2021 GMC Sierra 2500

● Typical for this model
2021 GMC Sierra 2500
RENDERED 2026-08-02T11:13:21.600Z

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, GMC Sierra 2500 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2021 highlighted. 1994: 1 complaints 1994 1997: 14 complaints 1998: 15 complaints 1999: 36 complaints 2000: 47 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: 31 complaints 2020: 73 complaints 2020 2021: 49 complaints 2021 2022: 42 complaints 2023: 28 complaints 2024: 96 complaints 2024 2025: 24 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026
2021: 49 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19941
199714
199815
199936
200047
2001134
2002134
2003160
2004143
2005115
200666
200783
200863
200931
201010
201163
201230
201346
201430
201589
201659
201737
201835
201931
202073
202149
202242
202328
202496
202524
20266

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 24%

24% of complaints: power train — 12 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 2500.

NHTSA ODI report, 20251029

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 18%

18% of complaints: exterior lighting — 9 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE 16%

16% of complaints: engine — 8 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 6 distinct reports on file.

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 house

NHTSA ODI report, 20250911

SERVICE BRAKES 10%

10% of complaints: service brakes — 5 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20210126 — seat belts

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.

Campaign 20V792000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210129 — seat belts

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.

Campaign 20V811000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210409 — PE (closed 20230824)

Air Bag Malfunction

R 20211018 — tires

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.

Campaign 21V578000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20211020 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Campaign 21V758000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20240517 — latches/locks/linkages

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.

Campaign 24V060000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20241212 — power train

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.

Campaign 24V797000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2021 GMC Sierra 2500 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (12 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (9 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (8 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 20V792000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V811000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V578000 (tires) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V758000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 24V060000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 24V797000 (power train) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2012 ▲ 2014 ▲ 2009

WORST YEARS

■ 2003 ■ 2004 ■ 2001

See all years ranked →

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 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.