Your vehicle report

2021 GMC Sierra 1500

The problems owners report. The recalls to check. The evidence behind each.

NHTSA data through October 2026View original NHTSA data Change vehicle

Your vehicle at a glance

Complaint patterns and official recall records, kept distinct.

Owner complaints
596
Received Dec 2020 to Oct 2026
Official recalls listed
7
Naming this model year; check your VIN for applicability
BrakeNews flagged problems
5
Statistical signals, not official defect findings or recalls

Owner reports

Most reported problems

  1. 1
    Chevrolet Silverado loses power and hesitates82 complaints · 14% of this vehicle’s complaints
  2. 2
    Head gasket leaks coolant into engine40 complaints · 6.7% of this vehicle’s complaints
  3. 3
    Engine knocking from rod or main bearings38 complaints · 6.4% of this vehicle’s complaints
See all reported problems

Official NHTSA records

Recalls to check

  • Recall #26V083000General 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.
  • Recall #25V274000General 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.
View recall details

BrakeNews signals

Flagged complaint patterns

Unusual complaint patterns with no matched recall yet. A flag does not mean a recall will happen.

How flags are identified

Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA, not failure rates or a reliability ranking. Reported in these complaints: 6 crashes, 6 fires, 3 people injured, 0 deaths.

Explore by system

Where do owners report problems?

Choose an area on the car or a system below to explore the reported problems.

Schematic car with five system shortcutsGeneric side view, with the front on the left. Numbered links explore engine, brakes, steering, electrical, and body complaints. Text controls below provide the same choices.12345FRONTSCHEMATIC VIEW

Illustrative only; not this vehicle’s exact design. Areas represent complaint categories, not confirmed defective parts.

View selected problems

Showing all 21 listed problems by system.

Engine & powertrain

8 more problems

Brakes

Electrical & lights

Airbags, belts & seats

No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.

Steering, suspension & tires

Body, doors & glass

Driver assistance

Other

No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Complaints received about the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500
40
Show as a table
MonthComplaints
December 20203
January 20211
February 20212
March 20211
April 20212
May 20214
June 20212
July 20213
August 20213
September 20214
October 20214
November 20211
December 20215
January 20226
February 20225
March 20221
April 20223
May 20221
June 20224
July 20220
August 20223
September 20222
October 20223
November 20222
December 20223
January 20235
February 20231
March 20231
April 20237
May 20233
June 20232
July 20230
August 20233
September 20232
October 20231
November 20231
December 20231
January 20242
February 20241
March 20246
April 20243
May 20247
June 20245
July 20243
August 20243
September 20242
October 20245
November 20244
December 20249
January 202520
February 202516
March 202517
April 202534
May 202540
June 202524
July 202532
August 202512
September 202516
October 202514
November 202513
December 202516
January 202619
February 202612
March 202624
April 202616
May 202614
June 202622
July 202622
August 202620
September 202627
October 202621
Total596

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

ProblemComplaintsShareShare ratioStatus
Chevrolet Silverado loses power and hesitates8214%12.4×NHTSA recall #25V274000
Head gasket leaks coolant into engine406.7%2.7×
Engine knocking from rod or main bearings386.4%5×BrakeNews flag · First signal: Sep 2021
Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 4.3%
Check engine light comes on repeatedly264.4%2.4×BrakeNews flag · First signal: Sep 2021
Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 1.9%
Automatic transmission shifts unexpectedly or slips183.0%1.1×NHTSA recall #24V797000, #26V083000
Engine burns excessive oil between changes152.5%2×BrakeNews flag · First signal: Feb 2026
Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 1.9%
Transmission fails or loses power while driving142.4%1.4×
Tailgate or trunk latch fails132.2%2.5×
Power steering cuts out while driving101.7%0.4×
Steering wheel seizes or locks suddenly91.5%0.8×
Brake pedal sinks due to leaking lines91.5%1.2×
Rear door latch fails to open or close81.3%0.8×
Rearview backup camera fails or goes black61.0%0.2×
Engine suddenly shuts off while driving61.0%0.4×
Transmission shudders during acceleration at low speeds61.0%2.8×BrakeNews flag · First signal: May 2025
Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 1.1%
Gear shifter fails to register Park61.0%1.3×
Vehicle suddenly loses engine power at speed61.0%1.4×
Tires blow out or tread separates50.8%–NHTSA recall #20V684000
Infotainment screen ghost-touches and changes on its own50.8%–
Vehicle catches fire from wiring50.8%–
Water leaks into cabin during rain40.7%1.3×BrakeNews flag · First signal: Aug 2026 · Recent surge
Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 2.9%

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

  • NHTSA recall #26V083000February 12, 20261,055 vehicles affected

    power train: automatic transmission: control module: software; 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.

    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 recall #25V274000April 24, 2025597,571 vehicles affected

    engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical

    General 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.

    Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Dealers 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 for this recall is N252494000.

  • NHTSA recall #24V797000October 24, 2024463,295 vehicles affected

    power train: automatic transmission: control module: software; 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.

    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.

  • NHTSA recall #21V985000December 16, 2021626 vehicles affected

    tires: temporary/emergency spare tire

    General 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.

    An ABS system that does not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Dealers 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 number for this recall is N212346510.

  • NHTSA recall #20V811000December 23, 2020470 vehicles affected

    seat belts; seat belts: critical fasteners

    General 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.

    If 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.

    Remedy

    GM 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 recall #20V792000December 17, 2020624,216 vehicles affected

    seat belts; seat belts: critical fasteners

    General 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.

    If 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.

    Remedy

    GM 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 recall #20V684000November 5, 20207,516 vehicles affected

    tires

    General 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.

    Overcured 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.

    Remedy

    GM 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.

Other model years

About this data

NHTSA complaints and recalls through October 2026. Complaints are counted once each, however many components they name. Original complaints are on NHTSA's page for the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500.

Problem groups are formed by AI and may be approximate. BrakeNews flags unusual complaint patterns; they are not official defect findings. Investigation reports are written and checked by AI, with no human review. Owner reports do not establish that a defect exists.

Read the methodology and track record · Check current recalls by VIN