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: power train
137 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Jun 18, 2025
coolant control valve failure activating check engine light, reduced power mode and fan running continuously. Truck has been in the shop for 3 weeks already with no part available.
Power train, Jun 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle and shifting to drive(D) in the morning, the transmission hesitated to shift to second gear and then shifted harshly. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was test-driven, but the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the failure occurred once a day on first start-up of the vehicle and upon shifting to drive(D). The vehicle was taken back to the dealer over the weekend, and the dealer was able to duplicate the failure on first start-up of the vehicle and upon shift to drive(D). The dealer related the failure to TSB Number: 16-NA-361; and informed the contact the manufacturer had not made a repair available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was unknown.
Power train, Jun 3, 2025
received my truck back after replacement of the front transmission pump and idle gear, the same day the transmission had horrible down shifts, sometimes it would just downshift into neutral and bounce off the rev limiter. the service advisor told me that my transmission had to "relearn" my driving habits when I called him and would take 200-400 miles.. i drove it one more day and drove it back to the dealer to have them drive it. the agreed that something was wrong, but didn't know what and had to contact gm engineers. 2 days later they told me that the valve body needs to be replaced. I dropped it off to find out that it had been ordered with zero ETA of when they will receive it.. so now im stuck with a loaner and no ETA on when parts will be available.
Power train, May 31, 2025
Reached the 100,000 mile mark and the truck started shuddering. Took it to the dealership and they tell me the torque converter is coming apart and I need a new transmission.
Power train, Engine, May 30, 2025
My truck has a known recall from GMC which results in total loss of propulsion. It has not failed yet, but this is dangerous to me, my family/kids, and potentially others on the road. I have made multiple attempts to speak with GMC about the issue and also my local dealer. Neither group will provide concrete information as to when they can look at/service my truck even though there is a known remedy - [XXX] I brought my car into the dealer December of 2024 for brakes and also a rattling noise since it was uncharacteristic. Noises can be indicative of this larger problem (which I know now and didn't then) but they "didn't hear a rattle" and the "condition could not be duplicated" which is patently false since it still makes the noise/has gotten worse. Since then, I have taken the following actions: - I called and spoke with the local dealer service team on 5/5 - was told since it's showing incomplete, no remedy available there was nothing they could do - Spoke with GMC on 5/5 - they directed me to the local dealership - Made an appointment online on 5/10 to get my truck serviced and to check for this problem - They immediately called me first thing on Monday 5/12 to cancel my appointment and again tell me there is nothing they can do about this issue - I have continued to express my safety concerns to both parties - I spoke to GMC today, 5/30 and was told that there is no timeline for the issue (with my VIN) even though the remedy is known - An appointment is scheduled on 6/12 with my local dealership, but if I recall status hasn't changed, they will not check for this problem INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power train, May 30, 2025
front idler gear for the transmission pump failed at 39500 miles. was fixed under GMC warranty. but now after getting the truck back the transmission has extremely harsh down shifts. still waiting for GM to figure out what to do next..
Power train, Engine, May 29, 2025
The truck ever since of bought it has been nothing but issues. Starting with the fuel pump issues then electrical issues and most recently the coolant flow control valve. This is my work truck and now I’m out of a truck with no loaner and the dealership has no eta.
Power train, Engine, May 20, 2025
Engine has stopped a couple of times at low speeds, Was able to restart and continue. Engine will occasionally make a "straining / Dieseling sputtering sound" when execellerating from low speeds or Stop. Transmission will make strange and strained shifts from time to time. This is reaccruing problem that comes and goes over the last approximately 2 yrs since about 9000 miles to current approx 25000 miles.
Power train, May 19, 2025
The transmissions in this as well as several other models of GM as well as Ford products with these transmissions are known to have major issues. My particular vehicle has major transmission shipping issues that started right around 90,000 miles or so. It started with a hard shift occasionally and has now progressed to a consistant hard shift, as well as a major shudder issue in the 35-45 mph range as well as the 65-75mph range ( when shifting into applicable gears) this has gotten worse over the last few weeks. These GM/Ford collaboration transmissions have been faulty from their inception and are well known to start malfunctioning in the 80-120,000 mile range. Please recall these transmissions so that consumers are not faced with thousands of dollars in repairs in vehicles that should last well beyond the short life span of the transmissions. I have been quoted 62-6500.00 for a replacement as there is no rebuilding these transmissions according to the mechanics I have consulted...(some have cited part availability issues as a reason). This has been a well reported problem with these vehicles/ transmissions for years now with many complaints and issues about the faulty transmissions. Just google it. I don't understand why theu have yet to be recalled.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, May 11, 2025
The engine coolant flow control valve position sensor is faulty. I brought mt truck in to my dealership and I have been waiting for over a month to get the issue fixed because “the part is on backorder”. This issue makes my truck sound like a jet engine because it makes the truck think overheating and causes the fan to come on at full blast. After drivinf for awhile it goes into “ reduced engine power mode” which is totally unsafe because it reduces the horse power to that of a lawn mower. It takes about 30 seconds to get from 0-60, so merging onto freeways or in conditions where you need extra speed its completely useless and increases the scenario of being rear ended, immensely.
