RoadVitals

2026 GMC Sierra 1500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

NHTSA has issued a “do not drive” advisory affecting this model year.

Campaign 26V289000. Confirm whether your specific vehicle is covered using its VIN before acting on this.

Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov
Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
121
+28 complaints in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest May 7, 2026
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
1 currently open
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 121 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2026 GMC Sierra 1500, most frequently naming the engine, powertrain (other) and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 200 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
26V289000NHTSA advisory: do not drive

POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

May 7, 2026
66 units potentially affected
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles. A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.
The risk: Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N262557620. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 7, 2026.
General Motors, LLCManufacturer number N262557620View on NHTSA.gov
26V114000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Feb 26, 2026
5,861 units potentially affected
The defect: General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette Convertible E-Ray, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, Silverado EV, Suburban 1500, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Hummer EV Pickup, Hummer EV SUV, Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, Sierra EV, Terrain, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The radio may not have been set to the correct status to download the electronic owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Protection.”
The risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-467-9700, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. The manufacturer's number for this recall is N252540430. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 26, 2026.
General Motors, LLCManufacturer number N252540430View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA26005OpenEngineering Analysis

Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy

Opened Aug 20, 2026

On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001.  This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V-274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement. General Motors (GM) issued Recall 25V-274 to address concerns of engine failure in the L87 engines produced between March 1, 2021 and May 31, 2024. GM cited the root cause as a supplier manufacturing and quality issue. GM’s recall remedy for Recall 25V-274 consisted of two different repairs, either an oil viscosity change or an engine replacement, based on the results of the remedy inspection procedure. ODI continues to receive reports of engine failures after the completion of the recall remedy. To date, ODI has received 499 complaints alleging post-remedy engine failure in vehicles subject to Recall 25V-274, 473 of which involved an oil viscosity change and 26 a complete engine replacement. Additionally, ODI has received 191 reports of L87 engine failures in engines produced after the production period cited in Recall 25V-274. GM reported receiving 6,953 complaints of post-remedy engine failure. ODI is opening this Engineering Analysisto continue investigating complaints of post-remedy engine failure. ODI is expanding the scope of this Investigation to include engines produced after the production period cited in the recall. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

ENGINE

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 121
Engine
Filed Sep 24, 2026

2026 GMC Sierra SLT with 3.0 Duramax diesel engine. While driving down the road with the cruise set to 55 MPH on 8/29/26, the engine started to run rough. I slowed down, but this did not seem to help; I sped up, and the problem persisted no matter what I did. Service traction control and service ESC displayed on the dash. I drove to the dealership; their service department was closed because it was Saturday. I took my salesman for a ride so he could witness the issue firsthand. He confirmed something was not right, and they put me into a loaner vehicle. The truck has 848 miles on it. Service diagnosed it as a fuel issue in cylinder 2, replaced the injector, but the issue did not go away. GM TAC team advised replacing the motor; that is what I am currently waiting on. The dealer has the motor and is awaiting the install.

NHTSA ID
11766683
Incident
Aug 29, 2026
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 23, 2026

While turning right and at a slight incline the truck engine turned off, the transmission made a grinding noise, the truck went into neutral and the dash stayed “Press Start Button”. This is the second time this has happened within 5000 miles of the struck being purchased. Several others have reported the exact same issue on Facebook forums.

NHTSA ID
11766519
Incident
Sep 23, 2026
Fuel system
Filed Sep 23, 2026

Fuel Filter and High pressure Rail System The truck started shuddering and began to go into limp mode also shifted into neutral byitself No It was inspected by the dealership shop and now insurance Check engine light came on and code P1089

NHTSA ID
11766503
Incident
Aug 15, 2026
Engine
Filed Sep 21, 2026

The contact owned a 2026 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while accelerating from a red light at 15 MPH, the vehicle sputtered and shook before finally moving forward. The contact stated the failure was a recurring failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Action Number: EA26005 (ENGINE). The dealer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 160.

NHTSA ID
11765942
Incident
Sep 17, 2026
Mileage
160 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 20, 2026

Engine blew on a 2026 GMC AT4X with the 6.2 motor. Has been inspected and confirmed by dealership. No warning on failure, was passing a car when power was lost and warning system said restart engine.

NHTSA ID
11765646
Incident
Aug 23, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 19, 2026

Very similar to NHTSA complaints 11752469; 
11762072
; 11761966
; 11761844; 
11755200 while turning left into my 6 degree inclined drive at a slow rate of speed under 5 mph, my 2026 GMC Sierra SLT X31 with 1500 miles suddenly slams into park and shuts down. "Press start" shows on display and am able to start the truck. Twice the "Service Transmission" light has displayed. I took it to the dealer after two incidents and they could not replicate. Since getting it back from the dealer, I've had six more incidents and am taking back to the dealer with more information for them. The last incident, I was prepared for it and felt the truck begin to shut down and slammed on the brake before it shut down.

NHTSA ID
11765513
Incident
Sep 10, 2026
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 18, 2026

The contact owns a 2026 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the engine shut off to save fuel, but after releasing the brake pedal, the engine failed to restart. The contact shifted to park, and the engine restarted. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions after the fuel saving feature was deactivated. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure had occurred while slowing down and driving over a railroad track and hauling a trailer. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on several occasions, but the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 4,300.

NHTSA ID
11765373
Incident
Jul 16, 2026
Mileage
4,300 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 18, 2026

My 2026 GMC AT4X 6.2 liter engine had a lifter fail for #5 cylinder due to a faulty designed crankshaft bearing causing a knocking with the engine running. It required the engine to be replaced by GMC at only 7100 miles. The dealership admitted it was a defective/incorrectly manufactured part that caused the failure. I wanted to report this since GMC had said this issue had been corrected on the 2026 model year engine, but I have been reading that this issue is still occurring in the new vehicles and at a very low mileage instance. Mine failed at only a little over 7,000 miles.

NHTSA ID
11765327
Incident
Jul 27, 2026

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIT6545A

This PI is created to inform GM dealers that some vehicles may intermittently fail to connect wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto after Bluetooth pairing during the first key cycle. The condition is caused by a software anomaly.

PIC6629F

This PI is to instruct dealer on diagnostic procedures that need to be completed prior to replacing a radio or IPC display

PIP4902W

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

PIT6545

This PI is created to inform GM dealers that some vehicles may intermittently fail to connect wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto after Bluetooth pairing during the first key cycle. The condition is caused by a software anomaly. Do not replace parts. Engineering is investigating the root cause; customers may continue to drive the vehicle. This PI will be updated or replaced by a TSB once a resolution is determined.

PIT6543

This preliminary information communicates a diagnostic tip for the tailgate release system and tailgate ajar message.

PIT6541

This Preliminary information communicates to the technicians a diagnostic tip if a technician loses communication with the image processor #2 and how to restore communication

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

GMC Sierra 1500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026Viewing1212156.5
20251161151.8
20243601456.9
20234793463.7
20225856466.4
20215707569.0
202046612369.7
201964510268.8
20183047056.0
20173546056.2
20163418159.2
20157189259.9
20147399257.4
20131153253.4
20121073254.7
20112845255.2
20101684256.3
20092344255.4
20083812357.5
20072623357.2
20061452048.5
20051773048.2
20042125047.9
20031804052.3
20021664261.9
20011405259.5
20001813256.5
19991584257.2
1998594053.3
1997835043.4
1996500—
1995300—
1994130029.4

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.