GMC Sierra 1500 Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 262 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the GMC Sierra 1500 across 30 model years. The 2021 model year has the most (49). The words owners use most often: “engine cooling contacted” (9% of reports).
- 262engine and engine cooling complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 59%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Engine cooling contacted: mentioned in 24 of 262 complaints (9%)
- Motive power: mentioned in 22 of 262 complaints (8%)
- Failed restart: mentioned in 21 of 262 complaints (8%)
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 196 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 262 complaints, 8 a fire.
GMC Sierra 1500 engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine and Engine Cooling complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sierra 1500 | 3 | 3% | 21,100 |
| 2024 Sierra 1500 | 31 | 8% | 28,700 |
| 2023 Sierra 1500 | 22 | 4% | 26,000 |
| 2022 Sierra 1500 | 29 | 5% | 43,108 |
| 2021 Sierra 1500 | 49 | 8% | 59,075 |
| 2020 Sierra 1500 | 21 | 4% | 93,000 |
| 2019 Sierra 1500 | 26 | 4% | 100,000 |
| 2018 Sierra 1500 | 6 | 2% | 111,871 |
| 2017 Sierra 1500 | 2 | 1% | 114,850 |
| 2016 Sierra 1500 | 3 | 1% | 113,000 |
| 2015 Sierra 1500 | 1 | 0% | 55,000 |
| 2014 Sierra 1500 | 5 | 1% | 143,000 |
| 2012 Sierra 1500 | 1 | 1% | 140,000 |
| 2011 Sierra 1500 | 2 | 1% | 34,975 |
| 2010 Sierra 1500 | 4 | 2% | 31,000 |
| 2009 Sierra 1500 | 4 | 2% | 6,200 |
| 2008 Sierra 1500 | 1 | 0% | 151,071 |
| 2007 Sierra 1500 | 7 | 3% | 26,146 |
| 2006 Sierra 1500 | 3 | 2% | 7,600 |
| 2005 Sierra 1500 | 8 | 5% | 75,150 |
| 2004 Sierra 1500 | 8 | 4% | 53,991 |
| 2003 Sierra 1500 | 3 | 2% | 80,000 |
| 2002 Sierra 1500 | 2 | 1% | 65,001 |
| 2001 Sierra 1500 | 3 | 2% | 113,000 |
| 2000 Sierra 1500 | 5 | 3% | 103,000 |
| 1999 Sierra 1500 | 6 | 4% | 80,000 |
| 1998 Sierra 1500 | 3 | 5% | 125,000 |
| 1997 Sierra 1500 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 1996 Sierra 1500 | 1 | 20% | 147,657 |
| 1995 Sierra 1500 | 2 | 67% | 178,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
Model years: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
Risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system
Model years: 2014
Problem: 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 Yukon XL, equipped with a 4.3L engine or 5.3L engine.
Risk: The overheated exhaust components may melt nearby plastic parts and may result in an engine fire.
Fix: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the engine control module, free of charge. The recall began on January 16, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC at 1-800-462-8782. General Motors' number for this recall is 14008.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly entered Limp mode without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the computer was reflashed and the vehicle temporarily returned to normal operation; however…
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly started shaking and losing power until it completely stalled. The check engine warning light started flashing, and the warning messages "Service ESC" and "Service Traction Control"…
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. While driving 65 MPH with cruise control activated, the messages "Service ESC", "Service Park Brake", and an unknown message was displayed, causing the cruise control to deactivate. The check engine and transmission warning lights illuminated. The vehicle…
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving 74 MPH, the vehicle made a loud banging sound, reduced engine power, and was losing oil pressure. The dealer associated the failure with NHTSA Action Number: EA25007 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The dealer was…
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact…
Frequently asked questions
Do all GMC Sierra 1500s have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 262 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the GMC Sierra 1500. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the GMC Sierra 1500 engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the GMC Sierra 1500?
The most frequent phrase is “engine cooling contacted”, in 24 of 262 complaints, followed by “motive power” (22).
Other GMC Sierra 1500 problems
- Engine problems (2,083)
- Power Train problems (1,343)
- Service Brakes problems (1,225)
- Electrical System problems (1,212)
- Air Bags problems (951)
- Steering problems (614)
- Structure problems (591)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (475)
See all GMC Sierra 1500 problems.