2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 322about this part
- Share
- 54%of 596 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,522miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 322 complaints about the engine of the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500, 54% of the 596 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,522 miles. 5 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“While driving during winter conditions with temperature at 3 degrees on a residential street with limited traffic, the diesel fuel in the fuel filter gelled up which caused the vehicle to display reduce power mode and then immediately shut off and would not start. The vehicle coasted to a stop in the middle of the street while in traffic. The owners manual lists utilizing top tier diesel which I did. While additives are not normally needed in most states to fuel for freezing conditions evidently they are needed in oklahoma. …”
NHTSA complaint #11396897, filed 2021-02, 2,500 miles“The vehicle was bought brand new and was only driven for a week. It was in motion on the freeway when the engine started to sound noisier than usual, like that of an older truck. It was hard to notice on higher speeds on the freeway, but upon slowing down on curves, it got more obvious that something was really wrong because the noise sounded like something was loose inside the engine. There was no 'check engine' light or any other warning lights. Upon exiting the freeway, the engine shut off completely while in motion. Fortunately, I was able to pull in a parking lot and park it safely. …”
NHTSA complaint #11383585, filed 2020-12, 625 miles“Engine temp rises way above mid-level and will stay there for several minutes before cooling back down to normal temps. 2 different mechanic shops have told me it's the coolant control valve, but want $2500 to fix it. This service bulletin is for the same year, make, model, and motor as my truck, but the dealership said it wasn't covered.”
NHTSA complaint #11753949, filed 2026-07Related service bulletins
- 11027714Jan 21, 2026Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition where the connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components in these vehicles may have manufacturing defects that can lead to…
- 11025492Nov 6, 2025Under Field Actions N252494000, N252494001, the service procedure includes performing a PICO test on vehicle engines within the identified suspect VIN population. If the engine…
- 11023152Sep 16, 2025Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition that could cause the engine coolant control valve to fail an onboard vehicle diagnostic test. If this condition were to occur…
- 11024332Sep 6, 2025This informational bulletin advises the technician of a part number change for long block engines used in the trucks noted.
- 11024330Sep 6, 2025This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the camshaft actuator magnet to correct customer concerns of engine related shudder.
- 11026017Jun 5, 2025This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- 11018541May 23, 2025Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition where the connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components in these vehicles may have manufacturing defects that can lead to…
- 11024486May 16, 2025This bulletin advises the tech to inspect deeper into what may be to main cause of an engine failure.
- 11024485May 15, 2025The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 11020254May 7, 2025This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000 miles that may not pass California smog inspection or smog inspection in…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 101 | 69% |
| 2025 | 59 | 48% |
| 2024 | 190 | 51% |
| 2023 | 211 | 42% |
| 2022 | 239 | 40% |
| 2021 | 322 | 54% |
| 2020 | 244 | 51% |
| 2019 | 313 | 48% |
| 2018 | 67 | 22% |
| 2017 | 58 | 16% |
| 2016 | 39 | 11% |
| 2015 | 84 | 12% |
| 2014 | 69 | 9% |
| 2013 | 8 | 7% |
| 2012 | 6 | 6% |
| 2011 | 16 | 6% |
| 2010 | 11 | 7% |
| 2009 | 13 | 6% |
| 2008 | 19 | 5% |
| 2007 | 19 | 7% |
| 2006 | 5 | 3% |
| 2005 | 6 | 3% |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 3 | 2% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500
144 complaintsElectrical system
76 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 27, 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