YearToAvoid

2015 GMC Sierra 2500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2015 GMC Sierra 2500 has a Complaint Index of 75, ranking 6th-worst among 21 model years, with 89 complaints and 6 recalls. Electrical System problems dominate at 42% of complaints, driven largely by rear-window defroster fires, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other Sierra 2500 years.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
75/100
#6 of 21 Sierra 2500 years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
89
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
6
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
5
reported in complaints
Fires
5
Injuries
2
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2014
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
3 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
—
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Top 2015 GMC Sierra 2500 problems

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

  1. Electrical System37 (42%)
  2. Fuel System12 (13%)
  3. Other8 (9%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain8 (9%)
  5. Engine7 (8%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (7%)
  7. Brakes5 (6%)
  8. Steering4 (4%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers4 (4%)
  10. Airbags3 (3%)

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

What owners report

  • Rear window defroster wiring smolders or catches fire, sometimes causing the rear window to shatter without warning.
  • Low-beam headlights create a sharp light cutoff that leaves the road ahead poorly illuminated at night.
  • Brake pedal can go soft or fail to build pressure, in one case allowing a trailer to roll into a structure after fluid leaked from the brake booster.
  • A wheel and rotor separated from the front end while driving, tearing the brake line and starting a fire.
  • Airbags failed to deploy in a rear-end collision despite airbag powder discharging inside the cab.
2015 GMC Sierra 2500 complaints: complaints filed per quarter102015 Q12016 Q32018 Q32019 Q42021 Q12022 Q32023 Q42025 Q3
89 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2015 Q1 to 2026 Q1; peak 2016 Q1 (10).

2015 GMC Sierra 2500 recalls

6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. NHTSA 18V578000Aug 30, 2018Brakes42,280 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, 1500 Crew Cab Special Service, Tahoe Police Pursuit/Special Service, GMC Sierra 2500, and 3500 vehicles. The brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.

    Risk: If the brake pedal becomes loose or inoperative, the driver may be unable to stop the vehicle by using the brake pedal. Additionally, a loose pedal may also interfere with the accelerator pedal. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will add adhesive to the nut and reinstall the nut with increased tightness, free of charge. The recall began October 3, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18278. Note: The vehicles in this recall need this additional remedy despite being covered by recall 16V069 for brake pedal loosening.

See all 6 recalls for the 2015 GMC Sierra 2500 →

2015 compared with other Sierra 2500 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
2013Best10463—
2014Best5302—
2015Avoid75896—
2016Good45595—
2017Good25376—

All GMC Sierra 2500 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2015 GMC Sierra 2500 reliable?
NHTSA data give the 2015 Sierra 2500 a Complaint Index of 75 and 89 complaints, ranking 6th-worst among 21 Sierra 2500 model years, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other years of this model.
What is the biggest problem with the 2015 GMC Sierra 2500?
Electrical System issues account for 42% of complaints (37 of 89), mostly tied to rear-window defroster wiring that owners report caused smoke or fire, with a median failure mileage of 14,500 miles.
Does the 2015 GMC Sierra 2500 have recalls?
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2015 Sierra 2500, covering airbags, brakes, and seat belts, and none are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2015 Sierra 2500 compare to other years?
Its Complaint Index of 75 is far higher than Best-rated years like 2013 (10), 2014 (5), and 2010 (0), but lower than the worst year, 2024, at 100.

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.