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
645 reports, newest first.
Power train, Apr 10, 2025
Transmission has been failing for the life of this vehicle. Shuttered shifting and hard shifting are the norm. It is available for inspection. Vehicle does not shift properly when vehicle is in motion. Shifting is often delayed resulting in temporary loss of power. I have had the vehicle in to a transmission shop they have been able to reproduce the events. There are no warning lights visible to indicate an issue.
Engine, Apr 9, 2025
2024 the lifters when out in the engine and were replaced 2025 the engine malfunctioned while driving on the highway. There were messages that came up of low oil pressure and the engine completely locked up The dealership is saying the engine needs to be replaced
Power train, Apr 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle occasionally downshifted or unintendedly came to a stop. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the transmission software needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that on another occasion, the vehicle started to turn off unintendedly at traffic lights. The vehicle was taken to a different dealer and the vehicle was diagnosed and it was determined that the valve body software needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that on another occasion, the vehicle started to vibrate violently while driving on the highway. The vehicle was taken to the original dealer and the dealer replaced the transmission; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a different dealer and the vehicle was diagnosed with torque converter failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Apr 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 60 MPH, the engine seized, nearly causing a crash. The driver was able to veer to the side of the road. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the upper part of the engine was previously rebuilt, and that the current failure was related to the lower part of the engine. The dealer informed the contact that there was a cost for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered a discount towards the repair. The dealer later informed the contact that the manufacturer would partially cover the repair cost. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE25001 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Power train, Apr 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated and the transmission experienced a hard shift to first gear. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was shuddering while driving at slower speeds. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a related recall. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.
Engine, Apr 4, 2025
This incident happened without any warning at all on [XXX]. while driving 45mph on county road, the engine seemed to not be firing on all cylinders. Loss of power was immediate. accompanied by a rhythmic nocking that was felt and heard. I pulled off and called a tow truck. The engine is a 5.3 liter v8. At Pete Moore Chevrolet they said it was a failure of the number 8 cylinder valve lifters. that all lifters need replaced along with the camshaft due to scarring. Found through research that this is a frequent problem with engines 2014-2021. See - [XXX] , et al, vs General Motors LLC. (brought by Berger Montague) filed in the US District court of Eastern Michigan. Alleging defective valve lifters causing near or catastrophic engine failure. NHTSA has 39 active cases as well. Contacted GM Customer Satisfaction Program 3/27/25. Case #[XXX]. Goal to see with their prior knowledge of this issue could they help repair or replace the engine. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine, Apr 4, 2025
On 04-03-2025 while driving southbound in DFW International Airport. My Vehicle losses power in the Construction zone at 2:20 pm. Had enough momentum to maneuver to Terminal A exit stopping Midway up ramp. Danger to public if vehicle stopped on highway during the start of heavy traffic in construction zone with no soft shoulders for emergency's. No warnings from the cluster panel ever came up. on attempting to restart, check engine light illuminated after the fact. No Help! Vehicle is at Dealership currently awaiting further info.
Power train, Mar 30, 2025
Transmission hesitates. Transmission jerks when shifting. Possible torque conversion issues. Mileage is 35,623.
Engine, Back over prevention, Mar 29, 2025
I was driving down the road, got a quick message. It said something about lean and to pull over (on dashboard). And by the next stop light the engine stopped. The truck no longer turned on. It did put my life in danger because it left me stranded in between two lanes. The truck was inspected by one of my mechanic friends who owns a shop. He let me know my engine is seized.
Electrical system, Mar 27, 2025
When going to shut off vehicle, when you push the push start button the engine will turn off but the radio and all the instrument panel, gauge lights, and dinging noise are still on. It states on the screen to shift to park. The vehicle is in park and even sometimes has the parking brake on. It can stay on from 1 minute to numerous minutes, which is only running my battery and other things down on my truck. This has happened daily.
Engine, Mar 27, 2025
While I was driving the engine started to lose power on the highway going about 70 mph with my four kids in the car. I had to quickly exit the highway and pull over. I was uncomfortable continuing operating the vehicle and had to get it to the closest GMC dealership which was in Killeen Texas. (Patriot Buick GMC). Upon diagnosis, I was informed that the lifters were damaged and needed to be repaired. Once the technician started the disassembly he noticed that the lifters caused damage to the cam shaft resulting in additional repairs which totaled approximately $8700 in damages/repairs required. I started to research this as the lifters typically do not fail in vehicles that are 80,000 miles or less. While conducting research I noticed that this is a common problem in the GMC Sierra 1500 to the point there is a lawsuit against GMC right now. I am frustrated because I believe that there should be a recall as the safety of my kids and I were put in danger for a part that is commonly failing in this vehicle.
Power train, Mar 26, 2025
Transmission started fluttering around 60k miles. Per GMC Dealer - this is due to water getting into transmission from fluid put in at the factory. Even though dealer admitted that it's a defect from the factory, the warranty wouldn't cover the repair. This is a well known issue in the 5.3L 8 speed trans.
Engine, Mar 24, 2025
Engine keeps running out of oil I’ve taken it several times to the dealership sometimes there was no oil in it. Only has 80,000 miles problem started 2 years having it
Power train, Mar 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 20 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle shook violently. The contact stated that no warning light was illuminated. The contact stopped the vehicle and turned off, and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted, but after shifting into drive(D), and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH. The contact stated that the vehicle was making an abnormal "roaring" sound. The contact stopped the vehicle and had the vehicle to be towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the valve body on the transmission needed to be replaced; however, the part to complete the repair was on a national back order. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact stated that the failure was the second transmission failure. The contact had the transmission replaced in 2024 by the same dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
Engine, Mar 18, 2025
The truck had been parked for about 4 hours, after a 250 mile trip. I cranked it and started driving to return home. I heard an intermittent squealing noise while driving. I had driven only about 2 miles when the engine suddenly shut down in heavy traffic on a four lane divided highway. I managed to get the truck into the median and stop. I was left stranded in the middle of the highway. It turns out the the engine bearing went bad and ruined the engine. I will now have to replace the engine at a cost of about $15,000.00. This is a safety concern when the engine suddenly failed and stalled while driving on a four lane divided highway, in heavy traffic.
Engine, Mar 18, 2025
ENGINE FAILURE. CAM BEARINGS FAILURE. ENGINE SEIZED UP. SAFETY ISSUE: TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY TOWING A FISHING BOAT. PULLED OFF FOR FUEL. ENGINE COMPLETELY SEIZED UP WHILE AT GAS PUMP. IF IT HAD IT SEIZED UP BEFORE PULLING OFF HIGHWAY FOR GAS, GREAT RISK FOR A CATASTROPHIC CRASH, ESPECIALLY WHEN PULLING A BOAT TRAILER. ALL SYSTEMS INCLUDING STEERING SHUT DOWN. JOHN JONES CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP IN SCOTTSBURG INDIANA RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND CONFIRMED COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. FAULTY CAM BEARINGS SEIZED UP. ENGINE IS RUINED AND MUST BE REPLACED. INSPECTION BY JOHN JONES CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. WE HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY FOR 3.5 HOURS WHEN PULLED OFF FOR GAS. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS, NO LIGHTS AT ALL ON THE DASH. NO UNUSUAL SOUNDS OR SMOKE. NOTHING UNUSUAL BEFORE THE ENGINE SEIZED UP.
Power train, Engine, Mar 15, 2025
valve train/camshaft fairlure which damaged entire engine - happened at 99,650 miles
Engine, Mar 12, 2025
The passenger side lifters in my truck failed while at idle/5mph speed causing catastrophic engine failure. 2019 6.2L V8 from GM. From my own independent research, and the research/survey of others online, this appears to be a very common problem as a result of known defective parts that were installed on GM engines.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Mar 11, 2025
Lifters in engine failed at beginning of March 2025 and destroyed inside of engine. Transmission failed in summer of 2024 and had to be replaced
Engine, Mar 11, 2025
I was driving down [XXX] near Harrisburg PA in an active construction zone when the truck shut off, the dash blinked a few things very rapidly then went black. I was barely able to coast to an area large enough to get my truck out of the highway traffic. I was stranded on the side of the highway for 4 hrs and due to the construction hardly able to get out of the truck safely as it was around a bend. I’ve had to have the truck towed to a few mechanics to learn that it has suffered a catastrophic engine failure as all cylinders have lost compression. It made no noise at all. There was no signs this was going to happen, just driving normally then a complete engine failure resulting in no compression in all 8 cylinders with no noise. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Mar 11, 2025
While attempting to accelerate to get onto the expressway with no warning, the vehicle went into limp mode. Traction control, front end warning collision, auto/stop start functionality was all disabled and the engine light warning light on came on. The vehicle locked out and reduced acceleration. An attempt to pull over and turn the vehicle off for a few seconds was made. Once restarted, the vehicle continued running on limp mode at reduced speeds with the same indicators mentioned still disabled and locked out.
Engine, Mar 10, 2025
It blew a hole through the engine block. The engine is a 6.2 L 87
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 3, 2025
Cylinder 5 failure and cam shaft miles 78k. Have to replace full top end or brand new motor cost $10k up to $13k to fix at dealer
Service brakes, Engine, Mar 2, 2025
I was traveling north on interstate 95 and approaching my exit ramp. I was initially in the inside lane of travel. I accelerated to merge into the outside lane, between two other vehicles, and then onto the exit ramp. Once on the exit ramp, I let off of the throttle and the engine suddenly shut down. I noticed a message on driver information center instructing me to shift the vehicle into neutral and press "start again". The engine had shut down without any warning whatsoever. I complied with the instructions to no avail. The truck is over half full of fuel. I was within an hour of home after completing an approximately 8 hour, 500 mile, round trip over 2 days of driving. After this event, I connected an OBD2 scanner and the only code found was P25A2 brake system control module. I placed the truck in park and tried repeatedly to start the engine. It would not turn over, crank or start. I had power to all systems and no other codes. I had to have the truck towed from the scene. The truck's performance had previously been flawless during this entire trip and had given me no warning whatsoever of the sudden engine shutdown. This is extremely dangerous and a safety concern.
Power train, Mar 2, 2025
Bad torque converter with 56000 miles and a month out of warranty and GM says to bad.