GMC Sierra 1500 Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 1,343 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the GMC Sierra 1500 across 30 model years. The 2021 model year has the most (142). The words owners use most often: “torque converter” (7% of reports).
- 1,343power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 26mention a crash
- 10mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- $5,000typical repair cost reported by owners
- 41%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.
- Torque converter: mentioned in 90 of 1,343 complaints (7%)
- Valve body: mentioned in 73 of 1,343 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the GMC Sierra 1500 at $5,000, and half of them between $2,750 and $7,350.
Based on 44 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2005–2026), 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 power train problems happen?
Based on 457 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 1,343 complaints, 26 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 10 an injury.
GMC Sierra 1500 power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sierra 1500 | 34 | 24% | 2,000 |
| 2025 Sierra 1500 | 26 | 22% | 17,000 |
| 2024 Sierra 1500 | 72 | 20% | 24,000 |
| 2023 Sierra 1500 | 91 | 19% | 44,115 |
| 2022 Sierra 1500 | 111 | 19% | 36,000 |
| 2021 Sierra 1500 | 142 | 24% | 64,438 |
| 2020 Sierra 1500 | 98 | 20% | 75,200 |
| 2019 Sierra 1500 | 139 | 21% | 30,525 |
| 2018 Sierra 1500 | 131 | 43% | 29,781 |
| 2017 Sierra 1500 | 118 | 33% | 29,500 |
| 2016 Sierra 1500 | 84 | 24% | 45,117 |
| 2015 Sierra 1500 | 98 | 14% | 33,000 |
| 2014 Sierra 1500 | 69 | 9% | 70,000 |
| 2013 Sierra 1500 | 3 | 3% | 111,155 |
| 2012 Sierra 1500 | 6 | 6% | 44,000 |
| 2011 Sierra 1500 | 24 | 8% | 32,000 |
| 2010 Sierra 1500 | 4 | 2% | 114,250 |
| 2009 Sierra 1500 | 9 | 4% | 69,630 |
| 2008 Sierra 1500 | 6 | 2% | 96,000 |
| 2007 Sierra 1500 | 6 | 2% | 25,499 |
| 2006 Sierra 1500 | 13 | 9% | 37,184 |
| 2005 Sierra 1500 | 11 | 6% | 60,000 |
| 2004 Sierra 1500 | 8 | 4% | 38,800 |
| 2003 Sierra 1500 | 6 | 3% | 32,150 |
| 2002 Sierra 1500 | 5 | 3% | 76,287 |
| 2001 Sierra 1500 | 3 | 2% | 160,500 |
| 2000 Sierra 1500 | 9 | 5% | 137,900 |
| 1999 Sierra 1500 | 2 | 1% | 90,000 |
| 1998 Sierra 1500 | 7 | 12% | 81,000 |
| 1997 Sierra 1500 | 8 | 10% | 55,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive)Do not drive
Model years: 2026
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles. A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.
Risk: Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N262557620. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 7, 2026.
Power train:automatic transmission:control module:software; power train:automatic transmission:fluid/lubricant:valves/valve body
Model years: 2020, 2021, 2022
Problem: General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, 3500, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles that may have been repaired incorrectly under recall 24V797. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up.
Risk: Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicles and update the transmission control software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 6, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252516560. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 12, 2026.
Power train:automatic transmission:fluid/lubricant:valves/valve body; power train:automatic transmission:control module:software
Model years: 2020, 2021, 2022
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
Risk: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Model years: 2019, 2020
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 and 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 trucks. One of the driveshaft joints may not have been properly welded, causing the driveshaft to separate while the vehicle is moving.
Risk: If the driveshaft separates, there may be a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N202314870.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
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…
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light and making a left turn at approximately 20 MPH, the transmission failed. The vehicle was unable to exceed 10 MPH. The check engine warning light illuminated, and a dinging sound was heard following the…
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…
The Fuel pump modular system failed leaving me unable to start the vehicle and left me stranded in the [XXX] heat for hours. The vehicle only has 57k miles. There was a recall for this specific issue for many GM vehicles but not mine. There was no warning! It has been towed to Sheehan Buick in…
Transmission was replaced about 13 months or so after purchasing and was already out of warranty.
Frequently asked questions
Do all GMC Sierra 1500s have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 1,343 owner complaints about power train 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 power train?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the GMC Sierra 1500?
Owners report a typical cost of $5,000 (half paid between $2,750 and $7,350), from 44 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the GMC Sierra 1500?
The most frequent phrase is “torque converter”, in 90 of 1,343 complaints, followed by “valve body” (73).
Other GMC Sierra 1500 problems
- Engine problems (2,083)
- 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.