2021 GMC SIERRA 3500 Complaints and Recall Information
The 2021 GMC Sierra 3500 has 8 complaints and 8 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report transmission issues including failure to shift and rear wheel lock-up. Problems with the infotainment screen and rear defroster have also been reported. Some owners experienced issues with the vehicle locking and unlocking unexpectedly and warning lights related to the gear shifter.
- Transmission failure. Several owners report hard shifting and the need to replace the transmission. One vehicle failed to shift beyond 5th gear and had rear wheel lock-up at speed requiring a dealer diagnosis and delay in repair due to part availability.
- Gear shift warning. The vehicle shows a "Shift to Park" warning while in park and will not shut off, forcing the vehicle to remain running when parked.
- Infotainment screen blackouts. Owners report the backup camera becomes inoperative due to the screen blacking out, presenting a safety hazard.
- Backup camera malfunction. One owner reported the backup camera displaying an image from about 10 feet behind the vehicle, which was not fixed by replacing the camera system.
- Rear defroster melting plastic. Two complaints describe smoke and melting plastic on the rear sliding window while the rear defroster was active. Dealers could not determine the cause or repair the issue.
- Remote key locking issues. The vehicle locks and unlocks unexpectedly when the electronic key is carried in a pocket, believed to be caused by the design of the remote control buttons.
There are 8 recalls issued for the 2021 GMC Sierra 3500 affecting various systems including the powertrain, seat belts, tailgate latch, and brake system. The recalls address critical safety defects such as transmission control valve failure causing rear wheel lock-up, seat belt fastening issues, and potential fire risks due to water intrusion in brake components.
- Transmission control software. (NHTSA 24V797000) Approximately 463,295 vehicles affected. Transmission control valve may fail causing rear wheel lock-up which increases crash risk. Dealers will update the transmission control module software free of charge. Special coverage is offered for affected transmissions.
- Tailgate latch defect. (NHTSA 24V060000) About 570,434 vehicles impacted. Electronic gate-release switch can short circuit due to water intrusion, causing the tailgate to unlatch in park and potentially open during driving. Dealers will replace the touchpad switch assemblies at no cost.
- Seat belt fastener issues. (NHTSA 20V792000) Around 624,216 vehicles recalled. Seat belt brackets in front-row center may not be properly secured, risking occupant restraint failure. Dealers will inspect and repair the bracket attachments free of charge.
- Incorrect seat belt bolts. (NHTSA 20V811000) About 470 vehicles recalled. Some seat belts may be improperly attached due to incorrect bolts, increasing injury risk. Dealers will replace bolts at no cost.
- Brake pressure modulator valve. (NHTSA 21V758000) Approximately 3,241 vehicles. Bolts on the brake pressure modulator valve assembly may be loose allowing water intrusion, which can cause electrical shorts and fire risk. Owners are advised to park outside until repair. Dealers will replace the BPMV assembly free of charge.
Owners with vehicles facing repeated repairs, ongoing safety defects, or unresolved recall repairs may have rights under their state’s lemon law. It may benefit affected owners to consult legal counsel for further guidance.
2021 GMC SIERRA 3500 Summary
2021
Model Year
8
Total Complaints
5
Total Recalls
1661656
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2021 GMC SIERRA 3500
463295 vehicles affected
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
General 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.
Risk: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
2021 GMC SIERRA 3500
570434 vehicles affected
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH
General 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.
Risk: 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.
2021 GMC SIERRA 3500
3241 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:ELECTRIC:CONTROL MODULE
General 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.
Risk: Water in the BPMV may cause an electrical short circuit and increase the risk of fire.
2021 GMC SIERRA 3500
470 vehicles affected
SEAT BELTS
General 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.
Risk: 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.
2021 GMC SIERRA 3500
624216 vehicles affected
SEAT BELTS
General 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.
Risk: 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.
Complaints
2021 GMC SIERRA 3500
ID: 2127549VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 3500. 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, prompting her to deactivate the rear defroster. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,000.
2021 GMC SIERRA 3500
ID: 2127548ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 3500. 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, prompting her to deactivate the rear defroster. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,000.
2021 GMC SIERRA 3500
ID: 2120181BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 3500. 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. The dealer replaced the back over prevention camera system, however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the original back over prevention camera was installed in another vehicle, and the back over prevention camera system worked as designed. The contact was informed that the back over prevention camera was not the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
2021 GMC SIERRA 3500
ID: 2090626UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
2021 GMC SIERRA 3500
ID: 2071752UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle is put into park after driving. Shift to Park warning comes on while vehicle is in park. Vehicle will not shut off due to this warning and must be left running unoccupied.
2021 GMC SIERRA 3500
ID: 2071733ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
When carrying the electronic key in my pocket the vehicle will lock/unlock presumably due to the remote contacting other items in the pocket. I have owned well over a dozen GM vehicles and never had this issue. I believe the remote design has the lock/unlock buttons too proud of the surrounding surface
2021 GMC SIERRA 3500
ID: 2059686POWER TRAIN
The contact's son owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 3500 Commercial Vehicle. 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 to exceed 10 MPH. The contact was unsure whether a warning light had been illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence of the driver's girlfriend. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that the transmission needed to be replaced, but the part was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
2021 GMC SIERRA 3500
ID: 2056694POWER TRAIN
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.