Acceleration complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 3% | — |
| 2025 | 7 | 6% | 17,000 miles |
| 2024 | 10 | 3% | 3,000 miles |
| 2023 | 11 | 2% | 8,000 miles |
| 2022 | 9 | 2% | 63,000 miles |
| 2021 | 7 | 1% | — |
| 2020 | 12 | 2% | 70,000 miles |
| 2019 | 10 | 2% | 19,000 miles |
| 2018 | 6 | 2% | 47,000 miles |
| 2017 | 11 | 3% | 26,000 miles |
| 2016 | 4 | 1% | 91,000 miles |
| 2015 | 7 | 1% | 33,000 miles |
| 2014 | 12 | 2% | 47,000 miles |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2011 | 7 | 2% | 79,000 miles |
| 2010 | 6 | 4% | 68,000 miles |
| 2009 | 12 | 5% | 40,000 miles |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% | 9,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% | 45,000 miles |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% | 2,000 miles |
| 2005 | 3 | 2% | 75,000 miles |
| 2004 | 11 | 5% | 37,000 miles |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% | 53,000 miles |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% | 70,000 miles |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2000 | 6 | 3% | 57,000 miles |
| 1999 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 1998 | 1 | 2% | 40,000 miles |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
6 month old, 9,000 miles 2026 Sierra 1500 with Duramax 3 liter suffered an engine control module failure 4 hours into a 12.5 hour drive home from family vacation. First a transmission service warning flashed, then an emissions system failure with a forced speed reduction warning. This happened with two children and a dog in the vehicle. OnStar did diagnotics and said I had to see a dealer. Fortunately one was nearby and they determined the engine control module needed to be replaced--but i was 8.5 hours' drive from home with kids and dog and would have had to stay for 2-4 days awaiting parts and repair. I traded the truck at the dealer for a new vehicle and drove that home. This was a major safety concern traveling with children and a dog on a nearly 100 degree day. And it was a brand new vehicle.
Vehicle: 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 (3.0L LZ0 Duramax Diesel) Current Mileage: ~16,500 miles Check Engine Light Status: NO Check Engine Light active Description of Incident & Symptoms: Interstate Incident: While driving at highway speeds, a severe drivetrain vibration occurred (felt like a rear wheel weight flew off). Dashboard Warnings: Within 5 minutes, intermittent "Traction Control" and "Forward Collision Warning" alerts appeared on the dash, accompanied by a sudden drop in engine power. Engine Noise & Idle: Once safely pulled over, the engine exhibited a loud mechanical knock and a very rough, unstable idle. Extended Crank: After shutting the engine off and waiting a few minutes, restarting the truck took roughly twice as long as normal (long crank/delayed start)
The contact owns a 2025 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 4 MPH and turning left into a parking spot, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent, but the failure occurred while slowing down under 5 MPH and turning to the left. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.
The contact owns a 2025 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while tapping the accelerator pedal, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The contact stated that the tires were squealing. The contact drove over a cement barrier after depressing the accelerator pedal. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 7,800.
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while coasting at speeds of approximately 1- 3 MPH, and gently pressing the accelerator, the vehicle suddenly surged forward and accelerated quickly. The accelerator pedal was released, and the brake pedal was depressed, allowing the vehicle to come to a stop. The failure had occurred approximately 5 times within a year and a half. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.
To Whom It May Concern, This is a brand new 2024 GMC Sierra AT4 Diesel Truck with 4,000 miles. The first incident occurred when I was doing about 5 mph. The truck maintained its speed without my foot on the gas pedal and the cruise control was not on. Then when I tapped the gas pedal, everything return to normal. The second incident was about 2 weeks later in which the same thing happened. The third incident which was about one week later, I was doing about 5 mph and the truck accelerated on its own. I let the truck accelerate to approximately 28 mph. At that point I hit the brakes to stop the vechicle and pulled over. The truck was idling very high so I turned off the engine. All the ignition lighting remained on, but the truck would not restart. Even after removing the keys from the vehicle the ignition lighting remained on. …
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered while in first gear. The contact stated that the transmission sounded strained and shifted rough before slamming into gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the vehicle was oversteering while turning to the right. The dealer replaced the valve and torque converter. On another occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle accelerated independently. Most recently, a burned transmission fluid odor was coming from the front of the vehicle and entered the cabin through the A/C vents. There oil stains found on the ground on several occasions. …
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated to approximately 30 MPH and went into LIMP Mode. The check engine warning light, the service power steering warning light, the service transmission warning light, the low tire pressure warning light, and the traction control warning light were illuminated. The contact stated that a message was displayed on the instrument panel to "Service 4-WD and "Reduce Acceleration - Drive with Care. The contact stated that the climate control system increased to 76 degrees. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it produced codes: P00FF, P1789, P25A2, U0073, U0402, U0418, U1610, U1643; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Sierra 1500 years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2009 (12), 2014 (12), 2020 (12), 2004 (11) and 2017 (11) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 5% of all complaints for the 2009.
Is there a recall for GMC Sierra 1500 acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for any GMC Sierra 1500 model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do GMC Sierra 1500 acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 44,000 miles; 66% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the accelerator pedal (5 mentions), followed by the cruise control (3).
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.