2021 GMC Sierra 3500: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 20 owner complaints on record; most reports concern power train; the 2019 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Oct 2024
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that while his wife had the vehicle idling with the rear defroster activated, shortly afterwards, she observed smoke coming from the plastic on the rear sliding window. After a visual inspection, the contact's wife observed that the plastic was melting, prompting her to deactivate the rear defroster. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2025
“Vehicle is put into park after driving. Shift to Park warning comes on while vehicle is in park. Vehicle will not shut off due to this warning and must be left running unoccupied.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2025
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2024
Show 6 more owner reports
“While driving 55mph on a 2 lane road, pulling a 5th wheel camper, the truck transmission downshifted by itself to a low gear. This caused a scary and immediate deceleration from 55 to 25mph. The trailer wanted to push into the oncoming lane the deceleration was so fast. The truck is at a dealership and they acknowledge the issue but not a fix other than putting back in the failed part. There was no warning and my readings say many others are having same issue. The small dealership we left the truck with (yemm Chevrolet in Galesburg Il) said they had 3 trucks with the same issue. The truck has been with the dealership for 7 weeks now.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2024
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2024
“When carrying the electronic key in my pocket the vehicle will lock/unlock presumably due to the remote contacting other items in the pocket. I have owned well over a dozen GM vehicles and never had this issue. I believe the remote design has the lock/unlock buttons too proud of the surrounding surface”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 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 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 report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Feb 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 happening right there when they look up the trucks VIN.”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 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 report · Service Brakes · Jun 2021
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sierra 3500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2021 GMC Sierra 3500 reliable?
NHTSA has 20 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2021 GMC Sierra 3500. The most complained-about area is power train.
Does the 2021 GMC Sierra 3500 have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:electric:control module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.