2021 GMC Sierra 1500
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 572 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 26 Sierra 1500 model years with reports.
Of the 2021 reports, 5 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 2 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, automatic transmission, control module, softwareFeb 12, 2026
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.
Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 26V083000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engine, hard parts internal/mechanicalApr 24, 2025
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.
Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 25V274000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, control module, softwareOct 24, 2024
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.
Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 24V797000 on NHTSA.gov
Tires, temporary/emergency spare tireDec 16, 2021
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.
An ABS system that does not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 21V985000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat beltsDec 23, 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, 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 20V811000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat beltsDec 17, 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 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The seat belt brackets may not be secured to the seat frame in the front-row center seating position.
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.
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.
Campaign 20V792000 on NHTSA.gov
TiresNov 5, 2020
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 20V684000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine and engine cooling
49 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000(Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the roadway. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that prior to the engine failure, the transmission was replaced. The dealer was contacted regarding the recall remedy, but the dealer was unable to provide an estimated time of availability. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000(Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jul 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that there was an abnormal change with the RPM. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The dealer received an email from the manufacturer, but the verbiage was incorrect to move forward with the repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled, lost motive power, with smoke came from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact attempted to start the vehicle and noticed a knocking sound coming from the engine with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that parts were not yet available. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle had a Salvage Title and would not be repaired under the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped, the vehicle idled intermittently. In addition, an abnormal sound was coming from the left side of the engine. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000(Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the check engine warning illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact pulled to the side of the road and attempted to restart the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the failure had previously occurred several times while driving. An unknown local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the recall parts were not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted and a voicemail message was left, but the manufacturer had not returned the contact's call. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing rough idling, with the RPM fluctuating while driving. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 8, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Engine, Engine and engine cooling, Jun 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that occasionally while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine hesitated to turn over. The contact stated that the failure progressed, and the vehicle no longer started as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that two local dealers were contacted; however, the contact was advised that to diagnose or repair the vehicle, might take several months. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with camshaft sensor failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that several minutes later the vehicle functioned as designed. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the engine fan activated and operated at a very high velocity. Additionally, the message "Engine Power Failure" message was displayed, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine coolant control valve was faulty and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the parts were on backorder and no repairs were performed. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 45,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the engine fan activated and operated at a very high velocity. Additionally, the message "Engine Power Failure" message was displayed, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine coolant control valve was faulty and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the parts were on backorder and no repairs were performed. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 48,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was not contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, May 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted; however, the contact was informed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, May 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. The low oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, where an oil consumption test was performed. The contact stated that the oil consumption test was not completed. The contact stated that while driving 55-60 MPH, the contact noticed an abnormal oil odor, and the low oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over. The contact then noticed that a significant amount of oil was leaking onto the ground. The vehicle was towed to the residence of the contact's brother. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware that oil was leaking from the oil pan. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence, where the contact added oil to the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to Beck & Masten GMC Coastal (200 US-77, Robstown, TX 78380), where the rear main seal gasket was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the alternator and the crankshaft hoses had failed due to excessive oil leaks. The dealer charged a fee for the alternator and the crankshaft hoses replacement. The dealer informed the contact that the rear main seal gasket replacement was covered. The dealer related the oil leak to the oil pressure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and cases were filed; however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 44,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a turn, the vehicle made a loud banging sound and the vehicle shut off. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle suddenly experienced a loss of automotive power. During the failure, the message "Shift into Neutral to Restart" was displayed. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the piston bearings had seized, causing damage to the engine. The engine was replaced along with the radiator, oil cooler and oil cooler hoses, intake manifold, mega fuse, and starter. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was recently included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 122,691.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 28, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the vehicle while idling. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was then notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Engine, Mar 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, after which the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the engine had seized. The contact was also informed that the fuse box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE25001 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 63,000.
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Feb 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the rear suspension. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the rear suspension. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred 4,000 miles later. The contact stated that while reversing, the contact heard an abnormal clunking sound coming from the rear suspension. The contact also stated that there was also a strong antifreeze odor permeating the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 38,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 75 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle would slow down as if it was losing motive power. The vehicle was driven to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the coolant control valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 23, 2021
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH and making a turn, the vehicle lost power steering assist functionality. Additionally, the brake pedal was depressed several times but failed to respond. The parking brake, traction control, brake, engine, and headlights warning lights were illuminated. The contact also stated that the warning message "Limited Power" was displayed. The contact stated that he depressed the brake pedal with his two feet from a standing position and the vehicle decelerated and he pulled into a driveway. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the vehicle software needed to be updated. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.