Sierra 1500 (T1XX)
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Reliability Overview
The 2019-2025 Sierra 1500 is the GMC twin of the Chevrolet Silverado, built on a shared T1XX platform with the same engine lineup at GM's Indiana and Mexico plants. The complaint record differs from its Chevy sibling: 2,611 owner complaints across seven model years against the Silverado's 3,414, 18 fire reports against 40, zero attributed deaths in either generation. The cause is not better engineering. It is sales mix, with the Sierra weighted heavier toward Denali and AT4X trims that lean on the 6.2L V8 instead of the volume 5.3L.
The 6.2L V8 (L87) is the largest complaint pool here at 1,267 reports. That is unusual: on the Silverado page the 5.3L L84 dominates by a wide margin. On the Sierra, where AT4X and Denali trims with the 6.2L attract a heavier share of buyers, the 6.2L moves to the top of the complaint count. The 6.2L earns a 'caution' 2.3 rating with engine and transmission as the top weakness clusters. The 5.3L L84 follows at 741 complaints and a 'caution' 2.5 rating. The 3.0L Duramax diesel sits at 433 complaints with 'caution' 2.2, and the 2.7L turbo four trails at 96 complaints with 'caution' 2.2.
The recall stack runs heavy with shared GM campaigns. The 6.2L V8 connecting rod and crankshaft recall (25V274, April 2025) hits the Sierra alongside the Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, and Escalade siblings. The diesel transmission control valve recall (24V797, October 2024) and its 26V083 re-do (February 2026) cover the Sierra and Silverado together. Multiple early-year recalls inherited from the platform launch hit both trucks: 19V889 and 20V055 for EBCM software that disabled stability control and antilock brakes without warning lights, 19V814 for seat-belt pretensioner hot gas that could ignite carpet, 19V888 for battery positive cables manufactured with excessive glue, and 20V650 for improperly welded driveshaft joints that could separate while driving. The Sierra EV has its own slate of newer campaigns: 24V755 (October 2024) for front turn signal and parking light defects, and 24V320 (May 2024) for electric motor wire insulation that could cause loss of drive power.
The Sierra's lower volume relative to the Silverado has a subtle effect on the data. The 5.3L L84 V8 with Dynamic Fuel Management rates 'caution' 2.5 here against 'avoid' 1.5 on the Silverado page, even though it is the identical engine assembled at the same Tonawanda plant. The Silverado's 1,719 complaints on the 5.3L draw harder algorithmic penalties than the Sierra's 741, because the rating engine looks at complaint volume as a proxy for failure rate. The underlying engine reliability is identical between the two trucks; the Silverado's harsher rating reflects sample-size differences in the data, not engineering differences in the engine.
For Sierra shoppers, the buying decision largely echoes the Silverado's: the 6.2L L87 carries the post-April-2025 connecting-rod recall fallout, the 5.3L L84 is a known DFM-lifter risk regardless of which truck it sits in, and the 2.7L turbo four and 3.0L diesel both have meaningful complaint volume. The Sierra EV, with 9 owner complaints across 2024-2025 launch years, sits below the data threshold for confident rating. AT4X and Denali buyers paying the trim premium are not getting a more reliable truck than Chevy Silverado buyers paying less. They are getting the same truck with different badges, the same engine lineup, and a smaller complaint sample.
Engine Reliability Ratings
GMC Sierra 1500 Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
L84 - DI, DFM, ALUM, GEN 5, VAR 2
5.3L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
L87
6.2L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
LM2
3.0L 6-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
L3B
2.7L 4-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
Show 4 additional engine variants with limited data
XRJ + ETN
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
LV3
4.3L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
L5P - DI, DURAMAX, GEN 5 VAR. 1
6.6L 8-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
L8T - SIDI, VVT, CAST IRON
6.6L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Battery Electric (BEV)
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2019-2025 GMC Sierra 1500
That's below the typical rate for BEVs in this dataset (median 5.5 per year). Battery & propulsion complaints are lower than peer average for this category.
What kind of battery complaint?
Among the 1 battery-related complaints, here's the type mix. These percentages describe what the complaints are about — not how reliable the vehicle is overall.
Propulsion battery defects, capacity loss, BMS faults, replacement claims.
Battery & propulsion recalls (1)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 and 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 trucks. One of the driveshaft joints may not have been properly welded, causing the driveshaft to separate while the vehicle is moving.
Consequence: If the driveshaft separates, there may be a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of crash.
Sample complaint excerpts
High-Voltage Battery
- [2025] Failure in the lithium-Ion battery system. Battery conditioning system failed to manage heating and cooling of the battery system leading to catastrophic system failure. Dealership and manufacturer are unable to make repair leaving the vehicle un-operable.
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN — high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.
Battery: GM Ultium NCMA (Dual-Tier Truck, ~205 kWh)
Pack overview
Known issues
How this pack ages (industry context)
Industry fleet aggregates: 2.3% average annual capacity loss across 22,700 EVs / 21 models (Geotab, 2026), and 95% range retention at 5 years on average across 30,000+ vehicles (Recurrent, 2026).
OEM warranty floor on this pack: 8 yr / 100k mi to 70% capacity.
Public per-pack degradation curves are not available for most models. Individual results vary materially with climate, charging behavior, and DC fast-charge frequency.
Vehicle-Level Issues
These issues affect the GMC Sierra 1500 regardless of engine variant.
