2021 GMC Sierra 3500: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2021 GMC Sierra 3500: 5 recalls, 20 owner complaints.
Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts, Seat belts Vehicle recall #20V792000 · 2020 · 624,216 vehicles
What's wrong: The seat belt brackets May not be secured to the seat frame in the front-row center seating position.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Seat belts, Seat belts Vehicle recall #20V811000 · 2020 · 470 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #21V758000 · 2021 · 3,241 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Water in the bpmv May cause an electrical short circuit and increase the risk of fire.
The fix: 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.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #24V060000 · 2024 · 570,434 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Transmission & drivetrain, Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #24V797000 · 2024 · 463,295 vehicles
What's wrong: The transmission control valve May fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
Why it matters: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (7): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (4), warning light on (2).
- Brakes (5): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (3).
- Electrical (4): the most common themes are electrical failure (2).
- Engine (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2021 GMC Sierra 3500 has 20 owner complaints, ranking #13 of 31 Sierra 3500 model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 19). Complaints peaked in 2025 (8 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 101,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2020 (51 complaints, 8 recalls), 2022 (31 complaints, 3 recalls).
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2021 GMC Sierra 3500.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2021 GMC Sierra 3500 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2021 GMC Sierra 3500. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2021 GMC Sierra 3500 problems?
Owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (7), brakes (5), electrical (4).
Where can I get a 2021 GMC Sierra 3500 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.