2021 GMC Sierra 2500

● Typical for this model
2021 GMC Sierra 2500
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:53:06.792Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% 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
51
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2021

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

24% of complaints

Complaints per year

1994: 1 complaint 1994 1997: 14 complaints 1998: 15 complaints 1999: 36 complaints 2000: 48 complaints 2000 2001: 134 complaints 2002: 134 complaints 2003: 160 complaints 2004: 143 complaints 2004 2005: 115 complaints 2006: 66 complaints 2007: 83 complaints 2008: 63 complaints 2008 2009: 31 complaints 2010: 10 complaints 2011: 63 complaints 2012: 30 complaints 2012 2013: 46 complaints 2014: 30 complaints 2015: 89 complaints 2016: 59 complaints 2016 2017: 37 complaints 2018: 35 complaints 2019: 32 complaints 2020: 79 complaints 2021: 51 complaints 2021 51 2022: 45 complaints 2023: 32 complaints 2024: 104 complaints 2025: 28 complaints 2026: 14 complaints
1994: 1 complaint 1994 1997: 14 complaints 1998: 15 complaints 1998 1999: 36 complaints 2000: 48 complaints 2000 2001: 134 complaints 2002: 134 complaints 2002 2003: 160 complaints 2004: 143 complaints 2004 2005: 115 complaints 2006: 66 complaints 2006 2007: 83 complaints 2008: 63 complaints 2008 2009: 31 complaints 2010: 10 complaints 2010 2011: 63 complaints 2012: 30 complaints 2012 2013: 46 complaints 2014: 30 complaints 2014 2015: 89 complaints 2016: 59 complaints 2016 2017: 37 complaints 2018: 35 complaints 2018 2019: 32 complaints 2020: 79 complaints 2021: 51 complaints 2021 51 2022: 45 complaints 2023: 32 complaints 2024: 104 complaints 2024 2025: 28 complaints 2026: 14 complaints 2026
1994: 1 complaint 1994 1997: 14 complaints 1998: 15 complaints 1998 1999: 36 complaints 2000: 48 complaints 2000 2001: 134 complaints 2002: 134 complaints 2002 2003: 160 complaints 2004: 143 complaints 2004 2005: 115 complaints 2006: 66 complaints 2006 2007: 83 complaints 2008: 63 complaints 2008 2009: 31 complaints 2010: 10 complaints 2010 2011: 63 complaints 2012: 30 complaints 2012 2013: 46 complaints 2014: 30 complaints 2014 2015: 89 complaints 2016: 59 complaints 2016 2017: 37 complaints 2018: 35 complaints 2018 2019: 32 complaints 2020: 79 complaints 2021: 51 complaints 2021 51 2022: 45 complaints 2023: 32 complaints 2024: 104 complaints 2024 2025: 28 complaints 2026: 14 complaints 2026

2021: 51 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19941
199714
199815
199936
200048
2001134
2002134
2003160
2004143
2005115
200666
200783
200863
200931
201010
201163
201230
201346
201430
201589
201659
201737
201835
201932
202079
202151
202245
202332
2024104
202528
202614

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

24% · 12 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 2500.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-10-29

Exterior lighting

18% · 9 reports

Engine

16% · 8 reports

Service brakes

12% · 6 reports
Show complaint excerpts

The left rear internal "top-hat" parking brake shoes suffered a total manufacturing bonding failure, causing the friction lining to completely delaminate and detach from the metal backing plates inside the rotor hub.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-05

Electrical system

12% · 6 reports
CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

When I’m in reverse the up the cameras turn off. On one incident I was backing up and the camera turned off causing me to back up into the wall of my…

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-09-11

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    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.

  2. R
    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.

  3. I
    2021-04-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 2023-08-24 Air Bag Malfunction
  4. R
    2021-10-18Tires21V578000 General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and GMC Sierra 2500 vehicles equipped with a 17" spare tire (RPO ZHQ or ZXT) and either the 20" accessory road tire (RPO REM) or the 18" accessory road tire (RPO Q2V).

    Remedy: Dealers will provide the appropriate spare tire and apply a new spare tire information label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 18, 2021.

  5. R
    2021-10-20Service brakes, hydraulic21V758000 General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles with electronic brake control modules (EBCM) replaced during vehicle assembly.

    Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from other structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will replace the BPMV assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 20, 2021.

  6. R
    2024-05-17Latches/locks/linkages24V060000 General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with power-unlatching tailgates.

    Remedy: Owners are advised to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2024.

  7. R
    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.

Buy-smart checklist

2021 GMC Sierra 2500 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 12 reports on file for this year.
  • Exterior lighting: 9 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 8 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 20V792000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 20V811000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 21V578000 · Tires
  • Recall 21V758000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 24V060000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 24V797000 · Power train

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2021 GMC Sierra 2500 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2021 GMC Sierra 2500 is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2021 GMC Sierra 2500?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 GMC Sierra 2500 have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.