2021 GMC Sierra 3500 recalls and problems

The 2021 GMC Sierra 3500 has 5 safety recalls and 21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any GMC dealer.

Urgent: recall 21V-758 carries a "park outside" warning. Contact a dealer before driving.
Recalls
5
Complaints
21
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2021 GMC Sierra 3500 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2021 GMC Sierra 3500 recalls

Recall 24V-797: Power Train

Reported Oct 24, 2024 · 463,295 vehicles affected · General Motors, LLC

Problem: 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.

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. 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.

Recall 24V-060: Latches/Locks/Linkages

Reported Feb 1, 2024 · 570,434 vehicles affected · General Motors, LLC

Problem: 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.

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. 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.

Recall 21V-758: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Park outsideReported Sep 29, 2021 · 3,241 vehicles affected · General Motors, LLC

Problem: 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.

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. 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.

Recall 20V-811: Seat Belts

Reported Dec 23, 2020 · 470 vehicles affected · General Motors, LLC

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 20V-792: Seat Belts

Reported Dec 17, 2020 · 624,216 vehicles affected · General Motors, LLC

Problem: 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.

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. 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.

2021 GMC Sierra 3500 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Power Train7
Service Brakes5
Electrical System5
Engine3
Unknown or Other3
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Back Over Prevention2
Structure1
Tires1
Visibility1
Visibility/Wiper1

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 1
  • Tires › Tread/Belt — 1
  • Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System — 1
  • Back Over Prevention › Warnings — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 133,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2021 GMC Sierra 3500 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Electrical System · reported Nov 6, 2026
This is in reference to GM Bulletin PIT5881 (Created 01/05/2022) and PIT5881A (modified on 1/12/2022) Video Processing Module (VPM) With Green Object On Radio Display In Front And Reverse Camera Views. This was logged with the NHTSA under NHTSA TSB ID #10208018. When looking at the rearview or backup camera view on the operator display, there is a green object that starts forming on the screen and the image or smear grows in time and obscures the camera view - a loss of the back-over prevention system. As of this date (> 4 years after acknowledging this defect) this known defect has not be…
Service Brakes · at 140,606 miles · reported Jun 12, 2026
The contact filed the complaint on behalf of the owner of a 2021 GMC Sierra 3500. 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. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with detached rear brake pads and detached rear emergency brake shoes. In addition, the rear brake caliber had seized. The vehicle owner was informed that the rear…
Power Train · reported Nov 24, 2025
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. I suppose if it would’ve killed someone, maybe general motors would finally do a recall for this very disappointed in general…
Electrical System · at 26,000 miles · reported Sep 8, 2025
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.
Back Over Prevention · at 70,000 miles · reported Aug 14, 2025
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…

Other GMC Sierra 3500 years

Compare all GMC Sierra 3500 years · All GMC models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 GMC Sierra 3500 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2021 GMC Sierra 3500: 24V-797 (power train), 24V-060 (latches/locks/linkages), 21V-758 (service brakes, hydraulic), 20V-811 (seat belts), 20V-792 (seat belts). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2021 GMC Sierra 3500?

Owners report power train problems most often (7 reports), followed by service brakes (5). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 133,000 miles.

Are GMC recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized GMC dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.