2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Review
Price Range: $31,590 - $54,998





+383
Average
7.4
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The GMC Sierra is comfortable and can be equipped with a rambunctious 6.2-liter V8. But getting the big V8 drives the truck's cost up, reducing its value. Still, if you're looking for the best interpretation of the GM family of trucks, the Sierra could be it.
GMC Sierra 1500 model years
GMC Sierra 1500 types
- Crew Cab
- Regular Cab
- Double Cab
- Diesel
2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What's new
- Double-cab configuration no longer available on SLT and AT4 trims
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto now offer wireless connectivity
- Part of the fourth Sierra 1500 generation introduced for 2019
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
3.5 out of 5 stars3.5/5Above Average
#4 out of 19 among Fullsize Trucks
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the GMC Sierra 1500 from 2008-2022.$637/yr
vs. $752/yr
for Average Fullsize Truck
for Average Fullsize Truck
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).0.64x/yr
vs. 0.98x/yr
for Average Fullsize Truck
for Average Fullsize Truck
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).19.6%
vs. 19.9%
for Average Fullsize Truck
for Average Fullsize Truck
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
GMC Sierra 1500 Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(42%)
4(4%)
3(4%)
2(6%)
1(44%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Valve lifter problem
3 out of 5 starsRod, 09/03/2021
2021 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.8 ft. SB (5.3L 8cyl 10A)
I have a 2021 GMC 5.3L w/10spd transmission. I pull a 21’ cargo trailer w/2 Polaris Trail Rzr’s. Yesterday at 13,800 miles the valve lifter on #5 cylinder went out. We were 80 miles from home in the middle of no-where. We limped home.
The truck is beautiful, pulls great and gets good mileage, but GM should let customers know about this kind of potential problem.
The dealer told me … today that it could take a month to get parts and get it fixed. I need the truck almost every day, but now I walk for a month! NOT HAPPY! I’ve been a GMC customer for 35 years and bought north of 17 new pickups. Never had this problem. When this is fixed I will have to look at other brands.
Bad engine design
1 out of 5 starsKraig Monroe, 05/12/2021
2021 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 6.6 ft. SB (5.3L 8cyl 10A)
My 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 had to have new lifters and push rods put in at 3600 miles then again at 5200 miles had the same problem waiting on dealership and General Motors to get back with me.I think they should buy back this truck in my opinion nobody should have this problem with a brand new truck purchased in January 2021.steelworker96@gmail.com
Broke down at 1,236 miles
1 out of 5 starsLet down, 01/16/2021
2021 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 6.6 ft. SB (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 10A)
Bought a 2021 AT4 with 3.0L Duramax. Ordered it and waited 4 months for it to arrive. Love the ride & engine. Had to be towed to dealer with 1,236 miles due to a "transmission module issue." Been 3 days haven't heard back. Think transmission might've blown. Wouldn't go in reverse, would go into reverse position but wouldn't move. Engine power was reduced & check engine light came on. The … 10 speed transmission was supposed to be solid.... be cautious
Complete shut down on 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 duraMac
1 out of 5 starsJr, 02/16/2021
2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.8 ft. SB (5.3L 8cyl 10A)
Complete failure needed to be towed in three times less than 500 miles. Power or computer problems and still trying to fix!
2021 Sierra 1500 Highlights
Crew Cab
Base
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $36,400 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Flex-fuel (ffv) |
Combined MPG | 17 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $229/month |
Seating | 6 seats |
rear wheel drive | |
Max Towing Capacity | 9,700 lbs. |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the Sierra 1500 models:
- Forward Collision Alert
- Sounds an alert and flashes a light when the system detects a possible front crash.
- Lane Keep Assist
- Detects when the vehicle is drifting from its lane and gently steers it back toward the center.
- Low-Speed Forward Automatic Braking
- Automatically applies the brakes when the system detects an impending front crash at low speeds.
NHTSA Overall Rating
5 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall4 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5PassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat5 / 5Back SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover19.1%
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