Fifth generation (GMT T1XX)
2021 GMC Sierra 1500
The most reported problem on the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 is engine failure, with 126 complaints, usually around 59,000 miles.
- 573owner complaints
- 7recalls
- 5involved a crash
- 44,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Sierra 1500 doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2021 model year.
Is the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?
The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 has 573 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 2.2 times the median of 259 for 2021 pickups on this site. Of the 13 Sierra 1500 model years since 2014, it has the 5th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2020 and 2022
- Each model year from the 2020 to the 2022 draws more complaints for its age than the one before it: 67 a year, then 96 for the 2021, then 117.
- Top problem
- Two problems run close. Engine failure has 126 complaints and misfire has 104, out of 573 in all. A quarter of the 57 owners who gave a mileage for engine failure saw it by about 20,000 miles, and half by about 59,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- Only 13 of the 573 complaints (2%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, well under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 5 reports mention a crash, 6 mention a fire and 3 people were hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- engine failure, misfire and stalling all have recalls on the same system, and the same campaigns cover them: 25V-274. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Filings jumped in 2025, with 254 complaints, 5.1 times the next busiest year. So far in 2026, 174 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: engine failure, knocking or rod bearing, 126 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
573 complaints is 3.0 times the median 2021 model on this site and 2.2 times the median 2021 pickup. Among the 13 Sierra 1500 model years here it ranks 5th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500
GMC filed 1,451 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. 94 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 3 bulletins · 126 complaints
This bulletin advises the tech to inspect deeper into what may be to main cause of an engine failure.
This bulletin advises the tech to inspect deeper into what may be the main cause of an engine failure.
1 more on this problem
This Preliminary information communicates the following issues and directs dealership to inspect the engine harness for shorting.
Check engine light or misfire 22 bulletins · 104 complaints
Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition that could cause the engine coolant control valve to fail an onboard vehicle diagnostic test.
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of Evaporative DTCs P0442, P0446, P0455 or P0449, Caused by Dust Intrusion into the Evaporative Canister.
20 more on this problem
This service bulletin provides repair information for Engine Wire Harness Chafing to correct customer concerns of IPC Gauges Sweep, IPC Warning Message, SES/Check Engine/MIL, No Start/ No Crank, Runs Rough, Stalls, Reduced Engine Power, Various DTCs.
This Preliminary information communicates the possibility of DTC P30BF failing on low mile vehicles due to the possibility of the cylinder 1/2 sliding barrel binding on intake camshaft.
This bulletin advises the technician of a possible kinked coolant hose that might be causing the customers concern of a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated - DTC P026A Set.
Special Coverage - Certain vehicles may have a condition that could cause the evaporative emissions purge pump to fail. If this condition occurs, the Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine Light) will illuminate and a diagnostic trouble code will set.
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of LM2 Engine Calibration Update for DTC P003A.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the fuel injector and the wiring harness to correct a customer concern of Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated with DTC P0201, P0202, P0203, P0204, P0205, P0206 and/or P0216 Set.
This service bulletin provides diagnostic tips/steps on testing for possible EVAP leaks in the system to correct a customer concern of an MIL Illuminated with DTCs P0442 and/or P0455 Set.
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of Malfunction Indicator Lamp Illuminated with DTC P06DD, P2B60, P26BB, P1098 Set.
This technical bulletin advises to replace the camshaft cover if found within the Julian date and the cause of a customer concern of possible oil consumption with or without DTC P06DD.
This Preliminary information communicates to the dealers information related to a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated with Any Combination of DTCs P0011 P0014 P0016 P0017 Setting.
Plus 10 older ones not listed here.
Engine stalls or loses power while driving 10 bulletins · 88 complaints
This service bulletin advises the technician to check if the transmission cooler lines are twisted to correct customer concerns of Harsh Shift, Shudder, Surge, Stall, Transmission Overheating and/or High Transmission Fluid Temperature.
