CSR

GMC · NHTSA safety record

2021 GMC Sierra 1500

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

534

Complaints

5

Crashes

6

Fires

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 have filed 534 safety complaints with NHTSA between December 2020 and August 2026. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 276 of them (52%). The typical failure was reported at 48,000 miles, the median across the 113 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Complaints more than doubled year on year: 256 in the twelve months to 2026-Q1, against 94 in the twelve before.

NHTSA has issued 7 recalls covering this vehicle. A further 2 defect investigations are open and unresolved.

Recalls (7)

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

26V083000 · February 12, 2026

The defect
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.
The risk
Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.
The 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.

General Motors, LLC · up to 1,055 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL

25V274000 · April 24, 2025

The defect
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.
The risk
Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
The 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.

General Motors, LLC · up to 597,571 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

24V797000 · October 24, 2024

The defect
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.
The risk
Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.

General Motors, LLC · up to 463,295 vehicles across all model years covered

TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

21V985000 · December 16, 2021

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

General Motors, LLC · up to 626 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS

20V811000 · December 23, 2020

The defect
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.
The risk
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.
The 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.

General Motors, LLC · up to 470 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS

20V792000 · December 17, 2020

The defect
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.
The risk
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.
The 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.

General Motors, LLC · up to 624,216 vehicles across all model years covered

TIRES

20V684000 · November 5, 2020

The defect
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.
The risk
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.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 7,516 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (4)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy

RQ26001

Still open recall query · opened January 16, 2026

the engine

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 36 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging engine failure in vehicles subject to Recall 25V274. In each VOQ, the engine had the recall remedy completed prior to the reported failure incident. Recall 25V-274 addresses vehicles equipped with a L87 6.2L V8 gas engine that experienced engine damage or failure. Recall 25V-274’s remedy includes an engine inspection.  Based on the results of the inspection the vehicle will receive an oil change to a higher viscosity oil or an engine replacement.  The complaints received allege failures of both remedies. ODI is opening this Recall Query (RQ) to assess the adequacy of the remedy for Recall 25V-274. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Loss of motive power due to engine failure

EA25007

Still open engineering analysis · opened October 23, 2025

the engine, the engine and its cooling

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 supplier manufacturing and quality issues produced between March 1, 2021, and May 31, 2024. Based on the issuance of recall 25V-274, NHTSA has closed PE25001. ODI continues to receive a significant number of reports of engine failure in vehicles outside the scope of 25V-274.  This presents a potential safety risk that warrants further investigation.  ODI is opening this Engineering Analysis (EA) to further evaluate the scope and severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related issues of vehicles built outside the recall scope. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Loss of motive power due to engine failure

PE25001

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened January 16, 2025 · closed October 23, 2025 · led to recall 25V274

the engine, the engine and its cooling

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 L87 engines produced between March 1, 2021, and May 31, 2024.  GM cited the root cause as a supplier manufacturing and quality issues. GM’s  recall remedy will be either an oil change to an oil with a different viscosity or engine replacement depending on the results of the remedy inspection procedure. To date, ODI has received 1,157 allegations of engine bearing failure. GM submitted 55,464 reports in total, with 29,752 unique VINs. ODI continues to receive allegations of L87 engine failures which fall outside of the scope of recall 25V-274. Based on GM’s recall, ODI will close this PE. NHTSA will continue to investigate complaints of engine failure outside the scope of recall 25V-274 as part ofEngineering Analysis (EA25007). To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Air Bag Malfunction

PE21010

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened April 9, 2021 · closed August 24, 2023

the air bags

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 inflator housing as the cause of the air bag MIL illumination. Illumination of the air bag MIL under these circumstances may result in a non-deployment of the frontal driver air bag during a frontal collision and increased risk of injury to the driver.GM stated a correlation exists between production delays due to the pandemic shutdown and premature corrosion initiation on the surface of the air bag inflator housing, which, in some cases, caused rust development during a seven (7) month period of vehicle production. In the rare instance when a rust particle dislodges from the driver air bag inflator housing and enters the air bag connector prior to assembly, an intermittent resistance spike at the air bag connector may result. The condition generates excessive resistance in the air bag electrical system when the steering wheel horn cover is manipulated or the steering wheel is turned. This excessive resistance is momentary. A crash commanding air bag deployment would need to occur exactly when the momentary excessive resistance occurs. Thus, there is a very low likelihood the hazard will present a risk during a crash of sufficient severity to warrant a commanded deployment. This failure mechanism occurs early in life and results in an air bag MIL illumination that corresponds to a DTC warning the driver that the vehicle requires service. The vehicle's air bag remains functional while the MIL is illuminated, and the DTC is present.Once the connection of the driver air bag module to the clockspring is made at the plant, or at the dealership for service, there is no longer an opportunity for rust migration into the connection point. The connector is sealed and has gold terminals, eliminating the expectation of fretting corrosion. All subject vehicles passed standard corrosion validation testing for extensive corrosion with no issue of air bag non-deployment.There is a low rate of occurrence: 1.41 incidents per thousand vehicles (IPTV) for all related occurrences, and 0.04 IPTV for occurrences with a mention of visible rust and/or corrosion on the air bag inflator housing. The average occurrence mileage for the subject vehicles is approximately 2,100. Every occurrence related to the alleged defect experienced an air bag MIL illumination and there are no verified allegations of air bag non-deployment within all data sources.To date, there have been no reported fires, crashes, injuries, or fatalities related to this issue. In view of the low rate, and the nature of early-life failure, the high detectability of failures, and low potential hazard to drivers, this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.Review the ODI reports cited above at nhtsa.gov under the following identification numbers: 11537927, 11528888, 11525020, 11521401, 11506057, 11493107, 11486767, 11441525, 11433146, 11425658, 11423440, 11385267, 11376429, 11373466, 11366995.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 534.

