2021 GMC Sierra electrical problems
76 of the 575 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2021 GMC Sierra name the electrical system (NHTSA’s “Electrical System” heading — wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading). Filed under the same heading: 326 manufacturer bulletins. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the electrical system
Source: NHTSA complaint database0 of the 76 reports a crash · 3 a fire · 1 injury. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2020: 1 · 2021: 5 · 2022: 10 · 2023: 8 · 2024: 13 · 2025: 20 · 2026: 19
Half of the 17 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the electrical problem between 3,000 and 63,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
575 complaints in all about the 2021 GMC Sierra, 19 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Electrical System” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: GMC Sierra electrical problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the electrical system. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the dashboard gauges, instrument cluster, and infotainment center malfunctioned and became inoperable.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to operate as needed. The service parking brake, check engine, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while using the GPS, the digital speedometer failed to operate as needed. The contact notified the dealer of the failure and the system was rebooted; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened.
While driving, when approaching speed of 40 mph, the engine begins to have dull shutter intermittently as though I am going over pot holes or rumble strips when I am not. Regardless of time or day or weather the truck has performed in this way. I have had it to the dealership twice for the issue.
The console radio dash has gone completely black while both driving and while using it for the speaker/phone system. The incident resulted in the entire system restarting
What is on file about the electrical system
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications326 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
The 0 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
P0300 P12A6 P30BF P0442 P0455 C1114 P0201 P0202
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2021 GMC Sierra names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2021 GMC Sierra
Source: the same files- engine problems 355 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 139 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre electrical problems common on the 2021 GMC Sierra?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 76 owner complaints naming the electrical system on this model year (13% of everything owners filed about it), and 326 manufacturer bulletins are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the electrical system on the 2021 GMC Sierra?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading for this model year (there are 7 filed under other headings). A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do electrical problems show up on the 2021 GMC Sierra?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 23,300 miles; half of them between 3,000 and 63,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Electrical System" heading cover?
Wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.