2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 ranks 4th worst out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 85 and an Avoid verdict. NHTSA logs 570 complaints, 7 recalls, and 6 fires, with engine problems making up 62% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 85/100
- #4 of 21 Sierra 1500 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 570
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 15.5 city / 21 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine351 (62%)
- Transmission & Powertrain136 (24%)
- Electrical System75 (13%)
- Other42 (7%)
- Fuel System36 (6%)
- Steering33 (6%)
- Brakes24 (4%)
- Structure & Body22 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires18 (3%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras9 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine bay fires and sudden loud noises under the hood while driving at highway speed, sometimes followed by flames near the rear wheel or engine compartment.
- Some owners report engine failures involving lifter or piston rod damage, occasionally leading to a full engine replacement and a later second failure.
- Brake system warnings such as "brake failure" messages appear before sudden loss of braking in stop-and-go traffic.
- Airbag systems reportedly failed to deploy during a rear-end crash while smoke appeared inside the cabin.
- Steering and brakes reportedly locked up together at low speed, forcing the driver to stop by hitting a curb.
- A sharp interior structural edge near the front seats reportedly caused a hand injury when reaching for a dropped object.
2021 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V083000Feb 12, 2026Transmission & Powertrain1,055 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:fluid/lubricant:valves/valve body
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: Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.
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.
- NHTSA 25V274000Apr 24, 2025Engine597,571 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
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: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
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 24V797000Oct 24, 2024Transmission & Powertrain463,295 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:fluid/lubricant:valves/valve body
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: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
2021 GMC Sierra 1500 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15.5 MPG
- Highway
- 21 MPG
- Combined
- 17 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2021 compared with other Sierra 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Sierra 1500 ranks 4th worst of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 85 and an Avoid verdict relative to other Sierra 1500 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500?
- Engine issues account for 62% of complaints (351 complaints, median failure mileage 56,901), followed by transmission and powertrain issues at 24% (136 complaints, median mileage 65,561).
- Does the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2021 Sierra 1500, covering transmission control software, the engine, suspension/wheel tires, and seat belt bolts and brackets.
- How many fires and crashes were reported for the 2021 Sierra 1500?
- NHTSA data shows 6 fire reports, 5 crashes, and 2 injuries among the 570 complaints filed for this model year.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500?
- EPA rates it at 17 mpg combined (15.5 city / 21 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,800.