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2021 GMC Sierra

GasDiesel
Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
36 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
35 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls1 critical10
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA624
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA26 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016
Active NHTSA advisory: park outside and away from structures until repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and see the recall details below.

The 2021 GMC Sierra is sold in the U.S. as a gas and diesel pickup truck with 36 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Sierra 2WD, is EPA-rated at 26 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 624 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Sierra 2WDGasRWD2.7L 4-cyl turbo202321$2,950
Sierra 2WDGasRWD2.7L 4-cyl turbo202321$2,950
Sierra 2WDGasRWD5.3L 8-cyl172319$3,300
Sierra 4WDGas4WD5.3L 8-cyl162219$3,300
Sierra 4WDGas4WD2.7L 4-cyl turbo182119$3,300
Sierra 4WDGas4WD2.7L 4-cyl turbo182019$3,300
Sierra 4WDGas4WD5.3L 8-cyl162118$3,450
Sierra 4WDGas4WD5.3L 8-cyl152118$3,450
Sierra 4WD AT4Gas4WD5.3L 8-cyl162118$3,450
Sierra 4WD AT4Gas4WD5.3L 8-cyl162118$3,450
Sierra 2WDGasRWD5.3L 8-cyl152117$3,650
Sierra 2WDGasRWD4.3L 6-cyl162117$3,650
Sierra 2WDGasRWD5.3L 8-cyl152217$3,650
Sierra 4WDGas4WD6.2L 8-cyl162017$4,550
Sierra 4WDGas4WD5.3L 8-cyl152017$3,650
Sierra 4WDGas4WD4.3L 6-cyl152017$3,650
Sierra 4WD AT4Gas4WD6.2L 8-cyl151917$4,550
Sierra 4WD AT4Gas4WD5.3L 8-cyl152117$3,650
Sierra Cab Chassis 2WDGasRWD4.3L 6-cyl151917$3,650
Sierra 2WDGasRWD5.3L 8-cyl151916$3,900
Sierra 2WDGasRWD5.3L 8-cyl142116$3,900
Sierra 4WDGas4WD5.3L 8-cyl141816$3,900
Sierra 4WDGas4WD5.3L 8-cyl142016$3,900
Sierra 4WDGas4WD5.3L 8-cyl142016$3,900
Sierra 4WDGas4WD6.2L 8-cyl152016$4,850
Sierra 4WD AT4Gas4WD5.3L 8-cyl141816$3,900
Sierra 4WD AT4Gas4WD5.3L 8-cyl142016$3,900
Sierra 4WD AT4Gas4WD6.2L 8-cyl141916$4,850
Sierra Cab Chassis 2WDGasRWD5.3L 8-cyl141815$4,150
Sierra Cab Chassis 4WDGas4WD5.3L 8-cyl141715$4,150
Sierra Cab Chassis 4WDGas4WD4.3L 6-cyl141615$4,150
Sierra Cab Chassis 2WDGasRWD5.3L 8-cyl131814$4,450
Sierra Cab Chassis 4WDGas4WD5.3L 8-cyl131714$4,450
Sierra 2WDDieselRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo233026$3,450
Sierra 4WDDiesel4WD3.0L 6-cyl turbo222624$3,750
Sierra 4WD AT4Diesel4WD3.0L 6-cyl turbo222624$3,750

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 43189, 43190, 43094, 43111, 43196, 43315, 43113, 44031, 43112, 43114.

Factory warranty running out?

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Recalls (10)

Source: NHTSA recall database
○minor

Power Train

N252516560
1,055 vehicles
ProblemGeneral 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.RiskRear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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 campaign 26V083000reported Feb 12, 2026General Motors, LLC
▲high

Engine And Engine Cooling

N252494000
597,571 vehicles
ProblemGeneral 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.RiskEngine failure increases the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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
NHTSA campaign 25V274000reported Apr 24, 2025General Motors, LLC
○minor

Power Train

N242454440
463,295 vehicles
ProblemGeneral 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.RiskRear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 24V797000reported Oct 24, 2024General Motors, LLC
▲high

Latches/Locks/Linkages

N232426400
570,434 vehicles
ProblemGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with power-unlatching tailgates. The tailgate's electronic gate-release switch may short circuit due to water intrusion, which can result in the tailgate inadvertently unlatching while the vehicle is in park.RiskAn unlatched tailgate may open while driving and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.FixOwners are advised to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2024. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232426400.
NHTSA campaign 24V060000reported Feb 1, 2024General Motors, LLC
▲high

Tires

N212346510
626 vehicles
ProblemGeneral 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.RiskAn ABS system that does not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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 num
NHTSA campaign 21V985000reported Dec 16, 2021General Motors, LLC
!critical

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

N212349181
Park outside3,241 vehicles
ProblemGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles with electronic brake control modules (EBCM) replaced during vehicle assembly. The bolts that attach the brake pressure modulator valve (BPMV) assembly may not be properly tightened, which could fail to seal the two sub-assemblies and allow water intrusion.RiskWater in the BPMV may cause an electrical short circuit and increase the risk of fire.FixOwners are advised to park outside and away from other structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will replace the BPMV assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 20, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212349181.
NHTSA campaign 21V758000reported Sep 29, 2021General Motors, LLC
▲high

Tires

N212329780
86 vehicles
ProblemGeneral Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and GMC Sierra 2500 vehicles equipped with a 17" spare tire (RPO ZHQ or ZXT) and either the 20" accessory road tire (RPO REM) or the 18" accessory road tire (RPO Q2V). Operating the spare tire with other 20" or 18" tires can prevent the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) from engaging.RiskAn ABS system that cannot control the rear wheels independently increases the risk of a crash.FixDealers will provide the appropriate spare tire and apply a new spare tire information label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 18, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212329780.
NHTSA campaign 21V578000reported Jul 29, 2021General Motors, LLC
▲high

Seat Belts

N202322230
470 vehicles
ProblemGeneral 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.RiskIf a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.FixGM 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.
NHTSA campaign 20V811000reported Dec 23, 2020General Motors, LLC
▲high

Seat Belts

N202314670
624,216 vehicles
ProblemGeneral 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.RiskIf a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.FixGM 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.
NHTSA campaign 20V792000reported Dec 17, 2020General Motors, LLC
▲high

Tires

N202319030
7,516 vehicles
ProblemGeneral 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.RiskOvercured tires may experience a carcass break in the sidewall resulting in a sudden air loss or could develop a belt edge separation which could lead to partial or full tread/belt loss. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.FixGM 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.
NHTSA campaign 20V684000reported Nov 5, 2020General Motors LLC

NHTSA defect investigations

Engine — Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy open

On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001.  This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V-274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement. General Motors (GM) issued Recall 25V-274 to address concerns of engine failure in the L87 engines produced between March 1, 2021 and May 31, 2024. GM cited the root cause as a supplier manufacturing and quality issue. GM’s recall remedy for Recall 25V-274 consisted of two different repairs, either an oil viscosity change o

Opened Aug 20, 2026 · action EA26005

Engine — Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy closed

On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001.  This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V-274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement. General Motors (GM) issued Recall 25V-274 to address concerns of engine failure in the L87 engines produced between March 1, 2021 and May 31, 2024. GM cited the root cause as a supplier manufacturing and quality issue. GM’s recall remedy for Recall 25V-274 consisted of two different repairs, either an oil viscosity change o

Opened Jan 16, 2026 · closed Aug 20, 2026 · action RQ26001

Engine — Loss of motive power due to engine failure open

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 1,157 reports of engine bearing failure failures in the L87 6.2L engine produced by General Motors (GM). Of the 1,157 reports received, 173 are outside of the scope of recall 25V-274. These engines are installed in Model Years (MY) 2019–2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, and 2021-2024MY Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, GMC Yukon/Yukon XL, and Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV vehicles. The subject engine failures were investigated as part of a Preliminary Evaluation (PE25001).  GM determined that these engine failures were due to multiple supplier manufacturing and quality issues. GM issued recall 25V-274 to address the supp

