2021 GMC Sierra 1500 maintenance schedule

Written in plain English and reviewed by the eli5cars editorial team · Last reviewed June 2026

2.7L Turbo 4-cylinder (310 hp), 4.3L EcoTec3 V6 (285 hp), 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (355 hp), 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 (420 hp, Denali), or 3.0L Duramax inline-6 turbo-diesel (277 hp)ProSLEElevationMSRP $34,800

⚠ 7 open recalls for this vehicle

A recall means the manufacturer found a safety problem and is required to fix it — these aren't normal wear-and-tear repairs. Check your specific VIN at NHTSA.gov to confirm your car is affected.

✓ Recall repairs are always FREE at any dealer, no matter who currently owns the car or where it was bought.

SEAT BELTS

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon XL and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The seat belt brackets may not be secured to the seat frame in the front-row center seating position.

Why it matters: If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect left-side and right-side front-row center seat-belt bracket attachments and reassemble it correctly as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202314670.

Reported 17/12/2020 · Campaign #20V792000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

SEAT BELTS

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.

Why it matters: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.

Reported 23/12/2020 · Campaign #20V811000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

TIRES

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with Continental tires that were overcured.

Why it matters: Overcured tires may experience a carcass break in the sidewall resulting in a sudden air loss or could develop a belt edge separation which could lead to partial or full tread/belt loss. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect vehicles and replace tires that have DOT number and production mold number combinations identified by Continental, free of charge. The recall began December 17, 2020. 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 N202319030.

Reported 05/11/2020 · Campaign #20V684000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 GMC Sierra 1500 and Silverado 1500 vehicles equipped with certain accessory road tires and a 17" spare tire. The 17" spare tire provided with the vehicle is not compatible for use with the accessory wheels, which can cause the anti-lock brake system (ABS) to not function properly under certain conditions.

Why it matters: An ABS system that does not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will provide a new 17" spare tire and wheel assembly that is compatible with the accessory wheels, free of charge. Dealers will also apply a new spare tire information label, and provide owners with an owner's manual insert clarifying which spare tire to use with the accessory road tires and with the 17" original tires. Owner notification letters were mailed February 7, 2022. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212346510.

Reported 16/12/2021 · Campaign #21V985000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.

Why it matters: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.

Reported 24/10/2024 · Campaign #24V797000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.

Why it matters: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.

Reported 24/04/2025 · Campaign #25V274000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, 3500, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles that may have been repaired incorrectly under recall 24V797. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up.

Why it matters: Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicles and update the transmission control software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 6, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252516560. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 12, 2026.

Reported 12/02/2026 · Campaign #26V083000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

Jump to a mileage milestone:

30k miles 60k miles 90k miles 120k miles

Full service timeline

Mileage	Service items	Details
5k mi	Engine oil and filter change — dexos1 0W-20 full synthetic for 2.7L Turbo, 4.3L V6, 5.3L/6.2L V8 gas engines (5W-40 diesel-rated full synthetic for 3.0L Duramax); GM oil life monitor governs exact interval Tire rotation Inspect brake pads and rotors — front and rear Inspect front and rear differential fluid level (4WD models)
10k mi	Engine oil and filter change per oil life monitor Tire rotation Inspect cabin air filter condition Inspect Autotrac/4WD transfer case fluid level Inspect diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) level — Duramax models
15k mi	Engine oil and filter change per oil life monitor Tire rotation Inspect brake fluid color and level Inspect front and rear driveshaft U-joints (4WD models) Inspect GM 8-speed (2.7L/4.3L) or 10-speed (5.3L/6.2L/Duramax) automatic transmission fluid condition
30k mi	Engine oil and filter change — dexos1 0W-20 (gas) or 5W-40 (Duramax) Tire rotation Replace cabin air filter Replace engine air filter Inspect spark plugs — 2.7L Turbo, 4.3L V6, and 5.3L/6.2L V8 iridium (factory interval up to 97,500 miles under GM's extended schedule; inspect at 30k, turbo engines are more prone to earlier fouling — inspect closely) Inspect front differential fluid (4WD — GM 75W-85 synthetic gear oil) Inspect transfer case fluid (4WD — GM Autotrac fluid) Inspect rear axle fluid — GM 75W-90 synthetic (limited-slip requires friction modifier additive) Replace fuel filter — Duramax diesel models (severe-duty interval)	View →
60k mi	Engine oil and filter change — dexos1 0W-20 (gas) or 5W-40 (Duramax) Tire rotation Replace cabin air filter Replace engine air filter Replace brake fluid — DOT 3 Replace front differential fluid — GM 75W-85 synthetic (4WD models) Replace transfer case fluid — GM Autotrac fluid (4WD models) Replace rear axle fluid — GM 75W-90 synthetic Replace spark plugs — 2.7L Turbo iridium (turbocharged engine — GM recommends earlier replacement than the NA V8/V6 schedule; 60k is the more conservative/recommended interval for boosted engines) Inspect GM 8-speed/10-speed automatic transmission fluid — replace under severe-duty/towing schedule Inspect serpentine belt — all engine variants Inspect coolant condition (GM Dex-Cool extended-life orange — first change at 100k-150k)	View →
90k mi	Engine oil and filter change per oil life monitor Tire rotation Replace cabin air filter Inspect serpentine belt condition — replace if cracked or glazed Inspect front CV axle shafts and boots (4WD front axle) Inspect AT4/off-road suspension components and skid plates Inspect brake calipers, hardware, and parking brake cables	View →
98k mi	Engine oil and filter change per oil life monitor Replace spark plugs — 4.3L V6 and 5.3L/6.2L EcoTec3 V8 iridium (GM factory interval: 97,500 miles under normal schedule; 2.7L Turbo should already be replaced at 60k) Tire rotation
120k mi	Engine oil and filter change — dexos1 0W-20 (gas) or 5W-40 (Duramax) Tire rotation Replace engine coolant — GM Dex-Cool extended-life (first change at 100k-150k, then per monitor) Replace GM 8-speed/10-speed automatic transmission fluid Replace front differential fluid — GM 75W-85 (4WD) Replace transfer case fluid — GM Autotrac fluid (4WD) Replace rear axle fluid — GM 75W-90 Replace serpentine belt if not already replaced Full brake system flush — DOT 3 Inspect and service front wheel bearings and hub assemblies	View →

Upgrading your Sierra 1500's wheels?

See verified wheel fitments for the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 — bolt pattern, hub bore, and offset all checked.

Verified Sierra 1500 fitments at AlloyHaus →

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Common symptoms for this vehicle

Check engine light on? Get a free code scan

If your check engine light is on, most auto-parts stores (AutoZone, O'Reilly, Advance) will read the code for FREE — no purchase required, just walk in. Bring the code back here and look it up at eli5cars.com/obd2 for the plain-English explanation.

Note: a scan only helps when there's an active fault code. For purely mechanical symptoms (noises, vibrations, leaks), a scan may show nothing — the suspects listed above are your starting point.