Car Defect Radar
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Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Urgent recall on this model.

At least one recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. Confirm by VIN that the repair was completed before driving or buying this car. The fix is free at a dealer.

Recalls

6 total · 6 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Brakes recall

Park outsideRecall 21V758000 · Sep 2021

Water in the BPMV may cause an electrical short circuit and increase the risk of fire.

Remedy
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.
Status
Park outside and away from buildings until repaired. Dealer fixes it free.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Transmission recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 24V797000 · Oct 2024

Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy
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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 24V060000 · Feb 2024

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.

Remedy
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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Tires recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 21V578000 · Jul 2021

An ABS system that cannot control the rear wheels independently increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy
Dealers will provide the appropriate spare tire and apply a new spare tire information label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 18, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212329780.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Seat belts recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 20V811000 · Dec 2020

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.

Remedy
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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Seat belts recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 20V792000 · Dec 2020

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.

Remedy
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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

51 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
16

Most reports here involve transmission slipping. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

transmission slipping 7fluid leaks 3
A recent report: After finishing a long drive south, I shut the engine off and a yellow engine code popped on. I connected my computer to it and revealed a P129F code (fuel pump control module). I have noticed that…
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After finishing a long drive south, I shut the engine off and a yellow engine code popped on. I connected my computer to it and revealed a P129F code (fuel pump control module). I have noticed that other GMC models have been included in a recall concerning this problem. The 2021 GMC 2500 Denali should be also since it is the same problem. This needs to be covered by the manufacturer since it is a constant problem.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11753689 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Worth reading
16

Most reports here involve electrical shorts. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

electrical shorts 9software faults 3
A recent report: XXX Power Assist Step Reversing I have a 2021 GMC Sierra 2500HD that the local dealership (Ozark MO 65714) is stating has expired and not covered by the warranty. I researched online and as I…
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XXX Power Assist Step Reversing I have a 2021 GMC Sierra 2500HD that the local dealership (Ozark MO 65714) is stating has expired and not covered by the warranty. I researched online and as I understand this recall falls under SAFTEY recalls and is to be fixed and doesn't expire? It requires no parts but the reprogramming of the K4 Assist Step Control Module. What is my next step or recourse?

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11733017 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
9

Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

loss of braking 2software faults 1
A recent report: The left rear internal "top-hat" parking brake shoes suffered a total manufacturing bonding failure, causing the friction lining to completely delaminate and detach from the metal backing plates…
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The left rear internal "top-hat" parking brake shoes suffered a total manufacturing bonding failure, causing the friction lining to completely delaminate and detach from the metal backing plates inside the rotor hub. This triggered Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) C060B (Left Park Brake Actuator Circuit). The failed components were replaced by the servicing facility and are unavailable, but the official dealer diagnostic scan sheet and itemized repair invoice are preserved and available for inspection upon request. Safety was compromised in two ways. First, the mechanical failure completely disabled the electronic parking brake system, forcing a heavy-duty truck to rely exclusively on the transmission's parking pawl to remain stationary. This creates a severe rolling vehicle hazard, especially on inclines or when hauling/towing heavy loads. Second, when these shoes disintegrate, the loose friction debris trapped inside the enclosed drum can shift, wedge, and cause a sudden mechanical wheel lockup or severe brake dragging at highway speeds, threatening vehicle control. The problem was officially confirmed and diagnosed by an authorized General Motors dealership service center. The technician scanned the vehicle, retrieved DTC code C060B, and confirmed upon inspection that the internal parking brake shoes had completely disintegrated. There were absolutely no physical symptoms, abnormal noises, dragging sensations, or brake pedal changes prior to the failure, as the parking brake shoes sit isolated inside the rotor hub. The issue appeared suddenly on May 23, 2026, when the vehicle immediately displayed a parking brake malfunction warning lamp on the instrument cluster dashboard and completely refused to engage the electronic parking brake.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11755097 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Worth reading
2

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

airbags not deploying 1
A recent report: Hit in the driver side tire, air bags didn’t release. Truck then went up in flames.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11478289 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Minor
1

Most reports here involve electrical shorts.

electrical shorts 1
A recent report: The “Service Safety Restraint” alarm goes off continually on my 2021 GMC Sierra 2500HD AT4. The warranty is no longer valid as at the time of occurrence I was at 34,500 miles and when I took it in…
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The “Service Safety Restraint” alarm goes off continually on my 2021 GMC Sierra 2500HD AT4. The warranty is no longer valid as at the time of occurrence I was at 34,500 miles and when I took it in the warranty had expired due to exceeding 36,000 miles. Extended warranties were not purchased and this began approximately 8-9 months after purchase. The code given is “b0014 Driver Seat Side Air Bag Deployment Loop” with a description of high resistance in wiring or wiring harness. After much research I have found that many GMC 2021 vehicles and previous models have had this exact same issue. No dealership as of yet has offered to help or understand that this defect was of their own flawed design. The issue that I am having is exactly the same as other models such as the 2021 Yukon, Sierra 1500, Suburban and others. This is a safety issue and only want GMC to account for their flaw. I do not believe I should have to pay for a design flaw or equipment malfunction that is well known amongst GMC vehicles. I am asking the NHTSA to help me in this matter and the many others who are having the same issue and for the manufacturer to be accountable for their own flaw.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11478489 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
5

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 5
A recent report: The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that no visible tailgate was attached, and the contact was unaware if the vehicle had been repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V060000…
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The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that no visible tailgate was attached, and the contact was unaware if the vehicle had been repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V060000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages); however, the recall had been marked as completed under the VIN. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where they advised the contact that the recall repair was completed. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Littleton Chevy (851 Meadow St Littleton, NH 03561); for a second opinion and was informed that the recall repairs had not been performed. In addition, the contact stated that the tailgate was replaced with an after-market part due to backorder issues. The contact stated that there was no failure experienced with the original part. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11624010 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
2

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 2
A recent report: The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that on several occasions, the automatic power side-out step failed to extend as designed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The…
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The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that on several occasions, the automatic power side-out step failed to extend as designed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,726.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11733416 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 51 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2021 and 2026, roughly 9 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2021 has 51 complaints on file, fewer than the 2020 (74) and more than the 2022 (43). Of the 17 model years of the GMC Sierra 2500 we cover, the 2024 has the most (103). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.