2021 GMC Sierra 1500 reliability record
Every consumer complaint and recall the U.S. government (NHTSA) has on file for the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 — the repair risk behind the ownership cost.
- NHTSA complaints
- 690
- 678 in the last 5 years
- Top problem area
- ENGINE
- 256 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 7
- see below
- Reported harm
- 7 reported crashes · 2 injuries · 12 fires
How this record compares
raw NHTSA counts, not defect ratesComplaint rank
#698
of 4,194 vehicle records
Vs GMC median
+442
median 248 across 165 GMC records
Vs 2019-2023
+451
median 240 complaints in 444 records
Top component share
37%
Engine: 256 complaints
What owners report fails — 2021 GMC Sierra 1500
- ENGINE 256
- POWER TRAIN 122
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 64
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 40
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 37
7 recalls on record for the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500
- NHTSA 26V083000 · 2026 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.
- NHTSA 25V274000 · 2025 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PA Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
- NHTSA 24V797000 · 2024 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
- NHTSA 21V985000 · 2022 · TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE An ABS system that does not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.
- NHTSA 20V792000 · 2021 · SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat
Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500
A vehicle's complaint record hints at the repair and maintenance budget you'll need. Add your state, purchase price, and mileage to the TCO calculator for the full picture.
Open TCO calculatorThese are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle. Data as of 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?
NHTSA has 690 consumer complaints on record for the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 and 7 recalls. The most-reported problem area is engine (256 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500?
Owners most often report problems with: engine (256), power train (122), electrical system (64), engine and engine cooling (40). Each figure is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
How much does it cost to own a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500?
Ownership cost depends on your state taxes, insurance, fuel, and the maintenance the vehicle's reliability record implies. Use the CarOutlay 5-year TCO calculator to estimate the full cost including the repair risk this complaint record suggests.