2021 GMC Sierra transmission and drivetrain problems
139 of the 575 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2021 GMC Sierra name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). Filed under the same heading: 188 manufacturer bulletins, 2 recalls. 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 transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA complaint database0 of the 139 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2021: 3 · 2022: 4 · 2023: 2 · 2024: 7 · 2025: 75 · 2026: 48
Half of the 22 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 35,000 and 103,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
575 complaints in all about the 2021 GMC Sierra, 48 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 “Power Train” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: GMC Sierra transmission and drivetrain problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain. 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 received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available.
transmission has a shudder when accelerating and after shifting through all gears (8speed) during cruise mode when going on an incline as in overpass it starts to shudder and seems like it is trying to find the right gear to go into
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the rear of the vehicle was shuddering and shaking.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a whining sound coming from the transmission. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed and determined that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecalls filed under this heading
- 26V083000 CriticalFeb 12, 2026 · 1,055 vehicles
- 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.
- 24V797000 CriticalOct 24, 2024 · 463,295 vehicles
- 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.
188 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
P12A6 P1098 P0747 P2714 P2B85 P3055
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
- electrical problems 76 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2021 GMC Sierra?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 139 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (24% of everything owners filed about it), and 188 manufacturer bulletins, 2 recalls 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 transmission and drivetrain on the 2021 GMC Sierra?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading: 26V083000, 24V797000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the 2021 GMC Sierra?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 65,561 miles; half of them between 35,000 and 103,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.