2021 GMC SIERRA 2500 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report

N/A

Safety Rating

55

Owner Complaints

6 Crashes 3 Fires

6

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

44

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2021 GMC SIERRA 2500

The 2021 GMC SIERRA 2500 has received a total of 55 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 9 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:VALVES/VALVE BODY, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH. 44 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Exterior Lighting (9 complaints), Power Train (9 complaints), and Electrical System (6 complaints).

Recalls for the 2021 GMC SIERRA 2500

NHTSA has recorded 9 recalls for the 2021 GMC SIERRA 2500, potentially affecting up to 2,749,723 vehicles.

Recall 24V797000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:VALVES/VALVE BODY

| 463,295 vehicles affected

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...

View full details →

Recall 24V797000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

| 463,295 vehicles affected

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...

View full details →

Recall 24V060000 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH

| 570,434 vehicles affected

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...

View full details →

Recall 21V758000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:ELECTRIC:CONTROL MODULE

| 3,241 vehicles affected

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...

View full details →

Recall 21V578000 — TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

| 86 vehicles affected

Defect: 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)...

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....

View full details →

Recall 20V811000 — SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

| 470 vehicles affected

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...

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...

View full details →

Recall 20V811000 — SEAT BELTS

| 470 vehicles affected

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...

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...

View full details →

Recall 20V792000 — SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

| 624,216 vehicles affected

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...

View full details →

Recall 20V792000 — SEAT BELTS

| 624,216 vehicles affected

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...

View full details →

Owner Complaints for the 2021 GMC SIERRA 2500

55 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2021 GMC SIERRA 2500. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Most Recent Complaints

#11715295 | ENGINE | | N/A miles
80,000 Miles, complete engine break down. 12,000 to repair
#11709159 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | | N/A miles
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.
#11703711 | POWER TRAIN | | N/A miles
Pulling into a driveway and the truck made a loud clunk and the check engine light, traction control light, and a reduced engine power light came on and the truck came to an abrupt stop. When the gear shift was put into reverse or any forward gear the truck would rev up without touching the gas pedal. The left rear wheel locked up. After paying over $700 in tow bills to get the truck towed to our house and then to the dealer we were told that the transmission had a catastrophic internal failure. This truck only has 82,000 miles on it and is a 2021!
#11696338 | POWER TRAIN | | 78,000 miles Crash 1 Injury
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the contact was pulling a trailer that he had loaded, and he drove around a curve, the gear shifted down independently, and the trailer pushed the vehicle off the right side, causing him to crash into a post and embankment. The contact mentioned he was able to shift the gear into Four Wheel Drive to get back on the road. The contact mentioned he pulled over to the right side of the road, exited the vehicle to inspect, and noticed damage to the vehicle and the trailer. The contact stated no air bag deployed. The contact stated that he sustained injuries left arm and neck, causing his muscles to tighten. No medical attention was required. The contact stated no police report was filed. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously repaired for a manufacturer's recall with the transmission, but failed to prevent the failure. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (POWER TRAIN). The vehicle was serviced by the dealer, but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure was not diagnosed by a dealer or independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.
#11692084 | SERVICE BRAKES | | N/A miles
2021 GMC Sierra 2500HD 6.6L gas 6 speed automatic transmission W/4wd After a brake service job the vehicle will randomly kick on the traction control/ABS and the right front brake will lock up. The steering wheel jerk is violent enough to remove the wheel from the drivers hands. No Traction control or ABS lights flash on the dash when this occurs and it has caused the vehicle to veer into oncoming traffic and also off the road. The dealer was unable to recreate the issue nor are there any stored codes/issues found when having the truck diagnosed. ABS and speed sensor wires have been reviewed and none were damaged during the brake job. All wheel speed sensors are functional and reading when the issue happens. This issue happens during dry or wet conditions and is random without warning.

View all Exterior Lighting complaints →

Safety Rating for the 2021 GMC SIERRA 2500

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2021 GMC SIERRA 2500 in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2021 GMC SIERRA 2500

General Motors, LLC has issued 44 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2021 GMC SIERRA 2500. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

24-NA-262 — POWER TRAIN

This bulletin helps aid the tech in possible transmission noise that may be normal or abnormal depending on the concern noted.

17-NA-302 — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

This informational bulletin provides information on availability for a locking gas cap for trucks are operated in high amount of dirt or dust which can migrate to the filler cap area.

PIT5918B — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

This Preliminary information communicates an issue where GM Accessory Illuminated Emblem may cause an issue with the left headlight/turn signal and dealership are to disable the Accessory Illuminated Emblem until a fix is available.

PIT5689F — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

This Preliminary information communicates that some customers may comment that after an auto-stop event the engine does not restart and to inspect the engine ground strap. Temporarly on hold while PIE0572 is active.  PIE0572 has now ended and reinstating the PI.

PIT5702E — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Preliminary information communication provides information to the technician on installing Regular Production Option Code 9L7 Up-fitter Auxiliary Switches. Technician will need to reference the latest version of General Motors Up-fitter Integration Bulletin 153. The information can be found at http://www.gmupfitter.com/ under the "Technical Bulletin" Tab and then "Show all bulletins."

PIT5697C — BACK OVER PREVENTION: CAMERA SYSTEM

This Preliminary information communication  provides information to the technician on installing Regular Production Option Code UVC Rearview Camera. Technician will need to reference the latest version of General Motors Up-fitter Integration Bulletin 152. The information can be found at http://www.gmupfitter.com/ under the "Technical Bulletin" Tab and then "Show all bulletins."

PIT5909A — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:AUX AUDIO JACK/PLUG

This Preliminary information communicates that it is normal for the tailgate to drop faster than it used to after the GM Accessory Kicker Audio System is installed.

PIT5970B — BACK OVER PREVENTION

This Preliminary information communicates information to the technician that if they receive a vehicle with this concern and verifying the rear view camera is zoomed in, General Motors is aware of this and have created a repair. 

23-NA-056 — STRUCTURE

This technical bulletin provides a procedure to correct the condition of Wind Whistle Noise at Highway Speeds.

21-NA-067 — STRUCTURE

This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of the foam strip between the I/P trim and base of the windshield detaching from the upper I/P trim panel.

Showing 10 of 44 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2021 GMC SIERRA 2500

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the GMC SIERRA 2500

View all GMC SIERRA 2500 model years →

Other GMC Models

View all GMC models →

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report