10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
4,901 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

Get free help with your lemon!
close ad
problem #48

Sep 012025

Sierra 1500

  • miles
I took my truck through a car wash and then parked at my parents house. While the vehicle was parked, the trunk latch kept releasing. The trunk popped open. I left it open but you could hear the latch continually releasing and the lights blinking. This went on for an hour and I was unable to drive home because my trunk kept unlatching! A recall was released for other Sierras but not mine. Please investigate my vin and others that may be affected.

- Johnsburg, IL, USA

problem #47

Sep 102025

Sierra 1500

  • miles
I am experiencing a recurring issue with my 2021 GMC Sierra where the dashboard displays a -??Shift to Park-?? warning even though the vehicle is already in Park. This typically occurs when I attempt to shut off the vehicle. The doors unlock as expected, confirming the truck is in Park, but the warning prevents me from turning off the ignition immediately. After a few seconds, the warning usually disappears, allowing me to shut off the truck. This issue is more frequent in cold weather, suggesting a temperature-sensitive electrical or mechanical fault. Based on research and community reports, this appears to be a known issue across multiple GM vehicles, often linked to a faulty micro switch or wiring harness in the shifter assembly. I am concerned about the safety implications, especially if the vehicle fails to shut off properly or if the issue worsens over time. GM has not issued a recall for this problem, and I believe it warrants further investigation due to its widespread nature and potential risk.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #46

Aug 052025

Sierra 1500

  • miles
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)

- Mo , MO, USA

problem #45

Jul 182025

Sierra 1500

  • 39,000 miles
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.

- Midland, MI, USA

problem #44

May 012025

Sierra 1500

  • miles
GM has has a known issue with a switch/sensor placed at the base of the shifter that causes the -??shift to park-?? error message that prevents the electrical system from shutting down when the vehicle is physically in park and the engine is turned off, In fact, GM has issued a recall for several different models in which a -??shift to park-?? error message is displayed because of the poor design; however, they continue to see the same issue occur but claim it is not a warranty issue (unless it occurs within 3 year/36,000 mile time frame. This is not an issue that can be caused by owner misuse, and I believe that GM should be held liable for repairs given that the issue is, and has been, known for several years now.

- Allen, TX, USA

problem #43

Apr 252025

Sierra 1500

  • miles
While driving my truck with my wife and two young boys, the truck engine completely shut off while operating it. We were stuck in the middle of the road and had to cautiously wait until we could move the vehicle out of the way. The engine locked up. Now they are trying to repair the engine with the same exact engine that is on recall and potentially put me and my family in the same dangerous position.

- Concord, NC, USA

problem #42

Oct 112024

Sierra 1500

  • miles
See attached vehicle repair orders/Carfax/vehicle registration. The trucks transmission has been slipping/jerking hard since I pulled off the lot at dealer ship. Its burning oil no leaks has been doing so since the day I drove off the lot at dealership. I have asked to fix or address and problem still exist. They sold vehicle as everything was working The Left head light wasn-??t working the day I drove off the lot didn-??t notice until I got home I reached back out to dealer to explain and said light had a short in kept truck for almost a week said the were going to replace the head light and never did. The remote start wasn-??t working the same day i purchased the truck but sold it as everything is working. I went to try it as I was getting ready to leave dealership and did nothing. Then I discovered the fog lights were missing, and dealer said oh there was never any in the truck but if you read the service paper work there was lights in truck. Took truck back to address the issues the next day or so after purchase I was told to bring truck back the following week. All the conditions still exist and I should not be having any of these issues as the sold vehicle nothing wrong. They even had an October inspection saying everything was SAT but I get in truck no fog lights and left head lamp is not working but they performed an 360 inspection-??.yeah no way-?? This truck is doing the same as my 2021 chevy Silverado but there is nothing wrong with vehicle according to dealership. Sold A Lemon if you asked me-?? ***Highlighted in yellow is a recall that the dealership has not done nor can they find anything on the recall**** *****Power train**** Recall date 2024-10-24 Recall no. 24V797000 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

- Smithfield , VA, USA

problem #41

Dec 122024

Sierra 1500

  • miles
Transmission recall was performed at a gmc dealership. Vehicle has been the the shop repeatedly since. Coolant control valve crank case position sensor new catalytic converter and dpf system. New low temp coolant loop pump. In the shop now for another low temp coolant pump that-??s been shorted out. Seems to have on going electrical issues since recall was performed

