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2021 GMC Sierra 1500: common problems and reliability
· 5th generationOne of the weaker Sierra 1500 years.
582 owner complaints, most about engine. 7 recalls.
Should I buy a 2021 Sierra 1500?The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 has 582 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and power train. Owners most often flag 6.2l v8 afm lifter failure (cylinder #1 collapse): multiple owners report repeat failures even after dealer replacement with afm lifters, requiring a full afm delete.
Safety record for the 2021 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Sierra 1500 years only. How we score it
Is 2021 a good year for the Sierra 1500?
Across the 25 Sierra 1500 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 49 (2016) to 1,186 (2022). With 582 complaints, the 2021 Sierra 1500 sits above the model's median of 471.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2021 Sierra 1500
seat belts
Campaign 20V792000General 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.
seat belts
Campaign 20V811000General 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.
tires
Campaign 20V684000General 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.
tires:temporary/emergency spare tire
Campaign 21V985000General 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.
Show 3 more recalls
power train:automatic transmission:control module:software
Campaign 24V797000General 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.
engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
Campaign 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.
power train:automatic transmission:control module:software
Campaign 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.
What owners report on the 5th generation Sierra 1500
Owners praise the 2022 refresh for its dramatically improved interior, which many consider the best-looking truck cabin on the market, and the 3.0L Duramax diesel for exceptional fuel economy (28-30+ mpg highway).
- Recurrent6.2L V8 AFM lifter failure (cylinder #1 collapse)
Multiple owners report repeat failures even after dealer replacement with AFM lifters, requiring a full AFM delete.
- RecurrentInfotainment/CarPlay connectivity issues (2018-2019 models)
Intermittent disconnects, failure to initiate CarPlay, often resolved by resetting the display (holding power button), updating iPhone iOS, or using a factory USB cable.
- IsolatedGoogle Automotive assistant not recognizing contacts (2022 models with 13.4-inch screen)
Voice assistant fails to read or recognize phone contacts, requiring a software update.
- IsolatedTransmission hard shifting (2022 Elevation, 1,300 miles)
One owner reports rough shifting starting at low mileage.
- IsolatedIntermittent electrical failures
Service 4WD, Stabilitrak, Power Steering warnings, no-start condition (2018 model): Multiple system warnings and non-start, no DTCs stored, difficult to diagnose.
Owner insights for the 5th generation Sierra 1500. Read the full 5th generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Sierra 1500 listings typically run $20,799–$35,939.
Other Sierra 1500 model years
Compare every Sierra 1500 year side by side to see how 2021 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Sierra 1500 against its rivals
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