GMC Sierra Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 293 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the GMC Sierra across 21 model years. The 1999 model year has the most (37).
- 293power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 13mention a crash
- 8mention an injury
- 8related recalls
- 32%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 141 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 293 complaints, 13 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 8 an injury.
GMC Sierra power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Sierra | 23 | 38% | 9,900 |
| 2015 Sierra | 6 | 11% | 4,900 |
| 2014 Sierra | 10 | 10% | 2,000 |
| 2013 Sierra | 5 | 13% | 3,000 |
| 2012 Sierra | 2 | 7% | 54,586 |
| 2011 Sierra | 6 | 14% | 37,000 |
| 2010 Sierra | 1 | 3% | 78,000 |
| 2008 Sierra | 2 | 3% | 71,500 |
| 2007 Sierra | 4 | 7% | 66,690 |
| 2006 Sierra | 2 | 4% | 34,500 |
| 2005 Sierra | 11 | 9% | 4,609 |
| 2004 Sierra | 18 | 10% | 9,000 |
| 2003 Sierra | 29 | 14% | 4,000 |
| 2002 Sierra | 18 | 7% | 39,000 |
| 2001 Sierra | 14 | 5% | 35,750 |
| 2000 Sierra | 26 | 6% | 52,000 |
| 1999 Sierra | 37 | 6% | 75,500 |
| 1998 Sierra | 15 | 8% | 79,000 |
| 1997 Sierra | 28 | 12% | 73,000 |
| 1996 Sierra | 24 | 10% | 108,748 |
| 1995 Sierra | 12 | 5% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (8)
Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft
Model years: 2015
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles manufactured November 24, 2014, to November 25, 2014. Due to an improper heat-treatment, the rear axle shaft may fracture while the vehicle is being driven.
Risk: If the rear axle shaft fractures, the rear wheel may separate from the axle shaft, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear axles, and replace any that were improperly heat-treated, free of charge. The recall began on December 17,2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet) or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14892.
Power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Model years: 2014, 2015
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles, and model year 2015 GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, an electrical signal short may cause the transfer case to shift to neutral without the driver's input.
Risk: If the transfer case switches to neutral while the vehicle is parked and the parking brake is not in use, the vehicle may roll away increasing the risk of injury to bystanders. If the transfer case switches to neutral while the vehicle is being driven, the vehicle would lose drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will re-program the software in the transfer case control module, free of charge. The recall began in early August 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14192.
Power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines
Model years: 2014
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM ) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Silverado Light Duty Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab 1500 series and model year 2015 Suburban and Tahoe; GMC model year 2014 Sierra Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab 1500 Series and model year 2015 Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6-Speed Automatic Transmission (feature code MYC). The subject vehicles may have a transmission oil cooler line that is not securely seated in the fitting.
Risk: If the line is not securely seated and transmission oil leaks from the fitting, the oil could contact a hot surface and cause a vehicle fire.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission oil cooler line connection and repair the vehicles, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on May 19, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-866-694-6546 or GMC owners may contact GMC at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14121.
Power train:automatic transmission; steering:column locking:anti-theft device
Model years: 2013
Problem: General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles, manufactured between November 7, 2012, through December 18, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect", and FMVSS No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention." The vehicles may have been built with a fractured park lock cable or a malformed steering column lock actuator gear in the lock module assembly.
Risk: As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while the key is off. Either of these scenarios may cause the vehicle to roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible vehicle crash and/or injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463.
Power train:manual transmission:shift pattern indicator
Model years: 2005
Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock and transmission braking effect." under certain vehicle starting conditions, the shift lever position indicator located in the instrument panel cluster may not illuminate. If the shift lever position indicator does not illuminate, the driver may not know which gear the vehicle is in.
Risk: The vehicle may move in an unintended direction resulting in possible injury to others outside of the vehicle.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the instrument panel cluster free of charge. The recall began on february 14, 2005. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, and gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Model years: 2000
Problem: Some pickup trucks, vans, and sport utility vehicles equipped with a hydraulic pump driveshaft that can fracture, resulting in immediate loss of hydraulic power steering assist. On certain vehicles equipped with hydro-boost power brakes, the same condition can result in loss of power assist for braking after the reserve pressure is depleted.
Risk: An inoperative pump can cause increased steering effort, and in hydro-boost equipped vehicles also increased braking effort, but does not completely eliminate the ability to steer or slow the vehicle.
Fix: Dealers will replace the hydraulic pump. The campaign began on february 14, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 1995
Problem: The transmission shift-cable lock clip can back out of its installed position resulting in a loss of cable adjustment. When the shift lever is placed in the "park" position, the "park" indicator light may not illuminate.
Risk: The vehicle can move unintentionally if the driver does not notice that the indicator light is not on and does not apply the parking brake.
Fix: Dealers will adjust the shift cable and install a lock clip.
Power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines
Model years: 1995
Problem: Due to a thin case casting, an external transmission leak can occur.
Risk: This condition can cause transmission oil to sprayonto the exhaust system and result in a possible vehicle fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the transmission case assembly for the involved case casting. If the assembly is involved, the transmission will be replaced.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2014 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that while making a right turn into the driveway, the steering wheel had become stiff. No warning light had illuminated. The vehicle was no longer being driven since the steering wheel was too stiff and required excessive force causing control…
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the transmission inadvertently shifted from high to low gears and the RPMs revved up. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be duplicated…
Have had this into the dealer at the first oil change and complained about transmission shifting issues and it being unsafe to drive. Complaints are: hard shift, it clunks both upshifting and downshifting. Going around corners from a stop the truck will either fall on its face or jerks you…
Vehicle shifts very hard in and out of 1st and 2nd gear. When starting to go at low speeds the vehicle almost stops when shifting and then jerks when it shifts. Same occurs when slowing to a stop. Vehicle was taken to the dealer and the power train was reprogrammed. The issue was a little better…
While driving at normal highway speed, truck shut off except for the lights. Lost powers steering, brakes etc. Once i got the truck pulled over and stopped, attempted to restart. Was unable to do so until the 4th attempt during a 5 minutes time span. Once started, appeared to be running fine except…
Frequently asked questions
Do all GMC Sierras have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 293 owner complaints about power train for the GMC Sierra. 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 power train?
Yes: 8 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
Other GMC Sierra problems
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (954)
- Visibility problems (343)
- Service Brakes problems (304)
- Steering problems (248)
- Electrical System problems (241)
- Air Bags problems (193)
- Structure problems (193)
- Suspension problems (160)
See all GMC Sierra problems.