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2021 Gmc SIERRA 3500: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

20 owner complaints analyzed

5 distinct recall campaigns

101,500 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 20 complaints (35.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Transmission and shifting525.0%
Braking behavior420.0%
Electrical and battery issues210.0%

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
7
Service Brakes
5
Electrical System
4
Engine
3
Unknown Or Other
3
Fuel/Propulsion System
2
Back Over Prevention
1
Structure:Body
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Power Train7
Service Brakes5
Electrical System4
Engine3
Unknown Or Other3
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Back Over Prevention1
Structure:Body1

Power Train: 7; Service Brakes: 5; Electrical System: 4; Engine: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Back Over Prevention: 1; Structure:Body: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

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

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
1
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
2
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9991
50,000 to 74,9991
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9992
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 16 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
5
2023
1
2024
3
2025
8
2026
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20212
20225
20231
20243
20258
20261

2021: 2; 2022: 5; 2023: 1; 2024: 3; 2025: 8; 2026: 1

Pattern summary

Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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 11420443 · 2021-06-10 (June 10, 2021)

Trailer brake wiring connection continually disconnectsthen reconnects some time later. Some periods of up to 10 minutes without having trailer braking power. Major safety issue when toeing fifth wheel trailer. We lost brakes going down steep grades. GMC is aware of issue, but has not provided a solution. Vehicle has been yo service shop with no resolution. Case has been opened with GMC.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11420443 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11438295 · 2021-10-26 (October 26, 2021)

The vehicle recently had a recall repaired at the dealership. I subsequently took delivery on it as a BRAND NEW UNIT, and the brakes are extremely soft; to the point where I must depress the pedal to the floor to get it stopped even at slow speeds. I hoped it was just an air bubble from the repair; but the fluid levels are full and the dealer had no ideas on what could be wrong at this point. I have a great relationship with this dealer, and we’ll continue working on it. But GM is releasing absolute trash lately and I fear that some poor fami…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11438295 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11446957 · 2022-01-10 (January 10, 2022)

Tailgate falls open while traveling down the road

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11446957 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11454519 · 2022-02-28 (February 28, 2022)

•The diesel exhaust fluid heater is a faulty component in the system, there is a back order on the part with no ETA • My pickup only does 55MPH right now and soon to do 5MPH you cannot drive on a public road doing 5MPH •There is thousands of other people having the same exact problem! •The DEF light is illuminated on my dash along with the check engine light, when you diagnose the error code it comes up with “P20C1 Reductant Heater C Control Circuit/OPEN”

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11454519 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11455361 · 2022-03-05 (March 5, 2022)

The throttle body gets stuck wide open after the eninge gets up to operating temperature, it will give some warning with the throttle like on off throttle use and no codes show up at all. The risk of everyones is in extrem DANGER. The break are to soft and well not stop unless you put both feet on the break pedal down to the floor. Tranismission can NOT figure out what gear it needs to be in way too many gears and horrible fuel mpg for the 6.6L Duramax L5P. None of the GM dealership will look at the truck unless there is a code or it is happeni…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11455361 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11459422 · 2022-04-03 (April 3, 2022)

Part Number: 85138746 - DEF tank assembly, heater, pump, reservoir. I was told there were issues with the heater and pump. The heater turns high or the heater won’t work; and there are issues with the connector.02/24/22: My truck has 16,000 approx. miles. The check engine light came on and displayed message that I had so many miles until truck would be restricted to 65MPH. I took my truck into Kendall dealership in Nampa, Idaho and was told there was myself and another person who had the same issue. A couple weeks go by and I call the dealers…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11459422 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11459426 · 2022-04-03 (April 3, 2022)

Problem: Unable to shift transmission from D to another position like R, P, N due to snow/slush being on shifter. I travel on Idaho state highways and County roads that are plowed. In February, I traveled state highway 14. Road conditions were plowed snow roads, broken snow floor, slush and pavement without slush or snow. I had a passenger with me on this trip from Elk City, Idaho to Grangeville, Idaho via SH-14. When I pulled into my storage unit, I could not shift from D to P or N or R. I could only drive forward. The temperature in Gra…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11459426 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11523697 · 2023-05-24 (May 24, 2023)

The right rear tire (Goodyear Wrangler 275/65R20) separated and blew out on the highway, the truck was very difficult to control however it was safely stopped and there were no injuries. There was no observed warning prior to the blow out. The tire separation caused damage to the right rear quarter panel. The spare was installed and finished the trip safely. A tire shop found a second tire with evidence of separation on the left front corner. The tire that blew out on the highway is (DOT PJOT JB1V 0721) and the other 3 including the one wi…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11523697 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

5 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 ↗
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 ↗