2015 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 25, 2026 · 719 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Sierra 1500 years
Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 32 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
5 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 719 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. That ranks 2nd out of 32 Sierra 1500 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is service brakes (219 complaints, 30%), typically at around 55,500 miles. Complaints mention 23 crashes, 9 fires, 11 injuries. There are 9 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

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Most common 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Service Brakes219 · ~55,500 mi
Power Train98 · ~33,000 mi
Electrical System96 · ~46,000 mi
Exterior Lighting93 · ~1,469 mi
Engine84 · ~57,000 mi
Steering81 · ~52,500 mi
Unknown or Other67 · ~58,000 mi
Air Bags37 · ~34,000 mi
Structure28 · ~46,000 mi
Visibility/wiper19 · ~29,500 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Service Brakes problems21930%55,500“vacuum pump” (21%)$1,300
Power Train problems9814%33,000“torque converter” (8%)—
Electrical System problems9613%46,000“rear window” (10%)—
Exterior Lighting problems9313%1,469“low beam” (16%)—
Engine problems8412%57,000“push rod” (6%)$2,950
Steering problems8111%52,500“turn steering wheel” (10%)—
Unknown or Other679%58,000——
Air Bags375%34,000——
Structure284%46,000——
Visibility/wiper193%29,500——
Suspension172%11,761——
Seat Belts162%75,000——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)132%60,000——
Fuel/propulsion System132%12,893——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic112%71,750——
Seats91%14,500——
Wheels91%14,700——
Vehicle Speed Control71%32,500——
Visibility71%46,000——
Equipment30%44,000——
Forward Collision Avoidance30%32,000——
Back Over Prevention20%36,000——
Tires20%66,150——
Engine and Engine Cooling10%55,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2019, with 139 complaints
2015: 172015172016: 722016722017: 562017562018: 10120181012019: 13920191392020: 552020552021: 642021642022: 662022662023: 432023432024: 312024312025: 482025482026: 27202627

n = 719 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2015 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls (9)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Air bags:side/window:curtain:inflatorJul 1, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V504000 · 410,019 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks. The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture.

Risk: A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on August 18, 2021. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy is available. Phase I owner notification letters were mailed on May 5, 2022. Phase II owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 31, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. This recall supersedes NHTSA recall number 20V-736. GM's number for this recall is N202324251.

Seat belts:frontApr 8, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V245000 · 2,568 vehicles

Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2015-2016 Chevrolet Tahoe, and 2014-2015 GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles that may have received an incorrect replacement tensioner cable assembly as part of a previous recall remedy or a subsequent repair. The flexible steel cable connecting the driver's seat belt to the outboard side of the seat may be repeatedly bent over the seat side shield as the driver enters and exits the vehicle causing the cable to fatigue and separate.

Risk: A broken pretensioner cable reduces the effectiveness of the driver's seat belt, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver seat belt lap pretensioner, free of charge. The recall began on May 5, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212330040.

Air bags:side/window:curtain:inflatorNov 25, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V736000 · 9,279 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2015 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 trucks. The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator.

Risk: If the end cap separates from the inflator, the compressed gas will escape and the end cap can be propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RRAB modules on the left and/or right side, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on December 22, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. Note: GM filed a new recall, number 21V-504 that supersedes this recall. All vehicles previously recalled under 20V-736 will now be repaired under the new recall number 21V-504. GM's numbers for this recall are N202309680, N202309681, and N202309682.

Service brakes; service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:wheel speed sensor/tone ring; electronic stability control (esc)Oct 24, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V761000 · 652,967 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.

Risk: Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.

Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuumSep 6, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V645000 · 3,456,719 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.

Risk: As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.

Steering:electric power assist systemSep 7, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V586000 · 1,015,918 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade vehicles. Electric power steering (EPS) assist may be lost momentarily, followed by a sudden return of EPS assist.

Risk: If EPS assist is lost and then suddenly returns, the driver may have difficulty steering the vehicle, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the EPS module software, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18289.

Seat belts:pretensioner; air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactiveJul 10, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V437000 · 40,683 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.

Seat belts:pretensioner; air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactiveSep 8, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V651000 · 3,640,162 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.

Seat beltsApr 12, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V209000 · 895,232 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks manufactured January 29, 2013, to January 21, 2015. While entering the vehicle, the seat belt tensioner cable may be positioned such that the driver slides over it. This movement may result in the fatigue and separation of the cable.

Risk: If the tensioner cable separates, the driver may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will modify the vehicles to prevent the tensioner from being damaged. Any tensioner that has already been damaged will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15822.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.
  • Brake Vacuum Pump Failure (PE18012) — opened Nov 20, 2018, closed Apr 10, 2022, led to recall 19V645000.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

In August, 2019, at 93,672 miles, GM covered a lifter failure on our 2015 GMC Sierra, V8 AFM engine. Only the left side was repaired. Now, in 2026 at 130,000, the right side has the same issue and needs repair. The estimate to repair is $16,697. This is a known issue and a safety concern.

Engine · received Sep 25, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11766980

The transmission Started Shuddering, it would slip occasionally and slipped badly when i was driving in rush hour traffic in the middle of a left turn. had no power for several seconds then it finally reengaged. The shuddering got worse and worse to the point i took it to a transmission shop to…

Power Train · received Sep 22, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11766154

Power steering seems to be lost for a second or two at low speeds turning. Happens multiple times a day.

Electrical System · received Sep 10, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11763463

My 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 recently started having all the symptoms under GM internal recall number 18289. I lose my power steering briefly and the electronics turn off momentarily. I lose dash, AC, radio and GPS. It comes back on within a second or two and only does this during low speed turning. I…

Electrical System · received Aug 31, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11760877

See attached document for complaint.

Structure · received Aug 21, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11758571

Other GMC Sierra 1500 years

← 2014 Sierra 1500 · 2016 Sierra 1500 →

See all GMC Sierra 1500 problems by year, every GMC model, or the GMC VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500?

Owners most often report service brakes, power train, electrical system problems. The top one, service brakes, accounts for 219 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500?

Yes, 9 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Sierra 1500 model years, the 2015 has far more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.