NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission control valve may not have been repaired correctly under a previous recall, causing it to fail and lock up the rear wheels.
What the fix does
This page covers 7 recalls and NHTSA crash-test ratings for the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500.
The 2019 to 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 received an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars in NHTSA crash testing for US-market vehicles. The truck earned 4 stars in frontal crash protection and 4 stars in rollover resistance. It achieved 5 stars in both side crash and side pole crash tests. NHTSA applies these ratings across model years until a significant redesign occurs, so this rating covers the entire 2019 to 2021 range.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 has 7 recalls, the most serious being a transmission valve defect on diesel-equipped trucks that can cause the rear wheels to lock up without warning, raising the risk of a crash.
On the engine side, trucks with the 6.2L V8 gas engine may have defective connecting rod or crankshaft components that can cause sudden engine failure while driving. Two recalls address seatbelt attachment problems: incorrect bolts may have been used to secure seatbelt assemblies to the vehicle structure, and separately, the seatbelt bracket at the front-row center seating position may not be properly secured to the seat frame. In either case, the belt may not hold an occupant in a crash. There are also two tire concerns: certain Continental tires may have been overcured during production, which can cause a sidewall break or tread separation and sudden air loss. On trucks equipped with accessory road wheels and a 17-inch spare, the spare is not compatible with those wheels and can cause the anti-lock brake system to stop working properly under hard braking.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission control valve may not have been repaired correctly under a previous recall, causing it to fail and lock up the rear wheels.
What the fix does
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 6 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Dealers will inspect your vehicle and update the transmission control software at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The connecting rod and crankshaft in the 6.2L V8 engine may have manufacturing defects that cause engine damage and failure.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your engine and repair or replace it if needed. Passing engines receive higher viscosity oil, new oil filter, and manual updates.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission control valve may fail, causing the rear wheels to lock up unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Dealers will install updated transmission control module software and repair or replace defective control valves as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The 17-inch spare tire supplied with the vehicle is incompatible with certain accessory wheels, which can cause the anti-lock brake system to malfunction under certain conditions.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a new compatible 17-inch spare tire and wheel assembly, apply updated labeling, and provide documentation clarifying which spare tire to use with each wheel set.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Seat belt fastening bolts may be incorrect, causing seat belts to not attach properly to the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the suspect bolts with correct ones at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seat belt brackets in the front-row center seating position may not be properly secured to the seat frame, reducing their ability to restrain occupants.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the seat belt bracket attachments on both sides and reassemble them correctly if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Some Continental tires may have been overheated during manufacturing, potentially affecting their durability and performance.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your vehicle and replace any affected tires at no cost based on tire identification numbers.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.