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.
Steering, Mar 10, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while the vehicle was standstill, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The contact was instructed by the dealer, to remove the ground cable from the battery and reinstall. The contact stated he was able to reboot and the steering wheel was able to move properly. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
Engine, Feb 25, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated and the vehicle failed to accelerate above 60 MPH. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the DEF tank had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 4,000.
Engine, Feb 24, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the check engine light remained illuminated and the vehicle would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine valve lifter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 11,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 23, 2022
While driving, when approaching speed of 40 mph, the engine begins to have dull shutter intermittently as though I am going over pot holes or rumble strips when I am not. Regardless of time or day or weather the truck has performed in this way. I have had it to the dealership twice for the issue. The first time they said they didn’t feel anything and unable to duplicate the problem. The second time, the vehicle was with the dealer for several days trying to determine the other issue it was there for. I requested they again try to recreate the concern. The service assistance asked if I was willing to ride with the technician to see if I could point it out for him. In scheduled a time to do so, when I arrived, the technician was not there. I reside an hour away from the dealership. Making these round trips and getting no where with support or answers. When this happens, I become extremely anxious about the safety of the truck. Also- while 4 X4 is engaged, the truck has significant shutter when going up hill, as though the transmission is going to drop. The entire truck will violently shake.
Electrical system, Feb 16, 2022
The console radio dash has gone completely black while both driving and while using it for the speaker/phone system. The incident resulted in the entire system restarting.
Engine, Feb 6, 2022
Vehicle has less than 10,000 miles. Started making a loud noise and shuddering in the engine while at speed on the highway. Made it to dealer but was concerned we were going to break down before making it safely there. Service manager strongly suspects engine lifters (he drove it briefly with me and says this is a known issue with this truck & they currently have 3 other trucks in the shop with this same problem. He said parts are a 3-4 month wait and vehicle is not driveable, will break down, but couldn’t say when - could be 10 minutes, an hour, or a day. This happened to me on 2/1/22, while out of town on vacation. An hour on the phone with GM and was passed around to 3 different individuals. GM would not provide a loaner vehicle - leaving me stranded out of state. I had to get a rental vehicle on my own, GM claims they will reimburse me for a portion of this after 6-8 weeks. GM will not tow the vehicle home to Virginia (vehicle is in NC). I had to turn in rental car once I returned home because I can’t afford to keep paying for this on my own and it’s not a truck, which I depend on. Dealer is unable to fully diagnosis and document until end of week 2/7 or early week 2/14 as they are very busy. Unacceptable on ALL levels.
Power train, Engine, Jan 30, 2022
8 lifters in my vehicle needed to be replaced. While driving my vehicle (12/4/21), after the auto stop feature was activated my truck experienced a lack of power and hesitation. I then turned the truck off and upon starting it was making a knocking noise. I immediately checked the oil as I wanted to make sure there was oil in the engine. I had warning lights on the dashboard and drove it about 3 miles to the dealer to be repaired. While driving it to the dealer, it did not sound right and shook. I also experienced a lack of power and was concerned for the vehicle to stall out while in traffic. The dealership informed me this is an issue with the 2021 GMC Sierra with a 5.3L V8 engine. I had seen online that GMC issued a service bulletin to have the lifters replaced in the 2021 GMC Sierra that were on the lot before they were sold (early December 2021). If this is a known issue why weren't the lifters replaced in vehicles on the road before the ones sitting on the lot. 8 lifters were replaced by the dealership but there was a shortage of parts due to the nationwide problem. There were no warning lamps, messages prior to the failure. The only symptoms I had was shaking and lack of power as indicated above after the autostop feature was activated. I then drove about 2 miles and went into a store before coming out and having the loud knocking on startup followed by warning lights and messages.
Other or unspecified, Jan 17, 2022
The only way to get the heater to work on your feet is to turn off defrost, turn on only feet, turn on AC and sync both sides. I live in North Idaho and when you do this your windshield fogs up and freezes. I have taken this to the dealership and was state "Works as designed by GMC". To me this is unacceptable. I drive 90 miles each way to the airport and have to decide what condition i can live with. Completely frozen feet and a clear window or the reverse.
