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Latches, locks and linkagesPart report

2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Latches, locks and linkages Problems

Complaints
10about this part
Share
2%of 599 total for the year
Median mileage
57,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500, 2% of the 599 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,500 miles.

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.

“The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and turned off, the electronic rear tailgate door erroneously unlatched and opened. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11602610, filed 2024-07, 58,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the inner tailgate door failed to open while pressing the release button. On several occasions while pressing the release button, the inner door would lower down. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 45,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11595515, filed 2024-06, 45,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the rear tailgate panel buttons had deteriorated causing water intrusion into the panel, and the buttons became inoperable when pressed, and the rear tailgate would not open. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the rear tailgate panel, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 20,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11661925, filed 2025-05, 20,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the message that the tailgate was opened was displayed, and the contact became aware that the tailgate had opened. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road to close the tailgate. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V060000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). …”

NHTSA complaint #11631416, filed 2024-12, 41,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the tailgate opened independently. The failure occurred several times and became more persistent recently. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the side marker lights started flashing, and the tailgate opened. Additionally, upon exiting a store, the contact discovered that the tailgate had opened while the vehicle was parked. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. …”

NHTSA complaint #11764674, filed 2026-09, 66,000 miles

Latches, locks and linkages: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202410%
202351%
202251%
2021102%
202010%
201941%
201710%
200931%
2008236%
200710%
200221%
200011%
199812%

Other parts of the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500

Engine
323 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
145 complaints
Electrical system
76 complaints
Engine cooling
49 complaints
Other or unknown
46 complaints
Fuel system
42 complaints
Steering
34 complaints
Brakes
25 complaints
Body and structure
13 complaints
Suspension
10 complaints
Lane departure
8 complaints
Vehicle 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 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