Sierra 1500 (2026)
Data covers 4 NHTSA model names
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
L87
6.2L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
L84
5.3L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LZ0
3.0L 6-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 2 additional engine variants with limited data
XRJ+ETN
View details
Complaint Breakdown
L3B
2.7L 4-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Battery Electric (BEV)
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2026 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.
Battery & propulsion recalls (1)
General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, GMC Sierra EV, Chevrolet Silverado EV, and 2022 GMC Hummer EV Pickup vehicles. The high voltage battery may have an improperly secured internal module component.
Consequence: A loose component may move and damage the high voltage battery, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
Battery: GM 14-module truck pack (119 kWh: 2026 Silverado EV and Sierra EV Standard Range)
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.
What to check on a used 2026 GMC Sierra 1500
On a used 2026 GMC Sierra 1500, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (71), the transmission and drivetrain (27) and the electrical system (15). 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 71 owner complaints on the 2026 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 27 owner complaints on the 2026 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 15 owner complaints on the 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 about the electrical system.
- Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 11 owner complaints on the 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 about the fuel system, all engines combined.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 5 owner complaints on the 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
Recalls (5)
General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, GMC Sierra EV, Chevrolet Silverado EV, and 2022 GMC Hummer EV Pickup vehicles. The high voltage battery may have an improperly secured internal module component.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV vehicles. A manufacturing defect may result in the steel wheels cracking at the disc vent holes.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles. A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.
General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette Convertible E-Ray, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, Silverado EV, Suburban 1500, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Hummer EV Pickup, Hummer EV SUV, Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, Sierra EV, Terrain, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The radio may not have been set to the correct status to download the electronic owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Protection.”
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV electric vehicles. After experiencing an electronic stability control (ESC) system malfunction, the ESC malfunction warning light may not illuminate on the next key cycle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Alternatives in Full-Size Truck
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2026-2026 GMC Sierra 1500 complaints?
Owners have filed 108 complaints with NHTSA about the 2026-2026 GMC Sierra 1500. The systems they name most often are the engine, the transmission and the electrical system.
Is the 2026-2026 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 108 complaints with NHTSA about the 2026-2026 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 2026-2026 GMC Sierra 1500 have?
NHTSA has 108 owner complaints on file for the 2026-2026 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 2026-2026 GMC Sierra 1500?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls covering some 2026-2026 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 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 5 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (19.1% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard. Lane Departure Warning: Standard. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 108 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.