GMC Sierra 1500 Engine Problems
Owners have filed 2,083 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the GMC Sierra 1500 across 27 model years. The 2021 model year has the most (316). The words owners use most often: “engine seized” (5% of reports).
- 2,083engine complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 17mention a crash
- 7mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $9,800typical repair cost reported by owners
- 57%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 seized: mentioned in 107 of 2,082 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the GMC Sierra 1500 at $9,800, and half of them between $3,700 and $11,900.
Based on 88 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2016–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 426 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 2,083 complaints, 17 mention a crash, 18 a fire, 7 an injury.
GMC Sierra 1500 engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sierra 1500 | 97 | 68% | 5,509 |
| 2025 Sierra 1500 | 54 | 45% | 25,819 |
| 2024 Sierra 1500 | 188 | 51% | 25,000 |
| 2023 Sierra 1500 | 209 | 43% | 17,500 |
| 2022 Sierra 1500 | 238 | 40% | 60,800 |
| 2021 Sierra 1500 | 316 | 54% | 58,522 |
| 2020 Sierra 1500 | 240 | 50% | 44,000 |
| 2019 Sierra 1500 | 309 | 47% | 74,000 |
| 2018 Sierra 1500 | 67 | 22% | 47,000 |
| 2017 Sierra 1500 | 58 | 16% | 56,000 |
| 2016 Sierra 1500 | 39 | 11% | 73,760 |
| 2015 Sierra 1500 | 84 | 12% | 57,000 |
| 2014 Sierra 1500 | 69 | 9% | 58,500 |
| 2013 Sierra 1500 | 8 | 7% | 151,500 |
| 2012 Sierra 1500 | 6 | 6% | 126,000 |
| 2011 Sierra 1500 | 16 | 6% | 40,688 |
| 2010 Sierra 1500 | 11 | 7% | 67,500 |
| 2009 Sierra 1500 | 13 | 6% | 83,500 |
| 2008 Sierra 1500 | 19 | 5% | 109,000 |
| 2007 Sierra 1500 | 19 | 7% | 87,000 |
| 2006 Sierra 1500 | 5 | 3% | 143,000 |
| 2005 Sierra 1500 | 6 | 3% | 123,500 |
| 2004 Sierra 1500 | 5 | 2% | 96,494 |
| 2003 Sierra 1500 | 3 | 2% | 150,000 |
| 2001 Sierra 1500 | 2 | 1% | 174,900 |
| 2000 Sierra 1500 | 1 | 1% | 270,000 |
| 1999 Sierra 1500 | 1 | 1% | 677 |
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.
Driving down road started to hear a weird growling knocking sound and noticed a reduction of power. also noticed lower then normal oil pressure. Changed oil found metal shavings in the oil. sent to chevy dealership. Diagnosed "rod bearing failure" needs new engine.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, a reduced power mode warning message unexpectedly illuminated, and the vehicle unexpectedly entered limp mode. The contact stated that the temperature gauge indicated a high temperature and the vehicle was…
On 10/15/2026 I was making a slow right-hand turn up a slight incline into a parking lot when the vehicle braked very hard and the transmission made a grinding noise. I looked at the dashboard, and it was showing that the truck shifted into park while I was driving. The electronic brake engaged as…
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The failure involves the NOx emissions control system, specifically NOx Sensor #2 and the associated NOx catalyst/DPF assembly. Diagnostic trouble codes P11D5, P14D4, P22A1, P2832, P2833, and P28AF…
2021 GMC with 6.2L motor. The engine begin to produce a clattering noise in the upper part of the engine. When the clattering happens the vehicle will shudder. I took the vehicle into a certified independent service center who diagnosed a catastrophic engine failure as a result of lifter and…
Frequently asked questions
Do all GMC Sierra 1500s have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 2,083 owner complaints about engine 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?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the GMC Sierra 1500?
Owners report a typical cost of $9,800 (half paid between $3,700 and $11,900), from 88 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the GMC Sierra 1500?
The most frequent phrase is “engine seized”, in 107 of 2,082 complaints.
Other GMC Sierra 1500 problems
- 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)
- Exterior Lighting problems (339)
See all GMC Sierra 1500 problems.