2021 GMC Sierra 3500: 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-3500
known issues7 clusters (reviewed 2026-08-21)
complaints20 on file (2021-06-10 → 2026-06-12)
recalls5
investigations1
fars28 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexedyes
licenseCC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Transmission failure and unintended gear shiftPOWER TRAIN5 complaints2022-04-03 → 2025-11-24sierra3500-2021-transmission-failure
  • 11701315 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…
  • 11617429 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
  • 11638908 The contact stated while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed uphill, the vehicle failed to shift to a gear higher than 5th gear. Additionally, the rear wheels locked up, causing the vehicle to come to a stop. The driver attempted to resume driving, but the vehicle failed…
Diesel exhaust fluid system malfunction and speed restrictionFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM4 complaints2022-01-10 → 2024-11-01sierra3500-2021-def-system-failure
  • 11623109 Multiple instances of diesel engine emissions system parts and software failure. While driving, towing or not, the DIC would randomly display a message that the DEF level is low and reduced speed will occur in x-amount of miles and that mileage would then begin a visible…
  • 11459422 I was told there were issues with the heater and pump. The heater turns high or the heater won’t work; and there are issues with the connector.02/24/22: My truck has 16,000 approx. miles. The check engine light came on and displayed message that I had so many miles until truck…
  • 11454519 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…
Service brake pedal loss and caliper seizureSERVICE BRAKES4 complaints2021-10-26 → 2024-04-19sierra3500-2021-service-brake-failure
  • 11584171 With 42,774 miles on the vehicle, and the onboard monitor for brake wear showing remaining brake life at 94% front and 96% rear, brake fluid reservoir between Max and Min the brake pedal went soft and the vehicle would not stop. I resorted to putting the vehicle in neutral and…
  • 11438295 the brakes are extremely soft; to the point where I must depress the pedal to the floor to get it stopped even at slow speeds. I hoped it was just an air bubble from the repair; but the fluid levels are full and the dealer had no ideas on what could be wrong at this point
  • 11743698 The contact stated that while the vehicle owner was driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver noticed that the rear wheels were attempting to lockup. The contact stated that the failure was noticeable while driving forward and while reversing. No warning light illuminated
Backup camera and infotainment screen loss of imageBACK OVER PREVENTION2 complaints2025-05-12 → 2025-08-14sierra3500-2021-backup-camera-display
  • 11680762 The contact stated that while reversing, the back over prevention camera screen displayed an image of the ground. The contact stated that the image was approximately ten feet behind the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated
  • 11660333 There is a known issue with these trucks with the infotainment screen blacking out, which renders the backup cameras inoperative. This is a huge safety risk and its astounding to me that this hasn't been recalled yet
Rear defroster activation causing plastic melting and smokeELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM1 complaints2025-09-08 → 2025-09-08sierra3500-2021-rear-defroster-melting
  • 11685740 The contact stated that while his wife had the vehicle idling with the rear defroster activated, shortly afterwards, she observed smoke coming from the plastic on the rear sliding window. After a visual inspection, the contact's wife observed that the plastic was melting…
Trailer brake wiring connection intermittent disconnectELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES1 complaints2021-06-10 → 2021-06-10sierra3500-2021-trailer-brake-disconnect
  • 11420443 Trailer brake wiring connection continually disconnectsthen reconnects some time later. Some periods of up to 10 minutes without having trailer braking power. Major safety issue when toeing fifth wheel trailer. We lost brakes going down steep grades
Rear tire tread separation on highwayTIRES:TREAD/BELT1 complaints2023-05-24 → 2023-05-24sierra3500-2021-tire-tread-separation
  • 11523697 The right rear tire (Goodyear Wrangler 275/65R20) separated and blew out on the highway, the truck was very difficult to control however it was safely stopped and there were no injuries. There was no observed warning prior to the blow out. The tire separation caused damage to…

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

countearliest_datelatest_datecrash_flaggedfire_flaggedtop_components
202021-06-102026-06-1200POWER TRAIN:7; SERVICE BRAKES:5; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:4; UNKNOWN OR OTHER:3; ENGINE:3

Recalls all years →

campaign_numberreport_received_datecomponentsummaryconsequenceremedy
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 3500 vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2021/gmc/sierra-3500
@misc{wrenchpro_2021_gmc_sierra_3500_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2021 GMC Sierra 3500},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2021/gmc/sierra-3500}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

hub · known-issues · methodology · license · research (interpretation)