2015 GMC Sierra 1500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 carries a Complaint Index of 65 and ranks 8th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Brakes (32% of complaints) and electrical issues (27%) dominate, backed by 15 recall campaigns including two airbag inflator recalls and a steering EPS fix.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 65/100
- #8 of 21 Sierra 1500 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 793
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 15
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 27
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 10
- Injuries
- 12
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- —
- Injuries / deaths
- 12 / 0
Top 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes250 (32%)
- Electrical System216 (27%)
- Transmission & Powertrain109 (14%)
- Engine93 (12%)
- Steering88 (11%)
- Other74 (9%)
- Airbags42 (5%)
- Structure & Body41 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires27 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers22 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering wheel reportedly fractures or locks unexpectedly at low speeds, sometimes leading to a crash into a fixed object.
- Brake pedal can go hard and feel like the booster failed, especially in stop-and-go traffic or while towing a trailer.
- Electrical failures reported include instrument panel and steering lockups occurring together, with the brake system failing to engage.
- Owners describe dashboard fires starting behind the instrument cluster, accompanied by erratic gauges and rough engine running.
- Airbags reportedly fail to deploy in frontal and t-bone collisions, sometimes alongside seat belt pretensioner failures.
- One owner reported the rear axle breaking while driving, causing loss of steering and braking control.
2015 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls
15 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V504000Jul 1, 2021Airbags410,019 vehicles
Air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks. The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Risk: A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on August 18, 2021. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy is available. Phase I owner notification letters were mailed on May 5, 2022. Phase II owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 31, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. This recall supersedes NHTSA recall number 20V-736. GM's number for this recall is N202324251.
- NHTSA 21V245000Apr 8, 2021Seat Belts2,568 vehicles
Seat belts:front
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2015-2016 Chevrolet Tahoe, and 2014-2015 GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles that may have received an incorrect replacement tensioner cable assembly as part of a previous recall remedy or a subsequent repair. The flexible steel cable connecting the driver's seat belt to the outboard side of the seat may be repeatedly bent over the seat side shield as the driver enters and exits the vehicle causing the cable to fatigue and separate.
Risk: A broken pretensioner cable reduces the effectiveness of the driver's seat belt, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver seat belt lap pretensioner, free of charge. The recall began on May 5, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212330040.
- NHTSA 20V736000Nov 25, 2020Airbags9,279 vehicles
Air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2015 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 trucks. The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator.
Risk: If the end cap separates from the inflator, the compressed gas will escape and the end cap can be propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RRAB modules on the left and/or right side, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on December 22, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. Note: GM filed a new recall, number 21V-504 that supersedes this recall. All vehicles previously recalled under 20V-736 will now be repaired under the new recall number 21V-504. GM's numbers for this recall are N202309680, N202309681, and N202309682.
2015 compared with other Sierra 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives it a Complaint Index of 65, ranking 8th worst among 21 model years of the Sierra 1500, with a Caution verdict. Brakes and electrical system complaints make up the largest share of reports.
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500?
- NHTSA complaints show brakes account for 32% of reports, electrical system 27%, and transmission/powertrain 14%. The median mileage at brake failure was 55,000 miles, while electrical failures were reported at a median of 12,750 miles.
- Does the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns for this year, including two roof-rail airbag inflator recalls, a steering EPS software recall, and a brake control module reprogramming recall. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2015 Sierra 1500 compare to other model years?
- With a Complaint Index of 65, the 2015 is worse than years like 2012 (index 0, Best) and 2013 (index 10, Best) but not as bad as 2014 (index 80, Avoid) or 2022 (index 100, Avoid).
- Were there any deaths reported for the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500?
- NHTSA data lists 0 deaths for this model year, though it shows 27 crashes, 10 fires, and 12 injuries among 793 complaints.