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
572 reports, newest first.
Engine, May 5, 2025
In February of 2025 my check engine light came on while i was at work. Went to the local auto zone to have the code read and it. Right after that i drove straight to Gay Family Auto. along the way there was a jolt followed by a stall The car behind me nearly re ended me. i made it to the dealership after inspection i was told i blew a rod and had metal shavings due to an engine failure. Up to this point i had no indication of any issues or dash board warnings. i was told i needed to provide all prof of oil changes which i did. after two months i get my truck back from GMC with a new motor. The new motor is now under recall for doing the exact same thing as my old motor. GM basically took out a faulty motor replaced it with a new one in hopes nothing happens. I reached out to GM and they told me to take it to a dealership for inspection. The dealership told me they wont touch it til GMC sends a solution. im currently driving a truck that could possiably fail again
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.
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.
Engine, May 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart but went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the cylinder head had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 43,000.
Steering, Wheels, May 4, 2025, crash
I was driving approximately 25-30 mph coming over an overpass moving into the right hand lane when my truck right front end failed. The steering and brakes locked up for approximately 50’ until I hit the curb for the sidewalk and stopped. I safely exited the vehicle checked the left side of my truck for damage and didn’t find anything. I walked around the back of my truck and came to the passenger side where I found my right front wheel and tire completely broken away from both upper and lower control arms, the ball joint broke and failed as well as the brake line. If I was driving on the highway at 65-75 this catastrophic failure could have resulted in a fatal collision. The night before my [XXX] daughter and I returned from her outdoor Ed trip in Sausalito and we drove an hour home to Napa on [XXX] and [XXX] . I thank god this didn’t happen with her in the car on the highway. I had my truck towed to Jimmy Vasser Chevy in Napa so I can see if the extended warranty will cover the repairs since it was an obvious catastrophic failure of the whole right front end. It’s still sitting there. The extended warranty inspector came Friday to take pictures of the damage INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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.
Engine, May 2, 2025
The vehicle will crank and not start. Dealership said they cannot replicate the fault. Same problem occurred after with dealership not helping. I am a US Soldier currently stationed in Germany and continue to have the same problem every 2months. It will crank and not start. The truck will start on the second attempt after cranking for about 20seconds. The continued issue can permanently damage expensive repair parts that I will not be able to afford. I know I am not the only one with the same issue as I have talked to others and have no solution for this.
Engine, May 1, 2025
My vehicle suddenly stopped working in the middle of an intersection. A screen notification prompted me to restart it, so I pulled over safely, as there were no other vehicles nearby. However, I worry about the potential danger if this had happened on a freeway. After waiting, I tried restarting the vehicle, but it still wouldn’t work. The next day, I received an email from Carfax about an open recall for my vehicle due to engine issues, matching the symptoms I was experiencing. I scheduled an appointment for 4/28, and had the vehicle towed to Elk Grove Buick GMC. At GMC, they couldn’t offer immediate solutions, needing to diagnose the vehicle first. This process took about four days. During this time, I was advised to contact GM, as the vehicle was affected by the recall. I submitted a case to GM on April 28th, requesting compensation for a rental or loaner vehicle, a truck for my business needs. Without it, my business operations would suffer, leading to revenue loss. The dealership’s diagnosis found the engine seized due to a failed bearing. GM contacted me about the recall, initially mentioning the lemon law and a potential buyback, which I hadn’t considered. After I expressed a desire to repair the vehicle, they contacted the dealership for more information. GM later clarified that the vehicle wasn’t covered under the recall, citing the cause and symptoms as not meeting the recall’s criteria. This seems contradictory, as a failed engine doesn’t necessarily contradict the recall. GM stated they couldn’t provide a remedy, leaving me responsible for repair costs, and noted my vehicle’s 70,000 miles exceeded the power train warranty. Recall claims dealerships will inspect and, if necessary, repair or replace the engine. It’s confusing why my vehicle isn’t covered for repairs or assistance under this recall despite the engine failure. What is the law in terms of warranty as I was under the impression that warranty status is irrelevant in an active recall vehicle.
Engine, May 1, 2025
Coolant Control Valve (ccv) on these vehicles are notorious for breaking down/ becoming non-operative. I have been waiting for a part for months.
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.
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 1, 2025
We NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FYI . This vehicle has been serviced consistently.never an issue. Driving on [XXX] very busy! Truck literally stopped in the middle of the freeway in a very bad location. Desert. Noon. Kids with us. Could have died. Preliminary eval: engine seized, piston rod failure. Not sure the rest - we have to tow it home first. Failed while traveling. Please call for more information if needed. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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.
Steering, Engine, May 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at slow speeds and accelerating out of the neighborhood, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power, with the check engine and EPS warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle back to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.
Engine, May 1, 2025
Engine failed GM made me pay for a new one. Second engine failed due to mechanics did not change out radiator. I now have a third motor with a recall. This vehicle has cost me a lot of out of pocket expenses, I believe GM owes me for the depreciated value plus lost wages. Maybe a buy back I'm not sure.
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 1, 2025
The transmission is constantly whirring, rattling, and screeching.
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.
Engine, Apr 30, 2025
Vehicle has less than 64,000 miles and seems to be having engine issues. ESC message with engine power reduced. Cannot even drive the vehicle any longer. Cannot get it into a shop for a month and will have to have it towed.
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, Apr 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving 65 - 70 MPH, there was a knocking sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle shut off. There were unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that there was a solid engine bottom and bearing failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. but the failure recurred, and the vehicle failed to start. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.
Engine, Apr 29, 2025
I wanted to reach out to see if there is anything in addition to the lemon law. I bought a 2021 GMC Sierra with 38,000 miles on it around March of last year. There was a motor defect which was covered by the warranty. I was driving and it stopped in the middle of the road so I had to safely maneuver out of the main road. The truck was towed to my house with 45,184 miles on it, until the GMC dealership could take it in to inspect. They did take a while to get me a rental because everything was backed up. They said they could rent me out a truck due to not being their brand and that it only covers a certain amount. It got taken in by the dealership on 7/15/2024 and ended up getting the truck back repaired on 8/27. I did get the truck back and have been having it, I am just worried about it breaking down or anything of that nature. I just wanted to know if there is any further process I should do or since they repaired it there should be no issue.
Engine, Apr 29, 2025, fire
First engine blown 31,904 miles, Lifter failure. Replaced with re-manufactured engine. Second engine failure at 68,000 miles, Piston rod failure. Piston blew thru engine block and engine bay caught on fire.
Engine, Apr 29, 2025
I had purchased a 2021 GMC Sierra equipped with the 6.2 liter motor in October of 2021. Within two weeks, my engine was experiencing problems. There was no service lights on the dash, and my truck suddenly shut off while on a busy road. I was able to coast to the side of the road, however it was a driving lane with no shoulder which made the situation dangerous. I was able to restart the engine after some time, and eventually get the vehicle off of the roadway, thankfully I got out of the driving lane without being struck by another vehicle. The truck had approximatley 1000 miles at this time and was brand new. I ended up needing a complete engine replacement due to failed crank bearings and connecting rods. I was told it was a crankshaft issue. After the complete motor replacement, sometime during the next year I was experiencing oil burning issues. On this second motor, a GM dealer had to completley rebuild the top end of the motor and install new piston rings. This is now a total of two motor failues in under 30,000 miles.
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