Power train, Jan 14, 2022
When shifting into drive after reversing, truck will occasionally do a small thud and hesitate to move forward. This is from a stopped position after reversing, then braking, putting the truck into drive, then it happens when starting to move forward at very low speeds (I would say about 1-2mph). Vehicles recovers quickly, however it seems like a transmission mount or something may have issues. If another car were coming up quickly, or started going expecting you to start moving, the delay the thud and hesitation causes may be enough to cause a minor incident (assuming no high speed traffic coming up behind someone as they reversed out). This issue does NOT occur every time. I have owned the truck for 4 months, and it has happened only about 4-5 times in total.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jan 14, 2022
Can turn vehicle off while in gear (drive specifically). When you let off the brake, the truck acts as if it is in neutral. Discovered in my driveway when accidentally forgot to shift into park when I pulled in and pushed the stop button. Truck turned off, which would only expect if in park (or neutral), let off brake, and it began quickly rolling backwards as if it was in neutral. Fortunately the brakes were working, but had any children been riding a bike on the sidewalk or walking by, my truck may have hit them. Had I been more distracted and not noticed initially, it could have rolled into the road and hit my neighbors truck. This behavior can be reproduced every single time, and I can easily supply video.
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
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 7, 2022
Started vehicle up in public parking lot and it had service power steering and ESC messages. Vehicle could not turn and had to be towed to dealership. The problem has been confirmed by the dealer but they have had the vehicle for 2 days and cannot fix the problem. Dealer states code keeps coming up in BCM but they are not sure why or how to confidently fix it. There were not warnings or any symptoms of this problem as it drove to work fine that same morning.
Engine, Dec 27, 2021
Famous lifter issue in the l84 engine. Hundreds of documented complaints and current class action lawsuit. I had to stop on a busy highway and it caused unsafe passing and irritated humans.
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.
Engine, Dec 8, 2021
On 11/19/2021. While on the express way our truck started sounding really bad. We drove it slower to a gm dealer in Highland MI. They said we had a misfire. And there was nothing they could do at this time. We drove a little further and it got worse. We had to stop at a rest area. After dark and in the freezing weather. We had it towed to a dealer in Frankenmuth MI. Our truck has 11,800 miles . It has a diagnostics report of Valve lifter defects left bank. Starter had to be replaced. And now gm wants to only fix to affected bank . But on the unsold trucks they will repair both banks as stated in service bulletin N212353840 . If we have one bad lifter they should all be replaced as for this not to happen again. As of 12/08 2021 it is still in the shop [XXX] Thank you INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Engine, Dec 6, 2021
2021 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 6.2L engine, Little over 15000 miles, Purchesed May 2021. Drivining down the interstate with out warning, engine starting making back fire sounding noise, with a noticeable loss of power, I requested On Star to do a vehicle diagnostics, no faults was reported, No check engine light, temp was normal, oil pressure normal. The noise was off and on at first and then remained constant. Fortunataly I was able to make it safely back to my residents. I parked the vehicle and did a scan code and it did not have any codes, I did a pending code scan and it had a P0300 code. I started the engine and the noise was louder at first and then got quiter after about 15 seconds of running the check enging light came on I shut the engine down and did another scan it gave me a P0302 code. I feel that the vehicle is unsafe to drive and could cause a accident if it locks up on the highway. I contacted GM and reported the issue, they said take it to a near by GM dealer, I told them that I felt the vehicle was unsafe to drive and they tried to contact me with road side assistance but I was unable to get anyone on the phone. I feel that GM is ingnoring a known issue and that this will result in accidents and possible loss of life.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Dec 1, 2021
Prior to this incident I had lifter failure on my 2021GMC SierraAt 8464 miles, I was on my way to work and I heard a loud bang and I had to pullover off the highway, my dad had to come all the way out To get the vehicle because it had major engine damage and it was on a holiday so no one would come help me.The vehicle was in the shop for over a week getting these repairs done, upon receiving vehicle it had been a week and I received service four-wheel-drive messages on the dash.Trying to use four-wheel-drive after this was a no-go every time I push the button nothing would happen it would stay in two wheel drive.After this I made an appointment with the dealership for this issue to be fixed, as I was going to get readyTo leave again with the truck having no issues other than what I’ve stated when I went to go start the truck nothing happened at all every light lit up on the dash and part of me thinks it’s an electrical issue but the Other part of me thinks the motor is locked up. Also the lights would not shut off when I turn the vehicle off so I’ll have a dead battery in the morning.
Engine, Nov 23, 2021
Valve lifter defects. June, 2021: 7,619 miles: left side valve lifter defect necessitating need for valve, push rod replacement on left bank of engine November, 2021: 13,171 miles: right side valve lifter defecting necessitating need for valve and push rod replacement on right side of engine
Steering, Oct 9, 2021
POWER STEERING STOP WORKING
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Oct 8, 2021
I started my truck this morning, drove it 3 miles, and all of a sudden got an ESC warning, Parking break warning, and a degraded power steering warning all at one time. My steering wheel started vibrating vigorously, a clanking sound started under the hood somewhere, and none of my safety features worked after.. Cruise Control, Vehicle Collision Control, Vehicle Gap sensors, etc.. The vehicle is currently at the dealer being looked at.
Tires, Oct 5, 2021
I noticed a sway in the vehicle while driving down the highway, bad enough to pull over and check the tires and suspension. Took truck to dealer where upon inspection I was told that the cause was the tires' sidewalls are not stiff enough and the tires try to follow the grooves in the road. The dealer recommended changing the tires but had to defer to General Motors who denied the tire change under warranty. GM informed me that this is a normal condition of the tires on roads that have grooves cut in and would not be covered under warranty. I explained that I do not feel safe towing a trailer behind this truck and was told that they could not replace the tires but offered me multiple options for my trouble including: Onstar, service voucher which cannot be used on tires, accessory voucher which cannot be used on tires, and a wheel and tire protection plan which would not cover the issue at hand. I declined all of the offers as my only concern is having a truck that is safe to tow a trailer behind and new tires are required in order for me to have that. The truck is designed to be able to tow a trailer and I am too concerned to tow behind my brand new truck because the truck would induce a sway into the trailer posing a significant safety risk to myself and other motorists on the road. If this is a known issue, which it seems to be, then General Motors should not include these tires on trucks sold in markets with grooved pavement to reduce the risk of accidents resulting in injury or even death. I shouldn't have to spend an additional $1200+ on new tires for a vehicle that was less than a month old when I took it into the dealership.
Air bags, Oct 1, 2021
Vehicle purchased new in 2021; has less than 5,600 miles on it. Service Restraint System indicator light began coming on in September. At first intermittently, then every few seconds. Sent vehicle to dealer for repair on 9/27/21. Dealer states not safe to drive because airbag may not deploy in case of accident.
Engine, Sep 24, 2021
a lifter went out. While driving on a turnpike going 80 mph the engine starting knocking. The truck had to be towed to a GMC dealership where they confirmed a lifter went bad. the truck is a v8 with 8,000 miles on. the dealership advised what the problem was and replaced 4 of the 8 lifters. No warning was given, as soon as the lifter went out there were all sorts of errors that started showing up including emissions issues.
Engine, Sep 9, 2021
While driving on the highway my truck started to buck and had a loud engine knocking noise. Speed was greatly reduced so much so that I was going under 45 mph in a posted 65. The check engine light did not come on. While sitting on the side of the highway there was a severe engine knock only when the revs on the engine were increased. Oil pressure and cooling temps were as they should be. The next day on the way to the dealership the engine started knocking. This time the check engine light came on, speed was greatly reduced at this time. After about five miles the knocking stopped and the check engine light went out. The Dealership checked it out and stated the lifters were bad. It seems that this is a known issue with GM. I was told by the Dealership that there were two other trucks ahead of me with the same issue. Also, because this is such a prevalent issue with GM, they cannot keep up with the demand for parts. My Dealership is waiting for a head gasket. GM has known about the faulty parts for approximately two years, and they are only replacing some of the faulty, poorly made parts, hoping the other side of the engine will not develop issues and fail. I feel this is placing the driver and occupants at risk while driving down the highway and not being able to maintain posted speed limits, or just locking up and engine, and coming to an abrupt stop.
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.