Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 98 | 69% | 6,000 miles |
| 2025 | 60 | 49% | 21,000 miles |
| 2024 | 218 | 59% | 25,000 miles |
| 2023 | 231 | 47% | 21,000 miles |
| 2022 | 265 | 44% | 47,000 miles |
| 2021 | 367 | 62% | 59,000 miles |
| 2020 | 257 | 53% | 65,000 miles |
| 2019 | 331 | 50% | 84,000 miles |
| 2018 | 72 | 24% | 59,000 miles |
| 2017 | 59 | 17% | 58,000 miles |
| 2016 | 41 | 12% | 79,000 miles |
| 2015 | 85 | 12% | 57,000 miles |
| 2014 | 72 | 10% | 59,000 miles |
| 2013 | 8 | 7% | 163,000 miles |
| 2012 | 7 | 7% | 140,000 miles |
| 2011 | 18 | 6% | 41,000 miles |
| 2010 | 15 | 9% | 54,000 miles |
| 2009 | 17 | 7% | 80,000 miles |
| 2008 | 20 | 5% | 110,000 miles |
| 2007 | 26 | 10% | 80,000 miles |
| 2006 | 8 | 6% | 82,000 miles |
| 2005 | 14 | 8% | 85,000 miles |
| 2004 | 13 | 6% | 76,000 miles |
| 2003 | 6 | 3% | 81,000 miles |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% | 130,000 miles |
| 2001 | 5 | 4% | 150,000 miles |
| 2000 | 6 | 3% | 189,000 miles |
| 1999 | 7 | 4% | 80,000 miles |
| 1998 | 3 | 5% | 125,000 miles |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 1996 | 1 | 20% | 148,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
5/08/2026: I stopped outside my garage. I then placed the truck in park and exited the vehicle while running. I went inside my garage and several minutes later, heard a crash. The truck had driven forward while unattended, and crashed into the corner of my garage, causing damage to both the building and the truck. Truck indicated it was still in park upon reentry. 5/11/2026 In a separate incident 3 days later, while driving at approximately 50mph, truck engaged in an automatic braking event with no discernible cause. Simply applied what felt like 100% braking for a split second, then released. 5/12/2026: Truck taken to GMC for investigation. No codes in any modules detected. 9/20/2026: Vehicle reports transmission fault, states it should not be driven. 9/21/2026: Towed to GMC dealer. Found codes P17A8 and P189D and diagnostic code 6906361, internal fault within gearshift control module. …
The contact owns a 2026 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the engine shut off to save fuel, but after releasing the brake pedal, the engine failed to restart. The contact shifted to park, and the engine restarted. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions after the fuel saving feature was deactivated. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure had occurred while slowing down and driving over a railroad track and hauling a trailer. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on several occasions, but the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 4,300.
The contact owns a 2025 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a rough idle code, and that the thermostat coolant housing had failed. The contact was provided DTC codes: B1A76 with failure Code 0X15 (pending), P05D, U0075, U0101, U0146, U020C, U0265, U1614, and U1616, and the codes were active. The vehicle was repaired. The contact picked up the vehicle from the dealer after hours, and when the contact started the vehicle, the abnormal knocking sound was still coming from the engine. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that when the A/C was turned off, the abnormal sound ceased. …
The contact owns a 2025 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 - 10 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and failed to properly accelerate, and the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. There was an electrical malfunction, which caused the transmission to downshift. An unknown message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the network was not operating at the correct voltage due to the wiring harness. The engine light illuminated after the failure. The vehicle was towed on two occasions to the dealer to attempt to duplicate the failure. The dealer was unable to determine how to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the dealer in LIMP Mode. The manufacturer, General Motors, was contacted by the dealer, and the contact also reported the failure to the manufacturer. A General Motors service engineer had inspected the vehicle. …
The contact owned a 2024 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that while driving at 16 MPH, the engine suddenly stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to restart the engine, placed the gear lever on neutral(N), and revved up the engine. The contact then moved the gear lever to drive(D); when the vehicle accelerated independently, the contact swerved to avoid hitting a telephone pole, then swerved to avoid hitting a mailbox, and ended up hitting a tree, where the vehicle came to a stop. The driver-side and passenger-side air bags. A police report was filed. The contact sustained minor injuries to his foot. No medical attention was provided. No passengers in the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a collision center. The vehicle was not inspected. …
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while vacationing in Canada and driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked, and the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the RPM fluctuated, and the engine revved abnormally. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to reverse(R) as intended. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road while in LIMP Mode. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that when the dealer contacted the manufacturer to order a new transmission, the manufacturer refused and informed the dealer to repair the current transmission. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that a week later, the vehicle experienced another failure. …
I just left the gas station from getting a beverage, I got onto the interstate and had gone roughly about 3 miles before setting super cruise a few minutes after that the interstate takes a turn to the left with an exit on the right. Slightly right as I was just getting into the turn my engine shutoff and or died making my truck uncontrollable causing me to drive off the interstate into some small trees between the exit and the interstate. I was not injured and no other vehicles were involved. My truck is currently at the insurances storage yard and they care claiming it to be totaled. I have contacted GM and filled a claim however they are saying they aren't responsible because the insurance company has my truck. …
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. …
Related recalls (2)
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the…
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
General Motors is recalling certain 2014 model year Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, and 2015 model year Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV; Chevrolet Silverado HD; and GMC Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL, equipped with a 4.3L engine or 5.3L engine.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the engine control module, free of charge. The recall began on January 16, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC at 1-800-462-8782.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
On January 16, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE25001 after receiving complaints and field reports concerning engine failures in MY2019-2024 GM's full-size truck and SUV T1XX platform equipped with the L87 6.2L V8 engine.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 1,157 reports of engine bearing failure failures in the L87 6.2L engine produced by General Motors (GM). Of the 1,157 reports received, 173 are outside of the scope of recall 25V-274.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001. This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V-274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001. This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V-274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement.
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Sierra 1500 years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2021 (367), 2019 (331), 2022 (265), 2020 (257) and 2023 (231) model years. Engine complaints make up 62% of all complaints for the 2021.
Is there a recall for GMC Sierra 1500 engine problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 25V-274 (hard parts internal/mechanical, Apr 24, 2025); 14V-007 (exhaust system, Jan 13, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do GMC Sierra 1500 engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles; 42% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (16 mentions), followed by the exhaust system (9).
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.