It really doesn't get much more capable than this. The 2021 GMC Sierra 3500HD is a truck that's made to work, even in its most well-appointed trims. It offers up to 35,000 pounds of towing capacity and more than 5,000 pounds of payload capacity when properly equipped. You'd have to search hard to find a trailer or collection of equipment too heavy for you to pull or haul with this maxed-out Sierra.
This 2021 GMC Sierra 3500HD Denali in black represents a capable heavy-duty truck built for serious work and refined daily driving. With its Duramax 6...
Only a few trucks offer the same performance and capabilities as the Sierra 3500HD, though that doesn't make the segment any less competitive or cutthroat. The Ford F-350 Super Duty and Ram 3500 offer their own take on the heavy-duty truck formula. In our minds, the two have slightly more comfortable and better-appointed interiors, making them better to live with day to day without sacrificing performance.
There's also the Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD. It's nearly identical to the Sierra save for interior and exterior design as well as a few features and optional equipment. It could be a viable option if you want to save a little compared to the Sierra. But ultimately the Sierra 3500HD should easily satisfy if you're shopping for a massively capable pickup.
The GMC Sierra 3500HD is a heavy-duty full-size pickup truck. It's available in five trim levels: Sierra, SLE, SLT, AT4 and Denali. The Sierra and SLE are available in regular-cab, extended-cab (double) and crew-cab configurations, while the SLT, AT4 and Denali models are crew cab only. The Sierra 3500HD is available with a choice of a 6.6-liter gasoline V8 (401 horsepower, 464 lb-ft of torque) paired with a six-speed automatic transmission or a 6.6-liter turbocharged diesel V8 (445 hp, 910 lb-ft) mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Compare the 2021 GMC Sierra 3500HD trim levels in-depth.
Which Sierra 3500HD trim does Edmunds recommend?
There are so many configurations for the Sierra 3500HD that it's difficult to narrow it down to one model. We think the SLT offers the best mix of features and engine options, though it's only available in a crew-cab configuration.
The 2021 GMC Sierra 3500HD has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and 5 recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 3 out of 5, ranks it #14 out of 19 among Fullsize Trucks. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.
Reliability Rating by RepairPal
3 out of 5 stars3/5Average
#14 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
$1,061/yr
vs. $752/yr for Average Fullsize Truck
Frequency
0.83x/yr
vs. 0.98x/yr for Average Fullsize Truck
Severity
24.7%
vs. 19.9% for Average Fullsize Truck
powered by RepairPal
Recalls
5 recalls found
Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.
If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).
Recall Number:
24V797000
Manufacturer Recall Number:
N242454440
Number of vehicles affected:
463295
Defect Description:
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.
Defect Consequence:
Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:
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.
Recall Number:
24V060000
Manufacturer Recall Number:
N232426400
Number of vehicles affected:
570434
Defect Description:
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with power-unlatching tailgates. The tailgate's electronic gate-release switch may short circuit due to water intrusion, which can result in the tailgate inadvertently unlatching while the vehicle is in park.
Defect Consequence:
An unlatched tailgate may open while driving and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:
Owners are advised to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2024. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232426400.
Recall Number:
21V758000
Manufacturer Recall Number:
N212349181
Number of vehicles affected:
3241
Defect Description:
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles with electronic brake control modules (EBCM) replaced during vehicle assembly. The bolts that attach the brake pressure modulator valve (BPMV) assembly may not be properly tightened, which could fail to seal the two sub-assemblies and allow water intrusion.
Defect Consequence:
Water in the BPMV may cause an electrical short circuit and increase the risk of fire.
Corrective Action:
Owners are advised to park outside and away from other structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will replace the BPMV assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 20, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212349181.
Recall Number:
20V811000
Manufacturer Recall Number:
N202322230
Number of vehicles affected:
470
Defect Description:
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.
Defect Consequence:
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.
Corrective Action:
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 6, 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.
Recall Number:
20V792000
Manufacturer Recall Number:
N202314670
Number of vehicles affected:
624216
Defect Description:
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.
Defect Consequence:
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.
Corrective Action:
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 is expected to begin February 1, 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.
I purchased this Denali two weeks ago. I absolutely love this truck. The ride is so smooth and power band is incredible. What a huge difference between my 2008 GMC 2500HD Duramax, its like night and day... I love all the high tech features with the 2020's from the cameras to the front and rear LED lighting. Oh yea forgot about that first of its kind tailgate. Now that's a very … useful tailgate, I can see Ford, Dodge and Chevrolet using the same basic tailgate in the near future.
I really cant wait to haul my 5th wheel with this truck. Once I make that first trip I will update this review regarding the towing...
A big thank you for Thompsons GMC in Placerville, CA for such a great purchasing experience.
It’s been about a year since I purchased my GMC 3500 Denali and wanted to update my review.
I still love this truck so much. I’ve towed my 5th wheel RV approximately 8000K miles. This truck tows my 5th wheel like a dream. The cooling system is definitely a 100% improvement over my 2008 while towing in the warmer weather.
About the only thing I’d like to see is GM add more information to the heads up display (HUD) like your blind spot indicators.
I’m glad we bought when we did because I hear that dealers are having a tough time receiving new trucks.
Bottom line is this, I’d buy this truck all over again absolutely No Regrets!!!!
In my 3rd year of owning the new 2020 GMC 3500 HD Denali after replacing my 2012 F250. Choose the GMC because I did not care for the new Ford styling. I still can not believe this is a HD 3500. While commuting around town, I think I am in my wife's German SUV because the ride and amenities are excellent. Visibility and Camera system are great and the interior seats comfortable and … supportive. When I hooked up the 3x axle boat and set out to the lake I was amazed at the poise and power. It made towing enjoyable! I really like my F250, but this truck is awesome.
After waiting for several months and production delays I was finally able to get my hands on a 2020 3500 Denali DRW and I have to say that this truck was well worth the wait. It drives smoother than any truck I've ever owned and the safety features are incredible. I have absolutely no complaints and with it being a Denali there really isn't any more stuff I will need to add. (other than … a fifth wheel hitch) I love the 10 speed transmission and the 6.6 diesel has more than enough HP and torque.
GMC hit it out of the park!
Extremely disappointed with my 2020 Denali 3500hd. I own 6 trailers and only 1 works with the "new" trailer integration system. I get trailer not connected display, brake lockup on connecting, flickering lights. Trailers work perfect on other rigs. GM dealership basically said to pound sand and update my trailers to work with their system.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 GMC Sierra 3500HD, so we've included reviews for other years of the Sierra 3500HD since its last redesign.