10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
7,994 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

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #117

Mar 122025

Sierra 1500

  • miles
Coolant Control Valve (ccv) on these vehicles are notorious for breaking down/ becoming non-operative. I have been waiting for a part for months.

- Wichita Falls, Tx, TX, USA

problem #116

Dec 132024

Sierra 1500

  • miles
I was coming home after work, before I got home I stopped at the gas station to fill up my tank, after I filled up my tank I start driving home but while on my way home my truck wasn-??t speed as I expected and it only goes maximum of 10mph and I was confused, I stop and check my truck see what happens but there is no sign since there was no sign I get on my truck and start driving to home, after I got home I was trying to revers parking and that-??s when I realized my truck wouldn-??t reverse. I thought of if it happened while I was driving on highway and my truck stopped on the middle of highway I could have lost my life. I called the dealer and the dealer told me it might be because of the engine then next day I took it to the shop and they couldn-??t figure until couple days later and it took them around 2-3 weeks to replace my transmission. Luckily I had the power train warranty when I bought the vehicle and it don-??t cost anything. If I didn-??t have that power train warranty everything will come out of my pocket, the cost was around $6-7k.

- Madison, NE, USA

problem #115

May 012025

Sierra 1500

  • miles
We NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FYI. This vehicle has been serviced consistently.never an issue. Driving on [XXX] very busy! Truck literally stopped in the middle of the freeway in a very bad location. Desert. Noon. Kids with us. Could have died. Preliminary eval: engine seized, piston rod failure. Not sure the rest - we have to tow it home first. Failed while traveling. Please call for more information if needed. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Peoria, AZ, USA

problem #114

Dec 132024

Sierra 1500

  • miles
I've noticed rough or jerky gear shifting when accelerating, rough and reduced propulsion, loss of power. Dealership repaired power torque converter but the truck continue to have the same symptoms.

- Wheaton, IL, USA

problem #113

Apr 162025

Sierra 1500

  • 103,000 miles
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at slow speeds and accelerating out of the neighborhood, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power, with the check engine and EPS warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle back to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.

- Porter, TX, USA

problem #112

Aug 182023

Sierra 1500

  • miles
Engine failed GM made me pay for a new one. Second engine failed due to mechanics did not change out radiator. I now have a third motor with a recall. This vehicle has cost me a lot of out of pocket expenses, I believe GM owes me for the depreciated value plus lost wages. Maybe a buy back I'm not sure.

- Chipley, FL, USA

problem #111

Feb 182025

Sierra 1500

  • miles
The transmission is constantly whirring, rattling, and screeching.

- Hollister, CA, USA

problem #110

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 #109

Apr 092025

Sierra 1500

  • miles
Vehicle has less than 64,000 miles and seems to be having engine issues. ESC message with engine power reduced. Cannot even drive the vehicle any longer. Cannot get it into a shop for a month and will have to have it towed.

- Spencer, WV, USA

problem #108

Apr 092025

Sierra 1500

  • 83,000 miles
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving 65 - 70 MPH, there was a knocking sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle shut off. There were unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that there was a solid engine bottom and bearing failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. but the failure recurred, and the vehicle failed to start. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

- Montgomery, AL, USA

problem #107

Oct 252024

Sierra 1500

  • miles
I wanted to reach out to see if there is anything in addition to the lemon law. I bought a 2021 GMC Sierra with 38,000 miles on it around March of last year. There was a motor defect which was covered by the warranty. I was driving and it stopped in the middle of the road so I had to safely maneuver out of the main road. The truck was towed to my house with 45,184 miles on it, until the GMC dealership could take it in to inspect. They did take a while to get me a rental because everything was backed up. They said they could rent me out a truck due to not being their brand and that it only covers a certain amount. It got taken in by the dealership on 7/15/2024 and ended up getting the truck back repaired on 8/27. I did get the truck back and have been having it, I am just worried about it breaking down or anything of that nature. I just wanted to know if there is any further process I should do or since they repaired it there should be no issue.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #106

Apr 182025

Sierra 1500

  • miles
First engine blown 31,904 miles, Lifter failure. Replaced with re-manufactured engine. Second engine failure at 68,000 miles, Piston rod failure. Piston blew thru engine block and engine bay caught on fire.

