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2021 GMC Savana problems

The most common problem on the 2021 GMC Savana is steering. It has fewer complaints than a typical Savana model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
2
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
6501 warranty
Worst area
Steering

The worst 2021 GMC Savana problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Steering
    2
  • Engine
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Steering
    2
  • Engine
    1

Recalls 3

Electrical system: wiringReported April 6, 2023 · 150,830 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2003-2023 Chevrolet Express Cutaway and GMC Savana Cutaway incomplete vehicles equipped with wiring for an optional rear heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. When the HVAC blower motor circuit is left unused with exposed connectors and wiring, the circuit can corrode and overheat.
Risk
An overheated electrical circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will properly seal the rear HVAC blower motor circuits at the left side B-pillar, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GMC's number for this recall is N222386050.

Recall number 23V247000 · Recall details

Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery: cablesReported March 18, 2021 · 10,154 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles equipped with 6.6L gasoline engines. The positive battery cable terminals may contact a fuse block assembly attachment post and cause an electrical short circuit.
Risk
A short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the repair is complete. GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove a portion of the anti-rotation tab on both positive battery cable terminals near the fuse block assembly attachments, free of charge. If too much of the tab had been removed during prior servicing, the battery cable will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, and GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is N202325160.

Recall number 21V189000 · Recall details

TiresReported February 25, 2021 · 33,838 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
Risk
Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1‑888‑988‑7267, Buick customer service at 1‑866‑608‑8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.

Recall number 21V115000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2021 GMC Savana

Defect investigations

6L90 Transmission FailureOpened September 27, 2023, closed January 10, 2025

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) after receiving one Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) complaint related to four school buses built on General Motors (GM) van chassis. The VOQ alleged transmission failure resulting in a loss of all forward gear. In ODI's pre-investigative discussions with GM, ODI learned that valve body separator plates had been machined out of tolerance during production periods between October 2016 to April 2017 and February 2021 to April 2021. This out of tolerance machining may create excessive wear to the valve body check balls, possibly resulting in an inability to engage drive or reverse. The potential loss of drivability only begins when shifting from a park or neutral transmission selection and does not occur during a functional drive cycle. The average failure mileage of vehicles which experienced this condition is within warranty and related claims or complaints did not include any accidents, injuries, or fatalities. After discussions with GM, Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 23-NA-142 (the federal safety agency ID number 10243753) was released in September 2023. This technical service bulletin provides a procedure for technicians to replace the forward check ball and separator plate if found to be the cause of a customer's concern. During the course of the investigation, GM also released a Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP) N232428780 (the federal safety agency ID 10253316) in February 2024, to notify school bus and ambulance fleets of the concern and to proactively mitigate the risk in these essential-operation vehicles. Recently, ODI contacted multiple school bus fleets, verifying that there have not been any stranded buses mid-route from this condition. Additionally, ODI has not received any additional VOQ complaints since the opening of this investigation. Based on the available information, including GM's TSB and CSP, this PE is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI report cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Numbers document, go to

PE23016

Technical service bulletins for the 2021 GMC Savana 650

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 650 bulletins for the 2021 GMC Savana

What 2021 GMC Savana owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 1, 2024 · Steering · PA

Power steering lines leaking and hydroboost. Third vehicle in fleet with 64000 miles and same issue.

Filed Mar 11, 2024 · Engine, Steering · 54,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Savana. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the steering wheel was stiff. The power steering fluid was leaking. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the PCM, power steering, and sensors had to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

Compare the 2021 GMC Savana

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Questions about the 2021 GMC Savana

Is the 2021 GMC Savana reliable?

Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 2021 GMC Savana, fewer than a typical Savana model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2021 GMC Savana?

Steering, with 2 complaints. Next is engine (1).

How many recalls does the 2021 GMC Savana have?

3 recalls, covering electrical system and tires.

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