2021 GMC Sierra 1500 · symptom sheet
Engine rattles or ticks
- 26owner reports
- 39,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Aug 20, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026
337 of the 553 complaints on this car are about the engine. 26 of those describe engine rattle.
Tick what matches of 26 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the lifters (10 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the engine covers the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
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.
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Sierra 1500
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
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 22,000 and 56,802 miles, from the 9 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Driving normal traffic . Started hearing ticking . Check engine light flashing ,service esc and braking system light up. Parking not loud ticking from engine bay”
Filed Apr 29, 2026
“Heard a ticking noise then check engine light started blinking along with service esc and parking brake. Took it to the dealer and I had a bad lifter again. I was previously repair for lifters under warranty a little over 2 years ago.”
Filed Dec 4, 2025
“At cold start-up, engine (6.2) makes a metal-to-metal grinding sound for 60-90 seconds. After warm-up, a steady tick on the right side of the engine while running. I contacted GM and they said, " this was normal at start up". however, with me being a mechanical engineer, all of my school and working experience tells me anything grinding metal to metal is not good.”
Filed Apr 2, 2025
“5300 miles and when you accelerate it knocks and or ticks, and loss of power all lights on dash came on”
Filed May 16, 2021 · 5,300 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 26 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 119 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 101 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 86 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 50 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 41 reports