GMC

Sierra 1500 (K2XX)

2014-2018 · Full-Size Truck ยท 4 engines
Best Engine โœ… Recommended (3.7)
2,421 NHTSA Complaints
0 Recalls
26 Fire Reports
91 Crash Reports
Includes data from: SIERRA 1500SIERRA DENALI
View all 4 generations of the GMC Sierra 1500 → ๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

L5P - Direct Injection, DURAMAX, GEN 5, VAR 1

6.6L 8-cyl Turbo
โœ… Recommended (3.7)
43 complaints 9.5 per year Diesel
View details

Complaint Breakdown

exterior
10
engine
7
body
6
brakes
6
steering
5

Known Issues

Exterior Issues (10 complaints)
Engine Issues (7 complaints)
Body/Trim Issues (6 complaints)

LV3 - VVT, Aluminum, E85 Max

4.3L 6-cyl
โš ๏ธ Caution (2.8)
132 complaints 59.5 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

exterior
33
electrical
32
steering
26
safety systems
18
transmission
16

Known Issues

Exterior Issues (33 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (32 complaints)
Steering Issues (26 complaints)

L86 - VVT, AFM, E85 Max, Aluminum.

6.2L 8-cyl
โš ๏ธ Caution (2.4)
336 complaints 66.0 per year Gasoline
2 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
117
engine
87
brakes
58
electrical
39
steering
28

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (117 complaints)
Typical onset: 22,250โ€“78,000 mi Est. repair: $700โ€“$5,125 (8 reports)
Engine Issues (87 complaints)
Typical onset: 57,000โ€“127,645 mi Est. repair: $1,346โ€“$8,500 (13 reports)
Brakes Issues (58 complaints)

L83 - VVT, AFM (Active Fuel Management), Aluminum

5.3L 8-cyl
โŒ Avoid (1.3)
1,752 complaints 250.3 per year Gasoline
23 fire reports 1 fatality
View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes
467
transmission
313
electrical
289
steering
242
exterior
239

Known Issues

Brakes Issues (467 complaints)
Typical onset: 47,000โ€“106,000 mi Est. repair: $432โ€“$1,250 (23 reports)
Transmission Issues (313 complaints)
Typical onset: 32,500โ€“109,500 mi Est. repair: $1,050โ€“$6,000 (23 reports)
Electrical System Issues (289 complaints)
Typical onset: 30,000โ€“90,212 mi Est. repair: $475โ€“$1,294 (12 reports)

9 additional engine variants with fewer than 10 complaints not shown.

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the GMC Sierra 1500 regardless of engine variant.

Brakes Issues (526 complaints)
brakes critical
Transmission Issues (447 complaints)
transmission critical
Electrical System Issues (362 complaints)
electrical critical
Steering Issues (296 complaints)
steering serious
Exterior Issues (285 complaints)
exterior critical

Alternatives in Full-Size Truck

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2014-2018 GMC Sierra 1500 problems?

The 2014-2018 GMC Sierra 1500 has accumulated 2,421 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Brakes, Transmission, Electrical System. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which GMC Sierra 1500 engine is most reliable?

The 2014-2018 GMC Sierra 1500 was offered with 13 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 5.3L 8-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2014-2018 GMC Sierra 1500 a good used car?

The 2014-2018 GMC Sierra 1500 can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 2,421 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2014-2018 GMC Sierra 1500 have?

The 2014-2018 GMC Sierra 1500 has 2,421 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2014-2018 GMC Sierra 1500?

There are 0 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2014-2018 GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used GMC Sierra 1500?

Before buying a used GMC Sierra 1500, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Brakes, Transmission, Electrical System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the Sierra 1500 have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2014-2018 GMC Sierra 1500. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 2,421 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.

© 2026 The Weekly Driver