The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 is associated with 539 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 7 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Engine, accounting for 177 reports (33% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 30 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3l 6-cyl, 2.7l 4-cyl, 5.3l 8-cyl, 6.2l 8-cyl, and 4.3l 6-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 16 to 26 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 539 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 7 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Engine (177 / 33%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 5 crash / 6 fire / 2 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 16–26 MPG (30 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Sierra 2WD Diesel | 3L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 23 MPG | 30 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $3,050 / yr |
| Sierra 4WD Diesel | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 22 MPG | 26 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $3,300 / yr |
| Sierra 4WD AT4 Diesel | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 22 MPG | 26 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $3,300 / yr |
| Sierra 2WD | 2.7L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 20 MPG | 23 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $2,950 / yr |
| Sierra 2WD | 2.7L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 20 MPG | 23 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $2,950 / yr |
| Sierra 2WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 17 MPG | 23 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $3,250 / yr |
| Sierra 4WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 16 MPG | 22 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $3,250 / yr |
| Sierra 4WD | 2.7L 4-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 18 MPG | 21 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $3,250 / yr |
| Sierra 4WD | 2.7L 4-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 18 MPG | 20 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $3,250 / yr |
| Sierra 4WD AT4 | 5.3L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 16 MPG | 21 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / yr |
| Sierra 4WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 16 MPG | 21 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / yr |
| Sierra 4WD AT4 | 5.3L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 16 MPG | 21 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / yr |
| Sierra 4WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 15 MPG | 21 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / yr |
| Sierra 2WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 15 MPG | 21 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| Sierra 4WD | 6.2L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 16 MPG | 20 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $4,450 / yr |
| Sierra 4WD AT4 | 6.2L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 15 MPG | 19 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $4,450 / yr |
| Sierra 4WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 15 MPG | 20 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| Sierra 4WD | 4.3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 15 MPG | 20 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| Sierra 2WD | 4.3L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 16 MPG | 21 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| Sierra 2WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 15 MPG | 22 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| Sierra 4WD AT4 | 5.3L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 15 MPG | 21 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| Sierra 2WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 15 MPG | 19 MPG | 16 MPG | — | $3,850 / yr |
| Sierra 4WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 14 MPG | 18 MPG | 16 MPG | — | $3,850 / yr |
| Sierra 4WD AT4 | 5.3L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 14 MPG | 18 MPG | 16 MPG | — | $3,850 / yr |
| Sierra 2WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 14 MPG | 21 MPG | 16 MPG | — | $3,850 / yr |
| Sierra 4WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 14 MPG | 20 MPG | 16 MPG | — | $3,850 / yr |
| Sierra 4WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 14 MPG | 20 MPG | 16 MPG | — | $3,850 / yr |
| Sierra 4WD AT4 | 5.3L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 14 MPG | 20 MPG | 16 MPG | — | $3,850 / yr |
| Sierra 4WD | 6.2L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 15 MPG | 20 MPG | 16 MPG | — | $4,750 / yr |
| Sierra 4WD AT4 | 6.2L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 14 MPG | 19 MPG | 16 MPG | — | $4,750 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| PU/CC 2WD | | | | | 19.1% |
| PU/EC 2WD | | | | | 19.1% |
| PU/RC 2WD | | | | | 19.1% |
| PU/CC 4WD | | | | | 19.8% |
| PU/EC 4WD | | | | | 19.8% |
| PU/RC 4WD | | | | | 19.8% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 models.
View complete 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 problems & component breakdown (81 categories) →
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
Defect Summary: 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 cause the rear wheels to lock up.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles and update the transmission control software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 6, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252516560. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 12, 2026.
Affected Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
Defect Summary: 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 have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
View all 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls & campaign history (7 campaigns) →