GMC Sierra 1500 Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Avoid the 2014, 2022, 2023, and 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 model years, which carry complaint indexes of 80, 93, 87, and 100 versus best years like 2012 at 0 and 2013 at 7. The 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2018 model years show the fewest complaints relative to their peers.
Avoid 2014Avoid 2022Avoid 2023Avoid 2024Best 2010Best 2012Best 2013Best 2018
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 6,907
- Recall campaigns
- 67
- Crashes reported
- 178
- Fires reported
- 71
- Top problem area
- Engine
Sierra 1500 Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
GMC Sierra 1500 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Best | 13 | 212 | 5 | 4 | 4 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2011 | Good | 27 | 355 | 6 | 3 | 7 | Airbags | — | 4★ |
| 2012 | Best | 0 | 146 | 8 | 2 | 5 | Airbags | — | 4★ |
| 2013 | Best | 7 | 162 | 6 | 2 | 6 | Airbags | — | 4★ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 80 | 854 | 29 | 9 | 20 ! | Electrical System | — | 5★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 60 | 793 | 27 | 10 | 15 | Brakes | — | 5★ |
| 2016 | Good | 40 | 377 | 15 | 14 | 9 ! | Brakes | — | 5★ |
| 2017 | Good | 33 | 429 | 20 | 5 | 5 | Transmission & Powertrain | — | 5★ |
| 2018 | Best | 20 | 321 | 10 | 1 | 7 | Transmission & Powertrain | — | 5★ |
| 2019 | Caution | 67 | 671 | 13 | 3 | 10 | Engine | — | 5★ |
| 2020 | Caution | 53 | 477 | 12 | 5 | 12 | Engine | 19 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Caution | 73 | 570 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Engine | 17 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Avoid | 93 | 585 | 9 | 5 | 6 | Engine | 17 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Avoid | 87 | 479 | 5 | 2 | 3 | Engine | 18 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Avoid | 100 | 360 | 5 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 18 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Good | 47 | 116 | 3 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 17 | 5★ |
Sierra 1500 years to avoid: what went wrong
2024 GMC Sierra 1500 Index 100 · 360 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2024 Sierra 1500 has the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100, drawn from 360 complaints. Engine issues make up 61% of complaints at a median 23,500 miles, the largest concentration of any avoid year. Owners report automatic emergency braking failing to activate, sudden unintended acceleration while braking, and engines stalling at low speed. One recall campaign addresses engine and engine cooling problems tied to these reports.
2024 engine problems →2024 transmission & powertrain problems →2024 electrical system problems →
2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Index 93 · 585 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2022 Sierra 1500 has a complaint index of 93 with 585 complaints and 9 crashes. Engine problems account for 46% of complaints, at a median 46,000 miles, followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 18% and Structure & Body at 18%. Owners report engine compartment fires with smoke from vents and sparks from the radio console, plus airbags failing to deploy in animal-strike crashes. Six recall campaigns apply, covering engine, transmission software, and grille deflector attachment issues.
2022 engine problems →2022 transmission & powertrain problems →2022 structure & body problems →
2023 GMC Sierra 1500 Index 87 · 479 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2023 Sierra 1500 shows a complaint index of 87 across 479 complaints, with Engine problems representing 48% of cases at a median 21,000 miles. Transmission & Powertrain and Structure & Body each account for 19% of complaints. Owners describe engines shutting off unexpectedly at highway speed, transmissions locking wheels at high speed, and electronic parking brakes engaging unexpectedly while towing. Three recall campaigns cover the engine, brake control module, and body control module software.
2023 engine problems →2023 transmission & powertrain problems →2023 structure & body problems →
2014 GMC Sierra 1500 Index 80 · 854 complaints · 20 recalls
The 2014 Sierra 1500 logged 854 complaints and a complaint index of 80, with one death and 29 crashes reported. Electrical System issues made up 39% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 11,450 miles, far earlier than Brakes (68,740 miles) or Steering (65,000 miles) problems. Owners describe headlight aiming complaints and vehicles catching fire shortly after recall repairs. Twenty recall campaigns hit this year, including one do-not-drive recall, plus separate brake and seat belt recalls tied to the 2014-2018 range.
2014 electrical system problems →2014 brakes problems →2014 steering problems →
Most common GMC Sierra 1500 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Engine2,200 (32%)
- Electrical System1,295 (19%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1,274 (18%)
- Brakes1,071 (16%)
- Other848 (12%)
- Structure & Body588 (9%)
- Steering538 (8%)
- Airbags437 (6%)
- Fuel System267 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires253 (4%)
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the GMC Sierra 1500 should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2014, 2022, 2023, and 2024 model years rank worst, with complaint indexes of 80, 93, 87, and 100 respectively.
- What are the best GMC Sierra 1500 model years?
- The 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2018 model years rank best, with complaint indexes as low as 0 for 2012 and 7 for 2013, based on NHTSA complaint data.
- What is the most common problem area across all Sierra 1500 years?
- Engine complaints are the largest category overall, making up 32% (2,200) of the 6,907 total complaints logged across 2010-2025 model years.
- Does the 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 have a do-not-drive recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists one do-not-drive recall campaign for the 2014 model year, part of 20 total recall campaigns issued for that year.
- Is the 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable compared to other years?
- The 2024 model year has the highest complaint index (100) of all 16 model years covered, making it the weakest year relative to other Sierra 1500 years based on NHTSA data.