GMC Sierra reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 557 complaints about the GMC Sierra with NHTSA since 2010, most often about exterior lights and transmission and drivetrain. GMC has filed 13 warranty extensions and 26 service campaigns for it, and there are 20 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the GMC Sierra? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Sierra a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 557
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 13
- Filed by GMC
- Service campaigns
- 26
- Filed by GMC
- Safety recalls
- 20
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Sierra with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 11 | Engine (55%) | 0 | 5 |
| 2019 | 26 | Brakes (31%) | 0 | 5 |
| 2018 | 17 | Engine (29%) | 0 | 9 |
| 2017 | 76 | Transmission and drivetrain (34%) | 0 | 16 |
| 2016 | 36 | Transmission and drivetrain (25%) | 2 | 10 |
| 2015 | 75 | Exterior lights (40%) | 6 | 15 |
| 2014 | 115 | Exterior lights (56%) | 11 | 7 |
| 2013 | 47 | Airbags (19%) | 3 | 6 |
| 2012 | 39 | Body and structure (21%) | 2 | 10 |
| 2011 | 71 | Other or unspecified (39%) | 2 | 12 |
| 2010 | 44 | Body and structure (25%) | 0 | 6 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Sierra model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by GMC
Warranty extensions and service campaigns GMC filed with NHTSA for the Sierra, in its own words. A warranty extension means GMC pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionMay 2024· Electrical system· model years 2017–2020
This service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories - Dealer-Installed, Repaired or Replaced During Warranty Coverage Period.
- Warranty extensionOct 2020· Brakes· model years 2014–2018
Special Coverage Adjustment - In some circumstances, some 2014-2018 model year Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, and GMC Yukon vehicles may have a condition where customers may experience increased brake pedal effort, hard…
- Warranty extensionSep 2020· Engine and cooling· model years 2016
Special Coverage Adjustment - certain vehicles that are equipped with a dieselengine (LML/LGH) may have a condition which causes an offset in the temperature sensor in the diesel-emission-reduction fluid(DEF) tank reservoir or causes the DEF heater performance to degrade.
- Warranty extensionJul 2020· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2016
Special Coverage Adjustment - certain vehicles with a 6.2L engine may have a condition that affects the electrical connection to the transmission oil temperature sensor.
- Warranty extensionJul 2019· Fuel system· model years 2017
N182198000 - Special Coverage Adjustment - Certain vehicles, equipped with a 5.3L or 6.2L engine, may have a condition which affects fuel injector function.
- Warranty extensionApr 2019· Brakes· model years 2014–2017
N182202780 - Special Coverage Adjustment. In some circumstances, some 2014-2017 model year Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, and GMC Yukon vehicles may have a condition where customers may experience increased brake pedal…
- Warranty extensionMar 2019· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2017–2018
N182188930-01 - Special Coverage (Added Customer Reimbursement Labor Codes).
- Warranty extensionJan 2019· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010–2012
Special Coverage. On some vehicles equipped with a 6.6L Duramax Diesel engine (RPO LML, LGH) the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) may illuminate due to a condition with the glow plugs.
- Warranty extensionJun 2018· Seat belts· model years 2017
18127 - Special Coverage. In certain vehicles, if a driver repeatedly sits on the seat belt cable cover located at the base of the driver?s seat when entering the vehicle, it may cause the seat belt pretensioner to bend sharply over the seat side shield.
- Warranty extensionNov 2017· Engine and cooling· model years 2013–2015
29400 01 - Special Coverage. On certain vehicles that are equipped with a diesel engine (RPO LML/LGH/LUZ), a malfunction-indicator light (MIL) may illuminate due to an offset in the temperature sensor in the diesel-emission-reduction fluid (DEF) tank reservoir or increased DEF…
- Warranty extensionOct 2016· Fuel system (diesel)· model years 2011–2012
14652A-Special Coverage. On some vehicles a malfunction-indicator light (MIL) may illuminate due to an offset in the temperature sensor in the diesel-emission-reduction fluid (DEF) tank reservoir, increased tank-heater resistance, or reductant-system performance.
- Warranty extensionMay 2016· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010–2013
14520B Special Coverage. Some 2008-2009 model year Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra light-duty vehicles registered in Canada or 2007, and 2010-2013 model year Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra light duty vehicles registered in or previously registered in Maine, New Hampshire,…
- Warranty extensionSep 2015· Engine and cooling· model years 2011–2015
15457 - Special Coverage. Some 2010-2015 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles and 2011-2015 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD vehicles that are equipped with 6.6L Duramax Diesel engines (RPO LML or LGH) may contain a leak in the seal between the engine-exhaust down…
- Service campaignJun 2025· Other or unspecified· model years 2018–2020
Amendments to the Song-Beverly Act (SBA) California warranty law provides vehicle owners with an opportunity to submit a written notice to GM before filing a lawsuit seeking a vehicle repurchase.
- Service campaignJun 2025· Other or unspecified· model years 2018–2020
Amendments to the Song-Beverly Act (SBA) California warranty law provides vehicle owners with an opportunity to submit a written notice to GM before filing a lawsuit seeking a vehicle repurchase.
- Service campaignAug 2024· Electrical system· model years 2010–2020
Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles.
- Service campaignSep 2020· Fuel system· model years 2020
Customer Satisfaction Program. Certain vehicles may not have one of the fill pipe parts kit which should be included with the vehicle. Dealers are to provide the missing fill pipe parts kit to the customer.
- Service campaignFeb 2020· Seats· model years 2016–2018
Customer Satisfaction Program - Certain vehicles that had the front passenger seat cushion frame previously replaced, may not have had the adjuster stops transferred and are missing on the replacement part.
