2021 GMC Sierra 4WDFuel Economy & MPG Ratings

Diesel Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD4-Wheel Drive
2021 GMC Sierra 4WD

Photo: sv1ambo. CC BY 2.0. via Wikimedia Commons

City
22
MPG
Highway
26
MPG
Combined
24
MPG

Real-World MPG

Based on 2 owner reports via EPA fueleconomy.gov

21.6MPG average-10.0% vs EPA label
EPA combined: 24 MPG · Owner reported avg: 21.6 MPG

Range: 18–26 MPG

Driving mix: City 50% / Highway 50%

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov “Your MPG” owner submissions. Real-world results vary by driver behavior, conditions, and equipment.

Owner reported MPG for this vehicle averages 21.6 real world MPG based on 2 owner reports. EPA combined rating is 24 MPG.

Trim Comparison

Automatic 10-spd
Diesel Diesel
City
22
Hwy
26
Comb
24
Fuel cost: $3,500/yr
Automatic 8-spd
Regular
City
18
Hwy
21
Comb
19
Fuel cost: $3,550/yr
Automatic 8-spd
Regular
City
18
Hwy
20
Comb
19
Fuel cost: $3,550/yr
Automatic 10-spd
Regular
City
16
Hwy
22
Comb
19
Fuel cost: $3,550/yr
Automatic 10-spd
Regular
City
15
Hwy
21
Comb
18
Fuel cost: $3,750/yr
Automatic 8-spd
Regular
City
16
Hwy
21
Comb
18
Fuel cost: $3,750/yr
Automatic 6-spd
Regular
City
15
Hwy
20
Comb
17
Fuel cost: $3,950/yr
Automatic 6-spd
Regular
City
15
Hwy
20
Comb
17
Fuel cost: $3,950/yr
Automatic 10-spd
Premium
City
16
Hwy
20
Comb
17
Fuel cost: $4,800/yr
Automatic 6-spd
Regular
City
14
Hwy
20
Comb
16
Fuel cost: $4,200/yr
Automatic 8-spd
Regular
City
14
Hwy
20
Comb
16
Fuel cost: $4,200/yr
Automatic 10-spd
Premium
City
15
Hwy
20
Comb
16
Fuel cost: $5,100/yr
Automatic 6-spd
Gasoline or E85 FFV
City
14
Hwy
18
Comb
16
Fuel cost: $4,200/yr
Annual Fuel Cost
$3,500

Based on gasoline at $3.67/gal, 15,000 miles/year

5-Year Fuel Savings
$-5,500

vs. average new vehicle

EPA Fuel Economy Score: 5/10
GHG Score: 4/10

Environment

CO₂ Tailpipe Emissions
430 g/mile
Annual Petroleum Consumption
14.9 barrels

Specifications

Engine
6.2L 8-cyl
Transmission
10-speed Automatic
Drivetrain
4WD
Body Style
Pickup Truck
GVWR
Class 2-3 (6,001–10,000 lbs)

Source: EPA fuel economy data & NHTSA vPIC. Specifications reflect the most common trim configuration.

Engine & Efficiency Details

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov

Engine Size
3L, 6-cylinder
Efficiency Tech
Auto Start-Stop
Fuel Type
Diesel

Annual Fuel Cost by State

Prices as of week ending May 18, 2026 · Source: EIA

National AvgEPA default
$4.490/gal$2,806/yr
California
$5.957/gal$3,723/yr
Texas
$3.888/gal$2,430/yr
Florida
$4.136/gal$2,585/yr
New York
$4.522/gal$2,826/yr
Ohio
$4.510/gal$2,819/yr
Washington
$5.591/gal$3,494/yr
Colorado
$4.618/gal$2,886/yr
Minnesota
$4.344/gal$2,715/yr
Massachusetts
$4.448/gal$2,780/yr

Calculated at 15,000 miles/year (EPA standard assumption) using 24 MPG combined. Regular gasoline prices. Actual costs vary.

Recall History

Source: NHTSA

No recalls reported for this vehicle.

Owner-Reported Problems482 complaints

Source: NHTSA

NHTSA has received 482 owner complaints for the 2021 GMC Sierra 4WD. Top reported issues include engine, power train and electrical system. The data below is sourced from consumer complaints filed directly with NHTSA.

Problems by System / Component

Engine
291
Power Train
114
Electrical System
65
Steering
29
Fuel System
29
Brakes
22
Advanced Safety (ADAS)
13
Structure
10

2021 GMC Sierra 4WD problems by category: Engine: 291 complaints, Power Train: 114 complaints, Electrical System: 65 complaints, Steering: 29 complaints, Fuel System: 29 complaints, Brakes: 22 complaints, Advanced Safety (ADAS): 13 complaints, Structure: 10 complaints.

7
Crashes Reported
12
Fires Reported
2
Injuries Reported

Sample Owner Complaints

EngineFiled: 04/09/2026ODI#11730203
See attached document for complaint. INFORMATION, DETAILS, COMMENTS, DATES, AND NUMBERS ON RECALL 20211500 DENALI Recall Vehicle Information: All models of GM's with 6.2L gas engine (My personal truc…
Power TrainFiled: 04/28/2025ODI#11657385
See attached vehicle repair orders/Carfax/vehicle registration. The trucks transmission has been slipping/jerking hard since I pulled off the lot at dealer ship. Its burning oil no leaks has bee…
Power TrainFiled: 03/12/2025ODI#11647961
[XXX], I PURCHASED A 2021 GMC SIERRA 1500 FROM FAULKNER CHEVROLET IN BETHLEHEM, PA. I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE BEFORE PURCHASE AND IT SHOWED NO INDICATION OF ANY MECHANICAL ISSUES THAT I WAS ABLE TO DET…

Complaint data is sourced from the NHTSA Complaints Database. Reports are filed by vehicle owners and may not reflect confirmed defects. Last updated via NHTSA API.

Related

GMC Sierra 4WD MPG History
See how this model's fuel economy changed by year

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