2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 76about this part
- Share
- 13%of 596 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 31,150miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 76 complaints about the electrical system of the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500, 13% of the 596 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 31,150 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The auto stop feature on my truck is dangerous! There is no way to permanently disable it. When pulling into traffic from a stop, there is a significant delay for the car to restart and get moving! I have almost been in several accidents because of this. Forget the $20 in gas this junk might save someone over a year! It is dangerous”
NHTSA complaint #11413684, filed 2021-04, 10 miles“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“Started vehicle everything was normal shifted vehicle into drive proceeded forward. While driving vehicles steering seized I was unable two move the steering wheel. It was also very difficult to stop the vehicle brakes were not working properly. Messages came up on to display reading service power steering and briefly imessage about the brakes flashed quickly on the message board. …”
NHTSA complaint #11378394, filed 2020-12, 847 miles“The electronic tailgate switch is malfunctioning and opening on own. We brought in and paid 2 times to have repaired and now the third time has happened. It’s appears this model is recalled in Canada but not US. Why is that when it’s the same parts used and the HD models have also been recalled. Why is our truck not recalled for this?”
NHTSA complaint #11624856, filed 2024-11“Dashboard keeps returning to aljarir type writing. We bought it with American English but won't stay in English. Monday will be 30 day and I believe the dealer is ghosting me. Y'all have any ideas how to reset the dashboard without replacing the radio??? Closest answer I was given.”
NHTSA complaint #11764558, filed 2026-09Related service bulletins
- 11027795Jan 27, 2026Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition in which the body-to-chassis ground strap may be corroded. Dealers will replace the ground strap.
- 11024378Sep 6, 2025This service bulletin advises the technician of a possible loose ground that may be causing customer concerns of Loss of Steering Assist and/or Loss of Brake Assist and…
- 11023368May 17, 2025This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on power folding mirrors do not fold at the same speed.
- 11024486May 16, 2025This bulletin advises the tech to inspect deeper into what may be to main cause of an engine failure.
- 11019017Apr 10, 2025This bulletin provides a procedure on how to check for a battery drain utilizing the Picoscope and how to measure the load on the system that may be causing a drain.
- 11017595Apr 3, 2025This service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or Insulating Tape to use for certain repairs, such as Wiring Harness Repairs.
- 11017443Apr 2, 2025This service bulletin provides a repair procedure to correct a customer concern of a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated - DTC P3055 Set.
- 11017244Mar 31, 2025The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other…
- 11017255Mar 25, 2025This service bulletin helps diagnose/reduce possible CCND issues on Transfer Cases - Service 4WD on DIC, Intermittent Failures, Noise Concerns, Driveline/Steering…
- 11017207Mar 21, 2025This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 20 | 14% |
| 2025 | 26 | 21% |
| 2024 | 43 | 11% |
| 2023 | 64 | 13% |
| 2022 | 83 | 14% |
| 2021 | 76 | 13% |
| 2020 | 81 | 17% |
| 2019 | 95 | 14% |
| 2018 | 43 | 14% |
| 2017 | 54 | 15% |
| 2016 | 54 | 16% |
| 2015 | 96 | 13% |
| 2014 | 129 | 17% |
| 2013 | 6 | 5% |
| 2012 | 8 | 7% |
| 2011 | 17 | 6% |
| 2010 | 10 | 6% |
| 2009 | 20 | 9% |
| 2008 | 31 | 8% |
| 2007 | 22 | 8% |
| 2006 | 20 | 14% |
| 2005 | 67 | 38% |
| 2004 | 81 | 38% |
| 2003 | 43 | 24% |
| 2002 | 3 | 2% |
| 2001 | 7 | 5% |
| 2000 | 5 | 3% |
| 1999 | 8 | 5% |
| 1998 | 3 | 5% |
| 1997 | 2 | 2% |
| 1996 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500
322 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
144 complaintsEngine cooling
49 complaintsOther or unknown
44 complaintsFuel system
42 complaintsSteering
34 complaintsBrakes
25 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
10 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsLane departure
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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