Last updated: 2026-10-10
GMC Sierra 1500 Reliability by Year
GMC Sierra 1500 rates good for reliability, but lifter failures and rough automatic shifts are the checks to make before buying a used one.
GMC Sierra 1500 Reliability Overview
Failed valve lifters are the big risk with used Sierra 1500 trucks, and they can wreck an engine with little warning. Reliability rates good and close to average among full-size trucks. Skip 2019 and 2020, favor 2024, and test drive any truck for hard, lunging shifts from the automatic.
Current generation: 5th gen (2019–present).
Best & Worst GMC Sierra 1500 Years
Best GMC Sierra 1500 Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe best GMC Sierra 1500 year is 2024 with a reliability score of 73/100, rated good. Other strong picks include 2023 (69/100) and 2018 (66/100). Newer model years (2025–2026) score higher partly because they've had less time to accumulate owner complaints.
GMC Sierra 1500 Years to Avoid
The worst GMC Sierra 1500 year is 2019 with a score of 60/100, primarily due to engine (159) issues. Also avoid 2021 (63/100).
GMC Sierra 1500 Reliability Score Trend
GMC Sierra 1500 reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 74/100 compared to 63/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 66/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 60/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 63/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 63/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 65/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 69/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 73/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 80/100 | Excellent |
| 2026 | 82/100 | Excellent |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2026 GMC Sierra 1500
0 recalls · 0 complaints
Excellent standing and a clean record so far, though zero complaints or recalls mostly reflects how new this year is.
2025 GMC Sierra 1500
1 recalls · 56 complaints
Excellent standing with low complaints for its sales, but early engine failures and sudden power loss are the main concern.
2024 GMC Sierra 1500
1 recalls · 242 complaints
Stronger than most 2024 trucks, yet marked by 6.2L engine seizures and transmission valve body failures in the first 20,000 miles.
2023 GMC Sierra 1500
3 recalls · 318 complaints
Mid-pack among the scored years, with fewer complaints than 2022 but more than 2024, and a pattern of 6.2L V8 engine seizures.
2022 GMC Sierra 1500
5 recalls · 439 complaints
Good overall and middle of the pack, but with a cluster of engine seizures in 6.2L V8 trucks and a grille molding that comes loose on the highway.
2021 GMC Sierra 1500
6 recalls · 420 complaints
Weaker than most Sierra years, with lifter failures starting as early as 7,000 miles and a 6.2-liter engine recall that left trucks waiting on parts.
2020 GMC Sierra 1500
11 recalls · 368 complaints
Below average among 2020 trucks, with V8 lifter failures and 10-speed transmission breakdowns reported mostly between 43,000 and 80,000 miles.
2019 GMC Sierra 1500
10 recalls · 523 complaints
Weakest of the nine scored years, with engine seizures and transmission shudder leading 523 owner complaints; both the 2018 and 2020 rate better.
2018 GMC Sierra 1500
5 recalls · 281 complaints
Last of the fourth generation, with middle-of-the-pack reliability among Sierra years and fewer complaints and recalls than the 2019.
Common GMC Sierra 1500 problems
Problem areas with the most owner complaints, each with the years affected, symptoms, and fixes.
Found Your GMC Sierra 1500? Check Its History
Engine (13) problems come up most in GMC Sierra 1500 owner complaints, and 42 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
GMC Sierra 1500 Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
3.5/5
GMC Sierra 1500 Resale Value
The GMC Sierra 1500 is estimated to retain about 68.3% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
- Value Retained
- 68.3%
- Depreciation
- 31.7%
- Listings Analyzed
- 720
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . Actual resale value varies by trim, mileage, condition, and location.
Explore GMC Sierra 1500 depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comGMC Sierra 1500 Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
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Compare GMC Sierra 1500 With Similar Trucks
The GMC Sierra 1500 competes with other full-size trucks such as Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150, and Chevrolet Silverado EV.
Sierra 1500 vs Chevrolet Silverado
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Sierra 1500 vs Ford F-150
9 years tracked · 5612 complaints
Sierra 1500 vs Chevrolet Silverado EV
2 years tracked · 39 complaints
Sierra 1500 vs Ram 1500
9 years tracked · 4051 complaints
Sierra 1500 vs Ford F-150 Lightning
5 years tracked · 476 complaints
More GMC Sierra 1500 comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best year for the GMC Sierra 1500?
- The 2024 is our pick among years that have been on the road at least two years. It has one recall and far fewer complaints per vehicle sold than 2019 through 2022. The 2025 and 2026 look clean, but they are too new to have collected many complaints.
- Is the GMC Sierra 1500 reliable long term?
- Its overall standing is good, and it is close to average among full-size trucks. The long-term worry is the engine. Failed valve lifters can damage the camshaft and sometimes force a new engine, often with no warning. Rough shifts from the automatic are the second concern.
- What are the most common GMC Sierra 1500 problems?
- Engine complaints lead, followed by power train, electrical system and steering. Engine reports center on failed lifters, ticking, misfires and sudden power loss. Power train reports center on hard, jarring shifts. Electrical reports include false trailer brake and StabiliTrak warnings, and wiring faults that can stop the truck.
- What goes wrong with the Sierra 1500 transmission?
- Owners describe hard shifts, especially from first to second gear, along with shuddering, grinding and limp mode. Some trucks lunge forward when shifted into drive. Fluid changes, software relearns and new torque converters are common fixes, and the problem often returns. Some trucks need a full replacement transmission.
- How much do Sierra 1500 repairs cost?
- Our data gives no exact figure for a typical repair. It does show that engine repairs outside warranty run into the thousands of dollars. Owners also report weeks or months of waiting for replacement engines and transmissions, which adds the cost of being without the truck.
How we score the GMC Sierra 1500
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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