2021 GMC Sierra 3500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 35%of 20 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 133,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2021 GMC Sierra 3500, 35% of the 20 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 133,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“Transmission had to be replaced from the dealership. Hard shifting dealership said truck was 23 days out of warranty. I couldn’t get into the dealership that truck was purchased from for 3 weeks. Had to go to the Jeff Gordon dealership, which is Chevrolet. And I had to replace the transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #11636808, filed 2025-01“During takeoff the transmission acted as if it was in neutral while I was crossing traffic luckily, the semi truck that was coming towards me was able to stop. I had the vehicle towed to a shop. After the vehicle was towed to the shop the transmission acted normal when the mechanic searched the VIN number. There was a service bulletin issued by General Motors for this exact problem. Had the semi not been able to stop. It could’ve very well killed me or my children. …”
NHTSA complaint #11701315, filed 2025-11“•The diesel exhaust fluid heater is a faulty component in the system, there is a back order on the part with no ETA • My pickup only does 55MPH right now and soon to do 5MPH you cannot drive on a public road doing 5MPH •There is thousands of other people having the same exact problem! •The DEF light is illuminated on my dash along with the check engine light, when you diagnose the error code it comes up with “P20C1 Reductant Heater C Control Circuit/OPEN””
NHTSA complaint #11454519, filed 2022-02“While driving 55mph on a 2 lane road, pulling a 5th wheel camper, the truck transmission downshifted by itself to a low gear. This caused a scary and immediate deceleration from 55 to 25mph. The trailer wanted to push into the oncoming lane the deceleration was so fast. The truck is at a dealership and they acknowledge the issue but not a fix other than putting back in the failed part. There was no warning and my readings say many others are having same issue. The small dealership we left the truck with (yemm Chevrolet in Galesburg Il) said they had 3 trucks with the same issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #11617429, filed 2024-10“Problem: Unable to shift transmission from D to another position like R, P, N due to snow/slush being on shifter. I travel on Idaho state highways and County roads that are plowed. In February, I traveled state highway 14. Road conditions were plowed snow roads, broken snow floor, slush and pavement without slush or snow. I had a passenger with me on this trip from Elk City, Idaho to Grangeville, Idaho via SH-14. When I pulled into my storage unit, I could not shift from D to P or N or R. I could only drive forward. The temperature in Grangeville was mid 40s. …”
NHTSA complaint #11459426, filed 2022-04Related recalls
- 24V797000Oct 24, 2024General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade…Covers: GMC Sierra 3500 2020–2022, Sierra 2500 2020–2022, Sierra 1500 2020–2022 +9 more
Related service bulletins
- 11024189Oct 9, 2025Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition where the transmission control valve has worn, resulting in a gradual loss of pressure within the valve. The effects can cause…
- 11026024Jun 3, 2025This bulletin helps aid the tech in possible 10L100 transmission noise that may be normal or abnormal depending on the concern noted.
- 11023369May 16, 2025This service bulletin advises the technician to check if the transmission cooler lines are twisted to correct customer concerns of Harsh Shift, Shudder, Surge, Stall…
- 11020259May 8, 2025This technical bulletin provides a procedure to inspect the front pump of the transmission for a possible leak.
- 11019516Apr 17, 2025This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
- 11017255Mar 25, 2025This service bulletin helps diagnose/reduce possible CCND issues on Transfer Cases - Service 4WD on DIC, Intermittent Failures, Noise Concerns, Driveline/Steering…
- 11013150Jan 28, 2025Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition where the transmission control valve has worn, resulting in a gradual loss of pressure within the valve. The effects can cause…
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11012943Jan 9, 2025This Preliminary information communicates a possible retainer ring dis-lodged for a DTC P2714, may not have reverse as well.
- 11011880Dec 17, 2024Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition where the transmission control valve has worn, resulting in a gradual loss of pressure within the valve. The effects can cause…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 40% |
| 2025 | 1 | 6% |
| 2024 | 13 | 25% |
| 2023 | 14 | 50% |
| 2022 | 6 | 19% |
| 2021 | 7 | 35% |
| 2020 | 19 | 37% |
| 2019 | 1 | 8% |
| 2018 | 1 | 7% |
| 2017 | 3 | 23% |
| 2016 | 2 | 11% |
| 2015 | 1 | 3% |
| 2014 | 1 | 14% |
| 2013 | 2 | 14% |
| 2012 | 3 | 33% |
| 2011 | 2 | 10% |
| 2009 | 2 | 40% |
| 2008 | 1 | 4% |
| 2007 | 2 | 13% |
| 2006 | 3 | 27% |
| 2004 | 1 | 4% |
| 2003 | 1 | 14% |
| 2000 | 3 | 12% |
| 1997 | 2 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2021 GMC Sierra 3500
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 GMC Sierra 3500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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