Chevrolet›Silverado 3500 HD›2021›Overview/chevrolet/silverado-3500-hd/2021/base/

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Silverado 3500 HD.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD is specified with a 10.0 qt oil capacity and 15W‑40 viscosity. Reliability data shows 38 total owner complaints, with the most frequent issues involving latches, locks and linkages, and five recall campaigns, placing this model year among those with moderate concern but not chronic failure. Consequently, the 2021 version sits in the middle of the Silverado 3500 HD’s historical reliability record, offering a balanced mix of durability and documented issues.

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 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD sits toward the upper end of a small data set that only includes complaints and recalls for the 1997 and 1998 model years; those earlier years reported 3–4 complaints and no recalls, showing a low baseline of reported issues. In 2021, the vehicle’s most frequent complaint categories—latches/locks/linkages (5), structure (4), electrical system (4), and fuel/propulsion system (3)—are all higher than the single‑digit totals seen in the 1997–1998 data, indicating a rise in reported problems over time. The 2021 model also recorded one crash‑related complaint and one fire‑related complaint, adding to the trend of increasing safety‑related concerns. Because the record shows a clear upward trend in complaint counts, the 2021 year falls on the rising arc and suggests more frequent issues than the earlier years. For a buyer, this means the 2021 Silverado 3500 HD may warrant closer inspection for latch, structural, electrical, and fuel system conditions before purchase.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
873
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
38
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 1 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 38 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Latches/Locks/Linkages5
Structure4
Electrical System4
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Power Train3
Electrical System,Structure2
Power Train,Unknown Or Other2
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Fuel/Propulsion System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

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…

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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 873 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 3500 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 3500 HD take?

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

Does the 2021 Silverado 3500 HD have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.