 20 and now 21 is just a very minor upgrade to what I had in my 2014 Tahoe LTZ, the only add had been Android Auto and Apple Car Play. Overall, the infotainment in the 2019 – 21 Silverado is just a hot mess and really sad as compared to the competition. Next up, the engine offerings, so just how long have the 5.3 and 6.2L been around without change? My estimate is about 20 years, with little more change than the addition of this really dumb DFM system. Again, if there was any way in hell that I could pull off my DFM and send that crap back to GM, I would have done it one day after I had bought my Silverado. While my 2019 RST Black Widow came with the “updated”, whatever that means, feels beefier than the 5.3 that was in my 2014 LTZ Tahoe, the throttle is still tuned for my wifes driving, that is long lag in throttle response. Why GM should I ever have to buy a $300 Pedal Commander when you could simply tune the throttle to the guys who drive the Silverado? I guess your assumption is that the majority of Silverado buyers are +80 year old grandparents. Bottom line, the engines are archaic pushrod two vales with the only slightly modern add of variable valve timing. GM, look at the Ford 5.0L Coyote offered in the F150, or even the 3.5 Eco Tec Turbos, all modern dual overhead cam, multi valve with variable valve timing. The updated Ford 5.0L Coyote blows the sox off of the GM 5.2 and gives the 6.2 a run for the money despite giving up 1.2 liters to the 6.2. I don’t know GM, the more I write out of frustration that I love your product, the more I realize I can no longer support the crap product you are putting out. Sorry GM, but in 2024, I’ll take a Ford or Ram over a GM, I just can’t do it anymore, you’re not listening to what your customers want and need, and the product is failing as noted by the reliability trends which are supported by hard data.
Go ahead and buy the Junk 150 and Ram,we don’t care.I love my 2019 Silverado Custom Trail Boss and have 0 issues with it.I have the 5.3 with AFM and no issues, installed a CAI,muffler swap,Hypertech React and an oil catch can.All.of which are a staple of mine with any GDI engine I purchase in a vehicle.I love the functional interior and hate all the garbage tech that is NEVER reliable and NEVER lives up to the hype.You can take all the tech out and I would love it even more.Panoramic roof? Garbage.Go and buy the other junk out there,my friends have and I am the one they call for a tow.Also the pushrod engine is and always will be a superior engine to overhead cam design that cannot produce torque.Any overhead cam design does well with HP but when towing it is a total dog as it cannot deliver torque when it is needed.I have experience in this in driving garbage Ford trucks(if you want to call them that) for work that I wouldn’t pay a penny for.I work in an AZ copper mine and Super Poopys fall apart here, mainly the beds crack and the sides start flapping around.They are so weak that we buy sqaure tube steel flatbeds to replace them.The beds have broken in less that a week.We have some left over GM and Dodge trucks from the past and not only do they still run but the beds are all still intact!Ford(Fraud) is garbage.We have currently about 300 F250 beds stacked up in a yard that are completely useless.