2021 GMC Sierra
Gas Diesel Pickup truck
The 2021 GMC Sierra is sold in the U.S. as a gas and diesel pickup truck with 36 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Sierra 2WD, is EPA-rated at 26 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 624 complaints, most often about engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.
Specs & fuel economy (EPA)
| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra 2WD | Gas | RWD | 2.7L 4-cyl turbo | 20 | 23 | 21 | $2,950 |
| Sierra 2WD | Gas | RWD | 2.7L 4-cyl turbo | 20 | 23 | 21 | $2,950 |
| Sierra 2WD | Gas | RWD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,300 |
| Sierra 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 16 | 22 | 19 | $3,300 |
| Sierra 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 2.7L 4-cyl turbo | 18 | 21 | 19 | $3,300 |
| Sierra 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 2.7L 4-cyl turbo | 18 | 20 | 19 | $3,300 |
| Sierra 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,450 |
| Sierra 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 15 | 21 | 18 | $3,450 |
| Sierra 4WD AT4 | Gas | 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,450 |
| Sierra 4WD AT4 | Gas | 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,450 |
| Sierra 2WD | Gas | RWD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,650 |
| Sierra 2WD | Gas | RWD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 16 | 21 | 17 | $3,650 |
| Sierra 2WD | Gas | RWD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 15 | 22 | 17 | $3,650 |
| Sierra 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 6.2L 8-cyl | 16 | 20 | 17 | $4,550 |
| Sierra 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,650 |
| Sierra 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,650 |
| Sierra 4WD AT4 | Gas | 4WD | 6.2L 8-cyl | 15 | 19 | 17 | $4,550 |
| Sierra 4WD AT4 | Gas | 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,650 |
| Sierra Cab Chassis 2WD | Gas | RWD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 15 | 19 | 17 | $3,650 |
| Sierra 2WD | Gas | RWD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 15 | 19 | 16 | $3,900 |
| Sierra 2WD | Gas | RWD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 14 | 21 | 16 | $3,900 |
| Sierra 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 14 | 18 | 16 | $3,900 |
| Sierra 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 14 | 20 | 16 | $3,900 |
| Sierra 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 14 | 20 | 16 | $3,900 |
| Sierra 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 6.2L 8-cyl | 15 | 20 | 16 | $4,850 |
| Sierra 4WD AT4 | Gas | 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 14 | 18 | 16 | $3,900 |
| Sierra 4WD AT4 | Gas | 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 14 | 20 | 16 | $3,900 |
| Sierra 4WD AT4 | Gas | 4WD | 6.2L 8-cyl | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,850 |
| Sierra Cab Chassis 2WD | Gas | RWD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,150 |
| Sierra Cab Chassis 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,150 |
| Sierra Cab Chassis 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 14 | 16 | 15 | $4,150 |
| Sierra Cab Chassis 2WD | Gas | RWD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 13 | 18 | 14 | $4,450 |
| Sierra Cab Chassis 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,450 |
| Sierra 2WD | Diesel | RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 23 | 30 | 26 | $3,450 |
| Sierra 4WD | Diesel | 4WD | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 22 | 26 | 24 | $3,750 |
| Sierra 4WD AT4 | Diesel | 4WD | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 22 | 26 | 24 | $3,750 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year and EPA reference fuel/electricity prices. Source: fueleconomy.gov vehicle records.
Out of factory warranty soon?
The 2021 GMC Sierra is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.
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Recalls (10)
Power Train
minorProblem: 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.
Risk: Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling
highProblem: 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.
Risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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
Power Train
minorProblem: 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.
Risk: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Latches/Locks/Linkages
highProblem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with power-unlatching tailgates. The tailgate's electronic gate-release switch may short circuit due to water intrusion, which can result in the tailgate inadvertently unlatching while the vehicle is in park.
Risk: An unlatched tailgate may open while driving and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners are advised to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2024. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232426400.
Tires
highProblem: 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.
Risk: An ABS system that does not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 num
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
criticalProblem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles with electronic brake control modules (EBCM) replaced during vehicle assembly. The bolts that attach the brake pressure modulator valve (BPMV) assembly may not be properly tightened, which could fail to seal the two sub-assemblies and allow water intrusion.
Risk: Water in the BPMV may cause an electrical short circuit and increase the risk of fire.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from other structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will replace the BPMV assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 20, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212349181.
Tires
highProblem: General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and GMC Sierra 2500 vehicles equipped with a 17" spare tire (RPO ZHQ or ZXT) and either the 20" accessory road tire (RPO REM) or the 18" accessory road tire (RPO Q2V). Operating the spare tire with other 20" or 18" tires can prevent the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) from engaging.
Risk: An ABS system that cannot control the rear wheels independently increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will provide the appropriate spare tire and apply a new spare tire information label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 18, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212329780.
Seat Belts
highProblem: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Seat Belts
highProblem: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Tires
highProblem: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
NHTSA investigations
Engine — Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy (open)
On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001. This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V-274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement. General Motors (GM) issued Recall 25V-274 to address concerns of engine failure in the L87 engines produced between March 1, 2021 and May 31, 2024. GM cited the root cause as a supplier manufacturing and quality issue. GM’s recall remedy for Recall 25V-274 consisted of two different repairs, either an oil viscosity change o
Opened Aug 20, 2026 · action EA26005
Engine — Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy (closed)
On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001. This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V-274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement. General Motors (GM) issued Recall 25V-274 to address concerns of engine failure in the L87 engines produced between March 1, 2021 and May 31, 2024. GM cited the root cause as a supplier manufacturing and quality issue. GM’s recall remedy for Recall 25V-274 consisted of two different repairs, either an oil viscosity change o
Opened Jan 16, 2026 · closed Aug 20, 2026 · action RQ26001
Engine — Loss of motive power due to engine failure (open)
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 supp
Opened Oct 23, 2025 · action EA25007
Engine — Loss of motive power due to engine failure (closed)
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 L8
Opened Jan 16, 2025 · closed Oct 23, 2025 · action PE25001
Air Bags:Srs Malfunction Warning Lamp/Light — Air Bag Malfunction (closed)
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
Opened Apr 9, 2021 · closed Aug 24, 2023 · action PE21010
Owner complaints
624 complaints filed
9 involved a crash, 7 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported by owners.
Filed by year — 2020: 3 · 2021: 36 · 2022: 44 · 2023: 32 · 2024: 68 · 2025: 276 · 2026: 165
Most-cited components
- Engine — 303
- Power Train — 154
- Electrical System — 84
- Engine And Engine Cooling — 48
- Unknown Or Other — 43
Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.
Crash ratings
| Configuration | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PU/EC 2WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 19% |
| PU/EC 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 20% |
| PU/RC 2WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 19% |
| PU/RC 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 20% |
| PU/CC 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 19% |
| PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 20% |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.
Compare the 2021 Sierra with
Other Sierra model years
2026 Sierra
6 recalls · 120 complaints
D2025 Sierra
4 recalls · 161 complaints
F2024 Sierra
8 recalls · 501 complaints
C2023 Sierra
4 recalls · 517 complaints
F2022 Sierra
8 recalls · 646 complaints
F2020 Sierra
16 recalls · 592 complaints
F2019 Sierra
17 recalls · 705 complaints
F2018 Sierra
12 recalls · 366 complaints
F2017 Sierra
10 recalls · 477 complaints
F2016 Sierra
12 recalls · 454 complaints
Sources & method
Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.
EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records (ids 43189, 43190, 43094, 43111, 43196, 43315, 43113, 44031, 43112, 43114, 43092, 43188). Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.