Power train, May 11, 2025
VEHICLE IS DIAGANOSED WITH A COOLANT CONTROL VALVE ISSUE. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A GM DEALER AWAITNG REPLACEMENT PART AND PART IS ON BACK ORDER FOR AN UNDERTEMINED AMOUNT OF TIME. IT IS WIDELY KNOWN THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND YEAR MODEL OF VEHICLE. THIS MATTER PUTS AN UNDUE HARDSHIP ON ME AS A VEHICLE OWNER. WITH NO KNOWN ETA FOR THIS PART I STAND TO BE OUT OF USE OF THIS VEHICLE FOR A LONG TIME. GM NEEDS TO BE MORE ACCOUNTABLE AND ATTENTIVE TO THEIR CUSTOMERS AT A TIME LIKE THIS.
Power train, Engine, Lane departure, May 6, 2025
El motor de mi camioneta falló por completo empezó a hacerle unos ruidos muy fuertes dentro del motor con solo 80,000 millas es del 2021 la compré el año pasado no llegó ni un año de uso una camioneta que supuestamente era muy buenas Estaba en el momento de lo sucedido estaba con mi mujer y mi hijo en el auto regresábamos de un restaurante acá en Miami y la camioneta se paró de pronto La camioneta fue inspeccionada por la garantía extendida la cual no asumió la reparación Luego del problema si salieron luces amarillas y rojas en la pantalla de mi camioneta
Power train, Engine, May 5, 2025
While driving on the highway the engine died forcing me to change lanes to cross traffic and coast to a stop on the shoulder. It was dangerous and unexpected. It would not restart so I had to have it towed. Inspection revealed the bearings had gone bad in the engine and the engine would have to be replaced. I had to wait 2 and half months for an engine.
Power train, May 2, 2025
Was driving vehicle on freeway at normal speeds and the vehicle lost propulsion. Engine was off and vehicle said to shift to neutral and restart. I was able to exit the freeway safely (barely) to the median. Vehicle would not restart. It has the L87 engine which is under recall. Vehicle is at dealership submitted under the recall. I am being told there is "no remedy" and "no parts" and given no timeframe for any fix to be completed. I am still liable for the payments, insurance and this is our only vehicle in a single father of three family.
Power train, Engine, May 1, 2025
I was coming home after work, before I got home I stopped at the gas station to fill up my tank, after I filled up my tank I start driving home but while on my way home my truck wasn’t speed as I expected and it only goes maximum of 10mph and I was confused, I stop and check my truck see what happens but there is no sign since there was no sign I get on my truck and start driving to home, after I got home I was trying to revers parking and that’s when I realized my truck wouldn’t reverse. I thought of if it happened while I was driving on highway and my truck stopped on the middle of highway I could have lost my life. I called the dealer and the dealer told me it might be because of the engine then next day I took it to the shop and they couldn’t figure until couple days later and it took them around 2-3 weeks to replace my transmission. Luckily I had the power train warranty when I bought the vehicle and it don’t cost anything. If I didn’t have that power train warranty everything will come out of my pocket, the cost was around $6-7k.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, May 1, 2025
I've noticed rough or jerky gear shifting when accelerating, rough and reduced propulsion, loss of power. Dealership repaired power torque converter but the truck continue to have the same symptoms.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Apr 30, 2025
While driving my truck with my wife and two young boys, the truck engine completely shut off while operating it. We were stuck in the middle of the road and had to cautiously wait until we could move the vehicle out of the way. The engine locked up. Now they are trying to repair the engine with the same exact engine that is on recall and potentially put me and my family in the same dangerous position.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 29, 2025
Tried to accelerate and heard a loud pop and the truck didn’t accelerate. Pretty much went idle in the middle of the road. The check engine light, the traction control light, and the ABS light all came on. I would press on the gas and it would rev but nothing would happen till a few seconds later the RPM’s would shoot up and you could tell it was trying to get going but didn’t very slowly and I would hear a clicking noise every time it was around the second gear. It put my children and myself in danger because traffic was heavy with vehicles going 70+mph merging into one lane. Took it to a dealership and they stated it was the the push rod and camshaft were damaged and all 16 lifters should be replaced and camshaft also. No, the vehicle has not been inspected by any of those except a car dealership and a mechanic. This problem first appeared the day it happened and continued after. Even took it to a mechanic and had all 16 lifters changed and problem still persists. Spent over $6,000 on a brand new truck and it is still undrivable because every time you get in to drive it the cylinder #2 misfires.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Apr 28, 2025
