Model year
2021 GMC Sierra
NHTSA does not list the EPA model name Sierra for 2021. Under the matched names SIERRA 1500, SIERRA 2500, and SIERRA 3500, NHTSA lists 10 recalls and 668 complaints (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). 1 recall marked park outside. The components listed on the most complaints for SIERRA 1500 are ENGINE (322), POWER TRAIN (144), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (72). NHTSA lists 5 investigations, including 2 investigations with no close date in the file. NHTSA overall stars for rated variants run from 4 to 5. EPA rates it 14–26 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,200–$5,150, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 443 complaints
- 2001 264 complaints
- 2002 249 complaints
- 2003 206 complaints
- 2004 188 complaints
- 2005 117 complaints
- 2006 53 complaints
- 2007 59 complaints
- 2008 68 complaints
- 2009 37 complaints
- 2010 34 complaints
- 2011 43 complaints
- 2012 29 complaints
- 2013 39 complaints
- 2014 101 complaints
- 2015 53 complaints
- 2016 6 complaints
- 2017 61 complaints
- 2018 371 complaints
- 2019 729 complaints
- 2020 622 complaints
- 2021 668 complaints
- 2022 673 complaints
- 2023 555 complaints
- 2024 534 complaints
- 2025 177 complaints
- 2026 167 complaints
Matched NHTSA names
The EPA model name is not itself a name in the NHTSA file for 2021. The counts in the answer are the sum of the names below. Overlap between those names is not removed.
| NHTSA name | Recalls | Complaints | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIERRA 1500 | 7 | 596 | 5 |
| SIERRA 2500 | 6 | 52 | 1 |
| SIERRA 3500 | 5 | 20 | 1 |
Recalls for SIERRA 1500
26V083000 · Feb 12, 2026
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:VALVES/VALVE BODY
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…
25V274000 · Apr 24, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
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…
24V797000 · Oct 24, 2024
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:VALVES/VALVE BODY; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
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…
21V985000 · Dec 16, 2021
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
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…
20V811000 · Dec 23, 2020
SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS; SEAT BELTS
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…
20V792000 · Dec 17, 2020
SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS; SEAT BELTS
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…
20V684000 · Nov 5, 2020
TIRES
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.
Complaints for SIERRA 1500
596 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 6, fire flag on 6, injury field 3, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations for SIERRA 1500
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE21010 | Air Bag Malfunction · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; AIR BAGS; AIR BAGS:SRS MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP/LIGHT | Apr 9, 2021 | Aug 24, 2023 |
| PE25001 | Loss of motive power due to engine failure · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL; ENGINE | Jan 16, 2025 | Oct 23, 2025 |
| EA25007 | Loss of motive power due to engine failure · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL; ENGINE | Oct 23, 2025 | No close date in the file |
| RQ26001 | Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy · ENGINE | Jan 16, 2026 | Aug 20, 2026 |
| EA26005 | Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy · ENGINE | Aug 20, 2026 | No close date in the file |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1500 PU/CC 2WD | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.191 | — |
| 1500 PU/CC 4WD | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.198 | — |
| 1500 PU/EC 2WD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.191 | — |
| 1500 PU/EC 4WD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.198 | — |
| 1500 PU/RC 2WD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.191 | — |
| 1500 PU/RC 4WD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.198 | — |
| 2500 PU/CC 2WD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated · possibility 0 | — |
| 2500 PU/CC 4WD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated · possibility 0 | — |
4 more variants are in the Safety Ratings API and are not listed in this table.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra 2WD · 5.3L · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 21 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
| Sierra 2WD · 5.3L · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 15 | 19 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| Sierra 2WD · 5.3L · Automatic 8-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 23 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
| Sierra 2WD · 3L · Automatic 10-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Diesel · Diesel | 23 | 30 | 26 | — | — | $3,700 |
| Sierra 4WD · 6.2L · Automatic 10-spd · 4-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 20 | 17 | — | — | $4,850 |
| Sierra 4WD AT4 · 6.2L · Automatic 10-spd · 4-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 15 | 19 | 17 | — | — | $4,850 |
| Sierra 4WD · 5.3L · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 20 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
| Sierra 4WD · 5.3L · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 14 | 18 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| Sierra 4WD · 3L · Automatic 10-spd · 4-Wheel Drive | Diesel · Diesel | 22 | 26 | 24 | — | — | $4,000 |
| Sierra 4WD AT4 · 3L · Automatic 10-spd · 4-Wheel Drive | Diesel · Diesel | 22 | 26 | 24 | — | — | $4,000 |
| Sierra 4WD · 5.3L · Automatic 10-spd · 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 22 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
| Sierra 4WD AT4 · 5.3L · Automatic 10-spd · 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 21 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
24 more configurations are in the EPA file and are not listed in this table. The fuel-cost calculator lists every configuration.
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2021 GMC Sierra at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.