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2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Silverado 1500.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 requires 6.0 qt of 5W-30 or 0W-30 engine oil. This model year has recorded 8 recalls and 763 total owner complaints, with the engine identified as the top complaint area. Within the model's broader complaint history spanning 1997 to 2026, this year's figures fall between the high of 1,554 complaints in 2014 and the low of 54 in 2026.

Model year20262025202420232022202120202019

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 0W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque140 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Only use AGM VRLA Battery. 49 · 850 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12727115. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Only use AGM VRLA Battery. 49 · 850 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size275/60R20 115SOEM · verified
Wheel / rim9 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12727115 alt 12731742
Engine air filter84121219 alt 84121217
Fuel filter13539108
Spark plug12622441 alt 12688094
Battery88864542 alt 88865934
Front wiper blades84578275
Serpentine belt12658178 alt 12669858
Thermostat89018168 alt 55496127
Cabin air filter13508023

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length241.3 in
Overall width81.1 in
Overall height75.6 in
Wheelbase156.7 in
Curb weight4674 lb
Track (front / rear)68.1 / 68.1 in

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Silverado 1500 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.4–5.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.40 sec — 2021 RST 6.2 Crew Cab (5'9.9" Bed)(Redline Edition)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2021RST 6.2 Crew Cab (5'9.9" Bed)(Redline Edition) 6.2L V85.40 sec14.00 sec420 hp4x4
2021RST 6.2 Crew Cab (5'9.9" Bed)(Redline Edition) 6.2L V85.50 sec14.00 sec420 hp4x4
2020RST Duramax Double Cab (6'7.4" Bed) 3.0L Turbo Diesel I-67.00 sec15.40 sec277 hpRWD
2020LTZ Z71 Duramax Crew Cab (6'7.4" Bed) 3.0L Turbo Diesel I-67.10 sec15.50 sec277 hp4x4
2020RST Crew Cab (5'9.9" Bed) 2.7L Turbo I-47.10 sec15.30 sec310 hp4x4
2020LTZ Z71 Duramax Crew Cab (5'9.9" Bed) 3.0L Turbo Diesel I-67.60 sec15.80 sec277 hp4x4
2022LT Trail Boss Crew Cab (5'9.9" Bed) 6.2L V85.70 sec14.20 sec420 hp4x4
2022ZR2 6.2 Crew Cab (5'9.9" Bed) 6.2L V85.70 sec14.20 sec420 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-30 / 0W-30 engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.4 qt
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.1 qt
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.0 qt
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.0 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.25 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.25 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.25 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.25 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts43.0 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head InstructionsUse new bolts only.

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts140 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug15.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug15.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order1-6-5-4-3-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap.025-.029 in
Spark Plug Torque12-13 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.40 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Capacity3.30 oz
Standard BCI Group NumberOnly use AGM VRLA Battery. 49
Standard BCI Cranking Performance850 cca
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance730 cca

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)46.0-88.0
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50.0-94.0
RPM43.0-58.0 rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: NS, Rear: 30.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueRear: 118.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque6.7
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.102; Rear: .709
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: 1.122; Rear: .728
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.00024"
Maximum Rotor Runout.002"

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
118.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 50°18 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 110°18 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 110°18 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 85°15 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Take old crankshaft balancer bolt and tighten to 240.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Remove the old crankshaft balancer bolt and throw away., Step 3: Recess the nose of the crankshaft into the balancer bore: 0.94-0.176", Step 4: Use new crankshaft bolt: 110.0 ft. lbs., Step 5: Loosen 360°, Step 6: 59.0 ft. lbs. Step 7: Bolt with rotating washer: 200° or Bolt that has a flanged head: 125°240 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Take old crankshaft balancer bolt and tighten to 240.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Remove the old crankshaft balancer bolt and throw away., Step 3: Recess the nose of the crankshaft into the balancer bore: 0.94-0.176", Step 4: Use new crankshaft bolt: 110.0 ft. lbs., Step 5: Loosen 360°, Step 6: 59.0 ft. lbs. Step 7: Bolt with rotating washer: 200° or Bolt that has a flanged head: 125°240 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1M12 Bolts22 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 7 stages
130.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Completely Loosen Bolts 13, 14, 5, 6, 4, 3, 11 & 1230 ft. lbs
3Tighten Bolts30 ft. lbs
4Completely Loosen Bolts 9, 10, 1, 2, 7 & 8
5Tighten Bolts30 ft. lbs
6Bolts 1-1459 ft. lbs
7225°
811.0
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 75°11 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
126.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 70°26 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 45°11 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.7 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7.43.7 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.7 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7.43.7 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 97,500 mi.

Every 7,500 miAccelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 15,000 miWindshield Wiper Blade (replace)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 75,000 miHood Hinge (inspect)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Timing Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 sits in a post-peak phase of its federal record, with 763 complaints, 8 recalls, 4 investigations, and 1,450 TSBs. Compared with the preceding 2020 model (689 complaints and 12 recalls), 2021 saw a modest rise in complaints but a drop in recalls; it also trails the 2019 spike of 1,034 complaints while exceeding the declining 2022–2024 figures of 574, 346, and 277 complaints, respectively. Across the generation, the highest complaint and recall volumes occurred in 2014–2015, followed by a general downward trend, making 2021 a middle-to-later year with activity still elevated above the cleaner 2022–2024 records. The leading complaint areas for 2021 were Engine (224), Power Train (129), Engine & Engine Cooling (43), and Electrical System (40), with 18 crash-related and 11 fire-related complaints recorded; the data does not specify root causes. Because 2021 shows slightly higher complaints than 2020 and more investigations than its immediate neighbors, but lower recalls than 2020, it is a reasonably representative late-model year rather than the cleanest choice in this run. A concrete takeaway: buyers who want a newer Silverado with fewer federal complaints and recalls should consider 2022 or later, but 2021 remains a viable option if priced accordingly and verified against its open recalls and TSB history.

8
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1450
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
759
Owner complaints
18 involved a crash · 11 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’97’99’09’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 763 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine224
Power Train129
Engine & Engine Cooling43
Electrical System40
Power Train,Engine39
Unknown Or Other23
Structure19
Steering18

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 8 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V792000Seat BeltsReported 17/12/2020

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon XL and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect left-side and right-side front-row center seat-belt bracket attachments and reassemble it correctly as necessary, free of charge…

20V811000Seat BeltsReported 23/12/2020

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1450 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT65322026-07-06Unknown Or OtherThe purpose of this PI is to inform dealer technicians of a normal cab pressure relief…
PIT5966F2026-06-23Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still…
PIT65232026-06-10Unknown Or OtherThis PI provides diagnostic steps for dealer technicians to verify the condition and…
PIT6132E2026-06-09Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates an issues with the HVAC making a hum buzz noise…
PIP61152026-05-20Unknown Or OtherThe document advise technicians after an engine repair involving removal of the camshaft…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Silverado 1500. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group O batteryVehicles taking 6.0 qtEngine oil filter 12727115Engine air filter 84121219Fuel filter 13539108Spark plug 12622441

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Silverado 1500 take?

6.0 qt of Dexos 1 Gen 2 5W-30; Temperatures below -20°F 0W-30 may be used., per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Silverado 1500 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.