2021 GMC Sierra 2500: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle2021 / gmc / sierra-2500
known issues6 clusters (reviewed 2026-08-21)
complaints51 on file (2021-02-28 → 2026-08-05)
recalls6
investigations1
fars28 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexedyes
licenseCC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Transmission loss of motive power and internal failurePOWER TRAIN11 complaints2021-11 → 2026-07sierra2500-2021-transmission-failure
  • 11703711 Pulling into a driveway and the truck made a loud clunk and the check engine light, traction control light, and a reduced engine power light came on and the truck came to an abrupt stop. When the gear shift was put into reverse or any forward gear the truck would rev up without…
  • 11649449 While driving down the highway pulling a trailer the truck started to slow down rapidly. We were able to pull to the side of the road before the truck came to a complete stop on its own. From that point forward, we could not get the truck to move forward even in 4WD
  • 11726714 Without any warning, the vehicle suddenly lost the ability to accelerate and felt as if it had been shifted into neutral. I immediately had to pull over to the side of the highway, as this created a dangerous situation with surrounding traffic
Headlight assembly moisture intrusion and flickeringEXTERIOR LIGHTING9 complaints2023-10 → 2026-02sierra2500-2021-headlight-moisture-failure
  • 11627389 Found DRL, turn signal, and low and high beam head lights were inoperative. On 11/25/24 went to GMC dealer/service. Staff seemed aware of issues and stated they are common, that they carry the $1,400 sealed assebly in stock. Vehicle is 4 months over warranty, but only has 29,000…
  • 11637853 The front left headlamp assembly low beam light unexpectedly began to flicker repetitively until the vehicle was turned off. In addition, the left front turn signal was failed, but an indication of the failed turn signal was not always present
  • 11548799 Passenger headlight light fills up with moisture resulting in the HID module filling up with water and shorting out. The high beam starts flashing when you try to use your turn signal and eventually the headlights completely stop working
Tailgate unintended unlatching and touchpad switch failureLATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES6 complaints2024-02 → 2025-08sierra2500-2021-tailgate-unlatching
  • 11602713 The contact stated while driving approximately 25–35 MPH, the tailgate unlatched and opened unexpectedly. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the tailgate opened independently. The contact stated that the tailgate down message was displayed after the failure
  • 11683220 The contact stated that six months after the vehicle was repaired, the tailgate failed to operate as intended. While at the residence, the taillights and headlights were flashing. The contact also became aware that the tailgate had unlatched independently while the vehicle was…
  • 11579498 My tailgate unexpectedly open as I was driving down the road. (2021 GMC 2500 Denali Sierra) This was the second time this has happened and lost things driving down the road. (3 propane tanks and a small grill the first and then an air compressor the second time)
DEF system warnings and vehicle speed limitationENGINE, POWER TRAIN, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3 complaints2025-03 → 2026-06sierra2500-2021-def-system-faults
  • 11741364 We keep getting an error message that shows we need to service DEF SYSTEM, it also started to limit my MPH and is now locked at 55 MPH. initial check of the DEF SYSTEM shows a malfunctioning module. it has been happening over the last year to 18 months
  • 11746749 I am reporting repeated failures involving both the transmission and diesel emissions (DEF) system on my 2021 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali equipped with the 6.6L Duramax diesel engine and Allison 10-speed automatic transmission
Parking brake actuator and shoe delamination failureSERVICE BRAKES3 complaints2023-11 → 2026-08sierra2500-2021-parking-brake-failure
  • 11755097 The left rear internal "top-hat" parking brake shoes suffered a total manufacturing bonding failure, causing the friction lining to completely delaminate and detach from the metal backing plates inside the rotor hub. This triggered Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) C060B (Left Park…
  • 11557590 The contact stated that on several occasions while in park(P) with the parking brake engaged, the parking brake warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that the parking brake would not disengage until the vehicle was shifted into reverse(R)
Power assist side step non-extensionSTRUCTURE:BODY:STEP/LADDER2 complaints2026-04 → 2026-04sierra2500-2021-power-step-failure
  • 11733416 The contact stated that on several occasions, the automatic power side-out step failed to extend as designed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,726
  • 11733017 I have a 2021 GMC Sierra 2500HD that the local dealership (Ozark MO 65714) is stating has expired and not covered by the warranty. I researched online and as I understand this recall falls under SAFTEY recalls and is to be fixed and doesn't expire?

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

countearliest_datelatest_datecrash_flaggedfire_flaggedtop_components
512021-02-282026-08-0541POWER TRAIN:12; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:9; ENGINE:8; SERVICE BRAKES:6; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:6

Recalls all years →

campaign_numberreport_received_datecomponentsummaryconsequenceremedy
21V57800029/07/2021TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIREGeneral Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and GMC Sierra 2500 vehicles equipped with a 17" spare tire (RPO ZHQ or ZXT) and either the 20" accessory road tire (RPO REM) or the 18" accessory road tire (RPO Q2V). Operating the spare tire with other 20" or 18" tires can prevent the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) from engaging.An ABS system that cannot control the rear wheels independently increases the risk of a crash.Dealers will provide the appropriate spare tire and apply a new spare tire information label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 18, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212329780.
21V75800029/09/2021SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:ELECTRIC:CONTROL MODULEGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles with electronic brake control modules (EBCM) replaced during vehicle assembly. The bolts that attach the brake pressure modulator valve (BPMV) assembly may not be properly tightened, which could fail to seal the two sub-assemblies and allow water intrusion.Water in the BPMV may cause an electrical short circuit and increase the risk of fire.Owners are advised to park outside and away from other structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will replace the BPMV assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 20, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212349181.
20V79200017/12/2020SEAT BELTSGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon XL and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The seat belt brackets may not be secured to the seat frame in the front-row center seating position.If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect left-side and right-side front-row center seat-belt bracket attachments and reassemble it correctly as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202314670.
20V81100023/12/2020SEAT BELTSGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.
24V06000001/02/2024LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCHGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with power-unlatching tailgates. The tailgate's electronic gate-release switch may short circuit due to water intrusion, which can result in the tailgate inadvertently unlatching while the vehicle is in park.An unlatched tailgate may open while driving and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.Owners are advised to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2024. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232426400.
24V79700024/10/2024POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWAREGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.

Investigations all years →

action_numberstatussubjectcomponentsopenedclosedrecall_campaignsummary
PE21010closedAir Bag MalfunctionAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE2021-04-092023-08-24·On April 9, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE21-010 to investigate instances of air bag malfunction indicator light (MIL) illumination and potential for frontal air bag non-deployment in several vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM). The vehicles included model year (MY) 2020 through 2021 CT4 and CT5 passenger cars, Sierra and Silverado trucks (1500/2500/3500 models), XT4 and MY 2021 Escalade, Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon SUVs.Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 21-NA-005, issued in March 2021, addresses air bag MIL illumination with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) B0001

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_yearsoccupant_deathsmatch_typevpic_recovered
2010-202428legacy-code0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2021 GMC Sierra 2500 vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2021/gmc/sierra-2500
@misc{wrenchpro_2021_gmc_sierra_2500_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2021 GMC Sierra 2500},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2021/gmc/sierra-2500}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

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