Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 mph, he observed a popping noise beneath him. The contact stopped the vehicle and observed smoke emanating from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle went into limp mode, lost power, and when the brake was depressed, the vehicle did not slow the vehicle down as intended. The contact stated that as he pulled into a parking lot to inspect the vehicle, he observed flames emanating from the hood. The contact stated that he pressed the hood latch, which did not open the hood, and he then exited the vehicle and observed the hood engulfed in flames. The contact mentioned that a store employee brought a fire extinguisher out and attempted to extinguish the flames. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire fully. There was no police report, but the police did come out to assist. …
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied at the residence, the contact exited the vehicle and went inside his home; however, forty minutes later, while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that a bystander inspected the vehicle and assumed the starter had failed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and suggested that the contact take the vehicle to the local dealer for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 141,000.
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while his daughter was driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle started vibrating violently. The contact stated that his daughter reported seeing several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was stopped and towed to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed and determined that the rod bearings were damaged and caused damages to the lifters. The contact was informed that the rod bearings and lifters needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 20-NA-038 (Engine). The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the diagnostic result was confirmed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power and then stalled. The contact stated that there was a black cloud of smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the rod bearings had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH and hauling a boat, the vehicle started operating at reduced power. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the push rods were bent, and the lifter had collapsed. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while the vehicle was being serviced at the local dealer, he was informed that the radiator had a leak and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
at first my brakes began locking up on the vehicle, almost as if they were pumped full and not able to press down any longer, shortly after that the stabilitrack light came on and white smoke began to come out of the exhaust as well as a slight shake in the engine, i immediately turned the vehicle off and parked it, mind you i bought the vehicle 1 day ago and it is already broke down, the issue is with gmc and these sensors they are using they are faulty engine reduces speed and it is not safe to say the least.not only that but had the exact same problems with my Gmc Acadia which i finally got the light to stop going off after replacing transmission, brake pedal position censor, as well as gas pedal position censor, also had the throttle body replaced, Do you all make products that are worth anything, nothing was ever done about the Acadia, the Gmc sierra is a 2015 with 70,000 miles on …
The issues started when I began to notice that I was not having a constant flow of heat coming out of the vents inside of the vehicle. I brought the vehicle over to a local service center and the mechanic there discovered that my antifreeze reservoir was completely empty, but I did not have a leak. After filling the truck back up with coolant, a few days later, while driving, suddenly the truck began to run rough as if the vehicle went into "limp mode". I noticed that the check engine light was flashing and the traction control light was on. At stops, the truck would rough idle, shake, and there was a large amount of smoke coming from the tailpipe. I was able to get the truck back to the same service center that ran some diagnostic tests. He told me that there is a fault in the number 7 cylinder which has no compression in it. …
Purchased this vehicle on 06/29/2023 from Robideaux Motors in Coeur d Alene ID. with 81,397 mile on the odometer. On 01/05/2024 the 6.2L engine with 84,109 miles, started having a ticking sound after starting it at my son's house two miles from home. I called the dealer and was told to bring it in for diagnosis by a tech. While driving the truck to the dealer the ticking got worse and motor started to shudder and the check engine light came on. Cause was a misfire on cylinder 4 due to bent push rod and failed lifter. Replaced lifter bank 2 with new push rod. Total cost was $2,852.74 (have invoice). After many calls and letters to my extended warranty company, they finally paid $1688.54 of the total cost. On 08/29/2024 the same ticking sound started again as well as the shudder and check engine light. …
Engine complaints in other Sierra 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500?
NHTSA has 85 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500, 12% of the model year's 719 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system › radiator assembly (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500, though it has 9 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.