2021 GMC Sierra 1500
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 570
- Recalls
- 7
- Investigations
- 4
- Top problem
- Engine
Campaigns on file for 2021
Opened by NHTSA
54% of complaints
Complaints per year
2021: 570 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 13 |
| 1995 | 3 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 1997 | 83 |
| 1998 | 59 |
| 1999 | 158 |
| 2000 | 181 |
| 2001 | 140 |
| 2002 | 166 |
| 2003 | 180 |
| 2004 | 212 |
| 2005 | 177 |
| 2006 | 145 |
| 2007 | 262 |
| 2008 | 380 |
| 2009 | 234 |
| 2010 | 167 |
| 2011 | 284 |
| 2012 | 107 |
| 2013 | 115 |
| 2014 | 738 |
| 2015 | 719 |
| 2016 | 342 |
| 2017 | 353 |
| 2018 | 302 |
| 2019 | 643 |
| 2020 | 469 |
| 2021 | 570 |
| 2022 | 575 |
| 2023 | 470 |
| 2024 | 366 |
| 2025 | 111 |
| 2026 | 125 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Engine
54% · 305 reportsShow complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the battery charge indicator to zero. The vehicle lost motive power, and the vehicle was unable to exceed 30 MPH while driving.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-28
Also filed under Electrical system
On [XXX] at approximately 3 pm I left my house and was traveling on [XXX] in Fort Mohave Arizona I was only traveling 7 miles.
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-06-17
Tl* the contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, an abnormal noise appeared under the hood. Without warning an explosion occurred.
NHTSA ODI report, 2021-02-19
Power train
25% · 141 reportsMost commonly citing output.
Show complaint excerpts
On June 25, 2026, at approximately 84,000 miles, while traveling approximately 60-65 mph on Highway 121 in a posted 65 mph zone, driving my 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 equipped with the 6.2L L87 engine, multiple warning messages suddenly appeared,...
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-22
transmission shuddering, harsh or delayed shifting, and erratic gear changes. The truck jerks really bad during each shift of the ten speeds. A vibration or shudder typically occurring at speeds between 25-65 mph under light throttle.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-09
Electrical system
13% · 76 reportsMost commonly citing integrated trailer brake control and fuses and circuit breakers.
Show complaint excerpts
My truck had smoke rolling out at work when I noticed it. Tried to put it out it Burnt my hands ! destroyed the inside I had it towed and insurance investigator said it was do to a brake controller for the trailer.
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-05-12
Also filed under Service brakes
Engine and engine cooling
8% · 46 reportsMost commonly citing crank/camshaft position sensor and hoses/lines/piping/fittings.
Show complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the engine was making an abnormal sound, and the vehicle failed to accelerate.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-20
Fuel/propulsion system
6% · 37 reportsSafety timeline
7 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2020-12-17Tires20V684000 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.
Remedy: 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.
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2021Complaint volume 570 complaints filed for this model year.
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2021-01-26Seat belts20V792000 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.
Remedy: 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.
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2021-01-29Seat belts20V811000 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...
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021.
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2021-04-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 2023-08-24 Air Bag Malfunction
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2022-02-07Tires21V985000 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.
Remedy: Dealers will provide a new 17" spare tire and wheel assembly that is compatible with the accessory wheels, free of charge.
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2024-12-12Power train24V797000 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...
Remedy: 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.
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2025-01-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 2025-10-23 Loss of motive power due to engine failure
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2025-06-18Engine and engine cooling25V274000 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.
Remedy: 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.
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2025-10-23Engineering analysisOpen Loss of motive power due to engine failure
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2026-01-16Recall queryOpen Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
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2026-03-06Power train26V083000 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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles and update the transmission control software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 6, 2026.
Buy-smart checklist
2021 GMC Sierra 1500 — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Engine: 305 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 141 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 76 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 20V684000 · Tires
- Recall 20V792000 · Seat belts
- Recall 20V811000 · Seat belts
- Recall 21V985000 · Tires
- Recall 24V797000 · Power train
- Recall 25V274000 · Engine and engine cooling
- Recall 26V083000 · Power train
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 is rated "significantly worse".
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500?
- The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 54% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 have?
- 7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.