- Oneida , NY, USA

problem #40

Apr 122025

Sierra 1500

  • miles
ESC ERROR PARKING BREAK NOT RELEASING Dashboard lights started flashing Check engine light came

- Blythewood , SC, USA

problem #39

Mar 282025

Sierra 1500

  • miles
This truck, along with many others, has had wiring harness issues. My truck has fought this issue within the first six months of owning the truck. Since Jan 2025 it has left me stranded 3 times to be towed, and in the shop a total of 6 times for wiring harness issues. Rubbing that GM is 100% aware of how its designed. This has caused the truck to hesitate, shake, lunge, go in and out of gear severely hard then shut off while driving. All three time this happened to me recently i was on the interstate. GM has work orders out with all the codes and symptoms but wont do anything about it. Yes, i am out of warranty, but i am now paying over $5,000 for a new harness to be installed by a different dealer. The dealer that had always worked on this truck requested $8,100 so i called a new GM shop. This is a large issue and they keep turning their back and not addressing the issue and putting drivers at risk! Can provide last diagnostics and can request all notes from Stoops Buick GMC in Muncie Indiana, i have a rather large file there on this truck.

- New Castle, IN, USA

problem #38

Feb 152025

Sierra 1500

  • 63,315 miles
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to turn off the vehicle; however, the vehicle remained running. A message was displayed to shift to park(P). The contact stated that the lights, radio, and other functions remained operational. On another occasion, the vehicle jerked, and the steering was difficult to turn. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle had not been taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact also stated that the trunk failed to fully close. The message that the trunk was open was displayed. The contact attempted to close the trunk and message on the displayed was turned off; however, the trunk remained slightly open. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,315.

- San Jacinto, CA, USA

problem #37

Aug 022021

Sierra 1500

  • miles
My truck was part of a GM buyback program where GM Corporation bought the truck back to fix it around Aug 7th 2023 for engine problems. I am reporting this because I do not believe that GM ever reported this to NTSHA. There are also other issues happening at the same time period that should be looked into that may or may not be coincidences. At or before 10,126 miles the truck started having engine lifter and other engine issues. General Motors will not tell me exactly what was done other than lifters according to paperwork supplied. It may have had other issues like a spun bearing but it was never disclosed. Can NTSHA please look into this and information is found, could I please get the records. I asked for the paperwork of what was done while GM owned and troubleshot all the problems. I was told that information is only available to the original owner and I could not have it. It is very frustrating when General Motors Corporate use owner-??s personal data as a way to hide what was done and not have to disclose required information. I am asking for service records while General Motors owned it and the service records they did to fix it. I know that there are many more engine problems that are not documented on the vehicle summary. GM will not buy back the truck over a few lifter issues. The truck was later fixed and Art Gamblin Motorsv in Enumclaw Wa, purchased it. I am told it is fixed but have no real paperwork proving this, I was able to purchase an extended warranty just in case. There is also quite a few of battery and electronic issues that do not seem normal with the car as well. The battery was replaced at 10,126 miles at the same time as the engine issues and the battery module was replaced at 29,536 miles. At 29,875 miles and 29,965 some type of communications module and On Star module was replaced. This is the around the same time as the truck was having engine issues and was eventually bought back for what is called -??engine noise-??.

- Port Orchard, WA, USA

problem #36

Mar 162025

Sierra 1500

  • miles
Multi functional tail gate will open on its own while driving. I have had this repaired by gm 3 times and still have issues. This problem is currently on the recall list for 2500 hd series trucks and the 1500 series trucks in Canada but not on recall in united states. This problem poses a life threatening problem while on the road due to contents of truck possible becoming projectiles to other drivers due to tailgate opening on its own.

