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, Nov 3, 2025
I own this 21 GMC Sierra with a 6.2L. This vin is not part of your current recall. But my truck is at a dealership waiting on a replacement engine. I was told that the engine locked up in the bay. Not sure if any lights came on before the engine failed, the dealer did not go into that much of detail. The truck is sitting outside waiting on the engine, not sure if gm made then do any failure analysis or just said its a 6.2 were sending an engine.
Power train, Engine, Nov 2, 2025
My wife was driving at highway speeds with all are kids when the trucks motor suddenly loss all power all check engine lights illuminated and what I'm assuming had major engine failure causing rod knock.
Engine, Oct 27, 2025
On [XXX], at approximately 15,873 miles and while on the freeway approximately 30 miles from my home, my GMC Sierra 1500 with the L84 engine experienced a failure of the DFM lifter assembly. This required a significant engine disassembly and the replacement of multiple valvetrain components. This repair was performed at Gold Rush Chevrolet in Auburn, CA, as documented in the enclosed service invoice. GM has issued Technical Service Bulletins and product communications addressing similar lifter failures in Gen V small-block V8 engines with DFM/AFM, including Service Update N212353840, PIP5776, #19-NA-219, and related updates. Industry coverage and owner reports and current Class Action Lawsuits indicate that these failures can recur, even after initial repairs, due to the high cycling frequency of the DFM lifters. Given the nature of the defect and GM’s documented acknowledgement of the issue, I am requesting that GM extend the powertrain warranty coverage for the engine and related valvetrain components for a period of 10 years,100,000 miles as a goodwill policy adjustment. A warranty extension would ensure customer confidence and protect against the significant cost of a repeat failure. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine, Oct 21, 2025
After having transmission issues which was replaced under warranty, within 300 miles, the engine failed. The vehicle has now been sitting at the dealership since October 7, 2025 waiting for a replacement engine. There is no timeline available for the replacement engine as they are currently backordered. Absolutely ridiculous.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V27400 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle failed an inspection. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact was advised that parts were not yet available. The contact was advised that it was unsafe to release the vehicle to the contact with the recall unrepaired. The contact was advised that the repair would take two weeks for completion. The contact stated that the vehicle had been at the dealer for more than two months. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue but provided no assistance. The contact stated that he needed the vehicle to use. The contact was advised that the vehicle was number 1,000 on the list for the repair. The failure mileage was 71,000.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 19, 2025
This was the first time I had ever experienced the rear differential locking up at highway speeds in my truck. It was probably the day after I bought the truck. I was going down route one southbound going probably around 60 miles an hour and the wheels locked up and the vehicle felt like it was gonna come to a screeching hole. It felt like I hit something And then the wheels unlocked and it allowed me to keep driving. I thought that I might have hit the cruise control button on the steering wheel by accident and chopped it up to operator error which now I know is one of the most dangerous recall issues I’ve ever had to experience or indoor. Thank goodness my family was not with me at the time. But these issues continued on for months…
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 19, 2025
I was driving at highway speeds probably doing 55 and another vehicle pulled out in front of me forcing me to slow down rapidly. That’s when my wheels locked up and my vehicles wheels locked up in the middle of the highway. Screeching tires, almost like the vehicle went into park for a second. After about two seconds, I was able to continue driving a highway speed no check engine lights no error codes. It felt like I just hit something nearly gave me a heart attack. My family was in the car. It felt like we all almost died. It was terrifying. This transmission issue recall situation has happened to me more times than I can count. Now it’s almost a guarantee that if you have to shift too hard too fast it locks up the differential and it is terrifying. Every time.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 19, 2025
I just took my 2021 GMC Sierra 1503.0 Duramax diesel into Faulkner Nissan, today 10/18/2025 m, to have that recall fixed. I picked it up from the dealership and drove about 10 miles before it went into limp mode and reduced power mode while I was driving and started to shift very roughly and I’ve never had any issue like this before they supposedly fix this recall, I think the software patch made it worse in my case. Now my vehicle is throwing a bunch of different transmission error codes, that it has never produced , and it is going into reduced power mode,as I’m driving and going into limp mode as I’m driving, which you never has done before And it feels like it’s stuttering in early gears now and the idle was really rough it didn’t idle at a specific spot it went from 800 to 1300 back down to 800 when it should’ve just been idle at 800. I don’t know what to do. It seems like this recall made the problem worse for me and my truck in this case, I don’t know what to do and I don’t know where to go. I hope you guys can help us. Please make GMC take responsibility Before somebody gets killed. If they haven’t already this issue is extremely DANGEROUS AND I’M SURE IS DESTROYING THE TRANSMISSION. I don’t feel comfortable driving my family in my vehicle anymore because of this issue it is terrifying….
