Sierra 1500 (T1XX)
Verdict Look for a Denali with the 6.2L and verified recall completion, including the 25V274 connecting-rod work on 2021-2024 trucks. On a 5.3L L84, scan for lifter tick at startup, rough idle and misfire codes.
Data covers 5 NHTSA model names
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
L87
6.2L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
L84 - DI, DFM, ALUM, GEN 5, VAR 2
5.3L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LM2
3.0L 6-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
LZ0
3.0L 6-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
L3B
2.7L 4-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
GMC Sierra 1500 Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
XRJ + ETN
View details
Complaint Breakdown
L82
5.3L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 5 additional engine variants with limited data
L5P - DI, DURAMAX, GEN 5 VAR. 1
6.6L 8-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
LV3
4.3L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
L83 - SIDI VVT, AFM, E85 MAX, ALUM, GM
5.3L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
L86 - VVT, AFM, E85 Max, Aluminum.
6.2L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
L8T - SIDI, VVT, CAST IRON
6.6L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
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: 3,306 owner complaints across seven model years against the Silverado's 4,138, 21 fire reports against 45, zero attributed deaths in either generation.
The 6.2L V8 (L87) is the largest complaint pool here at 1,679 reports. That is unusual: on the Silverado page the 5.3L L84 dominates by a wide margin. The 6.2L scores 1.4, on 889 powertrain complaints from an estimated 308,000 trucks, with engine and transmission as the top weakness clusters. The 5.3L L84 follows at 849 complaints. The 3.0L Duramax diesel sits at 550 complaints across the original LM2 (343) and the LZ0 (207), and the 2.7L turbo four trails at 126 complaints.
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 is the same engine in the Sierra and the Silverado.
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 14 owner complaints across 2024-2025 launch years, is too thin a sample to compare. 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.
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Battery Electric (BEV)
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2019-2025 GMC Sierra 1500
Too few field reports to rate this generation against peers yet. Most recently launched models accumulate complaints over the first 2-3 years.
What kind of battery complaint?
Among the 4 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.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Regen brake feel, one-pedal driving, B-mode complaints.
Sample complaint excerpts
High-Voltage Battery
- [2024] I was driving and noticed a very strong smell of an electrical fire. The truck popped up a High Voltage Battery warning and several warning lights came on. We stopped, restarted the truck and the lights came on again, the smell returned as soon as we started driving. We drove the truck to Cable Dahmer GMC in Kansas City, MO. Service advisor Kracinda asked us to exit the vehicle as quickly as po
- [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.
Electric Propulsion
- [2024] While driving on a divided two lane state highway at approximately 60mph my vehicle suffered a catastrophic engine failure causing immediate loss of power in traffic at highway speeds. I had to negotiate highway traffic to steer the vehicle onto a narrow shoulder and continue under reduced power to a location where the vehicle could remain stopped safely. There were no warning signs and no warning
Regenerative Braking
- [2025] My 2025 GMC Denali EV has experienced repeated safety-critical issues, including severe torque pull under acceleration, making it difficult to maintain safe lane position and compromising steering control. This behavior persists even after inspection and is documented on video. The vehicle has also had repeated service brake assist faults, including one critical failure at under 6,000 miles and a
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 24-module truck pack (205 kWh: Hummer EV Pickup, Silverado EV, Sierra EV, Escalade IQ)
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 75% 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.
Battery: GM 20-module truck pack (170 kWh: Hummer EV, Silverado EV, Sierra EV)
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 75% 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.
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the GMC Sierra 1500, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
Buyer's Guide
The 2.7L turbo four scores 7.9, the 5.3L L84 scores 4.9 and the 6.2L L87 scores 1.4. The 2.7L L3B turbo four has the smallest complaint volume here at 126 reports, but that sample may not stabilize once more model-year data accumulates. 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. 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.
What to check on a used 2019-2025 GMC Sierra 1500
On a used 2019-2025 GMC Sierra 1500, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (1,708), the transmission and drivetrain (681) and the electrical system (490). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 1,708 owner complaints on the 2019-2025 GMC Sierra 1500 about the engine, all engines combined.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 681 owner complaints on the 2019-2025 GMC Sierra 1500 about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 490 owner complaints on the 2019-2025 GMC Sierra 1500 about the electrical system.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 288 owner complaints on the 2019-2025 GMC Sierra 1500 about the body and structure.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 269 owner complaints on the 2019-2025 GMC Sierra 1500 about the brakes.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
Show 21 older recalls
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 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 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 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, 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 (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 (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 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, 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 2019-2021 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Alternatives in Full-Size Truck
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2019-2025 GMC Sierra 1500 complaints?
Owners have filed 3,306 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019-2025 GMC Sierra 1500. The systems they name most often are the engine, the transmission and the electrical system.
Is the 2019-2025 GMC Sierra 1500 a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 3,306 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019-2025 GMC Sierra 1500. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2019-2025 GMC Sierra 1500 have?
NHTSA has 3,306 owner complaints on file for the 2019-2025 GMC Sierra 1500 as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2019-2025 GMC Sierra 1500?
NHTSA lists 26 recalls covering some 2019-2025 GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used GMC Sierra 1500?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the transmission and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and 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. 3,306 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.