GMC Sierra Complaints (2021)

671 consumer complaints on file.

#11712266January 20, 2026
ENGINE
The engine has a knocking sound. I took it into the dealer and they replaced the exhaust system thinking that was the problem. However, the knocking still happens intermittently. I have video documentation of the noise.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711286January 15, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Truck went in service 9/17/2025 because the wheels locked up while driving. Transmission was replaced. Picked up truck and 2 hours later the truck shut off while driving and was started back up and was limp mode. Was told wire chaffing and they taped and rerouted wires. Picked truck back up and next day it did the same thing. Took back to the dealer and they said wires again. They taped wires back up and we picked up the truck. We had it 7 days and while driving down the expressway the whole truck shut off and would not start up again. Clearly that is a safety issue. After sitting on the side of the expressway for 10 minutes it started up again and was in limp mode and taken to the dealer again. I don’t know what has been done to it yet as they are not great at communication but they have had our truck for 4 months minus the 7 days we had it before it had to go back to the dealer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11710896January 14, 2026
STEERING
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle lost proper steering ability, and the steering wheel became loose and spun around in a circle. The air bag message was later displayed on the instrument panel. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the bolt connecting the steering shaft was missing. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer, where the cause of the failure was confirmed. The contact was then informed that there were no recalls or warranties on the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified several times about the failure and agreed that the part should never fail. However, the manufacturer then stated that the owner of the vehicle was responsible for the repair. The vehicle remained with the dealer unrepaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11710140January 10, 2026
LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The front camera stopped working, causing the safety systems to shut off. Codes U026A & U0078 "no communication failure". The camera was ordered and replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11710153January 10, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
Left rear parking brake actuator malfunction. The truck would brake unexpectedly. The brake would not completely release at times. Took it to the dealer on June 6, 2024 and they replaced the rear rotors and pads. I asked them if the parking brake actuator was faulty and may have caused the premature wear. They laughed and said no, it wasn't possible. On Aug 7, 2024 I returned the truck to the dealer with the fault codes C1114 & C060B caused by a failure of the parking brake actuator. It was impossible to use the emergency brakes when the codes were present. For several months after the repair, brake faults would appear and disappear randomly. Took it to the dealer, and they found nothing wrong. Electric-actuated emergency brakes should be illegal.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11710159January 10, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Unexpected rear wheel lock-up at 29000 miles. While engine braking from highway speed onto an off-ramp at approximately 50 mph, the rear wheels unexpectedly locked up. Due to prior rear brake actuator issues, I suspected the emergency brake had activated without my input. It was only momentary, and no fault codes or warnings were displayed. It happened again under the same circumstances two months later, with no fault codes. On May 9, 2025, the check engine light came on, and I scheduled service. The dealer addressed a recall regarding the transmission by installing software. In August 2025, I received a letter from GM regarding recall N242454440 for excessive wear in the transmission control valve, which was causing rear-wheel lockup. On October 31, 2025, while towing a small enclosed trailer at 70 mph on the highway with cruise control engaged, the truck suddenly decelerated, and I was nearly rear-ended by a semi-truck (no brake lights to warn them). The truck would not go over 50 mph unless I was going downhill. The transmission would not shift into higher gears. I returned it to the dealer, who checked the computer and found no record of the incident, so they said there was no problem. They informed me that the new software was designed to limit the truck's speed if a potential lockup was detected. This recall did not fix the transmission problem or the safety issue. It was simply a way to avoid costly repairs. There is a problem with the physical transmission valve that, for me, resulted in an extremely dangerous situation. The NHTSA needs to take this issue seriously and require GM to replace the prematurely worn valves in the affected vehicles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11709304January 7, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Muti pro tailgate has electric issues due to moisture. Tailgate will open up driving down the road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11709135January 6, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that after driving on a trip, the contact noticed that the vehicle had lost 10 MPG after a software update was performed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Richardson Chevrolet (3825 S Huron Rd, Standish, MI 48658), who confirmed that the vehicle was working as designed. The check engine warning light was reset. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case, and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11709159January 6, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
My right headlamp/ turn signal assembly began flashing at random intervals. The high beam would come on and off randomly. The entire assembly would randomly flash along with the turn signal. The headlamp would go on and off randomly. This included switching between setting. High beam, low beam, daytime running light, and completely off with no warning. This causes blinding conditions for oncoming drivers, loss of visibility for driver, and loss of visibility during inclement weather due to high beam coming on and off, then entire unit turning off. As of right now, the vehicle is undrivable due to incorrect lighting, and flashing lights.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708618January 4, 2026
ENGINE
2021 gmc purchased brand new Truck had complete engine failure lifters and rods were replaced at 7000 miles under factory warranty lost complete engine power GMC says we are not on any recall and they refused to buy back the truck or give me an extended warranty they said this year 2021 with 5.3 doesn’t have engine issues.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708584January 3, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
