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GMC Sierra 1500: Years to Avoid and Best Years (Engine & Transmission)
GMC Sierra 1500 problems by model year, from 6,021 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. For each year: the share of complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system, how many there were, and the recalls.
Worst years to avoid: 2021 (77%, 441 drivetrain complaints), 2020 (69%, 317 drivetrain complaints) and 2019 (67%, 424 drivetrain complaints). 8 of the 14 GMC Sierra 1500 years we score have an elevated engine, transmission or fuel-system complaint share; 5 of them are at the very high level (60% or more), where every model year we track has a documented failure behind it.
Best years on this measure: 2013 (19%), 2010 (22%) and 2014 (25%). A low share means owners complained about other things more than the drivetrain, not that nothing ever fails.
By raw volume, the 2021 drew the most drivetrain complaints (441 of 2,689 across the scored years). Volume also tracks how many were sold and how long they have been on the road, which is why the share, not the count, sets the verdict.
Engine and transmission complaint share, 2010–2023
Share of relevant owner complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system. 33% is elevated, 40% high, 60% very high. A dash means too few complaints to score.
Every GMC Sierra 1500 year
| Model year | Signal | Drivetrain share | Drivetrain complaints | All complaints | Rank (1 = worst) | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Sierra 1500 | no elevated signal | 22% | 27 | 217 | 13/14 | 4 |
| 2011 Sierra 1500 | no elevated signal | 26% | 58 | 366 | 11/14 | 5 |
| 2012 Sierra 1500 | no elevated signal | 28% | 12 | 49 | 10/14 | 3 |
| 2013 Sierra 1500 | no elevated signal | 19% | 22 | 167 | 14/14 | 3 |
| 2014 Sierra 1500 | no elevated signal | 25% | 156 | 859 | 12/14 | 9 |
| 2015 Sierra 1500 | no elevated signal | 32% | 202 | 817 | 9/14 | 9 |
| 2016 Sierra 1500 | elevated | 37% | 16 | 48 | 8/14 | 8 |
| 2017 Sierra 1500 | high | 47% | 195 | 429 | 7/14 | 6 |
| 2018 Sierra 1500 | very high | 64% | 185 | 304 | 4/14 | 7 |
| 2019 Sierra 1500 | very high | 67% | 424 | 647 | 3/14 | 10 |
| 2020 Sierra 1500 | very high | 69% | 317 | 468 | 2/14 | 12 |
| 2021 Sierra 1500 | very high | 77% | 441 | 577 | 1/14 | 7 |
| 2022 Sierra 1500 | high | 58% | 336 | 588 | 6/14 | 6 |
| 2023 Sierra 1500 | very high | 63% | 298 | 485 | 5/14 | 3 |
What owners complain about most, all years
Categories as NHTSA files them, summed across the GMC Sierra 1500 years with data. A complaint can name more than one component, so the shares overlap. Red is engine, transmission or fuel.
GMC Sierra 1500 engine and transmission recalls: timeline
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns on the GMC Sierra 1500 involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 48 across the years we track. Each model-year page has the details. Whether a particular car still has a recall open depends on its VIN.
