2015 GMC Sierra 1500
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 817 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 26 Sierra 1500 model years with reports.
Of the 2015 reports, 29 involved a crash and 10 involved a fire. 14 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, side/window, curtain, inflatorJul 1, 2021
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 21V504000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, frontApr 8, 2021
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.
A broken pretensioner cable reduces the effectiveness of the driver's seat belt, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 21V245000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/window, curtain, inflatorNov 25, 2020
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 20V736000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, wheel speed sensor/tone ringOct 24, 2019
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.
Campaign 19V761000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, power assist, vacuumSep 6, 2019
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.
Campaign 19V645000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemSep 7, 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade vehicles. Electric power steering (EPS) assist may be lost momentarily, followed by a sudden return of EPS assist.
If EPS assist is lost and then suddenly returns, the driver may have difficulty steering the vehicle, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the EPS module software, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18289.
Campaign 18V586000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalJul 10, 2017
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.
Campaign 17V437000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalSep 8, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
Campaign 16V651000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat beltsApr 12, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks manufactured January 29, 2013, to January 21, 2015. While entering the vehicle, the seat belt tensioner cable may be positioned such that the driver slides over it. This movement may result in the fatigue and separation of the cable.
If the tensioner cable separates, the driver may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will modify the vehicles to prevent the tensioner from being damaged. Any tensioner that has already been damaged will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. 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 15822.
Campaign 16V209000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
104 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Visibility, Mar 8, 2023, fire
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that when doing the initial start, the rear of the vehicle began smoking and caught on fire. The contact turned off the vehicle and the fire settled however shortly after the rear window fractured. There were no injuries and no medical attention needed. There was no fire report. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer who stated that the window needed to be replaced and there was a Canadian recall (Manufacturer Number N192220470 ) for the rear windows defrost failing. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 152,000.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Dec 28, 2022
Rear defroster (with sliding rear window) thermal events with arcing and hissing, smoke smell present. Matches the same description as provided in document N192265660. GM will not cover my vehicle because it was not delivered to a dealer in any of the states listed in the document. There is evidence in the vehicle of thermal events, however GM wants me to pay $1000-$1500 for a new rear sliding window.
Electrical system, Oct 19, 2022
Power steering cut out instantly as I was driving.
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 19, 2022
Several instances in which power steering assist lapses at low speed. Several times lapses coupled with radio/ac going off. Two times the truck has died while backing into garage. I have narrowly missed hitting other cars while parking in various places. I have not taken the truck to a dealer or service center for this problem. It has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance or others. Several different messages show up in different instances. Today I noticed “parking assist symbols not available.” Then the truck died.
Electrical system, Sep 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the warning message "Service Trailer Brake System" was displayed along with an audible warning chime although no trailer was being towed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure and no service repairs were performed; however, the failure recurred intermittently. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Aug 9, 2022, crash
My electrical failed i was hauling a trailer and i crashed into a car also the air didnt deploy we were traveling at 35mph my steering locked i couldnt aviod steering got real tight
Steering, Electrical system, Jul 25, 2022
I started the truck and did not have power steering. If this would have happened while driving it could have been very dangerous. Why is this not a factory recall?
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 17, 2022
When decelerating and turning left the car goes completely dead. First time I just about got killed on the highway. The other two times I knew to put it in neutral & crank the car. No steering no nothing. Days Chevrolet in Jasper, Gais trying to tell me there is NO RECALL on my serial number. I see there were a lot of them years ago. In addition to that my power steering occasionally goes out. The last time I was backing into my garage when I had to manually turn it. Hard to do for a woman.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 20, 2022
When driving the truck it shuts off and then it turns back on. The stabilizer light goes on. It has happened many times while driving and also when backing up. I need to know any specific information why is it doing it, I have taken it to the dealership and they never have found the issue.
Electrical system, Mar 5, 2022
We recently noticed a persistent Trailer Braking Alert. When the Alert occurs it changes the center display and it plays an audible tone repeatedly. Both of these are a distraction to the driver. We do not normally pull a trailer, and when we do it is not one controlled by the trailer braking system. However this limits the vehicles usefulness since this would disable trailer braking of one were connected. This has been demonstrated to the dealer and we are awaiting resolution.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jan 18, 2022
On 9/22/2020 a recall service was performed on my defroster/ power sliding rear window under N192265660. On 1/13/2022 I was driving down the road with the rear defroster on, a smell of burning plastic and a low hissing noise. I was in the process of pulling over to inspect this and the back window of my pickup burst, sending me swerving onto the side of the road. I booked an appointment with the dealer, they are telling me they cannot replace this since the recall was already serviced. Obviously the fix GM is putting into our vehicles is as dangerous as the original design. This needs to be remedied and GM needs to be held accountable, bursting rear windows can cause terrible accidents, luckily I am safe.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 9, 2021
My back window just made a loud pop sound. I have a back window that had an electic sliding widow. Which means the back window is in 3 sections (driver side, middle sliding window, and passenger side). The driver side of the back window was completely shattered. It's hard to see from the outside but from the inside it is spider cracked everywhere. I believe that I had my rear defrost on at the same time. Nothing hit my window to cause this.
