2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Review

Name: 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Review
Brand: GMC

Price Range: $31,990 - $69,990

GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 Crew Cab Pickup Exterior

GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Crew Cab Pickup Exterior

GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation Crew Cab Pickup Exterior

+383

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.

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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

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

3.5/5Above 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

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

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

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

3.0

47 reviews

5(42%)

4(4%)

3(4%)

2(6%)

1(44%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Valve lifter problem

Rod, 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 …

Bad engine design

Kraig 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

Let 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 …

Complete shut down on 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 duraMac

Jr, 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!

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2021 Sierra 1500 Highlights

Type:

Crew Cab

Trim:

Base

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$36,400
Engine Type	Flex-fuel (ffv)
Combined MPG	17 MPG
Cost to Drive	$205/month
Seating	6 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Max Towing Capacity	9,700 lbs.
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

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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

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
PassengerNot Rated
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back SeatNot Rated
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover19.1%

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2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Review

Price & Payment

2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Review

What's new

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

GMC Sierra 1500 Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Trending topics

Valve lifter problem

Bad engine design

Broke down at 1,236 miles

Complete shut down on 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 duraMac

2021 Sierra 1500 Highlights

Safety

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