2019 GMC Sierra 1500
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 645 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 26 Sierra 1500 model years with reports.
Of the 2019 reports, 13 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 12 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Tires, temporary/emergency spare tireDec 16, 2021
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 GMC Sierra 1500 and Silverado 1500 vehicles equipped with certain accessory road tires and a 17" spare tire. The 17" spare tire provided with the vehicle is not compatible for use with the accessory wheels, which can cause the anti-lock brake system (ABS) to not function properly under certain conditions.
An ABS system that does not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.
Dealers will provide a new 17" spare tire and wheel assembly that is compatible with the accessory wheels, free of charge. Dealers will also apply a new spare tire information label, and provide owners with an owner's manual insert clarifying which spare tire to use with the accessory road tires and with the 17" original tires. Owner notification letters were mailed February 7, 2022. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212346510.
Campaign 21V985000 on NHTSA.gov
TiresJun 3, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers inspect and replace the tires as necessary, free of charge, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 25, 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 N212336230.
Campaign 21V423000 on NHTSA.gov
TiresFeb 25, 2021
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.
Campaign 21V115000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat beltsDec 17, 2020
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon XL and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The seat belt brackets may not be secured to the seat frame in the front-row center seating position.
If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect left-side and right-side front-row center seat-belt bracket attachments and reassemble it correctly as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202314670.
Campaign 20V792000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, driveline, driveshaftOct 22, 2020
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 and 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 trucks. One of the driveshaft joints may not have been properly welded, causing the driveshaft to separate while the vehicle is moving.
If the driveshaft separates, there may be a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N202314870.
Campaign 20V650000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, power assistJan 30, 2020
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. These vehicles received updated software for the Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM). This software has an error, and as a result, the vehicle's electronic brake assist may be disabled. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
A loss of electronic brake assist can increase the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began February 24, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192268091.
Campaign 20V055000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, abs warning lightDec 12, 2019
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Cadillac CT6, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. Due to an Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) software error, the vehicle's Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Antilock Brake System (ABS) may become disabled. Furthermore, if this specific error occurs, the vehicle's diagnostics will not illuminate the instrument cluster ESC and ABS malfunction warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
If the driver operates the vehicle unaware that ESC and ABS are not functioning, there is an increased risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192268090.
Campaign 19V889000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, 12v/24v/48v battery, cablesDec 12, 2019
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks. The battery positive (B+) cable rings may have been manufactured with excessive glue, potentially causing an intermittent electrical connection between the B+ cable and alternator.
An intermittent electrical connection between the B+ battery cable and the alternator could cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash. The intermittent connection could also lead to electrical arcing, which could generate sufficient heat to damage surrounding material, increasing the risk of a fire.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect for the presence of glue or other contamination at the B+ cable attachment to the alternator and clean the connection and reattach the B+ cable connection, as necessary. If arcing has damaged the cable, nut, or alternator, the dealer will replace the damaged components. All services will be performed free of charge. GM issued owners an interim notification on February 4, 2020. GM issued second notice and the recall began March 9, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192273510.
Campaign 19V888000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, pretensionerNov 14, 2019
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, and 2020 Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles equipped with carpet floor covering. When the front seat belt pretensioners deploy, hot gas may vent through an opening in the pretensioner bracket, possibly igniting the carpet.
A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will close off the opening in the pretensioner bracket, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192270600.
Campaign 19V814000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleDec 6, 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab and GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab vehicles. The passenger-side frontal air bag module may have been damaged during assembly, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly in the event of a crash.
In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate properly can increase the risk of injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2018. 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 N182198820.
Campaign 18V868000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: power train
136 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Jan 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 25 MPH, an abnormal sound was coming from under the floorboards. No warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission oil pump had failed and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 158,000.
Power train, Jan 8, 2025
My truck has had two lifters fail at different times which ended up ruining the camshaft Now my truck feels like it’s going over a rumble strip on the highway at low rpm’s. During this speed the trans is slipping and can not pick a gear. Other gmcs had a service bulletine to change trans fluid but my did not. I have emailed twice to gm and have not heard anything back. I have close to 10000 in repairs and my truck has been down for 4 months.
Power train, Dec 21, 2024
Subject: Potential Issue Related to Recall N202314870 for GMC Sierra 1500 Problem Description: I own a 2019 GMC Sierra AT4 (VIN# [XXX] ) and have identified a potential issue related to the drive shaft. Although my VIN does not appear in the official system as affected by recall N202314870, the vehicle exhibits the following symptoms: 1. Unusual and consistent vibrations in the drivetrain while the vehicle is in motion. 2. Noises coming from both the front and rear differentials. 3. Concern regarding the integrity of the drive shaft, as these issues align with the details described in the recall. Given that this issue potentially affects the safety of the vehicle, I kindly request a review to determine if my unit should be included in recall N202314870 or any other related campaign. I appreciate your consideration of these symptoms for a proper evaluation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power train, Air bags, Nov 26, 2024
Issue 1: Driver side front seat airbag connector separated disabling the airbag. (repaired at my cost) Issue 2: Transmission (10 speed auto) developed stutter and skip consistent with complaints resulting in recall of 2020 (next model year truck) due to risk of rear wheel lock up. GM needs to include the 2019 models that were built as 2019 (as 2020) in one of the plants while they continued to build the 2018 as 2018 "classics" during the changeover. My cost to repair will be $3600 and there is not guarantee that the new valve body is any better or if GM is simply giving me another 46k miles to wait for another failure.
Power train, Wheels, Nov 22, 2024
My end of year 2019 produced GMC Sierra 1500 5.3 V8, 4WD X31 4 door truck had a serious malfunction that could have caused great harm. I was driving down my driveway at approximately 20 mph when the truck's rear wheels locked up, stopping the truck instantly, sending me into the steering wheel narrowly missing the windshield with my face. After a moment, I attempted to drive again to move the truck out of the travel path. When I did, the truck back wheels completely locked up again (when I reached 6mph). I had the truck towed to my local shop and was told that it was the transmission locking up making the wheels lock up. The part (transmission) that was ordered for repair was on national backorder and took over two months to get my truck repaired and functional again. I was fortunate to have a warranty (now expired) and pay a percentage of the repair fee, however, the total repair fee was near 12,000. This was paid for by myself and my warranty company. Considering the part was on national backorder, I know that these types of problems are occurring with many of these trucks. I learned of the recall for this same problem that my truck had and checked the recall for my vin. To my complete surprise, my truck was not listed as being recalled, even though the EXACT same problem occurred with my truck. I would like to get the cost of the repairs refunded considering it took GM so long to recall the problem leaving me to pay for their errors. This is not a cheap automobile and was expected to be built well. I am very fortunate that I was not on a major highway or traveling at a high rate of speed when this happened. It was a very scary ordeal being propelled into the windshield of your vehicle when driving due to abrupt, extremely unusual 100% mechanical failure of no fault of your own. This recall should be expanded to include ALL vehicles that have the faulty transmission, including mine. Repair receipts can be provided. I appreciate your time and consideration.
Power train, Nov 20, 2024
When the transmission downshifts the rear wheels lock up and the truck skids out of control. I have to be very careful with gas pedal pressure to not allow the transmission to downshift by 2 or more gears. This is virtually impossible in mountain terrain, where I visit routinely.
Power train, Nov 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that while shifting gear, there was an abnormally loud banging sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle failed to shift into gear properly. The wheels were slipping and pulling while driving at various speeds. While driving on the road, there was an abnormal rumbling sound. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Joe Ball GMC (1750 William Flinn Hwy., Glenshaw, PA 15116); to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be drained and flushed. The dealer informed the contact to drive for 200 miles. The dealer also recommended replacing the transmission. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.
Steering, Power train, Service brakes, Oct 2, 2024
Truck showed check engine light and popup message to Service ESC, vehicle disable traction control. Before being able to have the vehicle scanned for error codes (after sitting parked turned off for a while, all errors cleared. Several days later when turning vehicle on traction control warning light, parking break warning light, and stability control warning light all turned on, service ESC message popped up again, PRNDL position indicator light turned off and vehicle began to have a clicking noise in the steering column when break was pressed. There is a multiple year long thread on this topic on the silveradosierra forum entitled "service-esc-and-service-power-steering" it appears that dealer and GM help are limited and the issue often goes away and recurs.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 18, 2024, fire
While driving the vehicle caught engine fire later exploding within seconds.
Power train, Aug 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle was vibrating and shaking abnormally. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and turned off and restarted the vehicle and the shaking ceased. The contact stated that the failure became a persistent failure. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the vehicle had experienced transmission failure however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,000.
Power train, Engine, Aug 13, 2024
Right lifter went out & damaged the CAM Shaft which in turn damaged the engine The vehicle has been sitting at the dealership since August 1, 2024 & confirmed on August 9, 2024, stating that a new CAM shaft would need replaced or a new engine, which ever we choose. NOTE: Vehicle only has 40,298 miles on it I was driving to work on August 1, 2024, service engine light came on & was blinking & the breaking system lights came on, this was the only warning that I received.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 28, 2024
Check Engine Light came on while driving system scan states misfire cylinder 6 but resulted in the lifter being damaged as well as the cam shaft on a vehicle that has 108,000 miles. Prior to this I reported multiple times that it seemed that the transmission would slip and stuttered when on a incline and put in reverse. I was told it was a computer program issue and was charged for a software update which obviously did not fix the issue but ruined the engine.
Power train, Mar 5, 2024
While driving down a road in the moring hours, lost complete power and Truck shutdown. Thank God, I was able to pull off the road,since it was a Sunday Moring. Truck was not able to restart. If this had happened on a busy interstate. My wife and I could have been hurt or killed. Had the truck towed to dealer. Replaced the Transfer Case Module. Still don't know if what they put in truck was correct since mine was different than what was shown on computer specifications.
Power train, Jan 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the shift to park message was displayed. After turning off the vehicle, there was an abnormal beeping sound heard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,018.
Power train, Oct 11, 2023
The torque converter of transmission went out on my 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali with only 62072 miles. My safety has been put at risk daily, from intermittent shuddering and loss of power. My vehicle underwent a multi point inspection at Earnhardt Buick GMC confirming I will need a complete transmission assembly estimated to be around $7100. There were no indications or dash lights, the only reason I brought it in is from hard shifts, and intermittent shuddering.
Power train, Oct 11, 2023
I have had frint driver and passenger ball joints go out 3 times all together.
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 8, 2023
When shifting to Park the vehicle shuts down but message comes up to Shift to Park and electronics stay on. Vehicle is off but unable to exit vehicle and lock it since the Shift to Park messages keeps dinging.
Power train, Jul 31, 2023
Transmission has created shuttering at speed and jarring total stop decelerating from 2nd into 1st gear. Beyond the transmission this vehicle completely stopped and lost power at 55 mph due to faulty valve lifters and pitted cam lobe. These were two separate incidents. Transmission cause lose of power on incline. Valve lifters cause lose of power at high speeds. The dash board read outs no longer worked and I was on a Highway without the ability to maintain speed.
Power train, Jul 18, 2023
The transmission causes the vehicle to shudder, lurch from a stop, at times it won't move forward (from a stoplight etc), it won't reverse other times. When driving down a freeway, the transmission allows the engine RPM to surge wildly as if I had put it in neutral and pressed the accelerator. This started at 85k miles approximately. It's into 90k now. The transmission had to be replaced at a cost of $6000
Power train, Engine, Jul 12, 2023
Oil cooler line detached from crimp while driving at highway speeds forcing the vehicle to an emergency stop on the side of the road. All oil pressure was lost immediately and entire underside of vehicle including tires, brakes, and wheels were all coated in oil. Known issue for same year, make, and model that has already been listed from NHTSA. But, apparently this VIN was not in the affected range.
Power train, May 15, 2023
Transmission is slipping into neutral from a slow start and re-engaging with a hard bang to the point it feels like I’ve been rear ended from a vehicle behind me. It’s done it twice in two weeks and it seems to happen when I’m leaving from a stop or slowing down and then come back into the accelerator.
Power train, Mar 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, but the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired but continued to experience the failure. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer a fifth time and requested that the transmission fluid be flushed and refilled. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.
Power train, Oct 30, 2022
Stopping at a light and transmission jerks forward, almost causing me to rear end and other vehicle. Transmission jerks and clunks forward.
Power train, Oct 12, 2022
When I first start the truck up and reverse out of my driveway once I shift it to drive it hesitates and feels as the transmission slips from 1st to 2nd gear. Makes it a safety issue due to the truck launching forward once the acceleration kicks in and the revolutions are high once the truck starts its speed from the hesitation.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 6, 2022
While driving down the highway at 70 MPH, the transmission slammed into gear and the engine died. A message appeared and said shift to neutral and press the ignition button. The check engine light also appeared. This had been a problem that first appeared at 48,000 miles. I was told that GM recognizes that there is an issue with the transmission, but that it would not damage the vehicle so it is not able to be repaired under warranty. The dealership advised that I should change the transmission fluid, so I did. The transmission continued to slam into gear thereafter. Fast forward to 55,000 miles where the truck completely died. The engine would not start and the truck had to be towed to a dealership. The next day the dealership told me that they had figured out the issue and that it was related to the fuse box and the ignition. I picked up my truck the next day, and drove less than a mile before the engine died again. I sat at the dealership for 12 hours and they had another answer for what was happening. They said that the shift lever was damaged and it was not allowing the battery to recharge. I live 400 miles away from where the truck broke down. I had to rent a vehicle to return home with my family from a trip. I now have to drive back to my truck in another state, and pay for the 12 plus hours of diagnostic work at $140 an hour as well as the cost of the part and the time to install it because the dealership stated that this is not covered by any warranty. I see that several people are dealing with a similar issue and I am frustrated that no one is willing to help us right this wrong. My grandfather worked for GM his entire adult life, and I will never own another one.