See attached vehicle repair orders/Carfax/vehicle registration. The trucks transmission has been slipping/jerking hard since I pulled off the lot at dealer ship. Its burning oil no leaks has been doing so since the day I drove off the lot at dealership. I have asked to fix or address and problem still exist. They sold vehicle as everything was working The Left head light wasn’t working the day I drove off the lot didn’t notice until I got home I reached back out to dealer to explain and said light had a short in kept truck for almost a week said the were going to replace the head light and never did. The remote start wasn’t working the same day i purchased the truck but sold it as everything is working. I went to try it as I was getting ready to leave dealership and did nothing. Then I discovered the fog lights were missing, and dealer said oh there was never any in the truck but if you read the service paper work there was lights in truck. Took truck back to address the issues the next day or so after purchase I was told to bring truck back the following week. All the conditions still exist and I should not be having any of these issues as the sold vehicle nothing wrong. They even had an October inspection saying everything was SAT but I get in truck no fog lights and left head lamp is not working but they performed an 360 inspection….yeah no way… This truck is doing the same as my 2021 chevy Silverado but there is nothing wrong with vehicle according to dealership. Sold A Lemon if you asked me… ***Highlighted in yellow is a recall that the dealership has not done nor can they find anything on the recall**** *****Power train**** Recall date 2024-10-24 Recall no. 24V797000 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 en
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
Power train, Engine, Apr 24, 2025
was getting on the interstate whenever i hit 70 mph just heard a hard knock in the engine and truck was driving rough. the truck it self dropped to 60mph. before it occurred there was no check engine light on or anything. after i had the dash light up with engine light, brake light, stability light. about a week later took it to the dealer they said it was fuel injectors they replaced it took them about 2weeks but the problem wasn’t resolved but then stated it was the lifters which they said it almost common for this to happened. so i took it somewhere else to get replaced and they said yes it was the lifters and i needed to replace the camshaft because when the lifters go out it will damage the camshaft. all they did to diagnose my problem was hear it was ticking and the knocks also with the codes from the dealer diagnosis. after my repairs it was expensive least to say
Power train, Engine, Apr 17, 2025
July of 2023, lifters failed on left side of engine. Lifters replaced and cam shaft replaced. January 2025, lifters failed on right side of engine. Replaced. March 2025. Engine seized on interstate. Truck lost all power while driving, no warning signs prior. Dealership has no rental vehicles and we are not old enough to rent from a third party company so family had to drive 9 hours to our location so we wouldn’t be stranded. Three times this truck has failed us. GM is putting in a new motor as it’s still under warranty, but the new motor has no additional warranty. So basically this new motor will be warrantied for less than 7k miles. They cannot say if the new motor has the remanufactured lifters or not. So we could be facing the same exact issues. Can’t ever get ahold of anyone directly though GM.
Power train, Apr 4, 2025
Transmission will slam hard then truck goes into low power mode and doesn’t shift.
Power train, Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to turn off the vehicle; however, the vehicle remained running. A message was displayed to shift to park(P). The contact stated that the lights, radio, and other functions remained operational. On another occasion, the vehicle jerked, and the steering was difficult to turn. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle had not been taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact also stated that the trunk failed to fully close. The message that the trunk was open was displayed. The contact attempted to close the trunk and message on the displayed was turned off; however, the trunk remained slightly open. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,315.
Power train, Apr 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at 50 MPH, the transmission independently downshifted and the rear wheels seized. The contact stated that the rear wheels skidded. In addition, the contact noticed an abnormal clunking sound. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the failure occurred immediately after the recall repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (Power Train) was performed by the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.