I own a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 equipped with the 6.2L L87 V8 engine and 10-speed transmission. The vehicle exhibits the following issues: Persistent lifter ticking noise audible from the driver-side wheel well, even when the engine is warm. Rough idle that is noticeable at stops and low-speed conditions. Transmission shifting problems, specifically harsh or delayed shifts when downshifting from 3rd to 2nd gear during deceleration. These symptoms raise concerns about potential lifter failure and transmission defects. I am aware of GM’s recall (25V-274) and NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA25007, but my vehicle’s build date (January 2021) currently falls outside the official recall window. Given the similarity of symptoms to those under investigation, I believe my vehicle may be affected by the same defect. Safety Concern: The rough idle and shifting hesitation could lead to unexpected loss of power or unsafe driving conditions, especially during deceleration or merging. Request: Please include this complaint in EA25007 and consider expanding the recall to cover earlier builds. I am willing to provide service records, videos, and additional documentation upon request.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708589January 3, 2026
ENGINE
Motor was chugging took to a dealership on march 22 was told I had a collapsed lifter I was told my cost would be 4800 gm would cover half which was fine then when the work was done the dealership took it for a test drive while they were on the test drive the motor locked up they originally told me it was a cam bearing later I found out through paperwork that was emailed to me that it was a main bearing which is consistent with the recall but my vin number hasn’t came up it’s a 2021 gmc sierra 1500 with a l87 6.2 and it cost me 6200 I was 10,000 miles out of warranty
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708004December 31, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The Intermediate speed sensor 2 and internal transmission harness failed. The repair was to replace the internal transmission harness and intermediate speed sensor. This vehicle is a 2021 and I was told this was recalled on a 2022 only.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708093December 31, 2025
ENGINE
Faulty lifters replaced on passenger side. Had only 25000 miles on engine. GM extended warranty on thousands with this engine but not mine. Have only 28000 miles on truck and just turned 5th year so warranty is void. GM should extend warranty on all vehicles with this engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707208December 27, 2025
ENGINE
TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE GOING AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT AND TURNED OFF THE INTERSTATE ONTO MY EXIT TURN AND VEHICLE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AND ENGINE SHUT OFF OIL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ALL WHILE TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE AT THE CROSS TRAFFICE STOP SIGHN AND ENDED UP STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF ANOTHER HIGHWAY BARLEY MISSING THE CROSS TRAFFIC COMING AT ME FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS. THIS HAPPENED AT I94 AND COUNTY HIGHWAY 34 AT BARNESVILLE MINNESOTA EXIT. THIS SUDDEN ENGINE FAILURE NEARLY KILLED ME AND THE 2 VEHICLE DRIVERS THAT NEARLY STRUCK MY TRUCK FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS. GMC WOULD NOT HELP ME WITH MY REPAIR OF OVER $11000.00 DOLLARS FOR A NEW CRATE MOTOR FROM GMC. SITING MY TRUCK DID NOT FALL UNDER THE L87 RECALL. FAILURE ROD BEARINGS AND CRANK BEARINGS WITH A TON METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL AND FILTER. NO WARNING THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. MY TRUCK HAD 95000 MILES ON IT WHEN IT NEARLY KILLED ME AND OTHERS. INDEPENDENT SERVICE CENTER JOHNSONS AUTO REPAIR IN MOORHEAD MN INSTALLED THE NEW CRATE MOTOR FROM LUTHER GMC FARGO ND.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707131December 26, 2025
ENGINE
Complete engine power loss.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11706659December 22, 2025
POWER TRAIN, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Transmission valvebody failure, causing rapid, repeated rear wheel lock ups. Videos can be provided. These happen almost daily at highway speeds. This will cause a very bad accident
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11706467December 22, 2025
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that after the vehicle was taken to a local car wash, upon further inspection, the tailgate door had independently unlatched and was open. No warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the local Police Department called about luggage found on the side of the road. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the tailgate had independently unlatched and was open. The vehicle was previously taken to a local dealer, where the vehicle was repaired under warranty. The vehicle was taken back to the same local dealer where it was repaired for a tailgate switch failure at the owner's expense. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11706051December 19, 2025
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The coolant control valve has failed on two occasions—once during the warranty period and again approximately 18 months later, outside of warranty. Each failure resulted in continuous fan operation and fluctuating engine temperatures. Failed on around June 2024 and again December 17, 2025
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11706098December 19, 2025
STEERING
The power steering on the truck would quit working at times. I made an appointment with a local dealership to have it checked out. I was told the steering rack was binding and would need to be replaced. I was also told there was a two to four week backorder on the parts. As I am trying to back out of my garage to take it to the dealer the steering totally locked up. I called a wrecker to take the truck to the dealer the next day. When the wrecker operator started to load the truck, at first the steering wheel wouldn't turn . Then it broke lose and worked fine. Imagine if I were driving when this on again off again power steering would quit working!! I should also say this truck only has fifty-seven thousand miles on it. Since there is a backorder on these parts it tells me that I'm not the only one that is having this problem. In my opinion this is a very dangerous safety problem and should be a national recall. Thank you
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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