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 14, 2025
DTC CODE P1098 PRESENT RELATED TO FAULTY COOLANT CONTROL VALVE ON 3.0 DURAMAX DIESEL ENGIINE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS ENGINE AND IS SUPPOSED TO BE COVERED UNDER THE 100K MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. PREVIOUSLY TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR INVOLVING REPLACEMENT OF THE COOLANT CONTROL VALVE BUT WAS TOLD REPROGRAMMING OF THE ECM WAS REQUIRED FIRST STEP PER GM REPAIR BULLETIN. REPROGRAMMING COST ME $195 AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE 100K POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. NOW, A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE SAME ISSUE AND DTC CODE P1098 HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT FREEWAY SPEEDS AND CAUSED VEHICLE COMPUTER TO LIMIT SPEED OF THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED HAZARDOUS SITUATION IN CONSTRUCTION ZONE AS WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN SPEED OF TRAFFIC WHILE TOWING TRAILER WITH BOAT. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT GM HAS ISSUED SPECIAL EXTENDED WARRANTY RELATED TO THIS COOLANT CONTROL VALVE IN SEPTEMBER 2025 WHICH EXTENDS THE WARRANTY COVERAGE UP TO 15 YEARS AND/OR UP TO 150K MILES BUT I WAS TOLD AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT MY VIN# DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THIS EXTENDED COVERAGE FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON?
Other or unspecified, Oct 14, 2025
The retractable running board on the driver side retracted well my 3-year-old daughter was climbing into the back of the truck. She then fell off and to the ground. On more than one occasion, I was standing on the retractable running board on the driver side. I was buckling my daughter up in her car seat. The running board retracted in without me doing anything. I did not touch the door and had the driver's side driver door and passenger door open at the same time. This has also happened when just the passenger door was open. The running board retracts and knocks my shins into the truck body. This is quite dangerous and could easily cause great harm. I am not the only one with this issue and have read numerous complaints in online forums. I came across a potential remediation of the problem in an online forum. That remediation included disconnecting the rear toes switch that moves the running board towards the back of the truck, allowing a person to easily reach items that have slid all the way to the front of the bed. Since I disconnected that I have not had a problem with the driver side running board. The passenger side running board is not exhibiting this behavior. For clarity, the running boards are the factory installed running boards, not an aftermarket running board. Please get GM to fix this blatantly obvious safety concern. Thank you very much.
Engine, Oct 10, 2025
Vehicle showing signs of a failing coolant flow control valve and/orcoolant temperature sensor. - AC takes a long time to cool down - Engine fan will stay on after the vehicle is shut off - I often see the notice of “A/C Off Due To High Engine Temp” From what I can find, this issue I’m experiencing is a known point of failure in this vehicle make/model/year. On 10/10/2025, I took the vehicle to Fountain Buick GMC Service in Orlando, FL. The service manager recognized the symptoms immediately, and even knew right away that the part to fix it was on back order - further bolstering that it is an issue that GM is aware of and deals with regularly. Per the service manager, GM’s initial response was to issue a “pay to play” software update that is covered under the 3yr/36,000 warranty, but not the 5yr/100K. Out of warranty, this “solution” costs $499.99, and has a < 10% degree of success. If the update doesn’t fix the issue, then it would be covered. However, the need for the software update was not communicated to consumers. Regardless, since the issue is not yet severe enough to be recognized via code (despite symptoms, pictures, and video), GM will not take any action under warranty towards fixing it at this time. The vehicle’s 5yr/100K warranty expires on 10/15/2025. If the code throws on 10/16/2025, it will not be covered under warranty, but *may* be covered under dealer assistance. And regardless, the $499.99 charge will apply, independent of warranty coverage. More important than the money is the safety. The engine’s temperature is not being regulated, the symptoms I’m experiencing are terminal, and this issue will not be fixed on its own.
Power train, Oct 8, 2025
Transmission on my vehicle has failed three times since I bought the vehicle in October of 2021. Vehicle currently has 39,000 miles. First transmission issue was resolved by the dealership by replacing the transmission valve body. This solved the problem for approximately 12,000 miles. In September of 2025 with 39,000 miles the transmission suffered a catastrophic breakdown which lead to complete transmission replacement. After being “fix” the vehicle suffered another catastrophic transmission failure within 400 miles of the complete transmission replacement. This incident caused the vehicle to shut completely down and I was stuck in the traffic lane of the US Highway. Fortunately my vehicle and I were not struck while waiting 30 minutes for a tow truck. Presently the vehicle is back at the dealership awaiting repair. From my review of available on-line information it appears there are 10’’s of thousands of GMC Sierra pickups with major transmission issues. This needed to be addressed before someone is killed due to the poor quality of these GMC trucks.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 7, 2025
I took my truck through a car wash and then parked at my parents house. While the vehicle was parked, the trunk latch kept releasing. The trunk popped open. I left it open but you could hear the latch continually releasing and the lights blinking. This went on for an hour and I was unable to drive home because my trunk kept unlatching! A recall was released for other Sierras but not mine. Please investigate my vin and others that may be affected.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. While the contact's husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed an abnormally bumpy ride. The contact felt as if the vehicle was driving over rocks. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, parts were not yet available for the recall repair. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle had been at the dealer for more than two months awaiting parts. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Power train, Oct 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving 45-50 MPH, the engine revved and the transmission unintendedly downshifted, causing the vehicle to decelerate unexpectedly. The transmission then seized, and the vehicle skidded. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.
