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2019 GMC Sierra 1500 VIN Check, Recalls & Reliability

The 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 has good reliability. There are 10 recalls and 523 owner complaints on file for the 2019 GMC Sierra-1500. Severity signals include 10 crash-related complaints and 3 fire-related complaints. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Engine (159), Power Train (106), Electrical System (63).

Sierra 1500 reliability snapshot

60/100
Latest model-year reliability score
3.5/5
RepairPal rating (overall)

Data sourced from Auto Reliability Index, aggregating NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and RepairPal repair-cost records.

Used-car research

Research the GMC Sierra 1500 before checking the VIN

Compare model years, recurring problems, safety campaigns and market value first. Then use the VIN to verify the history of the individual car.

Most-reported 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 issues

Owner-reported problem categories from NHTSA complaint filings. Counts reflect complaints per category for the most-recent model year on file.

  • Engine159
  • Power Train106
  • Electrical System63
  • Service Brakes53
  • Steering40
  • Unknown Or Other28

Pre-purchase inspection checklist for the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500

Hands-on checks distilled from real NHTSA complaint patterns and recall histories. Bring this list to a test drive or mechanic inspection.

  • Inspect engine for lifter and camshaft damage
  • Check for transmission shuddering and hard shifting
  • Verify oil cooler line for leaks or detachment
  • Test engine for knocking or ticking sounds
  • Ensure no warning lights are present on the dashboard
  • Check for any oil consumption issues
  • Inspect for water leaks around rear window and third brake light

What owners reported

2019 GMC Sierra 1500 owner complaints in detail

Owners have reported 10 crashes, 3 fires and 11 injuries to NHTSA for the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.

Owner complaints159

ENGINE

Owners of the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 frequently report engine issues related to oil cooler line leaks, lifter failures, and catastrophic engine failures. Common symptoms include oil leaks, engine knocking, loss of power, and engine shutdowns, often occurring without warning at highway speeds. Many complaints involve significant engine repairs or replacements, with some owners noting problems as early as 71,000 miles. Safety implications are noted, with several owners describing sudden power loss while driving, which poses a risk in high-speed traffic situations. These patterns suggest that potential buyers should be aware of these issues, especially when considering vehicles with higher mileage.

Owner complaints106

POWER TRAIN

Owners report frequent issues with the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500's powertrain, particularly concerning engine and transmission failures. Complaints commonly describe symptoms like engine knocking, ticking sounds, and catastrophic engine failure, often linked to camshaft and lifter issues, with some incidents occurring around 50,000 to 115,000 miles. Transmission problems are also prevalent, with reports of shuddering, hard shifting, and unexpected downshifts, sometimes leading to loss of control or stalling. Safety implications include at least one injury and a fire incident, highlighting the potential risk of driving these vehicles with unresolved powertrain issues. Used car buyers should be aware of these patterns, especially if considering a vehicle with higher mileage.

Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports

Owner complaints63

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners report several electrical system issues with the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. Complaints frequently mention problems with the vehicle's electronic brake assist, including warning lights and system malfunctions, often around 35,000 to 43,000 miles. Multiple owners describe engine stalling and loss of power while driving, sometimes accompanied by electrical failures such as dim lights and non-responsive instrument panels. Two reports involve fires, highlighting potential safety risks. Additionally, issues with the rearview camera system and water leaks affecting electrical components are noted. These patterns suggest potential reliability concerns for used car buyers considering this model.

Severity signals: 0 crash, 2 fire, 0 injury reports

Owner complaints57

SERVICE BRAKES

Owners of the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 frequently report issues with the vehicle's braking system, including sudden, unintentional braking and complete brake failure. Symptoms often described include the vehicle abruptly stopping without warning, brake pedals becoming stiff, and multiple brake-related warning messages appearing on the dashboard. These issues are reported to occur at various mileages, with some instances noted as early as 7,000 miles and others beyond 120,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with reports of crashes and injuries linked to these brake failures. Buyers considering this model should be aware of these potential braking system issues and the associated safety risks.

Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 3 injury reports

Owner complaints40

STEERING

Owners report frequent power steering failures in the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500, often resulting in the steering wheel becoming difficult to turn or locking entirely. Symptoms typically include loss of power steering assistance, accompanied by dashboard warnings such as "Service ESC" and "Steering Assist Reduced." These issues are noted across various mileages, with some occurring as early as 13,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with three complaints involving crashes due to steering failures. Buyers considering this model should be aware of potential steering system malfunctions that may require significant effort to manage during driving.

Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

Owner complaints28

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owners of the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 frequently report issues related to water leaks, particularly around the rear window and third brake light, leading to concerns about mold and water damage. Complaints often describe problems with electronic systems, such as IntelliBeam headlights deactivating unexpectedly and backup cameras showing intermittent blue screens or fuzzy images, which can hinder visibility. Some owners experience rear-end lockups at low speeds, with two incidents resulting in injuries, raising safety concerns. These issues appear across various mileage ranges, with some electronic problems noted around 51,000 miles. Buyers should be aware of these recurring issues and the potential for costly repairs if outside warranty coverage.

Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 3 injury reports

Owner complaints13

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Owners of the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 frequently report engine failures, often necessitating engine replacements. Common symptoms include engine shuddering, loss of motive power, abnormal ticking sounds, and illuminated warning lights such as the check engine light. Many complaints mention engine issues occurring around 50,000 to 120,000 miles, with some indicating problems like metal shavings in the oil pan, lifter and camshaft damage, and engine seizing. Safety implications include instances where the vehicle loses power while driving, which could increase the risk of accidents. Potential buyers should be aware of these patterns and the potential need for significant engine repairs.

