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2021 Gmc SIERRA 2500: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

51 owner complaints analyzed

6 distinct recall campaigns

54,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 51 complaints (23.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Transmission and shifting1427.5%
Braking behavior815.7%
Engine operation35.9%
Electrical and battery issues23.9%
Fuel system concerns23.9%
Steering behavior12.0%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Power Train
12
Exterior Lighting
9
Engine
8
Electrical System
6
Service Brakes
6
Structure:Body
4
Latches/Locks/Linkages
3
Unknown Or Other
3
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Power Train12
Exterior Lighting9
Engine8
Electrical System6
Service Brakes6
Structure:Body4
Latches/Locks/Linkages3
Unknown Or Other3

Power Train: 12; Exterior Lighting: 9; Engine: 8; Electrical System: 6; Service Brakes: 6; Structure:Body: 4; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
2
25,000 to 49,999
2
50,000 to 74,999
5
75,000 to 99,999
3
100,000 to 149,999
2
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0002
25,000 to 49,9992
50,000 to 74,9995
75,000 to 99,9993
100,000 to 149,9992
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 37 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2021
2
2022
6
2023
4
2024
15
2025
14
2026
10
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20212
20226
20234
202415
202514
202610

2021: 2; 2022: 6; 2023: 4; 2024: 15; 2025: 14; 2026: 10

Pattern summary

Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 14 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 11398288 · 2021-02-28 (February 28, 2021)

THE TRUCK IS PARKED AT DEALERSHIP

Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 11398288 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11441628 · 2021-11-24 (November 24, 2021)

Brake pads have excessive squealing. Squealing implies incorrect pressure to rotor to stop the vehicle, which highly concerns me as an operator. According to the dealer where I reported the issue, there is a technical bulletin that approves replacement of the brake pads for free if reported in first 7500 miles. My truck exceeded that mileage when I noticed the squealing. If this was a recall for the defective brakes, the dealer would cover the costs to repair, but not for a technical bulletin according to the service department, and confirmed…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11441628 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11462517 · 2022-04-27 (April 27, 2022)

LT245/75R17 I bought these tires on Walmart. com June 2021 and had Walmart install with road hazard and lifetime balance, I returned to Walmart in April 2022 and was told I had a defective tire, that it was coming apart, I can see the fibers around the issue area and soft spongy for approximately 14 inches sounds like glue not sticking when I push around the bead area, Walmart told me it was a manufacturer defective tire and they included that on the work order and also told me to take tire and contact manufacturer which I did, I have spoken a…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11462517 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11464852 · 2022-05-16 (May 16, 2022)

Diesel Exhaust Fluid tank, high pressure

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11464852 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11477615 · 2022-08-04 (August 4, 2022)

when driving down the rode the center hood scoop blew off 0

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11477615 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11478289 · 2022-08-08 (August 8, 2022)

Hit in the driver side tire, air bags didn’t release. Truck then went up in flames.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11478289 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11478489 · 2022-08-09 (August 9, 2022)

The “Service Safety Restraint” alarm goes off continually on my 2021 GMC Sierra 2500HD AT4. The warranty is no longer valid as at the time of occurrence I was at 34,500 miles and when I took it in the warranty had expired due to exceeding 36,000 miles. Extended warranties were not purchased and this began approximately 8-9 months after purchase. The code given is “b0014 Driver Seat Side Air Bag Deployment Loop” with a description of high resistance in wiring or wiring harness. After much research I have found that many GMC 2021 vehicles and p…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11478489 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11491956 · 2022-11-02 (November 2, 2022)

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated while approaching a stop sign and depressing the brake pedal, the brakes were squeaking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the brake pads needed to be replaced. The brakes on the vehicle were replaced but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to another dealer and the caliper on the front driver’s side was replaced and the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to another dealer who was aware of the issue however, there was no recall for t…

Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11491956 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

20V792000 · Seat Belts:Critical Fasteners | Seat Belts

Reported: 2020-12-17 (December 17, 2020)

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.

Consequence: 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 campaign record ↗
20V811000 · Seat Belts:Critical Fasteners | Seat Belts

Reported: 2020-12-23 (December 23, 2020)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V578000 · Tires:Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire

Reported: 2021-07-29 (July 29, 2021)

General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and GMC Sierra 2500 vehicles equipped with a 17" spare tire (RPO ZHQ or ZXT) and either the 20" accessory road tire (RPO REM) or the 18" accessory road tire (RPO Q2V). Operating the spare tire with other 20" or 18" tires can prevent the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) from engaging.

Consequence: An ABS system that cannot control the rear wheels independently increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will provide the appropriate spare tire and apply a new spare tire information label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 18, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212329780.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V758000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Electric:Control Module

Reported: 2021-09-29 (September 29, 2021)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
24V060000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Tailgate:Latch

Reported: 2024-02-01 (February 1, 2024)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
24V797000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Fluid/Lubricant:Valves/Valve Body | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module:Software

Reported: 2024-10-24 (October 24, 2024)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