2015 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
60/100
#7 most-complained of 16 Sierra 1500 years
The 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 has a Complaint Index of 60 with 793 complaints and 15 recalls, ranking 7th worst of 16 model years. NHTSA data gives it a Caution verdict, driven mainly by brake and electrical complaints.
- Complaints
- 793
- Recalls
- 15
- Crashes / fires
- 27 / 10
- Injuries / deaths
- 12 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Owners report the steering wheel fracturing or locking while driving at low speeds, sometimes leading to a crash.
- Some describe electrical failures that disable the brake system, lock the steering wheel, and shut down the instrument panel at once.
- Several report fires starting near the dashboard or between the cab and bed, with smoke and erratic gauges preceding the flames.
- Brake pedal reportedly goes hard and hard to press, especially at slow speeds or while towing, reducing stopping ability.
- One owner reported a rear axle breaking while driving, causing loss of steering and braking control.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple crash reports, including a t-bone collision at 40 mph.
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 lists 793 complaints and 15 recalls for the 2015 Sierra 1500, giving it a Complaint Index of 60 and a Caution verdict compared to other model years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500?
- Brakes are the top problem area, accounting for 250 complaints (32% of the total) and 16 crashes, with a median failure mileage of 45,000 miles for the vehicle overall.
- Does the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 15 recalls for this model year, covering airbags, seat belts, brakes, and steering, though none are marked do-not-drive.
- How does the 2015 model compare to other Sierra 1500 years?
- The 2015 ranks 7th worst out of 16 model years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 60, better than 2014 (80) and 2024 (100) but worse than 2016 through 2018.