Owner complaints11

STRUCTURE

Owners of the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 frequently report issues with water leaks, particularly from the rear window and third brake light, which can lead to water entering the cab and potential mold growth. Complaints also describe problems with the tailgate unlatching during transit, posing a risk of damage and safety concerns. Additionally, some owners note the peeling of the vehicle's exterior frame coating, leading to rust, typically around 25,000 miles. A few reports mention structural failures such as a sunroof explosion and a hard tri-fold bed cover detaching while driving. These issues suggest potential safety implications, including visibility problems and risks associated with unsecured vehicle components.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

Owner complaints8

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Owners of the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 frequently report issues with the backup camera display brightness when the vehicle is put into reverse, particularly at night. Complaints describe the screen as being excessively bright, which can be blinding and makes it difficult to use side mirrors effectively, potentially compromising night vision. This issue appears to occur regardless of the vehicle's mileage, with no specific mileage range mentioned. Additionally, one owner reports a problem with LED headlamp covers becoming obstructed by snow, reducing visibility. Another owner notes an intermittent issue with the lane departure signal, which sometimes blinks only once instead of the intended three times. These issues are primarily related to visibility and could pose safety challenges when driving or reversing in low-light conditions.

Owner complaints3

AIR BAGS

Owners of the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 report issues with air bags failing to deploy during collisions, notably in incidents involving rear-end and deer impacts. Common symptoms described include air bag covers detaching and smoke filling the cabin, with the vehicle's system indicating deployment despite no physical air bags being released. These issues are reported at low mileage, around 6,000 miles, and involve significant safety implications, as all documented cases involve crashes. Prospective buyers should be aware of these air bag deployment concerns, particularly in the context of crash safety.

Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

2019 Sierra 1500 recalls (10)

Every NHTSA safety recall logged against the 2019 Sierra 1500. A VIN check confirms whether any recall remains unrepaired on a specific vehicle.

  1. TIRESNHTSA 21V985000Dec 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.

    Consequence: An ABS system that does not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    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.

  2. TIRESNHTSA 21V423000Jun 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.

    Consequence: 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.

    Remedy

    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.

  3. TIRESNHTSA 21V115000Feb 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.

    Consequence: 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.

    Remedy

    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.

  4. SEAT BELTSNHTSA 20V792000Dec 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.

    Consequence: 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.

    Remedy

    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.

  5. POWER TRAINNHTSA 20V650000Oct 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.

    Consequence: If the driveshaft separates, there may be a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of crash.

    Remedy

    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.

  6. SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICNHTSA 20V055000Jan 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."

    Consequence: A loss of electronic brake assist can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    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.

  7. SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)NHTSA 19V889000Dec 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."

    Consequence: If the driver operates the vehicle unaware that ESC and ABS are not functioning, there is an increased risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    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.

  8. ELECTRICAL SYSTEMNHTSA 19V888000Dec 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.

    Consequence: 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.

    Remedy

    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.

  9. SEAT BELTSNHTSA 19V814000Nov 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.

    Consequence: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.

    Remedy

    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.

  10. AIR BAGSNHTSA 18V868000Dec 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.

    Consequence: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate properly can increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy

    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.

Used-market value

2019 GMC Sierra 1500 resale snapshot

68.3%estimated value retained after 5 years
720listings in the model-level benchmark
$32,865median asking price from 60 listings

Listing benchmarks establish a market range; trim, mileage, condition, title history and prior damage determine what one vehicle is worth.

2019 GMC Sierra 1500 on the road

185,860 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 units were sold new in the US — a key signal for the size of today's used-market inventory.

How the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 stacks up against rivals

The most-shopped alternatives in the same segment. Each link opens a side-by-side reliability and cost comparison.

Reliability verdict for the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500

With a 68/100 reliability score against a 71/100 segment average, the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 lands slightly below the norm. That points to a mixed reliability picture rather than a clear strength, with buyer risk running higher than the typical full-size pickup in this class.

Issues are not confined to a single system. Complaints cluster most heavily around the engine and powertrain, while electrical, braking, and steering concerns also register meaningful share. This spread suggests multiple potential ownership touchpoints instead of one dominant weak spot. Recall activity is elevated, reinforcing that this model year saw a notable level of corrective action.

Overall, the data supports a moderate-to-elevated reliability risk level.

What you get in a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 report

Available title brand history
Odometer readings & rollback detection
Accident & damage records
Auction sales with photos
Open safety recalls
Theft & stolen vehicle check

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2019 GMC Sierra 1500 — Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?

With a 68/100 reliability score against a 71/100 segment average, the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 lands slightly below the norm. That points to a mixed reliability picture rather than a clear strength, with buyer risk running higher than the typical full-size pickup in this class.

How many recalls does the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 have?

10 NHTSA safety recalls have been issued for the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. A VIN check confirms whether any remain unrepaired on a specific vehicle.

What are the most common 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 problems?

The most-reported 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 problem areas are: Engine (159), Power Train (106), Electrical System (63).

Should I run a VIN check on a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500?

Yes. A VIN report verifies title brands, odometer history, accident records, and recall completion on a specific 2019 GMC Sierra 1500, complementing the model-year reliability data on this page.