Buyer's Guide
All four high-volume Sierra engines rate 'caution', so there is no clear winner the data points to. The 2.7L L3B turbo four has the smallest complaint volume here at 96 reports with a 'caution' 2.2 rating, but that sample may not stabilize once more model-year data accumulates. The 5.3L L84 (caution 2.5) and 6.2L L87 (caution 2.3) carry similar ratings despite different volume positions. The 6.2L carries the April 2025 connecting-rod recall (25V274) on 2021-2024 builds; the 5.3L carries the well-documented Dynamic Fuel Management lifter failure pattern that runs across GM's full-size truck and SUV family. Neither is a clean record.
Before buying any 2019-2025 Sierra 1500, run the VIN through NHTSA's VIN tool and confirm every applicable recall is closed. For 2021-2024 6.2L V8 trucks, verify the 25V274 connecting-rod inspection has been completed and request the dealer's repair documentation. For 5.3L L84 trucks across all years, scan for AFM and DFM lifter symptoms (rough idle, lifter tick at startup, cylinder misfire codes). For 2020-2022 diesel trucks, confirm both 24V797 transmission control valve and its 26V083 re-do are closed. Early 2019-2020 trucks should also have the EBCM software (19V889, 20V055), battery positive cable (19V888), and seat-belt pretensioner carpet ignition (19V814) campaigns cleared. For 2024-2025 Sierra EV buyers, confirm 24V320 motor wire insulation and 25V015 seat belt recalls are closed.
On the used market the Sierra commands a higher price than the equivalent Silverado on matching engine and trim, reflecting GMC's premium-brand positioning and the Denali/AT4X feature mix. For cross-shoppers at the same trim and powertrain, the underlying engineering is shared; the Sierra's lower complaint volume reflects sales mix, not better engineering. A Sierra 1500 Denali with verified recall completion and the 6.2L is a defensible used-market choice, with the same connecting-rod recall caveat that applies to all 2021-2024 6.2L GM trucks.
Recalls (26)
General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, 3500, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles that may have been repaired incorrectly under recall 24V797. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up.
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. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV and 2024-2025 GMC Sierra EV pickup trucks. The bolt that secures the rear center seat belt assembly to the seat structure may not have been properly tightened.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with chrome front grille deflectors. The attachments that hold the front grille deflectors in place may fracture, resulting in grille detachment.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Escalade ESV vehicles. The electronic brake control module software may fail to display a warning light when a loss of brake fluid occurs. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 GMC Sierra EV vehicles. The front turn signal lights and parking lights may be too similar in brightness, making it difficult to see the front turn signals when they are activated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Hummer EV SUV, and GMC Sierra EV vehicles. The electric motors in the rear drive units may have insufficiently insulated wires that can contact each other, resulting in a loss of drive power.
General Motors (GM) has decided that certain 2022 model year Chevrolet Silverado, and GMC Sierra vehicles equipped with an accessory sport bar. The accessory sport bar contains a high-mounted brake light that may not function. In addition, it may block the vehicle's existing high-mounted brake light. As such, these vehicles may fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 GMC Sierra 1500 and Silverado 1500 vehicles equipped with certain accessory road tires and a 17" spare tire. The 17" spare tire provided with the vehicle is not compatible for use with the accessory wheels, which can cause the anti-lock brake system (ABS) to not function properly under certain conditions.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5 and XT6, Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500 and Traverse and GMC Acadia and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The diffuser component of the Roof-Rail Air Bag (RRAB) inflator may not have been properly crimped to the inflator and could separate from the inflator during air bag deployment.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. These vehicles received updated software for the Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM). This software has an error, and as a result, the vehicle's electronic brake assist may be disabled. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The bolts used to attach the front and/or rear brake calipers may have not been heat treated and may break under load.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 and 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 trucks. One of the driveshaft joints may not have been properly welded, causing the driveshaft to separate while the vehicle is moving.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon XL and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The seat belt brackets may not be secured to the seat frame in the front-row center seating position.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with Continental tires that were overcured.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Camaro, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump may be missing a pressure regulator, allowing for over-pressurization of the fuel system.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, and 2020 Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles equipped with carpet floor covering. When the front seat belt pretensioners deploy, hot gas may vent through an opening in the pretensioner bracket, possibly igniting the carpet.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Cadillac CT6, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. Due to an Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) software error, the vehicle's Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Antilock Brake System (ABS) may become disabled. Furthermore, if this specific error occurs, the vehicle's diagnostics will not illuminate the instrument cluster ESC and ABS malfunction warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks. The battery positive (B+) cable rings may have been manufactured with excessive glue, potentially causing an intermittent electrical connection between the B+ cable and alternator.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab and GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab vehicles. The passenger-side frontal air bag module may have been damaged during assembly, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly in the event of a crash.
All Generations
Alternatives in Full-Size Truck
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2019-2025 GMC Sierra 1500 problems?
The 2019-2025 GMC Sierra 1500 has accumulated 2,611 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Engine, Transmission, Electrical System. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.
Which GMC Sierra 1500 engine is most reliable?
The 2019-2025 GMC Sierra 1500 was offered with 9 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 2019-2025 GMC Sierra 1500 a good used car?
The 2019-2025 GMC Sierra 1500 can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 2,611 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 2019-2025 GMC Sierra 1500 have?
The 2019-2025 GMC Sierra 1500 has 2,611 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 2019-2025 GMC Sierra 1500?
There are 26 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2019-2025 GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — 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 Engine, 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.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Sierra 1500?
The 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (19.8% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard & Optional. Lane Departure Warning: Standard & Optional. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 2,611 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.