GMC Sierra 1500 Problems by Year

We compared every GMC Sierra 1500 model year from 1996–2026 using 8,982 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 61 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2019, which drew far more complaints than other Sierra 1500 years at the same age. The best years are 2012 and 2013.

31model years
8,982complaints
61recalls
2024, 2023worst years
2012, 2013best years

Complaints by model year

’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’2658359158181140166180212177145263381234168284107116743719343355305658481594597492371122143
Owner complaints per model year, GMC Sierra 1500. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
202614314.3×2EngineAvoid
20251225.6×1EngineAvoid
202437118.8×1EngineAvoid
202349214.0×3EngineAvoid
202259713.7×6EngineAvoid
20215949.6×7EngineAvoid
20204817.1×12EngineAvoid
20196588.2×10EngineAvoid
20183053.2×7TransmissionAvoid
20173553.2×6TransmissionAvoid
20163433.0×8BrakeAvoid
20157195.8×9BrakeAvoid
20147435.9×9SteeringAvoid
2013116−18%3AirbagAverage
2012107−34%3AirbagAverage
20112842.0×5AirbagCaution
20101681.3×4AirbagAverage
20092341.5×4AirbagCaution
20083811.5×2AirbagCaution
2007263−14%2AirbagAverage
2006145typical—BrakeAverage
20051771.2×—ElectricalAverage
20042121.3×2ElectricalAverage
2003180typical1BrakeAverage
2002166−37%1BrakeAverage
2001140−46%2BrakeGood
2000181−43%1BrakeGood
1999158−57%1BrakeGood
199859−65%2BrakeGood
199783−50%3SteeringGood
19965−98%—BrakeGood

* Complaints compared with the median Sierra 1500 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common GMC Sierra 1500 problems

Latest GMC Sierra 1500 recalls

Air bags › Side/window › Curtain › Inflator

NHTSA recall 26V-611 · Sep 24, 2026 · 1,559 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500, GMC Sierra 2500/3500 vehicles, and 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The left-side or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.

Remedy: Dealers will replace both RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 9, 2026.

Air bags

NHTSA recall 26V-325 · May 21, 2026 · 4,315 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles. The left-side or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.

Remedy: Dealers will replace both RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 24, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.

Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)

NHTSA recall 26V-289 · May 7, 2026 · 66 vehiclesDo not drive

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge.

Air bags

NHTSA recall 26V-166 · Mar 19, 2026 · 2,819 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 Crew Cab vehicles. The left or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right-side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026.

Equipment › Other › Owners/service/other manual

NHTSA recall 26V-114 · Feb 26, 2026 · 5,861 vehicles

General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette Convertible…

Remedy: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner's manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026.

All 61 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the GMC Sierra 1500 should you avoid?

2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019 and 2020 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Sierra 1500 years at the same age, led by engine & cooling problems in the 2024.

What is the best year for the GMC Sierra 1500?

2012 has the fewest complaints compared with other Sierra 1500 years at the same age, followed by 2013. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common GMC Sierra 1500 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (2,333), brakes (1,746) and transmission & drivetrain (1,348). Engine complaints peak in the 2021 model year.

How many recalls has the GMC Sierra 1500 had?

61 recalls across 1996–2026. The model year with the most is 2020. See all GMC Sierra 1500 recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.