2021 GMC SIERRA 3500 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
27
Owner Complaints
5
Recalls
23
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2021 GMC SIERRA 3500
The 2021 GMC SIERRA 3500 has received a total of 27 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 8 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. 23 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Power Train (7 complaints), Electrical System (4 complaints), and Service Brakes (4 complaints).
Recalls for the 2021 GMC SIERRA 3500
NHTSA has recorded 8 recalls for the 2021 GMC SIERRA 3500, potentially affecting up to 2,749,637 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 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 3500
27 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2021 GMC SIERRA 3500. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tirestreadbelt | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
During takeoff the transmission acted as if it was in neutral while I was crossing traffic luckily, the semi truck that was coming towards me was able to stop. I had the vehicle towed to a shop. After the vehicle was towed to the shop the transmission acted normal when the mechanic searched the VIN number. There was a service bulletin issued by General Motors for this exact problem. Had the semi not been able to stop. It could’ve very well killed me or my children. I suppose if it would’ve killed someone, maybe general motors would finally do a recall for this very disappointed in general motors and the NHTSA, the fact that this is an ongoing problem and has not been fixed and as a customer, I was not even notified that this problem existed is very alarming.
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.
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.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that while reversing, the back over prevention camera screen displayed an image of the ground. The contact stated that the image was approximately ten feet behind the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The dealer replaced the back over prevention camera system, however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the original back over prevention camera was installed in another vehicle, and the back over prevention camera system worked as designed. The contact was informed that the back over prevention camera was not the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
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.
Safety Rating for the 2021 GMC SIERRA 3500
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2021 GMC SIERRA 3500 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2021 GMC SIERRA 3500
General Motors, LLC has issued 23 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2021 GMC SIERRA 3500. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
PIP6052 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This Preliminary information communicates to use a vacuum to remove any packing material found on top of the service valve body assembly.
PIT5697D — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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."
N242454441 — POWER TRAIN
Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition where the transmission control valve has worn, resulting in a gradual loss of pressure within the valve. The effects can cause harsh shifting, setting a service engine soon message, reduced engine performance or P0747 diagnostic trouble code. This special coverage covers the...
General Communication — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel...
21-NA-155 — EQUIPMENT
This informational bulletin advises the technician to check for faults that may be caused by the trailer otherwise found by a possible faulty trailer connector.
22-NA-150 — EQUIPMENT
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to program the Reductant Control Module and Setup and Perform the Reductant Fluid Tank Level Reset.
07-08-42-006S — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This service bulletin provides technicians with information on available BCM calibrations to restore bulb outage detection on vehicles produced by a second stage manufacturer (Upfitter), and/or turn signals flash fast after factory box removed.
PIT5865B — FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
This Preliminary information communicates an issue with adaptive cruise and lane keep assist inoperative due to an internal issue with the front view windshield camera. Dealers are to replace the camera.
20-NA-198 — EQUIPMENT
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of seeing the trailer running lights shut off due to excessive load on the running lamp circuit.
23-NA-059 — EQUIPMENT
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to correct the condition of Gap at Door Armrest Decorative Trim to the Armrest/Door Switch.
Showing 10 of 23 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2021 GMC SIERRA 3500
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the GMC SIERRA 3500
- 2016 GMC SIERRA 3500 — 27 complaints
- 2017 GMC SIERRA 3500 — 18 complaints
- 2018 GMC SIERRA 3500 — 19 complaints
- 2019 GMC SIERRA 3500 — 19 complaints
- 2020 GMC SIERRA 3500 — 71 complaints
- 2021 GMC SIERRA 3500 (current)
- 2022 GMC SIERRA 3500 — 37 complaints
- 2023 GMC SIERRA 3500 — 33 complaints
- 2024 GMC SIERRA 3500 — 56 complaints
- 2025 GMC SIERRA 3500 — 15 complaints
- 2026 GMC SIERRA 3500 — 0 complaints
Other GMC Models
- GMC SIERRA 1500 — 10,327 total complaints
- GMC ACADIA — 7,420 total complaints
- GMC YUKON — 6,108 total complaints
- GMC SIERRA — 4,896 total complaints
- GMC TERRAIN — 4,098 total complaints
- GMC JIMMY — 3,778 total complaints
- GMC ENVOY — 3,269 total complaints
- GMC YUKON XL — 2,820 total complaints