Chevrolet›Silverado 2500 HD›2021›Overview/chevrolet/silverado-2500-hd/2021/base/

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Silverado 2500 HD.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD stands as a heavy-duty full-size pickup with substantial service requirements, specifically calling for 10.0 quarts of 15W-40 engine oil to maintain its powertrain. Recorded reliability data for this model year documents 82 total owner complaints, with the Power Train category generating the highest volume of reports, alongside six distinct recalls issued by the manufacturer. This documented profile—characterized by powertrain-related concerns and multiple corrective campaigns—establishes the 2021 model’s specific position within the Silverado 2500 HD’s reliability history as a year marked by significant mechanical attention from both owners and the factory.

Model year20262025202420232022202120202019

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity10.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type15W-40OEM · 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 Gas: 94R; Diesel: 2 Batteries: 48; Auxiliary: 48 · Gas: 720; Diesel: 2 Batteries: 730; Auxiliary: 730 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731742. 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 Gas: 94R; Diesel: 2 Batteries: 48; Auxiliary: 48 · Gas: 720; Diesel: 2 Batteries: 730; Auxiliary: 730 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeLT275/65R20/E 126/123SOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12731742 alt 12684038
Engine air filter84121219 alt 84554703
Fuel filter13539108
Spark plug12622441
Battery88865934 alt 88866309
Front wiper blades84578275
Serpentine belt12732707 alt 12658178
Thermostat12680544 alt 12680457
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

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 10.0 qt of 15W-40 engine oil, Dot 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-7-8-4-5-6-3.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity14.37 qt
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.0 qt
Brake FluidDot 3
Brake Fluid Capacity2.11 pt
Engine Coolant Capacity30.1 qt
Engine Coolant Capacity15.5 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)24.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)15.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)31.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

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

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-7-8-4-5-6-3
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap.037-.043 in
Spark Plug Torque15 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.40 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Capacity3.40 oz

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque55.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque221.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque6.7
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.516
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: 1.535
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.001"
Maximum Rotor Runout.002"

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
126.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30°, Step 3: 30°, Step 4: 30°26 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 85°15 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
159.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: Internal Short Hex Bolt: 40°, Step 4: All Except Internal Short Hex Bolt: 60°59 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
159.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: Internal Short Hex Bolt: 40°, Step 4: All Except Internal Short Hex Bolt: 60°59 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 59.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 120°, Step 4: 24.0 ft. lbs.22 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
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
159.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60°, Step 3: 60°59 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) · Fuel 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)

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 provided federal record only includes 1998 and 1999, lacking the years immediately before and after the 2021 target year, making a precise generational trend analysis for 2021 impossible. Within the limited record, complaints dropped from 16 in 1998 to 9 in 1999, while technical service bulletins (TSBs) surged from 5 to 60, with zero recalls in both years. For the 2021 model, the data specifies 20 power train complaints, 10 service brake complaints, 10 electrical system complaints, and 7 latches/locks/linkages complaints, along with 2 crash and 1 fire complaint. The data does not specify the root causes for these issues. Because the dataset omits adjacent years to contextualize the 2021 figures and the root causes are unspecified, prospective buyers should independently verify the condition of the power train and braking systems before committing to a purchase.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1064
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
82
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 1 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 82 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train20
Service Brakes10
Electrical System10
Latches/Locks/Linkages7
Unknown Or Other5
Engine2
Power Train,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System2
Air Bags2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V578000Tires:Temporary/Emergency Spare TireReported 29/07/2021

General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and GMC Sierra 2500 vehicles equipped with a 17" spare tire (RPO ZHQ or ZXT) and either the 20" accessory road tire (RPO REM) or the 18"… Remedy: Dealers will provide the appropriate spare tire and apply a new spare tire information label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 18, 2021. Owners…

21V758000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Electric:Control ModuleReported 29/09/2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles with electronic brake control modules (EBCM) replaced during vehicle assembly… Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from other structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will replace the BPMV assembly, free of charge. Owner notification…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1064 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…
PIT5544J2026-06-24Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates information on a hydraulic rush type noise from…
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…

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 2500 HD. 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 G batteryVehicles taking 10.0 qtEngine oil filter 12731742Engine 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 2500 HD take?

10.0 qt of 15W-40, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Silverado 2500 HD have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.