This was the first time I had ever experienced the rear differential locking up at highway speeds in my truck. It was probably the day after I bought the truck. I was going down route one southbound going probably around 60 miles an hour and the wheels locked up and the vehicle felt like it was gonna come to a screeching hole. It felt like I hit something And then the wheels unlocked and it allowed me to keep driving. I thought that I might have hit the cruise control button on the steering wheel by accident and chopped it up to operator error which now I know is one of the most dangerous recall issues I’ve ever had to experience or indoor. Thank goodness my family was not with me at the time. But these issues continued on for months…
2021 GMC Sierra 1500 engine complaints
Page 7 of 14: complaints 161 to 190 of 372, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I was driving at highway speeds probably doing 55 and another vehicle pulled out in front of me forcing me to slow down rapidly. That’s when my wheels locked up and my vehicles wheels locked up in the middle of the highway. Screeching tires, almost like the vehicle went into park for a second. After about two seconds, I was able to continue driving a highway speed no check engine lights no error codes. It felt like I just hit something nearly gave me a heart attack. My family was in the car. It felt like we all almost died. It was terrifying. This transmission issue recall situation has happened to me more times than I can count. Now it’s almost a guarantee that if you have to shift too hard too fast it locks up the differential and it is terrifying. Every time.
I just took my 2021 GMC Sierra 1503.0 Duramax diesel into Faulkner Nissan, today 10/18/2025 m, to have that recall fixed. I picked it up from the dealership and drove about 10 miles before it went into limp mode and reduced power mode while I was driving and started to shift very roughly and I’ve never had any issue like this before they supposedly fix this recall, I think the software patch made it worse in my case. Now my vehicle is throwing a bunch of different transmission error codes, that it has never produced , and it is going into reduced power mode,as I’m driving and going into limp mode as I’m driving, which you never has done before And it feels like it’s stuttering in early gears now and the idle was really rough it didn’t idle at a specific spot it went from 800 to 1300 back down to 800 when it should’ve just been idle at 800. I don’t know what to do. It seems like this recall made the problem worse for me and my truck in this case, I don’t know what to do and I don’t know where to go. I hope you guys can help us. Please make GMC take responsibility Before somebody gets killed. If they haven’t already this issue is extremely DANGEROUS AND I’M SURE IS DESTROYING THE TRANSMISSION. I don’t feel comfortable driving my family in my vehicle anymore because of this issue it is terrifying….
Dtc code p1098 present related to faulty coolant control valve on 3.0 duramax diesel engiine. This is a known issue with this engine and is supposed to be covered under the 100k mile powertrain warranty. Previously took vehicle into dealership for repair involving replacement of the coolant control valve but was told reprogramming of the ECM was required first step per gm repair bulletin. Reprogramming cost me $195 and was told this was not covered under the 100k powertrain warranty. Now, a few months later, the same issue and dtc code p1098 happened again while driving on freeway at freeway speeds and caused vehicle computer to limit speed of the vehicle which caused hazardous situation in construction zone as was not able to maintain speed of traffic while towing trailer with boat. I also understand that gm has issued special extended warranty related to this coolant control valve in september 2025 which extends the warranty coverage up to 15 years and/or up to 150k miles but I was told at the dealership that my VIN# does not qualify for this extended coverage for some unknown reason?