- Service campaignJan 2020· Electrical system· model years 2015–2018
Customer Satisfaction Program - Certain 2014-2019 model year Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles equipped with a power sliding rear window (RPO A48) may have areas of high electrical resistance on the rear defroster circuit.
- Service campaignOct 2019· Wheels· model years 2019
N192279360 - Customer Satisfaction Program. Certain vehicles, equipped with 17?
- Service campaignJan 2018· Wheels· model years 2017–2018
17456 - Customer Satisfaction Program. Certain vehicles may have a condition in which the rear wheel hub nut could become loose due to the rear wheel hub nut retainer not being formed properly.
- Service campaignSep 2017· Electrical system· model years 2017
Customer Satisfaction Program-17315. Certain vehicles, equipped with Power Take-off (PTO), may have a condition where the PTO option was not enabled.
- Service campaignAug 2017· Equipment and accessories· model years 2017
17308 -Customer Satisfaction Program. Certain vehicles owner manuals may be missing written instructions for using tether anchorages and child restraint anchorage systems in the vehicle. Print and insert revised owner manual pages included in this bulletin.
- Service campaignJun 2017· Equipment and accessories· model years 2015
15086A - Customer Satisfaction Program. On certain passenger cars and light duty trucks, equipped with Gen 10 OnStar®, the embedded phone flash memory chip may become corrupted, causing the OnStar® system to become inoperative.
- Service campaignMar 2017· Engine· model years 2017
17105 - Customer Satisfaction Program. Certain vehicles, equipped with a DuraMax Diesel Engine (L5P) and Dual Generators (KHB), may have been built with an accessory drive belt idler pulley intended for other applications.
- Service campaignFeb 2017· Equipment and accessories· model years 2017
17045 - Customer Satisfaction Program. Certain vehicles, equipped with 20?
- Service campaignJan 2017· Seats· model years 2014–2017
17018-Customer Satisfaction Program. Certain vehicles, equipped with power front passenger seat adjuster that was previously replaced, may have a condition in which the front passenger seat can be adjusted to a position beyond the occupant design travel range.
- Service campaignNov 2016· Brakes· model years 2017
16095 Customer Satisfaction Program. Certain vehicles may have a condition in which the left and right front brake caliper assemblies are suspect to a torque value below the specification of 100 Nm.
- Service campaignMay 2016· Electrical system· model years 2011–2012, 2015–2016
15801A - Customer Satisfaction Program. This bulletin is being revised to add a note at the beginning of the Service Information section.
- Service campaignMay 2016· Engine· model years 2011–2012, 2015
15801 - Customer Satisfaction Program. (2012 model year repair suspended) Vehicles equipped with Duramax Diesel Engine (RPO LGH or LML) and Ambulance Upfitter or Fire Truck Upfitter (RPO YF2 or ANM), may have a condition in which the emission control system as designed will…
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Sierra model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Exterior lights102 (18%)
- Transmission and drivetrain76 (14%)
- Other or unspecified72 (13%)
- Brakes61 (11%)
- Body and structure58 (10%)
- Airbags55 (10%)
- Electrical system49 (9%)
- Engine47 (8%)
Safety recalls
20 recalls cover at least one Sierra model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The radio may intermittently fail to provide an audio warning when the key has been left in the ignition and the door is opened or when the driver does not fasten their seat belt.
In the affected vehicles, the mounting stud used to secure the air bag sensing and diagnostic Module (SDM) may be incorrectly positioned, and as a result, the SDM housing could fracture.
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD, Chevrolet Express, and GMC Sierra HD vehicles, and model year 2013 GMC Savana compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles that fail to…
In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.
In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.
Due to an improper heat-treatment, the rear axle shaft may fracture while the vehicle is being driven.
Due to a problem with the EPS module, the affected vehicles may experience a sudden loss of power steering assist during vehicle operation.
In the affected vehicles, the chassis electronic module may be internally contaminated, resulting in an electrical short.
Due to an incomplete weld on the seat hook bracket assembly, the front seats in the affected vehicles may not stay secured in place during a high load condition such as a crash.
In the affected vehicles, an electrical signal short may cause the transfer case to shift to neutral without the driver's input.
The affected vehicles built with the vinyl flooring option do not have the retention features necessary to properly secure the floor mat on the driver's side.
The radios in the affected vehicles may become inoperative, and as a result, there would be no audible chime to notify the driver if the door is opened with the key in the ignition or no audible seat belt warning…
In the affected vehicles, the tie rod threaded attachment may not be properly tightened to the steering gear rack.
The subject vehicles may have a transmission oil cooler line that is not securely seated in the fitting.
General Motors is recalling certain 2014 model year Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, and 2015 model year Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV; Chevrolet Silverado HD; and GMC Sierra HD, Yukon, and…
And 5 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- EA21002Engineering analysis· opened Sep 2021, still open· Airbags· model years 2014–2015
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
NHTSA's own page for the 2020 GMC Sierra has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the GMC Sierra reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 557 owner complaints, 13 warranty extensions and 26 service campaigns GMC filed, and 20 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2014 (115), 2017 (76), 2015 (75). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the GMC Sierra?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name exterior lights (18%), transmission and drivetrain (14%), other or unspecified (13%). GMC has filed 13 warranty extensions covering the Sierra, listed on this page.
Which Sierra model years have the most complaints?
2014 (115), 2017 (76), 2015 (75). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Sierra with each other rather than with other models.
Has GMC extended the warranty on the Sierra?
Yes: electrical system (model years 2017–2020); brakes (model years 2014–2018); engine and cooling (model years 2016), and 10 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Sierra?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 20 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.