Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

GMC Sierra 1500 Problems, Recalls and MPG by Year

What this means

NHTSA lists 61 recall campaigns across the GMC Sierra 1500, 1994–2026. Owners have filed 8,912 complaints with NHTSA. Of the last 15 model years with settled counts, the 2014 drew the most (739) and the 2012 the fewest (107).

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026

GMC Sierra 1500 complaints by model year

8,912 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Red numbers above the columns are recall campaigns for that model year.

ComplaintsStill collecting reports3Recall campaigns

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fewest complaints

  • 2012 · 107 complaints
  • 2013 · 115 complaints
  • 2010 · 168 complaints

Most complaints

  • 2014 · 739 complaints
  • 2015 · 719 complaints
  • 2019 · 648 complaints

Among the last 15 model years at least five years old; newer years are left out because owners are still filing reports. Every year compared →

Problem areas by model year

Complaints that name each component, 2017–2026. Darker cells mean more reports. One complaint can name several components.

GMC Sierra 1500 owner complaints by component and model year (NHTSA ODI)
Component2017201820192020202120222023202420252026
Engine 58673072353082372081865489
Power train 1181301379714010891712531
Electrical system 54439580758264422514
Service brakes 10744112532430171173
Unknown or other 35254444427552321410
Structure 86151313103872632
Steering 25304237341312734
Fuel/propulsion system 71023263725352069

Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

GMC Sierra 1500 recalls (61)

Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for at least one Sierra 1500 model year, newest first.

NHTSA recall campaigns for the GMC Sierra 1500
CampaignFiledWhatModel yearsRepaired
26V611000Sep 24, 2026Air Bag Inflator Endcap May Detach2016, 2017—
26V325000May 21, 2026Roof Rail Air Bag Inflator Endcap May Detach20182.6%
26V289000May 7, 2026Do Not Drive: Front and/or Rear Wheels May Lock Up202650%
26V166000Mar 19, 2026Roof Rail Air Bag Inflator Endcap May Detach201821.7%
26V114000Feb 26, 2026Missing Owner's Manual/FMVSS 208202663.2%
26V083000Feb 12, 2026Rear Wheel Lock Up from Transmission Control Valve Failure2020, 2021, 202248.8%
25V876000Dec 17, 2025Wheelchair Restraint Retractor May Not Lock20252.3%
25V432000Jun 26, 2025Roof Rail Air Bag Inflator Endcap May Detach201843.2%
25V274000Apr 24, 2025Engine Failure2021–202485.1%
25V060000Feb 6, 2025Chrome Front Grille Deflector May Detach202276.2%
24V797000Oct 24, 2024Rear Wheel Lock-Up from Transmission Valve Failure2020, 2021, 202276%
24V756000Oct 10, 2024Roof Rail Air Bag Inflator End Cap May Detach201851.3%
24V674000Sep 12, 2024Inoperative Low Brake Fluid Warning202390.1%
22V903000Dec 8, 2022Running Lights May Not Deactivate/FMVSS 1082022, 202398.1%
22V463000Jun 30, 2022Inoperative High-Mounted Brake Light/FMVSS 10820227.9%

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. Open a model-year page for each campaign's official text, or check your VIN on NHTSA.

Check on NHTSA ↗
All 61 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls by model year →

Crash-test stars by model year

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the GMC Sierra 1500 (most-tested body style each year)
Model yearOverallFrontalSideRolloverTested as
2026★★★★★5★5★4★pu/rc 4wd
2025★★★★★5★5★4★pu/rc 4wd
2024★★★★★5★5★4★pu/ec 4wd
2023★★★★★4★5★4★pu/cc 4wd
2022★★★★★4★5★4★pu/cc 2wd
2021★★★★★4★5★4★pu/ec 2wd
2020★★★★☆4★5★4★pu/cc 2wd
2019★★★★☆4★5★4★pu/ec 4wd
2018★★★★★5★5★4★pu/ec 4wd
2017★★★★★5★5★4★pu/cc 4wd
2016★★★★★5★5★4★pu/cc 4wd
2015★★★★★5★5★4★pu/cc 4wd

Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Source: NHTSA NCAP, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy by model year

199412–19 mpg
199513–19 mpg
199614–18 mpg
199713–18 mpg
199813–18 mpg
199914–17 mpg
200014–18 mpg
200111–17 mpg
200214–16 mpg
200314–16 mpg
200413–16 mpg
200513–17 mpg
200613–17 mpg

EPA combined mpg range across engine and transmission configurations. Your mileage will vary. Source: EPA, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Where to next

GMC Sierra 1500 FAQ

How many recalls has the GMC Sierra 1500 had?

NHTSA lists 61 recall campaigns that cover at least one GMC Sierra 1500 model year from 1994 to 2026. Each campaign card on the model-year pages has NHTSA's official text and the repair completion rate. Only NHTSA's VIN lookup can tell you whether a specific car was repaired.

Which GMC Sierra 1500 year has the most complaints?

Among the last 15 model years with settled counts, the 2014 drew the most owner complaints filed with NHTSA (739) and the 2012 the fewest (107). Counts are owner reports, not failure rates, and sales volume affects them.

What are the most common GMC Sierra 1500 problems?

Across the 2017–2026 model years, owners most often name the engine, power train, electrical system in complaints filed with NHTSA.

What mpg does the GMC Sierra 1500 get?

EPA rates the 2006 GMC Sierra 1500 at 13 to 17 mpg combined, depending on engine and transmission.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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