Electrical system, Dec 5, 2021
I had my rear defrost on and it started smoking on the rear drivers side window and smelled like something burning and I parked at a gas station a couple of minutes later. The rear window completely shattered. The glass stayed intact but my 6 year old son was sitting in the backseat and it scared him half to death. I looked up recalls and this is known issue with these vehicles sold in Canada. This just happened and it hasn't been looked at my anyone.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Dec 4, 2021
Truck will experience complete electrical failure while driving in motion at various speeds. Failure lasts between 5-10 seconds but causes severe difficulty as steering is affected. A web search reveals grounding issue as potential cause. Manufacturer has not notified me of this particular issue and or any recall effort and I know of no existing recall effort for this issue.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Nov 16, 2021
Trailer Brake system warning continues to pop up on my dash along with the chimes. Not sure if this will affect my braking or not, but I pull a 32' camper and am continually concerned about this warning. It happens randomly not just when towing a camper. It has been in to a GMC dealer and they say nothing can be done about it due to no recalls.
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 21, 2021
Power Steering difficult, truck ekectrical components cut on and off. Usually happens when turning. 3 near misses in vehicular crash
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 12, 2021
Incident has happened multiple time. When put on the computer to see if problem, does not show anything. Incident: 1)Driving on highway and truck completely loses power and electrical notification come on. Have limited power and electrical notification stayed on continually. Had to take in for repair. This happened May of 2018. 2)While driving on highway, used signal to change lanes and lost engine power. Had some electrical flickers and steering issue. Multiple times in last 6 months, sporadic. 3)When signaling and turning steering wheel, lost engine power. Also had problems with electrical/computer issues. Multiple times in last 6 months, sporadic 4)When slowing down, signaling, and turning steering wheel, after turn completed and start accelerating, transmission seem to be missing. This issue is sporadic and has been doing this since I have had the vehicle new. All these incidents have happened sporadically, with not pre-warning indicators and when having the truck check on the computer, with the exception of (#1) showed no issues.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Aug 6, 2021
At times my vehicle will lose power steering,turns off stabilizer traction control light comes on.There is no warning and does this more at low speed turning.you can't turn the steering wheel when this happens and the breaks hardly work.I have 30,000 miles on vehicle I had this vehicle towed to dealership in 2016 they charged me diagnosed but didn't tell me anything more it's only been to the shop for recalls I do my own maintenance
Steering, Electrical system, Jul 28, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds, there was a reduction in the power steering assist. The stability track and abs warning lights were illuminated. The electronic power assist became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated the failure was like NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V586000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 26, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission failed to operate as designed causing the vehicle to sputter and not properly accelerate. Also, the digital speedometer display would not display properly due to a faulty radio. Additionally, the driver’s side headlight failed to properly illuminate due to moisture build-up inside the headlight assembly. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. There was no service performed on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 28, 2021
Power steering goes out and at time turn truck power off whenever i attempt a slow tight turn like backing into my driveway or making tight turns going into parking lots and/or spaces. Most recently, when attempting a u-turn at a busy intersection, power steering went out and engine died. I had to coast to the side to avoid moving traffic. Each time this issue happens i hear 3 dings all my dash & screen lights flash off then on with clicking noises. Dash info changes from speedometer to radio setting. If i look at screen quickly enough when this happens i would sometimes read “rear parking assist unavailable” or something like that. If air conditioning is on it would turn off then on. Doors will unlock then lock, all this happening simaltaneously while attempting to make a turn
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 2, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle loss motive power with the service stabilitrak warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted and operated as intended. The dealer was contacted and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, May 16, 2021, fire
I was towing a camper down Rt 422 in Butler, PA in my GMC truck when it suddenly caught fire. My wife was following me and alerted me to pull over as quickly as possible. I had no brakes and the gear shifter went straight up without shifting. The doors would also not open while the truck was filling with smoke. I got out using the manual unlock knob and am lucky to be alive. We had about one minute to try to extinguish the flames before it fully engulfed both my truck and camper. I filed a complaint with GMC. By what I am reading online there are many instances of fires and GMC does not seem to provide assistance. This is very unnerving and scary to say the least. I am sad and angry for this situation. This happened through no fault of my own and I lost absolutely everything. I was in the middle of moving to start a new job and lost many work items in my truck as well. I had to delay my start date for work. Now I am responsible for deductables, insurance increases and other items not covered by my insurance. Now I have to buy a new vehicle and camper but what will GMC do to help me? Probably nothing.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Mar 12, 2021
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREETS, TRUCK LOSES ALL ELECTRICAL POWER, LOSES POWER STEERING,RADIO, GAUGE CLUSTER POWER AND ENGINE DIES. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES TODAY. IT IMMEDIATELY ALL COMES BACK ON(SO FAR) BUT COULD DEFINITELY BE A SAFETY CONCERN IF THE CONDITIONS WERE RIGHT.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 6, 2021
REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER STARTED SMOKING AND CREATED A BURNING PLASTIC SMELL. AFTER TURNING OFF THE REAR DEFROSTER THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED/SHATTERED IN PLACE. I SEE THERE IS A RECALL IN CANADA, BUT NOT HERE. THIS IS HAPPENING HERE AND I HAVE READ OF MANY OTHERS WITH SAME ISSUE. FIRE AND BROKEN GLASS IS NOT SAFE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED