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: fuel/propulsion system
35 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 27, 2025
Engine power reduced, could not accelerate, fuel pump issue and was bucking the engine Went to dealer and complained as gmc not working to help me, dealer fixed issue but said no other complaints out there and car was fixed, gmc called me several times and keeps saying no issues with the vin associated. The car was fixed but I am stuck with a truck that is probably not saleable once these issues continue. This issue happened initially with 30 k on it and dealer could not find the issue and this times at 61500 happened again
Service brakes, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 29, 2025
We have had several times where we are on highway and our truck like slams on the brakes causing us to lose control. It was a recall on it and GMC fixed it and within the same week of them fixing it it happened 3 times back to back. Making my truck to force another car to steer out of my way and actually went off the highway. Thank god it was just dirt snd he didn’t get hurt or anything. But I am scared to even drive my vehicle! It starting Happening for about a year now. And it would only do it like every couple months but now it’s has done it 6 times in the last 2 months!
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 10, 2023
After having simple oil and filter, and engine and cabin filter replaced at Alpine Buick GMC in Colorado Springs, CO, I received my vehicle back and noticed a complete difference in performance. It hesitates when accelerating, stays low in every gear, and bounces, and I mean bounces hard, when shifting gears, especially slowing down. When slowing down, as it shifts to the next lower gear, it almost pushes the truck forward against me pushing the breaks. Then, when feathering to accelerate slowly, it almost bounces back up to speed, hesitating until I let off the accelerator pedal a little, and it immediately shifts to about 1000 rpm in gear. I have to push really hard for it to go up a gear, and when it does, it has lost all power. My vehicle doesn’t run right anymore after my service appt. I have brought it to my hometown dealership and they say it runs fine and nothings wrong. But there is something wrong with it.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 23, 2023, fire
Less than 5 minutes after my husband and 2 children parked the car and came inside, a neighbor walking rang our doorbell to let us know there was something on fire in our driveway. We ran to the back to find his truck engulfed in flames coming from the engine. We quickly called 911 and exited the house/property. The truck continued to burn with 20-25 foot flames and very black smoke for about 40 minutes until the fire department was able to control the fire. The fire was hot enough that the entire engine was significantly burnt, the seats and steering wheel were gone, the glass shattered and melted, and the tires exploded and melted. Thankfully, everyone was out of harms way and safe through this incident. However, it has been extremely traumatic on my family and neighbors and has taken a lot of time and energy to try to deal with this. The car sat in our driveway for over 2 weeks with a very potent smell causing headaches until GM and our insurance finally investigated. There is damage to our siding, driveway, landscaping, basketball hoop, trampoline, and neighbors fence. The car was only 2 years old and scares me how quickly it went up in flames and how much worse this could have been either 3 minutes earlier or if it was parked in our garage.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 16, 2022
15000 MILES LIFTER FAILURE IN TRAFFIC HIGHWAY AT SPEED 70 MPH LOST POWER ENGINE FAILED MULTILANE HIGHWAY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC NO WARNING FAILURE
Fuel/propulsion system, Fuel system, Diesel, Nov 25, 2022
Within 100 miles after purchasing this truck from GMC (used with 74K miles)I got messages both on my phone and later through inspection at GMC service center that the DEF system had a problem. The check engine light came on then off as well.I was getting messages saying I only had so many miles before the DEF system needed more fluid even though the tank was full or near full. The dealer here in Tucson indicated there was a bulletin on this problem and ordered parts for the repair. I was informed it was not a recall and I would have to pay over $800.00 for this repair. To date the dealer has had my truck for 2 weeks. Additionally, another message said insufficient coolant flow so they are installing a new coolant pump to be paid for by an after market warranty which I purchased at the time I bought the truck. This repair is over $1000.00
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 8, 2022
Less than 300 miles on the vehicle and it has thrown an error code P2B60. Relating to the engine coolant flow control valve position sensor. I have taken it to my local GM service center and they cannot see me for weeks. As of this morning the check engine light has disappeared but my fuel economy has severely decreased. It seems suspicious and possibly dangerous that it showed a check engine light with a warning of reduction in engine power the night before and disappeared in the AM
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 3, 2021
I have had my gmc sierra 1500 for 2 weeks and it has less then 200 miles on it the first week I lost power the check engine light, air bag and traction control light started flashing and since then my engine light has be solid with code P0300 and it will intermittently loss power and start flashing. The dealer has it now but cannot figure out the issue. Total unacceptable for a brand new vehicle.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 1, 2021
The truck has 7500 miles on it and the check engine light keeps coming on then goes back off. It is impossible to schedule service as the light goes off before it gets to dealer. The when driving the truck many times the check engine light will flash for a minute or so and then remain on steady. This is very frustrating and the dealer has found nothing. It has happened probably 10 times since the truck was new and continues now. The truck was just serviced and the dealer found nothing causing this.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 19, 2021
WHILE DRIVING DURING WINTER CONDITIONS WITH TEMPERATURE AT 3 DEGREES ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET WITH LIMITED TRAFFIC, THE DIESEL FUEL IN THE FUEL FILTER GELLED UP WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DISPLAY REDUCE POWER MODE AND THEN IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET WHILE IN TRAFFIC. THE OWNERS MANUAL LISTS UTILIZING TOP TIER DIESEL WHICH I DID. WHILE ADDITIVES ARE NOT NORMALLY NEEDED IN MOST STATES TO FUEL FOR FREEZING CONDITIONS EVIDENTLY THEY ARE NEEDED IN OKLAHOMA. THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING IS THE ONLY PLACE WHERE THE FUEL GELLED UP, WHICH APPEARS TO BE A THEME IN MOST GMC DIESEL TRUCKS AND DOES NOT EFFECT FUEL IN THE FUEL TANK DUE TO VOLUME. GMC HAS DONE NOTHING TO IMPROVE THE DESIGN OR INCREASE INSULATION TO THE THIN FUEL FILTER HOUSING. IF I HAD BEEN IN FAST TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE IT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF LIFE.