2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 1%of 599 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 3,400miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the air bags of the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500, 1% of the 599 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 3,400 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Returned home after some shopping. Parked truck in drive way. Approximately 5 minutes after returning home my wife saw truck smoking from under the hood. Within another minute or two there were visible flames coming from the back edge of the hood. We called 911. Within 5 minutes the entire front end of the truck was engulfed in flames. The fire department arrived and put out the fire but the entire front and cab of the truck was destroyed. Fire investigators determined fire started at back of engine compartment near battery. Vehicle was stopped parked in off condition. In my driveway. …”
NHTSA complaint #11408633, filed 2021-04, 3,400 miles“I get a Service Safety Restraint System warning sporadically when driving. No known cause and the vehicle has never been in an accident. This started happening after my last service at Capital Buick GMC in Smyrna, GA on January 6th, 2023.”
NHTSA complaint #11502347, filed 2023-01“Airbag system did not deploy but smoke in cabin during a crash. Video of front, rear and inside cabin shows the rear end passenger side impact at an estimated 45-50 MPH. I saw smoke in cabin, disturbed with anxiety after crash waiting for bags to deploy accidentally. The airbag deployed red light illuminated notifying an airbag deployment. I received a GM message through the vehicle report application stating that my airbag system malfunctioned and I needed to take the vehicle to a service department for repair as soon as possible. …”
NHTSA complaint #11648442, filed 2025-03“Airbag light and Service Safety Restraint System keep flashing on and off intermittently. Sometimes every 5 seconds. Sometimes once or twice a day. This is a known issue with 2021 GM trucks and SUVs. Trying to get vehicle in for service but dealer said they are booked 2 weeks out and won't given loaner vehicles at all anymore. The vehicle has less than 2000 miles on it.”
NHTSA complaint #11421300, filed 2021-06“Vehicle purchased new in 2021; has less than 5,600 miles on it. Service Restraint System indicator light began coming on in September. At first intermittently, then every few seconds. Sent vehicle to dealer for repair on 9/27/21. Dealer states not safe to drive because airbag may not deploy in case of accident.”
NHTSA complaint #11435093, filed 2021-10Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 1% |
| 2023 | 2 | 0% |
| 2022 | 3 | 1% |
| 2021 | 6 | 1% |
| 2020 | 6 | 1% |
| 2019 | 7 | 1% |
| 2018 | 8 | 3% |
| 2017 | 4 | 1% |
| 2016 | 12 | 4% |
| 2015 | 37 | 5% |
| 2014 | 26 | 4% |
| 2013 | 36 | 31% |
| 2012 | 42 | 39% |
| 2011 | 113 | 40% |
| 2010 | 77 | 46% |
| 2009 | 122 | 52% |
| 2008 | 243 | 64% |
| 2007 | 146 | 56% |
| 2006 | 9 | 6% |
| 2005 | 14 | 8% |
| 2004 | 8 | 4% |
| 2003 | 7 | 4% |
| 2002 | 5 | 3% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 6 | 3% |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 4 | 7% |
| 1997 | 2 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500
323 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
145 complaintsElectrical system
76 complaintsEngine cooling
49 complaintsOther or unknown
46 complaintsFuel system
42 complaintsSteering
34 complaintsBrakes
25 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
10 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsLane departure
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology