VehicleVerdict

2021 GMC Sierra 3500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 28 complaints on file for the 2021 GMC Sierra 3500 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

28

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2021 compare to other Sierra 3500 years?

Sierra 3500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted72 complaints1996: 2 complaints1997: 15 complaints1998: 12 complaints1999: 25 complaints2000: 30 complaints2001: 44 complaints2002: 29 complaints2003: 9 complaints2004: 29 complaints2005: 29 complaints2006: 14 complaints2007: 19 complaints2008: 27 complaints2009: 8 complaints2010: 2 complaints2011: 24 complaints2012: 15 complaints2013: 15 complaints2014: 10 complaints2015: 40 complaints2016: 27 complaints2017: 18 complaints2018: 20 complaints2019: 19 complaints2020: 72 complaints2021: 28 complaints2022: 39 complaints2023: 41 complaints2024: 62 complaints2025: 25 complaints2026: 3 complaints
Sierra 3500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sierra 3500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 GMC Sierra 3500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission725%
Brakes518%
Electrical System414%
Other311%
Engine311%
Fuel System27%
Body & Structure14%
Tires & Wheels14%
Driver Assistance14%
Visibility & Wipers14%

Does the 2021 GMC Sierra 3500 have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

24V797000TransmissionOctober 24, 2024 · 463,295 units

Defect

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.

24V060000Latches & LocksFebruary 1, 2024 · 570,434 units

Defect

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.

21V758000BrakesSeptember 29, 2021 · 3,241 units

Defect

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.

20V811000Seat BeltsDecember 23, 2020 · 470 units

Defect

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.

20V792000Seat BeltsDecember 17, 2020 · 624,216 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“Transmission had to be replaced from the dealership. Hard shifting dealership said truck was 23 days out of warranty. I couldn’t get into the dealership that truck was purchased from for 3 weeks. Had to go to the Jeff Gordon dealership, which is Chevrolet. And I had to replace the transmission.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 29, 2024

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · 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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 10, 2021

“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.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 30, 2024

“•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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 24, 2022

2021 GMC Sierra 3500 — common questions

Is the 2021 GMC Sierra 3500 reliable?

The record is thin — 28 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2021 Sierra 3500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (7 complaints), brakes (5 complaints), electrical system (4 complaints).

Does the 2021 GMC Sierra 3500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 GMC Sierra 3500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2021 GMC Sierra 3500 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which GMC Sierra 3500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sierra 3500 years to avoid are 2020, 2024, 2001, 2023, 2015, 2022, 2008, 2011, 2007, 2013, 2012, 2014, 2009, 2010. The cleanest record among Sierra 3500 years belongs to 1996.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.