How common are transmission problems in the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500?

NHTSA lists 136 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2021 Sierra 1500, which is 24% of the 570 total complaints filed for that model year.

Is there a transmission recall for the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500?

Yes. NHTSA lists two related recalls, campaign 24V797000 for transmission control module software and campaign 26V083000 for vehicles that may have been repaired incorrectly under an earlier recall.

At what mileage do transmission problems typically show up?

The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 65,561 miles, though some complaints were filed as early as 2,000-3,000 miles.

Have transmission problems caused crashes or fires in the 2021 Sierra 1500?

NHTSA data for this problem area shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries reported.

2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 136 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500, 24% of all 570 complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 65,561 miles. Two related transmission control module recalls (24V797000 and 26V083000) cover this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints: 136; 24% of 570
Crashes reported: 0
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 0
Median mileage: 65,561 mi
Related recalls: 2

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

Transmission shifts hard or jerks when accelerating after highway driving, especially at speeds under 40 mph following highway speeds over 70 mph.
Truck hesitates and thuds when shifting from reverse into drive at very low speeds, around 1-2 mph.
Transmission shifts erratically, jumping into a lower gear and jerking the truck forward or slowing it abruptly without driver input.
Owners report a whining noise coming from the transmission that dealers diagnosed as requiring full transmission replacement.
Vehicle shudders and shakes in the rear while failing to accelerate as expected when the pedal is depressed.
One owner reported delays getting parts for the transmission control module recall repair, with the manufacturer exceeding a reasonable repair timeframe.

When 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 27, 2021, latest Sep 24, 2026.

136 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2021 to Sep 2026; peak May 2025 (13).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500

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 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.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Sierra 1500 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

200522 (7%)
200616 (8%)
200710 (3%)
20088 (2%)
20099 (3%)
20105 (2%)
201132 (9%)
20128 (5%)
20138 (5%)
201480 (9%)
2015109 (14%)
201692 (24%)
2017144 (34%)
2018132 (41%)
2019140 (21%)
202096 (20%)
2021136 (24%)
2022108 (18%)
202391 (19%)
202468 (19%)
202525 (22%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are transmission problems in the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500?: NHTSA lists 136 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2021 Sierra 1500, which is 24% of the 570 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500?: Yes. NHTSA lists two related recalls, campaign 24V797000 for transmission control module software and campaign 26V083000 for vehicles that may have been repaired incorrectly under an earlier recall.
At what mileage do transmission problems typically show up?: The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 65,561 miles, though some complaints were filed as early as 2,000-3,000 miles.
Have transmission problems caused crashes or fires in the 2021 Sierra 1500?: NHTSA data for this problem area shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries reported.