2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Engine Problems
NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How engine ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 515 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 overview page.
What owners report
“I purchased this vehicle used with approx 16k miles on it. Not long after getting it - as I was driving it started dinging and…”NHTSA complaint 11574295 — filed 02/27/2024
“"Service parking brake" "steering assist is reduced drive with care" comments showed up on screenâ¦check engine light on, truck shaking/ vibrating completely as if wanting…”NHTSA complaint 11552483 — filed 10/29/2023
“Lifters camshaft malfunction. Known issue with 2021 GMC Sierra 20,000 miles”NHTSA complaint 11545524 — filed 09/19/2023
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Engine complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 have engine problems?
Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500: 267 of 515 complaints on file (51.8%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 have in total?
515 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 5 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, 2 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's engine category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
