Complaint volume
487 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2021 GMC Sierra Complaints
487 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2021 GMC Sierra, grouped by component category.
487 Total complaints
5 Crash reports
6 Fire reports
2 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are engine, power train, engine and engine cooling. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 5 crash reports, 6 fire reports, 2 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 104 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 51,093 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to engine, power train, engine and engine cooling?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2021 GMC Sierra?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2021 GMC Sierra
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2021 GMC Sierra complaints?
5 Crash
6 Fire
2 Injury
0 Fatality
30 Towed
3 Medical attention
What are the most common 2021 GMC Sierra complaint categories?
ENGINE 156
POWER TRAIN 59
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 37
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 29
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 26
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 14
STEERING 13
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE 12
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 9
SERVICE BRAKES 9
487 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2025 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the tailgate opened independently. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while the vehicle was parked at the residence, the contact approached the vehicle and the tailgate attempted to open independently. The contact moved the vehicle and turned off the engine. The tailgate attempted to open independently again. The contact moved the key fob away from the vehicle to prevent the tailgate from opening. No warning lights were illuminated. Most recently, the vehicle was parked at the residence in front of a toolbox, when the tailgate opened independently and dented the tailgate. The contact called the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to Manufacturer Recall Number: N232426400. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,300. | Crash: No Fire: No | 90,300 |
| Aug 2025 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the engine was previously replaced under warranty. The contact stated that the vehicle had been experiencing excessive oil consumption and required three quarts of oil every 30 days. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle shuddered abnormally and there was an abnormal metallic sound coming from the engine before the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the residence. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that a service advisor would return the call. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 129,000 |
| Aug 2025 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | This vehicle experienced catastrophic engine failure while I was on vacation 400 miles from home. I have researched this failure and there is a class action lawsuit against GMC. My truck has been at the dealer for 25 days and still waiting for authorization from Fidelity Warranty Services. Considering it’s such a common problem I feel GMC should be paying for this. At the very least the warranty company is aware of this problem and purposely delaying the authorization to repair. I just bought a new camper which I cannot use. I am fisherman and cannot use my boat. My beach pass is also on the vehicle. So essentially my summer has been ruined by a company that produced a faulty vehicle and didn’t discord this information to me. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | ENGINE | ⸻ Background: •2021 GMC Sierra Denali – 6.2L V8 •VIN included in GM’s engine defect recall (connecting rod/crankshaft) •Recall status shows “No current remedy available” •Defect acknowledged by GM can cause “engine damage, loss of propulsion, or complete engine failure.” Timeline of Events: •~1 month ago – Truck began running rough with noticeable ticking/knocking noise. •Dealer could not schedule appointment for 3 weeks. •08/08/2025 – Dealer inspection confirmed failed lifters and damaged camshaft. •Repair estimate: $9,300 (see attached dealer estimate). Connection to Recall: •Lifter and camshaft are internal engine components dependent on the same lubrication and oiling system as the crankshaft/connecting rods cited in the recall defect. •The defect’s potential to contaminate oil and cause internal engine damage makes this failure consistent with recall-related damage. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | ENGINE | This recall has been coming for some time now its out and GM still has no plan or action. This is our only auto and my understanding if this issue happens it could cause loss of life. I am concerned for my wife driving to work every day and what happens if we want to take a trip. We need resolution on this. Apr 24,2025 Manufacturer Recall NumberN252494000 NHTSA Recall Number25V274 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEAT BELTS,LANE DEPARTURE | 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 [XXX] miles 36,500. My childs seatbelt does not work and the lane keep assist does not work INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | POWER TRAIN | What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The Coolant Control Valve has stopped working. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? While driving the truck can overheat very quickly which can lead to dangerous temperatures as well as cause me to make an emergency stop on the highway to allow the truck to cool down. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, I have discussed with a dealership in person and independent mechanic who have confirmed the issue and confirmed it is a very common issue. So common that the only replacement part for the problem is backordered. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No, they confirmed the issue without inspecting the vehicle because of how common it happens. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There were no warnings before the issue. The issue happened and then the check engine light turned on as well as a "reduced engine power" message. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The dealer informed the contact that there was no anticipated date for the recall repair parts availability. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 137,000 |
| Jul 2025 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000(Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the roadway. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that prior to the engine failure, the transmission was replaced. The dealer was contacted regarding the recall remedy, but the dealer was unable to provide an estimated time of availability. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 20,000 |
| Jul 2025 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Fuel tank leaking. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000(Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | ENGINE | Coolant Control Valve is faulty. Part number 24001355 for my GMC Diesel Sierra 1500. The check engine light goes on and sometimes the engine power will be cut in half to protect the engine. It can be inspected when needed. My truck cannot go as fast and the Engine fans sound very loud to cool down the engine. I was 3 hours away from my house when this happened the first time and I wasn’t sure I would make it home. I had to let the engine cool down for about 6 hours after I pulled off of the highway. This has happened two times so far and happens when the AC is on and sometimes when you use the remote start it won’t start the truck remotely and the check engine light goes on. The problem started in July 2025 with 51,000 miles. The engine control module code is P1098. I have asked my GMC dealership to look at the issue and they have told me that the part is backlogged for at least 2 months and they will not look at my truck until the part is available. I haven’t had any other issues with the engine so far and this was the first time a check engine light has gone on. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | ENGINE | The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the check engine warning light started flashing and the vehicle was shaking with a misfire coming from the engine. Additionally, there was black and greyish smoke coming from the tailpipe. The Roadside Assistance request message was displayed on the instrument cluster. