2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 142 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500, 24% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 64,438 miles. The words owners use most often: “control valve” (14% of reports).
- 142power train complaints
- 64,438median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 56%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Control valve: mentioned in 20 of 142 complaints (14%)
- Torque converter: mentioned in 10 of 142 complaints (7%)
- Limp mode: mentioned in 9 of 142 complaints (6%)
- Engine power: mentioned in 8 of 142 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 22 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
None of the 142 complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
GMC Sierra 1500 power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sierra 1500 | 34 | 24% | 2,000 |
| 2025 Sierra 1500 | 26 | 22% | 17,000 |
| 2024 Sierra 1500 | 72 | 20% | 24,000 |
| 2023 Sierra 1500 | 91 | 19% | 44,115 |
| 2022 Sierra 1500 | 111 | 19% | 36,000 |
| 2021 Sierra 1500 | 142 | 24% | 64,438 |
| 2020 Sierra 1500 | 98 | 20% | 75,200 |
| 2019 Sierra 1500 | 139 | 21% | 30,525 |
| 2018 Sierra 1500 | 131 | 43% | 29,781 |
| 2017 Sierra 1500 | 118 | 33% | 29,500 |
| 2016 Sierra 1500 | 84 | 24% | 45,117 |
| 2015 Sierra 1500 | 98 | 14% | 33,000 |
| 2014 Sierra 1500 | 69 | 9% | 70,000 |
| 2013 Sierra 1500 | 3 | 3% | 111,155 |
| 2012 Sierra 1500 | 6 | 6% | 44,000 |
| 2011 Sierra 1500 | 24 | 8% | 32,000 |
| 2010 Sierra 1500 | 4 | 2% | 114,250 |
| 2009 Sierra 1500 | 9 | 4% | 69,630 |
| 2008 Sierra 1500 | 6 | 2% | 96,000 |
| 2007 Sierra 1500 | 6 | 2% | 25,499 |
| 2006 Sierra 1500 | 13 | 9% | 37,184 |
| 2005 Sierra 1500 | 11 | 6% | 60,000 |
| 2004 Sierra 1500 | 8 | 4% | 38,800 |
| 2003 Sierra 1500 | 6 | 3% | 32,150 |
| 2002 Sierra 1500 | 5 | 3% | 76,287 |
| 2001 Sierra 1500 | 3 | 2% | 160,500 |
| 2000 Sierra 1500 | 9 | 5% | 137,900 |
| 1999 Sierra 1500 | 2 | 1% | 90,000 |
| 1998 Sierra 1500 | 7 | 12% | 81,000 |
| 1997 Sierra 1500 | 8 | 10% | 55,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
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.
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
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…
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the transmission was previously replaced. The contact stated that 20,000 miles later, the vehicle started to experience erratic hard shifting while driving at various speeds, and the vehicle failed to respond upon shifting into…
Received Re-Call for Engine Failure! Dealer replaced Engine Oil and Oil Cap @ 85,544 Miles. I read of the Re-call prior to the notice and I waited for it to come. After I received it and the Dealer made the changes, it made me afraid to leave town using my truck for fear of a breakdown on the…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2021 GMC Sierra 1500s have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 142 owner complaints about power train for the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 (24% of the 587 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 power train?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 64,438 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500?
The most frequent phrase is “control valve”, in 20 of 142 complaints, followed by “torque converter” (10).
Other 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 problems
- Engine problems (316)
- Electrical System problems (75)
See all 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 problems or power train problems across all Sierra 1500 years.