Vehicle showing signs of a failing coolant flow control valve and/orcoolant temperature sensor. - AC takes a long time to cool down - Engine fan will stay on after the vehicle is shut off - I often see the notice of “A/C Off Due To High Engine Temp” From what I can find, this issue I’m experiencing is a known point of failure in this vehicle make/model/year. On 10/10/2025, I took the vehicle to Fountain Buick GMC Service in Orlando, FL. The service manager recognized the symptoms immediately, and even knew right away that the part to fix it was on back order - further bolstering that it is an issue that GM is aware of and deals with regularly. Per the service manager, GM’s initial response was to issue a “pay to play” software update that is covered under the 3yr/36,000 warranty, but not the 5yr/100K. Out of warranty, this “solution” costs $499.99, and has a < 10% degree of success. If the update doesn’t fix the issue, then it would be covered. However, the need for the software update was not communicated to consumers. Regardless, since the issue is not yet severe enough to be recognized via code (despite symptoms, pictures, and video), GM will not take any action under warranty towards fixing it at this time. The vehicle’s 5yr/100K warranty expires on 10/15/2025. If the code throws on 10/16/2025, it will not be covered under warranty, but *may* be covered under dealer assistance. And regardless, the $499.99 charge will apply, independent of warranty coverage. More important than the money is the safety. The engine’s temperature is not being regulated, the symptoms I’m experiencing are terminal, and this issue will not be fixed on its own.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. While the contact's husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed an abnormally bumpy ride. The contact felt as if the vehicle was driving over rocks. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, parts were not yet available for the recall repair. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle had been at the dealer for more than two months awaiting parts. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Constant engine issues, cams, lifters. Transmission problems. These engines in these vehicles need to be RECALLED. I have bought 6 of these trucks and all of them have the same issues. SPENDING 14k on new engines one after another is ridiculous. These are classified as âworkâ trucks and canât handle âworkingâÂ
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact then received a notice that parts for the recall were available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the recall remedy was for the dealer to use a higher viscosity oil. The contact expressed concerns that the remedy was not a sufficient repair and that the engine was still vulnerable to failure. The vehicle was repaired under the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Engine lifters bent a pushrod and scratched my camshaft in my engine causing me to be stranded with minor children. 3rd time since I bought this in 2021 that I have had engine faults in this truck.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); the VIN was included, but parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.
See attached document for complaint.
See attached document for complaint. I am writing as the owner of a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 equipped with the 6.2-liter engine that has recently been included in a significant recall. I've been advised that the engine may need to be replaced entirely. As you can imagine, this is extremely concerning given the scale of the defect and the vital role this truck plays i'n my dayto- day responsibilities.
See attached document for complaint. This law firm represents [XXX] . [XXX] owns a GMC truck with VIN: xxxxxx which is subject to the above referenced recall. Please accept this letter as Mr. [XXX] 's written complaint due to his dealer's failure to remedy the defect covered under the above referenced recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Complete engine failure on July 17, 2025, related to current recall for defective engine parts on 6.2L V8 L87 engine. Towed to dealer same day. Dealer continues to report no ETA available on replacement engine. Dealer has had possession of my unrepaired truck for 46 days now and counting.
Coolant control valve failure. Instantly reduces power on truck. National back order on parts. No remedy.
Have owned my 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 with the 3.0 Duramax for a year and the check engine light has come on multiple times for a "Coolant Control Valve" issue. The truck runs the fans at 100% and puts the truck into reduced power at least once a day. I have read that GM sometimes will not cover this repair under powertrain warranty even though it's an engine problem. Please fix this issue! To answer the previous questions, the coolant control valve is malfunctioning, and the truck is currently at the dealer being inspected. Yes the dealer has said this issue is common on these trucks (confirmed by National GMC in American Fork, Utah). Yes the check engine light has appeared multiple times. These issues started appearing in June 2025
I receivd a recall on my 2021 GMC Denali 1500 , 6.2 engine Recall # N252494000. made an appointment with Carroll GMC, at 1455S. Tamiami Trail, Venice , Fl, on 7/29/25 at 11AM. I showed up for my appointment and they denied checking my truck on the recall stating they did not have the remedy to fix the problem so therefore they were not going to check my truck for the recall...... I have a trip coming up and now I a afraid to go on the highway in case my truck loses power and I get in an accident............ MY truck should have been checked for the recall regardless of the remedy to fix it..So at least I know weather it is safe to drive or not
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the engine was previously replaced under warranty. The contact stated that the vehicle had been experiencing excessive oil consumption and required three quarts of oil every 30 days. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle shuddered abnormally and there was an abnormal metallic sound coming from the engine before the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the residence. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that a service advisor would return the call. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
This vehicle experienced catastrophic engine failure while I was on vacation 400 miles from home. I have researched this failure and there is a class action lawsuit against GMC. My truck has been at the dealer for 25 days and still waiting for authorization from Fidelity Warranty Services. Considering it’s such a common problem I feel GMC should be paying for this. At the very least the warranty company is aware of this problem and purposely delaying the authorization to repair. I just bought a new camper which I cannot use. I am fisherman and cannot use my boat. My beach pass is also on the vehicle. So essentially my summer has been ruined by a company that produced a faulty vehicle and didn’t discord this information to me.