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with a misfire. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the residence, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the lifter had dropped, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | My rear electric window is leaking into my back seat area and the ceiling of the truck has water stains. It is coming from the roof and is leaking in 3 different areas. I am afraid I will now have mold in my car and I can’t have my grandchildren in the car to be safe for them. I had it checked at a local GMC dealer and I had to pay for a leak speacialist to verify and they confirmed the window has a leak. The leak started in April 2025 and has slowly gotten worse. The dealership said I will need to replace my back window to fix the issue and gave me an estimate of $1,100 and said my extended warranty will not cover this issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | I own a 2021 GMC Denali with a 6.2L V8 L87 engine and 45,500 miles. I have confirmed the presence of metal shavings in the oil and oil filter, indicating that the engine is beginning to fail. When I took the vehicle to my local dealership, I was informed that there is currently no fix for this issue and was advised to continue driving the vehicle. This poses a serious safety risk—not just to me and my family but also to others on the road. A sudden loss of power could lead to a dangerous accident, and I do not want to be responsible for something preventable that could harm innocent people. My concern is that GM is aware of this engine issue but has instructed me to keep driving the vehicle, despite the known defect. How can GM be allowed to avoid accountability for such a critical safety matter? If a fatal accident were to occur, would the responsibility fall on GM or the NHTSA for failing to act? It’s also troubling that GM continues to profit by selling new vehicles, including the 2025 models, with similar issues, all while neglecting to provide solutions for affected customers like me. I purchased this $80,000 truck in good faith, but now no dealer wants to trade or buy these trucks without me taking a significant financial loss—something GM should be responsible for. As a taxpayer, I find it unacceptable that we bailed out GM in the mid-2000s, yet they continue to disregard accountability for their actions. I urge the NHTSA to take this issue seriously. A specific deadline should be set for GM to resolve this issue, and they should face daily penalties for every day they fail to provide a fix. If no resolution is possible, full refunds should be mandated. Please address this issue promptly, as it affects real people’s safety and financial well-being every day. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that there was an abnormal change with the RPM. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The dealer received an email from the manufacturer, but the verbiage was incorrect to move forward with the repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | 39,000 |
| Jul 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The plastic frame of the rear sliding window failed. This has allowed water to enter the cabin, which can cause mold and other health issues. This seems to be a common issue with these trucks. My truck has a certified preowned warranty and GMC said they would only cover part of it. They charged me $400 as a deductible, which there should be no deductible per certified preowned warranty. I feel like GMC needs to put out an official recall. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled, lost motive power, with smoke came from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact attempted to start the vehicle and noticed a knocking sound coming from the engine with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that parts were not yet available. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle had a Salvage Title and would not be repaired under the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 48,000 |
| Jul 2025 | ENGINE | P1098 Code - Coolant Control Valve on/off/on/off. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | ENGINE | The coolant control valve (Part # 24001355) has failed. Apparently this is the case with many vehicles and GM will not/can not get replacement parts. This should be a recall. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | POWER TRAIN | AT AROUND 60,000 MILES I HAD EXPERIENCED SHUTTERING AND JERKING IN LOW GEARS AND THE VEHICLE SHOOTS FORWARD WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. I WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN A SHORT TIME AFTER AND I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT NEEDED A TRANSMISSION FLUSH. I COMPLETED THE FLUSH AND AFTER A WEEK OR TWO IT STARTED DOING IT AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY ADVISED IT IS THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY THAT IS BAD. I BELIEVE THIS STARTED HAPPENING BEFORE MY WARRANTY WAS OUT BUT DUE TO ME BRINGING IT IN AFTER THE MILEAGE THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY. THIS COULD CAUSE MULTIPLE HAZARDS AT STOPS AND WHILE DRIVING. NO WARNING LAMPS OR MESSAGE HAVE EVER APPEARED. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | ENGINE | When I started my truck in the morning I noticed the check engine light came on and my engine fan started running really loudly. I shut my truck off and let it sit for 5 minutes and restarted it in hopes the check engine light would not appear. Unfortunately it did come back on and the engine fan began running really loudly again. I drove the truck to the nearest mechanic and you could feel the truck was trying to counter the problem by forcing me to drive it in a lower speed. After taking it to a shop to get it scanned to see what the code was. The mechanic said it was reading code P1006 three times. He said this coolant system and is why my engine fan was triggered to run really loudly. But the engine was not over heating as all other indicators showed that temps were normal. The mechanic believes it could possibly just be a faulty wire. However after talking to GM he said if it is this coolant part that needs to be replaced, it could take up to months to fix as the part is on national backorder. Doing more research, it appears others have had this same problem and GM even knew shortly after this model was released that this would happen. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | The check engine light came on at one point. I took it to figure out why the check engine light was coming on and the scanner indicated that the NOX catalyst was below threshold. I researched it and it is a common issue. The check engine light eventually turned off after a couple of days. About 2 weeks later it came back on. I noticed as i was driving the coolant fans were running at 100% meaning that they were blowing long and hard. So I scanned it and it said that the engine coolant valve was at fault. This is also a common issue with the vehicle, particularly in the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 3.0 Turbo Diesel. It is a faulty part and it costs thousands of dollars to replace. How can these two issues not be on a national recall by GM? They are too common and very expensive to repair. This issue is so common that now the valve is on a national back order. Meaning the parts may not be available for 30-120 days. The vehicle is not safe to drive with a bad engine coolant valve. I have now a rental car for the past 7 days while my truck sits waiting for a valve to arrive and pay thousands in repair just to drive it again. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | wn a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 6.2L (VIN: [XXX] ), which is now experiencing a severe misfire, engine ticking, and diagnostic code P318A. I’ve confirmed this issue is related to GM Recall N252494001 for engine connecting rod/crankshaft failure. However, I’ve been told my VIN has not yet been activated for recall repairs, and both the local dealership and GMC support have refused to escalate my case or offer assistance. This is a known safety issue, and I’m now at risk of total engine failure and significant financial loss while waiting for GM to act. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |