Gmc SIERRA 1500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
8,731 owner complaints analyzed
60 distinct recall campaigns
58,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 to 2026 model years. Data snapshot: . 4,191 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1,970 of 8,731 complaints (22.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2,011 | 23.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1,027 | 11.8% |
| Steering behavior | 777 | 8.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 455 | 5.2% |
| Engine operation | 369 | 4.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 150 | 1.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1970 |
| Power Train | 1233 |
| Service Brakes | 1219 |
| Electrical System | 1029 |
| Air Bags | 925 |
| Unknown Or Other | 866 |
| Steering | 568 |
| Structure:Body | 462 |
Engine: 1,970; Power Train: 1,233; Service Brakes: 1,219; Electrical System: 1,029; Air Bags: 925; Unknown Or Other: 866; Steering: 568; Structure:Body: 462
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 934 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 847 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 865 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 622 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 630 |
| 150,000 and above | 293 |
Under 25,000: 934; 25,000 to 49,999: 847; 50,000 to 74,999: 865; 75,000 to 99,999: 622; 100,000 to 149,999: 630; 150,000 and above: 293
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (934). 4,540 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 21 |
| 2001 | 13 |
| 2002 | 13 |
| 2003 | 18 |
| 2004 | 29 |
| 2005 | 39 |
| 2006 | 106 |
| 2007 | 151 |
| 2008 | 148 |
| 2009 | 100 |
| 2010 | 228 |
| 2011 | 173 |
| 2012 | 114 |
| 2013 | 119 |
| 2014 | 203 |
| 2015 | 190 |
| 2016 | 459 |
| 2017 | 580 |
| 2018 | 504 |
| 2019 | 576 |
| 2020 | 477 |
| 2021 | 402 |
| 2022 | 405 |
| 2023 | 395 |
| 2024 | 526 |
| 2025 | 1623 |
| 2026 | 1119 |
2000: 21; 2001: 13; 2002: 13; 2003: 18; 2004: 29; 2005: 39; 2006: 106; 2007: 151; 2008: 148; 2009: 100; 2010: 228; 2011: 173; 2012: 114; 2013: 119; 2014: 203; 2015: 190; 2016: 459; 2017: 580; 2018: 504; 2019: 576; 2020: 477; 2021: 402; 2022: 405; 2023: 395; 2024: 526; 2025: 1,623; 2026: 1,119
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2,011 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1,027 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 777 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10164616 · 2006-08-05 (August 5, 2006)
I HAVE NOTICED PROBLEMS WITH MY ABS IN THE FRONT OF MY TRUCK IN THE PAST YEAR. WELL MY TRUCK IS NOW OFF THE ROAD SO I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY MOTHERS TRUCK AND HERS IS STARTING TO DO THE SAME THING ITS MAKES LIKE A GRINDING NOISE IN THE FRONT WE TOOK OFF THE TIRES AND THE BRAKES WERE FINE WE CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT ELSE COULD BE WRONG AND THEN A FRIEND SAID ITS THE ABS SENSORS SYSTEM. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10164616 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10188689 · 2007-04-24 (April 24, 2007)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 GMC SIERRA 1500 EXTENDED CAB. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE OR STOP THE VEHICLE THE ANTILOCK BRAKES ACTIVATED, AND THE VEHICLE TOOK LONGER TO START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED RECALL # 05V379000 CONCERNING SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ANTILOCK SENSOR NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. THE CONTACT WILL HAVE THIS PROCEDURE COMPLETED BEFORE THE HARD COPY OF THE IVOQ ARRIVES AND WILL SUBMIT A COPY OF THE REPAIR INVOICE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 130,000 , AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10188689 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016949 · 2003-05-03 (May 3, 2003)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO GEAR RECENTLY, CHANGED FLUID HELPED FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS - WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WORKS WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT - FUEL GAUGE HAS NOT WORKED SINCE 1999 AND OTHER PEOPLE I KNOW HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THEIR GENERAL MOTOR TRUCKS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016949 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022445 · 2003-06-26 (June 26, 2003)
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 48,865 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022445 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10410182 · 2011-07-01 (July 1, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1995 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT APPEARED ON THE SCENE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THEY ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FIRE MOST LIKELY ORIGINATED NEAR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE LOT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 178,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 178,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10410182 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10413240 · 2011-07-17 (July 17, 2011)
I'M GOING TO LIST EVERY SAFETY DEFECT WITH MY 1996 GMC SIERRA SINCE I PURCHASED IT USED IN 2008. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT I HEARD A SWISHING SOUND IN THE HEATER CORE AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST LOW ON ANTI FREEZE AND THAT MY REPAIR FACILITY COULD FIX THE AIR BAG; BUT AS IT TURNS OUT THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BAD AND I COULDN'T AFFORD TO GET THE AIR BAG FIXED. THE SWISHING SOUND WAS CAUSED BY AIR IN THE COOLING SYSTEM DUE TO A LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET; IT HAD TO BE …
Owner-reported narrative. 147,657 miles reported. Look up ODI 10413240 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10356172 · 2010-09-17 (September 17, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 GMC 1500. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THERE WAS LITTLE TO NO POWER. NONE OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WERE OPERABLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND AS HE REMOVED THE COVERING FROM A PLATE UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN, HE FOUND THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL BURNED WIRES. HE THEN SPLICED THE WIRES TOGETHER AND USED A RUBBER PROTECTOR TO PROTECT THE WIRES FROM RUBBING AGAINST THE METAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT …
Owner-reported narrative. 64,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10356172 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 855800 · 2000-01-31 (January 31, 2000)
GAS GAUGE ACTED ERRATICALLY. WARMING UP VEHICLE WHILE SITTING IN IDLING POSITION FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND ALL OF SUDDEN HEARD A LOUD NOISE. VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING, SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM AROUND THE FUEL TANK. CONTACTED DEALER. STILL UNDER WARRANTY, WAS TOLD THAT THE WIRING HARNESS THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE FUEL TANK HAD A SHORT, IT WAS MELTED. *AK *ML
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 855800 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10195661 · 2007-07-09 (July 9, 2007)
VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE DRIVING EVENTUALLY STALLING . HAD VEHICLE IN 6 DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOPS. WE HAVE HAD IT TUNED UP, REPLACED PLUG WIRES, SENSORS, AND DISTRIBUTOR AMONG OTHER THINGS. THE VEHICLE WILL DRIVE FINE FOR A FEW DAYS OR WEEKS AND THEN THE SAME PROBLEM WILL OCCUR.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10195661 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10116190 · 2005-03-31 (March 31, 2005)
TRUCK WILL NOT START. NOT HEARING THE ELECTIC FUEL PUMP IN GAS TANK. TRUCK TOWED FOR REPAIRS. DURING FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT. NOTICED THE CONNECTOR INSIDE THE GAS TANK ARCED AND BURNED WITH 2 INCHES OF INSULATION BURNED OFF THE WIRES SUPPLYING POWER TO THE FUEL PUMP. 1997 GMC TRUCK. I GUESS THIS CONNECTOR THAT MATES THROUGH THE TANK HAS HAD A HISTORY OF ARCING BURNING HERE. ALSO THE CONNECTOR DEFECT ISNT EASILY NOTICABLE TO THE TECHNICIAN. CAUSING INTERMITTENT FUEL PUMP FAILURE AS IN MY CASE. HAS THERE BEEN ANY HISTORY OF FIRE/EXPOSION WITH…
Owner-reported narrative. 144,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10116190 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 12 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2010: 4; 2011: 5; 2012: 3; 2013: 3; 2014: 9; 2015: 9; 2016: 7; 2017: 5; 2018: 7; 2019: 10; 2020: 12; 2021: 7; 2022: 6; 2023: 3; 2024: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 2
Year-by-year records
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Change in recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 13 | 0 | Not available |
| 1995 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1996 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 1997 | 66 | 3 | +3 |
| 1998 | 54 | 2 | -1 |
| 1999 | 157 | 1 | -1 |
| 2000 | 181 | 1 | 0 |
| 2001 | 140 | 2 | +1 |
| 2002 | 166 | 1 | -1 |
| 2003 | 180 | 1 | 0 |
| 2004 | 212 | 2 | +1 |
| 2005 | 177 | 0 | -2 |
| 2006 | 144 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | 262 | 2 | +2 |
| 2008 | 381 | 2 | 0 |
| 2009 | 234 | 4 | +2 |
| 2010 | 168 | 4 | 0 |
| 2011 | 284 | 5 | +1 |
| 2012 | 107 | 3 | -2 |
| 2013 | 115 | 3 | 0 |
| 2014 | 738 | 9 | +6 |
| 2015 | 716 | 9 | 0 |
| 2016 | 340 | 7 | -2 |
| 2017 | 352 | 5 | -2 |
| 2018 | 300 | 7 | +2 |
| 2019 | 634 | 10 | +3 |
| 2020 | 458 | 12 | +2 |
| 2021 | 553 | 7 | -5 |
| 2022 | 572 | 6 | -1 |
| 2023 | 458 | 3 | -3 |
| 2024 | 348 | 1 | -2 |
| 2025 | 111 | 1 | 0 |
| 2026 | 102 | 2 | +1 |