2021 GMC Sierra 1500 · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 88owner reports
- 29,000median miles
- $1,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 18, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
481 of the 573 complaints on this car are about the engine. 88 of those describe stalling.
Tick what matches of 88 reports
Stalling on other Sierra 1500 years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2016, 2018, 2025.
What this problem usually is
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (8 reports) and the battery (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
3 recalls on the engine cover the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up.
The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
All 7 recalls on the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Sierra 1500
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy. Open.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy. Closed aug 20, 2026.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure. Open.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure. Closed oct 23, 2025, led to recall 25V-274.
Pedestrian alert sounds. Closed aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V-063.
Non-crash engine compartment fires. Closed sep 8, 2008, led to recall 08V-441.
Non-crash engine compartment fires. Closed jun 12, 2008.
What owners paid
9 of the 88 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $800 to $5,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 7,000 and 83,000 miles, from the 35 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 12 service bulletins or notices for the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 that deal with this problem. 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.
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.
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.
8 more on the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 page.
What owners wrote
“Transmission stopped at 29,000 miles, engine died and was replaced at 32,000 miles”
Filed Sep 1, 2026 · 29,000 miles
“Driving 75mph towing a 24' trailer and the motor just shut down and almost caused a massive pile up on [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”
Filed Apr 11, 2025
“Engine failure. Engine Locked up and truck shut down in the middle of the Freeway. Barely made it to the side of the road.”
Filed Apr 7, 2025
“While driving the vehicle shut off in the middle of the roadway. It sat in the road till it got towed. Brought it to the dealership where it was purchased and they said the engine was blown. Themis vehicle is equipped with the 6.2 motor. It happened February 16th. The dealership confirmed the engine failed. It is siting currently at the dealership and could be available for inspection.”
Filed Mar 4, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 88 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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 126 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 104 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 53 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 43 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 26 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 26 reports