Power train, Oct 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign number: 24V797000 (POWER TRAIN), and the dealer performed an interim repair on the vehicle. In March 2025 the part was available, and the recall repair was completed. The contact stated that on one occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed and then coming to a complete stop, the vehicle jerked and the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. The message “Low Power Mode” was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle then failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact drove to a parking lot and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to Don Moore Chevrolet GMC, where it was diagnosed with transmission control valve failure. The contact was informed it would be months before the repair could be performed. The vehicle was towed to another dealer, where the transmission control valve failure was confirmed, and the contact was informed there were metal shavings found inside the transmission. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
Power train, Engine, Sep 24, 2025
Constant engine issues, cams, lifters. Transmission problems. These engines in these vehicles need to be RECALLED. I have bought 6 of these trucks and all of them have the same issues. SPENDING 14k on new engines one after another is ridiculous. These are classified as “work” trucks and can’t handle “working”
Power train, Sep 19, 2025
Transmission failure at a little over 120,000 miles while towing a side by side on the highway. This highway has a speed limit of 80 which is dangerous when the vehicle stops working properly for myself and any other drivers in itself. Earlier this year the transmission had been updated due to a recall and was deemed to work good by the dealership but didn’t notice any difference. Had an engine light pop up a couple hours before but no messages or any other signs to inform me of the issue and was still working fine with no struggle until it gave out
Power train, Sep 18, 2025
Torque Converter failure confirmed by dealer: was driving at high way speeds when I noticed a slipping sensation from the transmission upon any sort of acceleration. No warning lights were illuminated or any symptoms leading up to the failure. This could have potentially caused me to lose any form of acceleration that would enable me to get off of the highway or away from a situation requiring sudden acceleration.
Service brakes, Sep 17, 2025
The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 has an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) that bolts on to the rear calipers. The EPB does not release, in order for service, you have to long press the parking brake, then the truck goes into service mode & will release the brakes for service, some newer models may not have this feature. The vehicle has 36,000 miles on it & the inside rear brake rotors are worn down from the EPB dragging & not releasing as supposed to, causing excessive premature wear & that could cause a safety hazard fleet wide. The EPB should not be in use while the vehicle is moving, but it is coded to not release, meaning whenever you press the brake it never moves back out away from the rotor, causing drag & or even can cause warping of the rotor. I do not understand the thought process in regards to not letting the EPB release, it acts like the screw type caliper that would have the same issues of every time it moves out it will not go in until taken apart & screwed in, again meaning the brake pad is constantly dragging on the rotor which could in turn also affect the miles per gallon. I see the thought process to use EPB as useful but not a good execution by the manufacturer.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 16, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact then received a notice that parts for the recall were available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the recall remedy was for the dealer to use a higher viscosity oil. The contact expressed concerns that the remedy was not a sufficient repair and that the engine was still vulnerable to failure. The vehicle was repaired under the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Power train, Sep 16, 2025
I have contacted local GMC repair facility (Frank Brown in Lubbock Tx.) about the safety recall on my 6.2 liter engine to attempt to schedule an inspection of my engine and cannot get them to inspect the engine which the recall notice said they would do. They continue to stall and say the inspection isn't approved by GM. I've tried 3 different times to address this isuue without satisfactory results. I recieved the GM safety recall N252494000 notice for my vehicle in May 2025
Engine, Sep 15, 2025
Engine lifters bent a pushrod and scratched my camshaft in my engine causing me to be stranded with minor children. 3rd time since I bought this in 2021 that I have had engine faults in this truck.
Steering, Sep 11, 2025
My power steering completely failed. This is a safety issue and could have caused bodily harm. I have looked on line and I am not the only one with this issue, and as I investigated it shows that this issue was recall situation on earlier models. My truck is currently in the shop and looks like it will cost $5,000 to do the full repair.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 10, 2025
I am experiencing a recurring issue with my 2021 GMC Sierra where the dashboard displays a “Shift to Park” warning even though the vehicle is already in Park. This typically occurs when I attempt to shut off the vehicle. The doors unlock as expected, confirming the truck is in Park, but the warning prevents me from turning off the ignition immediately. After a few seconds, the warning usually disappears, allowing me to shut off the truck. This issue is more frequent in cold weather, suggesting a temperature-sensitive electrical or mechanical fault. Based on research and community reports, this appears to be a known issue across multiple GM vehicles, often linked to a faulty micro switch or wiring harness in the shifter assembly. I am concerned about the safety implications, especially if the vehicle fails to shut off properly or if the issue worsens over time. GM has not issued a recall for this problem, and I believe it warrants further investigation due to its widespread nature and potential risk.