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2014 | 14V007000 | engine and engine cooling: exhaust system | 2014 |
| Nov 2019 | 19V837000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2020 |
| Oct 2020 | 20V650000 | power train: driveline: driveshaft | 2019–2020 |
| Oct 2024 | 24V797000 | power train: automatic transmission: control module: software | 2020–2022 |
| Apr 2025 | 25V274000 | engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical | 2021–2023 |
| Feb 2026 | 26V083000 | power train: automatic transmission: control module: software | 2020–2022 |
42 other recalls (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2010 | 10V643000 | suspension: rear: axle: spindle | 2011 |
| Jan 2011 | 11V007000 | suspension: rear: axle: spindle | 2011 |
| Apr 2016 | 16V209000 | seat belts | 2014–2015 |
| Apr 2016 | 16V256000 | suspension: front: control arm | 2016 |
| Sep 2016 | 16V651000 | air bags: frontal | 2014–2017 |
| Jun 2017 | 17V414000 | steering: electric power assist system | 2014 |
| Jul 2017 | 17V437000 | air bags: frontal | 2014–2017 |
| Aug 2017 | 17V487000 | child seat: tether: connector/clip | 2017 |
| Apr 2018 | 18V267000 | equipment | 2010–2014 |
| Sep 2018 | 18V586000 | steering: electric power assist system | 2015 |
| Dec 2018 | 18V868000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2019 |
| Sep 2019 | 19V645000 | service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum | 2014–2018 |
| Oct 2019 | 19V761000 | service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: wheel speed sensor/tone ring | 2014–2018 |
| Nov 2019 | 19V814000 | seat belts: pretensioner | 2019–2020 |
| Dec 2019 | 19V888000 | electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery: cables | 2019–2020 |
| Dec 2019 | 19V889000 | service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: abs warning light | 2019 |
| Jan 2020 | 20V055000 | service brakes, hydraulic: power assist | 2019 |
| Feb 2020 | 20V116000 | service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper | 2020 |
| Jul 2020 | 20V446000 | air bags: side/window: curtain: inflator | 2020 |
| Oct 2020 | 20V603000 | service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum | 2018 |
| Nov 2020 | 20V684000 | tires | 2020–2021 |
| Nov 2020 | 20V736000 | air bags: side/window: curtain: inflator | 2015–2016 |
| Dec 2020 | 20V792000 | seat belts | 2019–2021 |
| Dec 2020 | 20V811000 | seat belts | 2021 |
| Feb 2021 | 21V050000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2011 |
| Feb 2021 | 21V051000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2012 |
| Feb 2021 | 21V053000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2013 |
| Feb 2021 | 21V054000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2013 |
| Feb 2021 | 21V115000 | tires | 2019–2020 |
| Apr 2021 | 21V245000 | seat belts: front | 2014–2015 |
| Jun 2021 | 21V423000 | tires | 2019 |
| Jul 2021 | 21V504000 | air bags: side/window: curtain: inflator | 2015–2016 |
| Dec 2021 | 21V985000 | tires: temporary/emergency spare tire | 2019–2021 |
| Jun 2022 | 22V463000 | exterior lighting: brake lights | 2022 |
| Dec 2022 | 22V903000 | exterior lighting: lighting control module: software | 2022–2023 |
| Sep 2024 | 24V674000 | service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp | 2023 |
| Oct 2024 | 24V756000 | air bags: side/window: curtain: inflator | 2018 |
| Feb 2025 | 25V060000 | structure: body: bumpers: active shutters/grill | 2022 |
| Jun 2025 | 25V432000 | air bags | 2018 |
| Mar 2026 | 26V166000 | air bags | 2018 |
| May 2026 | 26V325000 | air bags | 2018 |
| Sep 2026 | 26V611000 | air bags: side/window: curtain: inflator | 2016–2017 |
What the free pages leave out on the GMC Sierra 1500
- The mileage where it happens, for the model year you are looking at.
- What the repair costs, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives: similar cars with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive.
- Open recalls on the actual car, by VIN.
Questions people ask about the GMC Sierra 1500
What are the worst years for the GMC Sierra 1500?
On engine and transmission complaints, the worst GMC Sierra 1500 years are the 2021 (77% of relevant complaints, very high), the 2020 (69% of relevant complaints, very high) and the 2019 (67% of relevant complaints, very high). 8 of 14 scored years are elevated in all.
What are the best years for the GMC Sierra 1500?
On engine and transmission complaints, the best GMC Sierra 1500 years are the 2013 (19%), the 2010 (22%) and the 2014 (25%). That describes the model year; any one car still needs an inspection.
Does the GMC Sierra 1500 have engine problems?
In some years. Across the 14 scored years, 2,689 of 5,284 relevant NHTSA complaints (51%) concern the engine, transmission or fuel system; the largest drivetrain category is engine. The years with an elevated share are 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Is the GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?
On the engine and transmission it depends on the year: 8 of 14 GMC Sierra 1500 years we score have an elevated complaint share and 6 do not. Pooled across those years, 51% of relevant complaints are about the drivetrain, against a 33% line for an elevated signal. Complaint data does not measure overall reliability, so pick the year first, then inspect the car.
Are there transmission or engine recalls on the GMC Sierra 1500?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns involving the engine, transmission or fuel system across the GMC Sierra 1500 years we track, out of 48 in total: 24V797000 (Oct 2024, 2020–2022), 25V274000 (Apr 2025, 2021–2023), 26V083000 (Feb 2026, 2020–2022), and earlier ones. Whether a car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.
Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across model years, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Model years with fewer than 25 complaints are not scored.