Car Yearsto Avoid

2019 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems

What owners have reported about the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500, which problems come up most, at what mileage, and which recalls to check.

From NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. Updated Oct 17, 2026.

Is the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 a good year?

It's one of the worst years for the Sierra 1500. Owners have filed 653 complaints with NHTSA, the 3rd most of 19 Sierra 1500 model years. The most reported problems involve the engine, transmission and brakes.

653 complaints 10 recalls, 2 fire risk 3rd worst of 19 Sierra 1500 years

Top 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 problems

1

Engine problems

327 complaints (50%) name the engine, most often the manifold / header / muffler / tail pipe and exhaust system.

Complaints 327 · Usually at 42,000–113,000 miles

2

Transmission problems

139 complaints (21%) name the transmission, most often the automatic transmission and shift pattern indicator.

Complaints 139 · Usually at 5,000–62,000 miles · Recall 20V650000

3

Brake problems

112 complaints (17%) name the brakes, most often the ABS warning light.

Complaints 112 · Usually at 4,000–13,000 miles · Recall 20V055000, 19V889000

4

Electrical problems

95 complaints (14%) name the electrical system, most often the 12v / 24v / 48v battery and wiring.

Complaints 95 · Usually at 1,000–33,000 miles · Recall 19V888000

Which parts fail most

Share of complaints that name each system. One complaint can name several.

Engine 50%
Brakes 17%
Electrical 14%
Unknown or Other 7%
Steering 6%
Fuel System 4%
Stability Control 3%
Body 2%
Lights 2%

Mileage when it failed

Each dot is a complaint that gave a mileage (214 of 653). The amber line is the middle value, about 15,000 miles.

When problems were reported

Complaints by the year the problem happened.

2019 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls

Temporary / emergency 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 21V985000 · Dec 2021

Sidewall

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.

Fix: Dealers inspect and replace the tires as necessary, free of charge, free of charge.

Recall 21V423000 · Jun 2021

Tires

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.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge.

Recall 21V115000 · Feb 2021

Critical fasteners

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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 20V792000 · Dec 2020

Driveshaft

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.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 2020.

Recall 20V650000 · Oct 2020

Power assist

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.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge.

Recall 20V055000 · Jan 2020

ABS warning light

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.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge.

Recall 19V889000 · Dec 2019

Cables

Fire risk

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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 19V888000 · Dec 2019

Pretensioner

Fire risk

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.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will close off the opening in the pretensioner bracket, free of charge.

Recall 19V814000 · Nov 2019

Inflator module

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.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag module, free of charge.

Recall 18V868000 · Dec 2018
Check your VIN for open recalls

Get an email when your 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 gets a new recall

We check NHTSA every month. If a new recall or safety investigation covers the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500, you'll hear about it the same week.

One email per new recall. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Sierra 1500 years to avoid

Total NHTSA complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so their totals will keep climbing. See the full comparison.

2019 GMC Sierra 1500 problems by system

Common questions

Is the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 a reliable year?

It's one of the worst years for the Sierra 1500. Owners have filed 653 complaints with NHTSA, the 3rd most of 19 Sierra 1500 model years. The most reported problems involve the engine, transmission and brakes.

What are the most common 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 problems?

Owners most often report problems with the engine, transmission, brakes and electrical system. 327 complaints (50%) name the engine, most often the manifold / header / muffler / tail pipe and exhaust system.

At what mileage do 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 engine problems start?

Reported mileage ranged widely, but most complaints fell between about 42,000–113,000 miles, with a middle value near 84,000 miles.

How many recalls does the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 have?

10. Temporary / emergency spare tire (21V985000); Sidewall (21V423000); Tires (21V115000). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if the work was done.

Should I buy a used 2019 GMC Sierra 1500?

Ask for service records covering the engine, confirm the recall work was done, and compare with the 2012, 2013 and 2025 models, which have the fewest complaints.

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases. Complaints are unverified owner reports. Counts include each complaint once per model year.