⸻ Background: •2021 GMC Sierra Denali – 6.2L V8 •VIN included in GM’s engine defect recall (connecting rod/crankshaft) •Recall status shows “No current remedy available” •Defect acknowledged by GM can cause “engine damage, loss of propulsion, or complete engine failure.” Timeline of Events: •~1 month ago – Truck began running rough with noticeable ticking/knocking noise. •Dealer could not schedule appointment for 3 weeks. •08/08/2025 – Dealer inspection confirmed failed lifters and damaged camshaft. •Repair estimate: $9,300 (see attached dealer estimate). Connection to Recall: •Lifter and camshaft are internal engine components dependent on the same lubrication and oiling system as the crankshaft/connecting rods cited in the recall defect. •The defect’s potential to contaminate oil and cause internal engine damage makes this failure consistent with recall-related damage.
This recall has been coming for some time now its out and GM still has no plan or action. This is our only auto and my understanding if this issue happens it could cause loss of life. I am concerned for my wife driving to work every day and what happens if we want to take a trip. We need resolution on this. Apr 24,2025 Manufacturer Recall NumberN252494000 the federal safety agency Recall Number25V274 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The dealer informed the contact that there was no anticipated date for the recall repair parts availability. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000(Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the roadway. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that prior to the engine failure, the transmission was replaced. The dealer was contacted regarding the recall remedy, but the dealer was unable to provide an estimated time of availability. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000(Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Coolant Control Valve is faulty. Part number 24001355 for my GMC Diesel Sierra 1500. The check engine light goes on and sometimes the engine power will be cut in half to protect the engine. It can be inspected when needed. My truck cannot go as fast and the Engine fans sound very loud to cool down the engine. I was 3 hours away from my house when this happened the first time and I wasn’t sure I would make it home. I had to let the engine cool down for about 6 hours after I pulled off of the highway. This has happened two times so far and happens when the AC is on and sometimes when you use the remote start it won’t start the truck remotely and the check engine light goes on. The problem started in July 2025 with 51,000 miles. The engine control module code is P1098. I have asked my GMC dealership to look at the issue and they have told me that the part is backlogged for at least 2 months and they will not look at my truck until the part is available. I haven’t had any other issues with the engine so far and this was the first time a check engine light has gone on.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the check engine warning light started flashing and the vehicle was shaking with a misfire coming from the engine. Additionally, there was black and greyish smoke coming from the tailpipe. The Roadside Assistance request message was displayed on the instrument cluster. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with a misfire. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the residence, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the lifter had dropped, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that there was an abnormal change with the RPM. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The dealer received an email from the manufacturer, but the verbiage was incorrect to move forward with the repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
I own a 2021 GMC Denali with a 6.2L V8 L87 engine and 45,500 miles. I have confirmed the presence of metal shavings in the oil and oil filter, indicating that the engine is beginning to fail. When I took the vehicle to my local dealership, I was informed that there is currently no fix for this issue and was advised to continue driving the vehicle. This poses a serious safety risk—not just to me and my family but also to others on the road. A sudden loss of power could lead to a dangerous accident, and I do not want to be responsible for something preventable that could harm innocent people. My concern is that GM is aware of this engine issue but has instructed me to keep driving the vehicle, despite the known defect. How can GM be allowed to avoid accountability for such a critical safety matter? If a fatal accident were to occur, would the responsibility fall on GM or the federal safety agency for failing to act? It’s also troubling that GM continues to profit by selling new vehicles, including the 2025 models, with similar issues, all while neglecting to provide solutions for affected customers like me. I purchased this $80,000 truck in good faith, but now no dealer wants to trade or buy these trucks without me taking a significant financial loss—something GM should be responsible for. As a taxpayer, I find it unacceptable that we bailed out GM in the mid-2000s, yet they continue to disregard accountability for their actions. I urge the federal safety agency to take this issue seriously. A specific deadline should be set for GM to resolve this issue, and they should face daily penalties for every day they fail to provide a fix. If no resolution is possible, full refunds should be mandated. Please address this issue promptly, as it affects real people’s safety and financial well-being every day.
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