Opened Oct 23, 2025 · action EA25007

Engine — Loss of motive power due to engine failure closed

On January 16, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE25001 after receiving complaints and field reports concerning engine failures in MY2019-2024 GM’s full-size truck and SUV T1XX platform equipped with the L87 6.2L V8 engine. These complainants alleged engine bearing failures resulting in knocking and growling noises from the engine’s bottom end and in some cases more severe consequences such as broken connecting rods leading to engine damage, or engine failure. If the engine fails during vehicle operation, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. On April 24, 2025, GM issued recall 25V-274 to address the concern with L8

Opened Jan 16, 2025 · closed Oct 23, 2025 · action PE25001

Air Bags:Srs Malfunction Warning Lamp/Light — Air Bag Malfunction closed

On April 9, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE21-010 to investigate instances of air bag malfunction indicator light (MIL) illumination and potential for frontal air bag non-deployment in several vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM). The vehicles included model year (MY) 2020 through 2021 CT4 and CT5 passenger cars, Sierra and Silverado trucks (1500/2500/3500 models), XT4 and MY 2021 Escalade, Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon SUVs.Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 21-NA-005, issued in March 2021, addresses air bag MIL illumination with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) B0001-1B or B0012-0D. It cites rust particles in the connection terminal interface of the driver air bag

Opened Apr 9, 2021 · closed Aug 24, 2023 · action PE21010

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
624complaints filed

9 involved a crash · 7 a fire · 3 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2020: 3 · 2021: 36 · 2022: 44 · 2023: 32 · 2024: 68 · 2025: 276 · 2026: 165

Most-cited components

Engine303
Power Train154
Electrical System84
Engine And Engine Cooling48
Unspecified43
Fuel/Propulsion System36

What owners describe

“The contact filed the complaint on behalf of the owner of a 2021 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that while the vehicle owner was driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver noticed that the rear wheels were attempting to lockup. The contact stated that the failure was noticeable while driving forward and while rev…”Jun 12, 2026 · Service Brakes · NHTSA owner report
“During takeoff the transmission acted as if it was in neutral while I was crossing traffic luckily, the semi truck that was coming towards me was able to stop. I had the vehicle towed to a shop. After the vehicle was towed to the shop the transmission acted normal when the mechanic searched the VIN number. There was a …”Nov 24, 2025 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that while his wife had the vehicle idling with the rear defroster activated, shortly afterwards, she observed smoke coming from the plastic on the rear sliding window. After a visual inspection, the contact's wife observed that the plastic was melting, prompt…”Sep 8, 2025 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
PU/EC 2WD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆19%
PU/EC 4WD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆20%
PU/RC 2WD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆19%
PU/RC 4WD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆20%
PU/CC 2WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆19%
PU/CC 4WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆20%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Compare the 2021 Sierra with

2021 Ford F-150 →2021 Chevrolet Silverado →2021 Ram 1500 →2021 Toyota Tacoma →

Other Sierra model years

F

2026 GMC Sierra

6 recalls · 120 complaints

D

2025 GMC Sierra

4 recalls · 161 complaints

F

2024 GMC Sierra

8 recalls · 501 complaints

C

2023 GMC Sierra

4 recalls · 517 complaints

F

2022 GMC Sierra

8 recalls · 646 complaints

F

2020 GMC Sierra

16 recalls · 592 complaints

F

2019 GMC Sierra

17 recalls · 705 complaints

F

2018 GMC Sierra

12 recalls · 366 complaints

F

2017 GMC Sierra

10 recalls · 477 complaints

F

2016 GMC Sierra

12 recalls · 454 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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