AI Damage2021 GMC Sierra 3500: common problems
The maker issued 841 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 841
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 199 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 190 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 167 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 113 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 82 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 53 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 41 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 40 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Backover prevention | 0 | 0 | 19 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 19 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 17 |
Comparison
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- This document assists GM dealer technicians with diagnosing torque converter concerns to ensure torque…
This document assists GM dealer technicians with diagnosing torque converter concerns to ensure torque converter replacement is necessary. The torque converter part number will be placed on order restriction, and the…
- This Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless projection issues
- This Preliminary information communicates an issue where an aftermarket autostop device or rear taillights…
This Preliminary information communicates an issue where an aftermarket autostop device or rear taillights is causing a dead battery.
- This PI provides information to repair the door water deflector which is not sealed properly allows water…
This PI provides information to repair the door water deflector which is not sealed properly allows water into the door jam/sill area.
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This PI provides diagnostic tips for diagnosing electric trailer brakes issues
- This PI was created to help avoid unnecessary front camera module replacements
- The purpose of this PI is to inform dealer technicians of a normal cab pressure relief valve noise to…
The purpose of this PI is to inform dealer technicians of a normal cab pressure relief valve noise to avoid unnecessary part replacement
- This Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still displayed after an…
This Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still displayed after an OTA event and how to reset/clear the message.
- This Preliminary information communicates information on a hydraulic rush type noise from the power…
This Preliminary information communicates information on a hydraulic rush type noise from the power steering gear. This noise is a characteristic of the new Active Hydraulic Assist System RPO NV8 and no repairs should…
NHTSA lists 841 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 GMC Sierra 3500?
There are no owner complaints in the NHTSA data for this year; the data comes from 841 manufacturer service bulletins.
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 GMC Sierra 3500?
NHTSA lists 841 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2021 GMC Sierra 3500 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2021 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.