ENGINE 276 52%
POWER TRAIN 131 25%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 71 13%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 46 9%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 40 7%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 33 6%
STEERING 32 6%
SERVICE BRAKES 22 4%
STRUCTURE 12 2%
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 9 2%
LANE DEPARTURE 8 1%
SUSPENSION 8 1%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2025 at 254.

2020 2025 2026
2020 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed

Airbag system did not deploy but smoke in cabin during a crash. Video of front, rear and inside cabin shows the rear end passenger side impact at an estimated 45-50 MPH. I saw smoke in cabin, disturbed with anxiety after crash waiting for bags to deploy accidentally. The airbag deployed red light illuminated notifying an airbag deployment. I received a GM message through the vehicle report application stating that my airbag system malfunctioned and I needed to take the vehicle to a service department for repair as soon as possible. This crash was a total loss of the GMC Sierra, this was how hard the vehicle was hit. Why did the airbag system smoke? Why did the airbags not deploy? Why did I

NHTSA complaint 11648442, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEATS

1 injured · 700 miles

REACHED FOR A FALLEN OBJECT BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND MIDDLE FRONT SEAT AND THERE IS A RAZOR SHARP PIECE THAT TOOK A LARGE CHUNK OUT OF THE HAND WHICH CAUSED HEAVY BLEEDING AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND JUST TRIED TO RETRIEVE FALLEN OBJECT BETWEEN THE SEATS. THE INCREDIBLY SHARP PARTS NEED TO BE CUT OR REMOVED FROM THIS AND OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES OR COVERED WITH SOMETHING. IT WAS BARE METAL EXPOSED OUT WITH SHARP EDGES THAT CUT THE RIGHT HAND SO BADLY.

NHTSA complaint 11378245. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

fire · towed · 2,800 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. WITHOUT WARNING AN EXPLOSION OCCURRED. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO VEER TO SHOULDER OF THE ROAD GET OUT THE VEHICLE TO CHECK AND SEE WHAT THE NOISE WAS. THE CONTACT NOTICED FLAMES APPEARED BY THE REAR WHEEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE CONTACT GRABBED THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER NO REPORT WAS FILED. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED BUT NO REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO QUALITY BUICK GMC, INC (7901 LOMAS BLVD NE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87110 (505) 765 1300) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINE THE ENGINE

NHTSA complaint 11396939, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

fire · 3,400 miles

RETURNED HOME AFTER SOME SHOPPING. PARKED TRUCK IN DRIVE WAY. APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES AFTER RETURNING HOME MY WIFE SAW TRUCK SMOKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WITHIN ANOTHER MINUTE OR TWO THERE WERE VISIBLE FLAMES COMING FROM THE BACK EDGE OF THE HOOD. WE CALLED 911. WITHIN 5 MINUTES THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND PUT OUT THE FIRE BUT THE ENTIRE FRONT AND CAB OF THE TRUCK WAS DESTROYED. FIRE INVESTIGATORS DETERMINED FIRE STARTED AT BACK OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT NEAR BATTERY. VEHICLE WAS STOPPED PARKED IN OFF CONDITION. IN MY DRIVEWAY. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE NOTICED ON RIDE HOME AND THERE WERE NO PANEL ALERTS FOR PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint 11408633. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY
rear sliding window has plastic body seam that is broken allowing water to leak into the truck and cause mold and rust

NHTSA complaint 11756772. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
2021 6.2L GMC Sierra Denali. Has the L87 engine that is recalled but yet my truck doesn’t fall under the recall although the recall is for 2021-2024 engines. Everything that the engine recall states is the issue with my truck, I have service report from dealership stating that there is wear/breakage of cam shaft/crank shaft amongst other things including cylinder 3 and 5 misfiring , bearings broken , filings in the oil , banging in the engine and safety lights on. My local GMC dealership recommended that the only acceptable action was to replace the engine at my cost of course. This is unacceptable of a supposed reputable large corporation not caring about the “little guy”. The truck only

NHTSA complaint 11756392, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Push on accelerator truck barely would go, shifted hard, codes check engine lights flashing, engine sounded bad

NHTSA complaint 11756397. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
Transmission Valve Body failure. - Caused wheels to lockup momentarily and killed the engine with sudden loss of propulsion. Link to video of incident: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint 11756447. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY/WIPER
A small drip started approximately 18 months ago from top middle of left side window in rear slider. It was first mistaken as blow by from car wash. Leaking slowly progressed to dripping down middle of both side windows in rear sliders. Leaking progressed to drops coming from under headliner then dropping on side portions of rear slider. It then would drip onto seat or behind seats. Leakage was consistent with TSB 18-NA-383 as well as 20-NA-142 and 24-NA-103. In discussing with dealership, they recommended likely microfractures and sealant process called for in bulletins would likely resolve matter. As due diligence, spoke with independent glass shop to confirm. Glass shop indicated would

NHTSA complaint 11756237, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

38,875 miles

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was shuddering, especially while driving uphill. The dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was diagnosed and determined to have a failure associated with a GM TSB for the incorrect transmission fluid inside the transmission reservoir. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,875.

NHTSA complaint 11754985. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the GMC Sierra 1500

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 77 2
2025 95 1
2024 328 1
2023 432 3
2022 545 6
2020 444 12
2019 622 10
2018 296 7
2017 351 5
2016 340 7
2015 713 9
2014 737 9 1
2013 115 3
2012 107 3
2011 284 5
2010 167 4

Other 2021 GMC models

Every GMC on this site — 144 vehicles, 425 recall campaigns and 3 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst