YearToAvoid

2023 GMC Sierra 1500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 has 479 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 95, ranking 2nd-worst among 21 model years with data. Engine problems dominate at 48% of complaints, and the year carries three recalls covering engine, brakes, and electrical systems, earning it an Avoid verdict.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
95/100
#2 of 21 Sierra 1500 years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
479
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
5
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
2
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2013
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
18
16 city / 20 hwy
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Top 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine232 (48%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain91 (19%)
  3. Structure & Body89 (19%)
  4. Electrical System68 (14%)
  5. Other52 (11%)
  6. Fuel System36 (8%)
  7. Brakes17 (4%)
  8. Collision Avoidance & Cameras16 (3%)
  9. Steering12 (3%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers7 (1%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Engine shuts off unexpectedly while driving, sometimes at highway speed, occasionally after a loud exhaust noise, leaving the truck unable to restart.
  • Engine drops into limp mode with multiple warning lights (check engine, power steering, transmission, traction control) after unexpected deceleration.
  • 10-speed transmission has locked the wheels at high speed or failed to engage the selected gear when shifting between reverse and drive.
  • Electrical system faults include total battery discharge disabling doors and the engine, an instrument-panel fire while parked, and intermittent loss of infotainment audio and safety chimes.
  • Electronic parking brake engaged unexpectedly while towing, causing damage to the vehicle.
  • Fuel tank produces a noticeable bump or splashing sound during stops, most noticeable when the tank is full.
2023 GMC Sierra 1500 complaints: complaints filed per month34Feb 2023Aug 2023Mar 2024Aug 2024Feb 2025Jul 2025Dec 2025May 2026
479 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2023 to Sep 2026; peak Apr 2025 (34).

2023 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 25V274000Apr 24, 2025Engine597,571 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.

    Risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.

  2. NHTSA 24V674000Sep 12, 2024Brakes449,671 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:electric:control module:software

    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Escalade ESV vehicles. The electronic brake control module software may fail to display a warning light when a loss of brake fluid occurs. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

    Risk: Without a warning light, the vehicle may be driven with low brake fluid, which can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: The Electronic Brake Control Module (eBCM) software will be updated through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2024. Owners can contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N242447990.

  3. NHTSA 22V903000Dec 8, 2022Electrical System740,108 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Exterior lighting:lighting control module:software

    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

    Risk: DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: The body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222386380. This recall expands previous recall number 22V-827.

2023 GMC Sierra 1500 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
16 MPG
Highway
20 MPG
Combined
18 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,600
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2023 compared with other Sierra 1500 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2021Avoid85570717
2022Avoid100585617
2023Avoid95479318
2024Avoid90360118
2025Good45116117

All GMC Sierra 1500 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 a bad year?
Compared with other Sierra 1500 model years, 2023 ranks 2nd-worst out of 21 years tracked, with a complaint index of 95 and 479 NHTSA complaints, mostly tied to the engine. NHTSA data supports an Avoid verdict for this year relative to other Sierra 1500 years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500?
Engine issues are the top problem area, making up 48% of complaints and including reports of engines shutting off while driving. The median mileage at failure across all reported issues for this year is 28,775 miles.
Does the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists three recalls for the 2023 Sierra 1500, covering the engine, the electronic brake control module, and the body control module software. None of these are do-not-drive recalls.
Were there any fires or crashes reported for the 2023 Sierra 1500?
NHTSA data shows 5 crashes and 2 fires reported for the 2023 Sierra 1500, with 2 injuries and no deaths recorded.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.