- Mandeville, LA, USA

problem #105

Nov 012021

Sierra 1500

  • miles
I had purchased a 2021 GMC Sierra equipped with the 6.2 liter motor in October of 2021. Within two weeks, my engine was experiencing problems. There was no service lights on the dash, and my truck suddenly shut off while on a busy road. I was able to coast to the side of the road, however it was a driving lane with no shoulder which made the situation dangerous. I was able to restart the engine after some time, and eventually get the vehicle off of the roadway, thankfully I got out of the driving lane without being struck by another vehicle. The truck had approximatley 1000 miles at this time and was brand new. I ended up needing a complete engine replacement due to failed crank bearings and connecting rods. I was told it was a crankshaft issue. After the complete motor replacement, sometime during the next year I was experiencing oil burning issues. On this second motor, a GM dealer had to completley rebuild the top end of the motor and install new piston rings. This is now a total of two motor failues in under 30,000 miles.

- Duluth, MN, USA

problem #104

Oct 092024

Sierra 1500

  • miles
Tried to accelerate and heard a loud pop and the truck didn-??t accelerate. Pretty much went idle in the middle of the road. The check engine light, the traction control light, and the ABS light all came on. I would press on the gas and it would rev but nothing would happen till a few seconds later the RPM-??s would shoot up and you could tell it was trying to get going but didn-??t very slowly and I would hear a clicking noise every time it was around the second gear. It put my children and myself in danger because traffic was heavy with vehicles going 70+mph merging into one lane. Took it to a dealership and they stated it was the the push rod and camshaft were damaged and all 16 lifters should be replaced and camshaft also. No, the vehicle has not been inspected by any of those except a car dealership and a mechanic. This problem first appeared the day it happened and continued after. Even took it to a mechanic and had all 16 lifters changed and problem still persists. Spent over $6,000 on a brand new truck and it is still undrivable because every time you get in to drive it the cylinder #2 misfires.

- Gillett, TX, USA

problem #103

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 #102

Apr 112025

Sierra 1500

  • miles
Motor seized up while going around 65mph. Truck lost all power and would not start brought to dealer and they said that it was the crankshaft bearings and something with the connecting rods, the deal told me that they don-??t know what to do and is waiting on GM. There is a recall for these issues but no fix. I-??m just waiting for the dealer to tell me what-??s next but they don-??t even know.

- St Amant, LA, USA

problem #101

Apr 012025

Sierra 1500

  • miles
Engine power reduced, could not accelerate, fuel pump issue and was bucking the engine Went to dealer and complained as gmc not working to help me, dealer fixed issue but said no other complaints out there and car was fixed, gmc called me several times and keeps saying no issues with the vin associated. The car was fixed but I am stuck with a truck that is probably not saleable once these issues continue. This issue happened initially with 30 k on it and dealer could not find the issue and this times at 61500 happened again

- Flanders , NJ, USA

problem #100

Jan 182025

Sierra 1500

  • miles
was getting on the interstate whenever i hit 70 mph just heard a hard knock in the engine and truck was driving rough. the truck it self dropped to 60mph. before it occurred there was no check engine light on or anything. after i had the dash light up with engine light, brake light, stability light. about a week later took it to the dealer they said it was fuel injectors they replaced it took them about 2weeks but the problem wasn-??t resolved but then stated it was the lifters which they said it almost common for this to happened. so i took it somewhere else to get replaced and they said yes it was the lifters and i needed to replace the camshaft because when the lifters go out it will damage the camshaft. all they did to diagnose my problem was hear it was ticking and the knocks also with the codes from the dealer diagnosis. after my repairs it was expensive least to say

- Bradenton, FL, USA

problem #99

Apr 022025

Sierra 1500

  • miles
Engine light came on, went to the dealership where I bought the truck less then two weeks prior. The Chevy dealership ran diagnostic test on it. They said it was the Engine Coolant Control Valve. This is a common problem with the 3.0 Duramax diesel engine. I belong to a group on Facebook with the same truck as mine. they are all having the same issue. We are waiting for a recall. the part is on back order and cost $300 just for the part plus labor. I bought the extended warranty and they said it did not cover this part.

- Terre Haute, IN, USA

problem #98

Apr 012025

Sierra 1500

  • miles
Had the car since 2021. Recently started shaking while driving over 45 mph. Took the car in gmc dealership where they told me it-??s an engine issue and need a brand new engine. How would I need an engine having the car for 4 years" And there is no recall"

- Commerce City , CO, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »