GMC Sierra 1500
Problems & Worst Years
Every reported problem for the GMC Sierra 1500, model year by model year — ranked from 1754 federal NHTSA complaints across 2015–2024.
Nine model years of GMC Sierra 1500 data reveal a clear split: pre-2019 trucks skew toward headlights, brakes, and shifting complaints, while 2019 onward is dominated by engine failure and stalling. 2015 is the highest-volume single year at 379 occurrences, though most of that — 227 reports — traces to one complaint: headlights producing insufficient illumination, rated safety severity. Brake vacuum pump failure (53) and service brakes failing to stop the vehicle properly (30, safety-rated) follow, with recalls 18V586, 19V645, and 19V761 attached. 2017 and 2018 continue at lower volume with transmission jerking and hard shifting, brake pedal issues, and, in 2018, a steering wheel locking up during operation (16 reports); 19V645, 19V761, and 20V603 apply.
Starting in 2019, engine reliability becomes the recurring theme. That year's 222 occurrences lead with 111 reports of transmission shuddering and drifting, safety-rated, plus engine lifter malfunction, seizure without warning, and camshaft damage. 2020 (211 occurrences, 2 safety-rated) leads with 69 reports of engine lifter failure and 57 of suspension component failure. Volume climbs again in 2021 (275) and peaks in safety severity in 2022, which logs 306 occurrences across 17 problems, five safety-rated — the highest safety count in this file — led by 87 reports of front grille trim detachment and 62 of engine stall during operation. 2023 follows closely with 292 occurrences, four safety-rated, including 58 reports of engine stall at high speed and a grille defect described as a potential injury risk. Recalls 24V797, 25V274, and 26V083 run through 2020–2024, with 24V674 added for 2023.
2024 volume eases to 142 but spreads across 34 distinct problems, the most of any year, including continued engine seizure and stall reports.
Given the span here, guidance differs by era: on a 2015–2018 truck, check headlight output, brake pedal feel, and steering behavior; on a 2019–2024 truck, prioritize an engine compression and oil-consumption check plus confirmation that overlapping recalls are actually completed. Across all nine years, remember these are owner-filed NHTSA reports, not a measured failure rate, and a documented service history and independent inspection on the truck in front of you matter more than the model year.
GMC Sierra 1500 problems by year
Complaint volume by model year (bar = relative to the worst year). Theworst yearsare the most-complained-about, weighted by safety-risk problems.
| Year | Complaint volume | Problems | Safety / High | Most common problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015worst | 342 | 16 | 2/7 | Headlights produce insufficient illumination Other · 227 complaints |
| 2017 | 168 | 17 | 1/8 | Transmission Jerking and Shifting Issues Transmission · 64 complaints |
| 2018 | 105 | 12 | 0/6 | Transmission shifting hard from 1st to 2nd gear Transmission · 20 complaints |
| 2019 | 199 | 21 | 1/17 | Transmission Issues Leading to Shuddering and Drifting Transmission · 111 complaints |
| 2020 | 179 | 15 | 2/6 | Engine Lifter Failure Engine · 69 complaints |
| 2021 | 196 | 18 | 1/10 | Transmission Issues Leading to Hard Shifts and Shudders Transmission · 33 complaints |
| 2022worst | 254 | 17 | 5/5 | Front Grille Trim Piece Detachment Other · 87 complaints |
| 2023worst | 206 | 26 | 4/9 | Engine Stall During High-Speed Operation Engine · 58 complaints |
| 2024 | 105 | 34 | 3/10 | Recall Issues with Engine and Engine Cooling System Other · 15 complaints |
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls, 2015–2024. Problem clustering and year rankings are derived from the complaint record; complaint volume reflects reports filed, not total incidence or fault rate. Vehicle image is illustrative.