- Land O Lakes, FL, USA

problem #35

Mar 062025

Sierra 1500

  • miles
[xxx], I purchased a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 from faulkner Chevrolet in bethlehem, pa. I test drove the vehicle before purchase and it showed no indication of any mechanical issues that I was able to detect. I was shown by the dealership the carfax and was informed that there are currently no recalls for the vehicle. I was led to believe that the vehicle was in good condition and safe to drive and, therefore, agreed to purchase the vehicle for the aforementioned price (including tax and title fees). I purchased the vehicle with 60,077 miles on it, and after driving it normally for only 5 days (on [xxx]) it broke down and I was stranded on the highway 16 hours from home. I was able to get the vehicle towed and paid $1,200 for the starter to be replaced, which is what the mechanic suggested but this ended up being entirely unnecessary as the real issue was due to a catastrophic defect in the engine. After the starter was replaced, I was driving the vehicle only a few days later (on [xxx]) and it suffered a catastrophic engine failure while driving 70mph on the highway. I lost control of the vehicle and nearly got in a collision with another vehicle. I was able to get the vehicle to the nearest auto shop and after inspecting the vehicle they informed me that there is a serious engine issue relating to a seized bearing and the engine will need to be rebuilt entirely. At this point it had been only 12 days since the purchase and the odemeter read 61,662 (1,585 miles driven since purchase). Due to the faulty vehicle, I was forced to pay to have the vehicle shipped from the location where it broke down to the dealership where I originally bought it (around $1,200). Faulkner Chevrolet knowingly sold me an unsafe vehicle that they were well aware had a defective 6.2L V8 engine. This defect is currently under investigation by the NHTSA and faulkner Chevrolet purposefully ommitted this crucial information until after the vehicle was sold. Clearly, this is an unethical bus information redacted pursuant to the freedom of inform

- Schuylkill Haven, PA, USA

problem #34

Dec 102024

Sierra 1500

  • 60,129 miles
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission slammed into gear and the rear wheels locked up. In addition, the vehicle decelerated independently. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road and turned off. The vehicle was restarted, and the contact noticed that the vehicle was independently reset. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed wiring harness. The contact was informed that the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline and report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,129.

- Coeur D'alene, ID, USA

problem #33

Jan 022025

Sierra 1500

  • miles
Assure Guard (877-831-3077) Contract number [XXX] GMC Customer Care Melissa (866-790-5600 Ext [XXX] ) Case#[XXX] Dealership: Phil Moore GMC (601-956-0150) My truck is barely 4 years old. I should not have this problem. Why is it no one guarantee the product they make? I paid too much money for this vehicle financing it as a new truck. I paid $766.95 to replace/install the shark fan antenna on the roof of my truck because it literally came loose on his own. No one (dealership, GMC, Assure Guard) would assist with repairs. The shark fin antenna started leaking water and it was wobbly where, it was no longer sealed on the body of the truck. Water leaking through out the ceiling/roof. I didn-??t do anything to cause this! GMC Customer Care refused to refund nor, help with the cost of repair. I tried to file a claim with my extended warranty company(Assure Guard) contract number [XXX] - they refused to cover the antenna. I have owned several 1500 truck models, and none of them has had the antenna to fall off the vehicle. I had to return to Phil Moore, GMC a second time because they did not properly seal the antenna. This caused the whole interior of my truck to be drenched with rainwater. I am upset with the dealership, GMC and my extended warranty(Assure Guard) because I spent too much money on my vehicle to have this happen and I would like to be refunded. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Yazoo City, MS, USA

problem #32

Jul 202024

Sierra 1500

  • miles
my truck keeps having this same issue since [XXX], always take it to team Gillman second august 26 same reason they replaced the battery but is a manufacturing defect while i am driving stops out of sudden AND THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THEY SUPPOSED TO CALL ME I HAVENT RECEIVE NO CALL IS AT TEAM GILLMAN SAME REASON ONLY HAS 18000 MILES MY NAME IS [XXX] CELL [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #31

Nov 272024

Sierra 1500

  • 57,000 miles
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the tailgate opened unintendedly. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in GM Campaign Number: N232426401. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.

- Massillon, OH, USA

problem #30

Nov 142024

Sierra 1500

  • miles
When accelerating and shifting into drive, the vehicle is experiencing a lag when moving forward. The rear wheels are not latching into the designated gear. When vehicle comes to a complete stop, it will not accelerate and does not want to move. The problem has been reported and there are multiple recalls on similar vehicles of the same make and model. There were no warning symbols or notifications generated at the time of inspection.

- Rio Rancho, NM, USA

problem #29

Nov 122024

Sierra 1500

  • miles
The electronic tailgate switch is malfunctioning and opening on own. We brought in and paid 2 times to have repaired and now the third time has happened. It-??s appears this model is recalled in Canada but not US. Why is that when it-??s the same parts used and the HD models have also been recalled. Why is our truck not recalled for this?

- Land O Lakes, FL, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »