What are the most common problems on the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500?

The most-reported problem areas are engine (307 complaints), power train (139 complaints), service brakes (115 complaints).

Photo: Bull-Doser / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

2019 GMC Sierra 1500: common problems and reliability

· 5th generation

One of the weaker Sierra 1500 years.

650 owner complaints, most about engine. 10 recalls.

Should I buy a 2019 Sierra 1500?

The 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 has 650 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 10 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and power train. Owners most often flag 6.2l v8 afm lifter failure (cylinder #1 collapse): multiple owners report repeat failures even after dealer replacement with afm lifters, requiring a full afm delete.

Safety record for the 2019 model year

650

Owner complaints

Recalls

Crash reports

Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles (US, public record).

The Year Score compares this year with other Sierra 1500 years only. How we score it

Is 2019 a good year for the Sierra 1500?

Across the 25 Sierra 1500 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 49 (2016) to 1,186 (2022). With 650 complaints, the 2019 Sierra 1500 sits above the model's median of 471.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

engine

307

power train

139

service brakes

115

electrical system

steering

Recalls affecting the 2019 Sierra 1500

tires

Campaign 21V115000

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.

service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:abs warning light

Campaign 19V889000

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."

electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables

Campaign 19V888000

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.

seat belts

Campaign 20V792000

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.

Show 6 more recalls

service brakes, hydraulic:power assist

Campaign 20V055000

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."

seat belts:pretensioner

Campaign 19V814000

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.

tires

Campaign 21V423000

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.

tires:temporary/emergency spare tire

Campaign 21V985000

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.

power train:driveline:driveshaft

Campaign 20V650000

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.

air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Campaign 18V868000

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.

What owners report on the 5th generation Sierra 1500

Owners praise the 2022 refresh for its dramatically improved interior, which many consider the best-looking truck cabin on the market, and the 3.0L Duramax diesel for exceptional fuel economy (28-30+ mpg highway).

Recurrent6.2L V8 AFM lifter failure (cylinder #1 collapse)
Multiple owners report repeat failures even after dealer replacement with AFM lifters, requiring a full AFM delete.
RecurrentInfotainment/CarPlay connectivity issues (2018-2019 models)
Intermittent disconnects, failure to initiate CarPlay, often resolved by resetting the display (holding power button), updating iPhone iOS, or using a factory USB cable.
IsolatedGoogle Automotive assistant not recognizing contacts (2022 models with 13.4-inch screen)
Voice assistant fails to read or recognize phone contacts, requiring a software update.
IsolatedTransmission hard shifting (2022 Elevation, 1,300 miles)
One owner reports rough shifting starting at low mileage.
IsolatedIntermittent electrical failures
Service 4WD, Stabilitrak, Power Steering warnings, no-start condition (2018 model): Multiple system warnings and non-start, no DTCs stored, difficult to diagnose.

Owner insights for the 5th generation Sierra 1500. Read the full 5th generation owner report.

Typical used price

Used Sierra 1500 listings typically run $20,799–$35,939.

Compare the Sierra 1500 against its rivals

Sierra 1500 vs Ford F-150 Sierra 1500 vs Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Sierra 1500 vs GMC Sierra 2500HD Sierra 1500 vs Honda Ridgeline

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