This engineering information (EI) closure ends the need for gathering further information from technicians in regard to the vehicle having loss of power and/or having the MIL illuminated on DIC.
8 more on this problem
This engineering information (EI) is requesting information from technicians to perform the check list provided and contact the engineer listed in regard to the vehicle having loss of power and/or having the MIL illuminated on the Driver Information Center ...
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on.
This service bulletin provides service information for customer concerns of an in-tank fuel pump whining noise, engine hard to start and/or stalls and Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is illuminated that may be caused by gelling of fuel in cold temperatures.
This Preliminary information communicates some diagnostic tips to inspect for no/low voltage at the ECM for a customers complaints of a SES MIL, Crank No Start, stalling DTC's: P16A7 and/or P16AF.
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of seeing the trailer running lights shut off due to excessive load on the running lamp circuit.
This Preliminary information communicates to the dealer technician that if a customer comments that their vehicle equipped with a 6L80, 6L90, 8L90, 10L80, or 10L1000 transmission has a harsh shift, shudder, stall or high transmission fluid temperature concern ...
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to correct the condition of Information on Vehicles Engine Shuts Off After 30 or 60 Minutes of Idling.
This service bulletin provides information to correct a customer concern of an in-tank fuel pump whining noise, engine hard to start and/or stalls and Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is illuminated.
Engine overheats or leaks coolant 11 bulletins · 53 complaints
This service bulletin advises the technician of possible coolant entering the areas of the engine, either through failed parts or defects in the castings, that may be the cause of the concerns related to the MIL or the engine running rough.
This Preliminary information communicates to dealers? information related to a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated due to a U0672 setting. Advises the technician to perform Electric Engine Coolant Pump connection inspections.
9 more on this problem
This bulletin advises the technician of a possible coolant hose that might be kinked causing the customer concern.
Service Update. Certain vehicles may have a condition in which ice or sludge can accumulate in the Charge Air Cooler (CAC) or Closed Crankcase Ventilation (CCV) system when driving in extremely cold weather conditions (-18°C (0°F) or less).
This bulletin advises the technician to Inspect the position of the head gasket locating tabs to determine if the head gasket(s) has been possibly installed backwards to correct a concern of an Engine Thermostat Tick Noise and/or Running Hot.
This bulletin advises the technician of a possible coolant hose that might be kinked causing the customers concern.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have run hot and or has a tick noise. Technician should inspect the head gaskets to ensure are not installed backwards.
This Preliminary information communicates to dealership technicians to perform a sweep of the coolant flow control valve and test the circuits before replacing the Engine Coolant Flow Control Valve, and to assist engineering in root causing the P2B60.
This informational bulletin advises the technician of possible coolant entering the areas of the engine, either through failed parts or defects in the castings, that may be the cause of the concerns related to the MIL or the engine running rough.
TGhis bulletin advises the technician of a possible coolant hose that might be kinked causing the customers concern.
Customer Satisfaction Program. Certain vehicles, equipped with a gas engine, may have a condition in which the printed circuit board inside of the water pump may have been manufactured incorrectly potentially causing a water pump failure.
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 9 bulletins · 43 complaints
Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition where the transmission control valve has worn, resulting in a gradual loss of pressure within the valve.
This service bulletin helps diagnose/reduce possible CCND issues on Transfer Cases - Service 4WD on DIC, Intermittent Failures, Noise Concerns, Driveline/Steering Vibration/Shudder, Intermittent DTCs/MIL Illuminated, Engagement/Disengagement/Ratcheting ...
7 more on this problem
This service bulletin provides a diagnostic procedure to aid in correcting a customer concern of a Howling, Whining/Whirring Noise, Shudder/Vibration and/or Grinding Noise While in 4HI, 4HI Auto and/or During Parking Lot Maneuvers in Auto Mode.
This service bulletin provides service /diagnostic information to aid with a Transmission Harsh 1-2 Shift Upon First Start Up/Shift of the Day Under Light Throttle.
This informational bulletin provides graphs to help identify possible issues that may cause shaking and shudders and what may be the cause of said issue.
This Technical bulletin provides a repair to correct a condition of Shudder/Surging While Driving.
This service bulletin provides a repair procedure to correct a customer concern of Delayed and/or Harsh Engagement of Transmission Shift After Vehicle Sitting with Engine Off.
This Preliminary information communicates diagnostics to the dealer involving a vehicle shudder concern caused by the camshaft actuator system that can be mistaken for a transmission issue.
This technical bulletin provides a repair procedure to correct a customer concern of Delayed and/or Harsh Engagement of Transmission Shift After Vehicle Sitting with Engine Off.
Engine knocking or ticking 1 bulletin · 39 complaints
Service Update. Certain vehicles may present a broken engine valve spring. This may cause the engine to run rough, an engine knocking or ticking noise, a check engine light illumination, or a possible vehicle stall.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 34 bulletins · 26 complaints
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician how to repair vehicles that Instrument Panel Cluster, Radio, and Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning display blanks out, Bluetooth phone or Pandora connection dropped, the radio ...
This service bulletin provides a procedure to correct radio software concerns.
32 more on this problem
Certain vehicles may have a condition in which a transmission control body screen detaches from the spacer plate when the vehicle is operated in extremely cold weather conditions. Dealers are to reprogram the Transmission Control Module.
This service bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concerns of Radio Software issues.
This service bulletin provides a repair procedure to correct customer concerns of Service Emissions System Displayed on DIC, MIL Illuminated with DTC P249C and/or P20E8 Set.
This PI states that a vehicle may exhibit a concern of the cross traffic alert indicators not displaying on the radio screen.
This service bulletin provides repair information to update radio software to correct customer concerns of Software related issues.
This service bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of Rear View Camera Issues - DTCs B395A, B395B, B395C, B101E, B101D.
This Preliminary information communicates information to the technician that if they receive a vehicle with this concern and verifying the rear view camera is zoomed in, General Motors is aware of this and have created a repair.
This service bulletin provides radio software version 135120 (IOR) update procedures to correct customer concerns of software related issues.
This service bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of Rear View Camera Coaxial Related Issues - DTCs B395A, B395B, B395C, B101E, B101D.
This service bulletin provides repair information on release of Radio Software Version V160 Update to correct customer concerns of radio software issues.
Plus 22 older ones not listed here.
Engine rattles or ticks 4 bulletins · 26 complaints
This service bulletin provides a service procedure to correct a condition of a Ticking Noise from the Engine.
This Preliminary information communicates information on correcting a rattle noise from the underbody exhaust heat shield.
2 more on this problem
This Preliminary information communicates to the dealers information related to a hot idle tick noise from the engine. Testing to isolate the noise to the upper engine / valve train and repair recommendations related to valve train components.
This technical bulletin provides a service procedure to correct a condition of Ticking Noise from the Engine.
Complaints filed by year
254 complaints came in 2025, 5.1 times the year before. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy. Open.
NHTSA summary
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy. Closed aug 20, 2026.
NHTSA summary
Loss of motive power due to engine failure. Open.
NHTSA summary
Loss of motive power due to engine failure. Closed oct 23, 2025, led to recall 25V-274.
NHTSA summary
Air bag malfunction. Closed aug 24, 2023.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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. 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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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. 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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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. 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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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. 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.
All 7 recalls on the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide NHTSA has an open investigation on this car. What the investigation stages mean
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500?
Engine failure, with 126 of the 573 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 59,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 problems start?
Of the 223 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 15,000 miles and half by about 44,000.
Is the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 better or worse than the 2020 and 2022?
Counted per year on the road, the 2021 has more complaints than the 2020 and fewer complaints than the 2022: 96 a year against 67 and 117.
How many 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
13 of them (2%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for engine failure on the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500?
Yes, NHTSA lists a recall on the same system: 25V-274. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.