2021 GMC Sierra 3500 problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 GMC Sierra 3500, most often about transmission & drivetrain. There are 5 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
20
Recalls
5
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Median mileage
101,500 mi
at time of problem

Safety warning: at least one recall for this vehicle tells owners to park outside until it is repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Key facts

  • Transmission & Drivetrain is the most-reported problem area, named in 7 of 20 complaints (35%).
  • Brakes (5) and electrical system (4) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 101,500 mi.
  • The 2021 GMC Sierra 3500 has 5 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 7th of 22 GMC Sierra 3500 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 60% fewer complaints than the 2020 model year (50).

2021 GMC Sierra 3500 problems by category

  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    7 complaints
  • Brakes
    5 complaints
  • Electrical System
    4 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    3 complaints
  • Engine
    3 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    2 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    1 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    1 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    1 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Power train7
Service brakes5
Electrical system4
Engine3
Unknown or other3
Fuel/propulsion system2
Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Structure:body1

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k110k–30k30k–60k160k–100k2100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2021 GMC Sierra 3500 complaints that list mileage.

2021 GMC Sierra 3500 recalls (5)

  • Recall 24V797000Oct 24, 2024463,295 vehicles
    POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:VALVES/VALVE BODY

    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.

    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.

  • Recall 24V060000Feb 1, 2024570,434 vehicles
    LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

  • Recall 21V758000Sep 29, 20213,241 vehiclesPark outside
    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:ELECTRIC:CONTROL MODULE

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

  • Recall 20V811000Dec 23, 2020470 vehicles
    SEAT BELTS · SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

    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.

    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.

  • Recall 20V792000Dec 17, 2020624,216 vehicles
    SEAT BELTS · SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

    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.

    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.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • PE21010Opened Apr 9, 2021Closed Aug 24, 2023

    Air Bag Malfunction

    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…

Recent 2021 GMC Sierra 3500 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Jun 12, 2026140,606 miKYBrakes
    The contact filed the complaint on behalf of the owner of a 2021 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that while the vehicle owner was driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver noticed that the rear wheels were attempting to lockup. The contact stated that the failure was noticeable while driving forward and while reversing. No warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with detached rear brake pads and detached rear…
    NHTSA complaint #11743698 · source
  2. Filed Nov 24, 2025ILTransmission & Drivetrain
    During takeoff the transmission acted as if it was in neutral while I was crossing traffic luckily, the semi truck that was coming towards me was able to stop. I had the vehicle towed to a shop. After the vehicle was towed to the shop the transmission acted normal when the mechanic searched the VIN number. There was a service bulletin issued by General Motors for this exact problem. Had the semi not been able to stop. It could’ve very well killed me or my children. I suppose…
    NHTSA complaint #11701315 · source
  3. Filed Sep 8, 202526,000 miWIElectrical SystemVisibility & Wipers
    The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that while his wife had the vehicle idling with the rear defroster activated, shortly afterwards, she observed smoke coming from the plastic on the rear sliding window. After a visual inspection, the contact's wife observed that the plastic was melting, prompting her to deactivate the rear defroster. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the…
    NHTSA complaint #11685740 · source
  4. Filed Aug 14, 202570,000 miORDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that while reversing, the back over prevention camera screen displayed an image of the ground. The contact stated that the image was approximately ten feet behind the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The dealer replaced the back over prevention camera system, however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the original back over prevention camera was…
    NHTSA complaint #11680762 · source
  5. Filed May 12, 2025MAOther / Unknown
    There is a known issue with these trucks with the infotainment screen blacking out, which renders the backup cameras inoperative. This is a huge safety risk and its astounding to me that this hasn't been recalled yet.
    NHTSA complaint #11660333 · source
  6. Filed Mar 8, 2025OKOther / Unknown
    Vehicle is put into park after driving. Shift to Park warning comes on while vehicle is in park. Vehicle will not shut off due to this warning and must be left running unoccupied.
    NHTSA complaint #11647125 · source
  7. Filed Mar 8, 2025MIElectrical System
    When carrying the electronic key in my pocket the vehicle will lock/unlock presumably due to the remote contacting other items in the pocket. I have owned well over a dozen GM vehicles and never had this issue. I believe the remote design has the lock/unlock buttons too proud of the surrounding surface
    NHTSA complaint #11647111 · source
  8. Filed Jan 27, 2025133,000 miNYTowedTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact's son owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 3500 Commercial Vehicle. The contact stated while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed uphill, the vehicle failed to shift to a gear higher than 5th gear. Additionally, the rear wheels locked up, causing the vehicle to come to a stop. The driver attempted to resume driving, but the vehicle failed to exceed 10 MPH. The contact was unsure whether a warning light had been illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence of the…
    NHTSA complaint #11638908 · source

Compare the 2021 GMC Sierra 3500 with another vehicle →

Other 2021 GMC models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology