2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Sierra 1500 years
- Far more complaints than other years 5th of 32 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 7 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 4–5 out of 5 stars (varies by version)
Owners have filed 587 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. That ranks 5th out of 32 Sierra 1500 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (316 complaints, 54%), typically at around 58,522 miles. Complaints mention 6 crashes, 6 fires, 3 injuries. There are 7 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 5 defect investigations involving it.
- 587owner complaints
- 7safety recalls
- 5NHTSA investigations
- 6complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine problems | 316 | 54% | 58,522 | “control valve” (13%) | $2,750 |
| Power Train problems | 142 | 24% | 64,438 | “control valve” (14%) | — |
| Electrical System problems | 75 | 13% | 31,150 | “shift park” (8%) | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 49 | 8% | 59,075 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 43 | 7% | — | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 39 | 7% | 2,500 | — | — |
| Steering | 34 | 6% | 47,500 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 23 | 4% | 21,270 | — | — |
| Structure | 13 | 2% | 18,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 10 | 2% | 57,500 | — | — |
| Suspension | 10 | 2% | 38,000 | — | — |
| Lane Departure | 8 | 1% | 100 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 7 | 1% | 5,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 6 | 1% | 3,400 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 6 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Wheels | 5 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 4 | 1% | 7,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 4 | 1% | 11,850 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 0% | 57,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 0% | 700 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 0% | 77,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2021 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls (7)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Power train:automatic transmission:control module:software; power train:automatic transmission:fluid/lubricant:valves/valve body
Problem: General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, 3500, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles that may have been repaired incorrectly under recall 24V797. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up.
Risk: Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicles and update the transmission control software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 6, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252516560. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 12, 2026.
Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
Risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.
Power train:automatic transmission:fluid/lubricant:valves/valve body; power train:automatic transmission:control module:software
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
Risk: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.
Tires:temporary/emergency spare tire
Problem: General Motors (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 GMC Sierra 1500 and Silverado 1500 vehicles equipped with certain accessory road tires and a 17" spare tire. The 17" spare tire provided with the vehicle is not compatible for use with the accessory wheels, which can cause the anti-lock brake system (ABS) to not function properly under certain conditions.
Risk: An ABS system that does not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will provide a new 17" spare tire and wheel assembly that is compatible with the accessory wheels, free of charge. Dealers will also apply a new spare tire information label, and provide owners with an owner's manual insert clarifying which spare tire to use with the accessory road tires and with the 17" original tires. Owner notification letters were mailed February 7, 2022. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212346510.
Seat belts:critical fasteners
Problem: 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, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.
Risk: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.
Seat belts:critical fasteners
Problem: 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 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The seat belt brackets may not be secured to the seat frame in the front-row center seating position.
Risk: If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: 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. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202314670.
Tires
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with Continental tires that were overcured.
Risk: Overcured tires may experience a carcass break in the sidewall resulting in a sudden air loss or could develop a belt edge separation which could lead to partial or full tread/belt loss. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect vehicles and replace tires that have DOT number and production mold number combinations identified by Continental, free of charge. The recall began December 17, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202319030.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy (EA26005) — opened Aug 20, 2026, still open.
- Loss of motive power due to engine failure (EA25007) — opened Oct 23, 2025, still open.
- Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy (RQ26001) — opened Jan 16, 2026, closed Aug 20, 2026.
- Loss of motive power due to engine failure (PE25001) — opened Jan 16, 2025, closed Oct 23, 2025, led to recall 25V274.
- Air Bag Malfunction (PE21010) — opened Apr 9, 2021, closed Aug 24, 2023.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, a reduced power mode warning message unexpectedly illuminated, and the vehicle unexpectedly entered limp mode. The contact stated that the temperature gauge indicated a high temperature and the vehicle was…
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The failure involves the NOx emissions control system, specifically NOx Sensor #2 and the associated NOx catalyst/DPF assembly. Diagnostic trouble codes P11D5, P14D4, P22A1, P2832, P2833, and P28AF…
2021 GMC with 6.2L motor. The engine begin to produce a clattering noise in the upper part of the engine. When the clattering happens the vehicle will shudder. I took the vehicle into a certified independent service center who diagnosed a catastrophic engine failure as a result of lifter and…
Vehicle is a 2021 GMC Sierra with 3.0 Diesel. Coolant control valve is bad. Vehicle has 108,000 miles. GM issued Bulletin N252508341 extending the warranty to 15 years or 150,000 miles for 2021-2022 GMC Sierra. Now they are saying my VIN # is not effected and they will not cover the replacement…
While towing a trailer on 6/26/26, the 6.2L L87 engine suffered a sudden drop in oil pressure, began knocking, and completely lost motive power on the roadway. Because the engine seized instantly, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power steering and power braking while managing the extreme…
Other GMC Sierra 1500 years
← 2020 Sierra 1500 · 2022 Sierra 1500 →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sierra 1500 | 142 | 2 |
| 2025 Sierra 1500 | 119 | 1 |
| 2024 Sierra 1500 | 368 | 1 |
| 2023 Sierra 1500 | 490 | 3 |
| 2022 Sierra 1500 | 594 | 6 |
| 2021 | 587 | 7 |
| 2020 Sierra 1500 | 479 | 12 |
| 2019 Sierra 1500 | 653 | 10 |
| 2018 Sierra 1500 | 305 | 7 |
| 2017 Sierra 1500 | 354 | 6 |
| 2016 Sierra 1500 | 343 | 8 |
| 2015 Sierra 1500 | 719 | 9 |
| 2014 Sierra 1500 | 742 | 9 |
| 2013 Sierra 1500 | 116 | 3 |
| 2012 Sierra 1500 | 107 | 3 |
| 2011 Sierra 1500 | 284 | 5 |
| 2010 Sierra 1500 | 168 | 4 |
| 2009 Sierra 1500 | 234 | 4 |
| 2008 Sierra 1500 | 381 | 2 |
| 2007 Sierra 1500 | 263 | 2 |
| 2006 Sierra 1500 | 145 | 0 |
| 2005 Sierra 1500 | 177 | 0 |
| 2004 Sierra 1500 | 212 | 2 |
| 2003 Sierra 1500 | 180 | 1 |
| 2002 Sierra 1500 | 166 | 1 |
| 2001 Sierra 1500 | 140 | 2 |
| 2000 Sierra 1500 | 181 | 1 |
| 1999 Sierra 1500 | 158 | 1 |
| 1998 Sierra 1500 | 59 | 2 |
| 1997 Sierra 1500 | 83 | 3 |
| 1996 Sierra 1500 | 5 | 0 |
| 1995 Sierra 1500 | 3 | 0 |
See all GMC Sierra 1500 problems by year, every GMC model, or the GMC VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500?
Owners most often report engine, power train, electrical system problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 316 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500?
Yes, 7 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Sierra 1500 model years, the 2021 has far more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 4–5 out of 5 stars (varies by version) overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.