Owners have reported 4 crashes and 2 fires to NHTSA for the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints106
ENGINE
Owners report frequent engine failures in the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500, often occurring at highway speeds, leading to sudden loss of propulsion and requiring engine replacement. Common symptoms include engine lock-up, increased RPMs without power, and loud noises like rattling or clicking. These issues are typically reported around 20,000 to 32,000 miles, with some occurring shortly after recall-related services. Safety implications are significant, with one complaint involving a crash and several describing dangerous situations such as losing power in traffic. Potential buyers should be aware of these patterns, especially concerning the effectiveness of recall fixes and the availability of replacement engines.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints58
POWER TRAIN
Owners report several issues with the powertrain of the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500, including transmission failures and engine problems. Complaints frequently mention symptoms like rear wheel lock-ups, shuddering, and vehicles entering "limp mode," often accompanied by warning lights or error codes such as P0747. These issues typically arise between 8,000 and 60,000 miles. One reported incident involves a crash due to wheel lock-up at high speeds, highlighting potential safety risks. Buyers considering this model should be aware of these recurring powertrain issues, which may affect vehicle reliability and safety.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints34
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report several recurring issues with the electrical system of the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500. Complaints frequently mention the OnStar module failing, leading to inoperative instrument clusters and GPS systems, with parts on national backorder. Multiple owners describe tailgates opening unexpectedly, both while parked and in motion, causing potential safety hazards. Some reports involve complete engine shutdowns, with one incident leading to a fire originating from the instrument panel. These issues often arise within the first few months of ownership, and the safety implications include loss of vehicle control and visibility, posing risks to both drivers and other road users.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints34
STRUCTURE
Owners report two primary structural issues with the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500: un-commanded tailgate openings and detachment of the upper grille or grille deflector. The tailgate reportedly lowers unexpectedly both while driving and stationary, with some incidents occurring multiple times. The grille issue involves the upper portion detaching at highway speeds, often striking the windshield or entering traffic, posing potential safety risks. These issues are often noted around 43,000 to 70,000 miles. Complaints frequently mention the lack of recall coverage for these problems, despite similarities to prior model year recalls. Safety implications include the possibility of debris causing accidents or damage in traffic.
Owner complaints20
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners report several issues with the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 related to engine and engine cooling. Commonly described problems include unexpected loss of motive power, engine stalling, and the presence of metal filings in the oil, often leading to engine failure or the need for replacement. Symptoms such as failure to accelerate, abnormal engine noise, and illuminated warning lights are frequently mentioned. These issues typically arise between 9,000 and 57,000 miles. Safety implications include potential loss of vehicle control due to sudden power loss, though no crashes or fires are reported. Buyers should be aware of ongoing recall repairs and part availability delays associated with these issues.
Owner complaints9
STEERING
Owners report multiple steering-related issues with the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500, including loss of power steering while driving, steering lock-up, and unusual noises during turns. Complaints frequently mention symptoms such as error messages for power steering and other systems, steering wheel locking or not returning to center, and rubbing noises. Issues are noted at various mileages, with some vehicles experiencing problems as early as 8,000 to 13,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with reports of crashes and fires linked to steering failures, as well as instances of vehicles becoming difficult or impossible to control. These patterns suggest potential risks for buyers considering used models.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints7
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 frequently report issues with the service brakes, particularly involving sudden and unexpected brake failures while driving. Common symptoms include the illumination of warning lights such as ABS, Check Engine, and Service Traction Control, accompanied by a loss of braking power, sometimes requiring manual braking to stop the vehicle. These issues often occur at highway speeds and are sometimes resolved temporarily by restarting the vehicle. Complaints also mention electronic parking brake malfunctions, leading to a crash in one instance. The reported failures occur across a range of mileages, with some incidents noted as early as 20,000 miles. Safety implications include the risk of rear-end collisions and loss of vehicle control, making this information crucial for potential buyers considering the vehicle's reliability and safety.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints6
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Owners of the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 frequently report issues with exterior lighting, particularly involving headlight and reverse light performance. Common symptoms include headlights and fog lights becoming obscured by snow, leading to significant visibility reduction, and reverse lights being too dim to effectively illuminate the area behind the vehicle, rendering backup cameras less useful. Complaints also mention flickering daytime running lights and a narrow vertical illumination range of headlights on uneven roads. These issues are noted at low mileage, with one report at just 1,000 miles. Safety concerns are highlighted by owners who describe near misses, such as almost backing over a child due to inadequate lighting.
Owner complaints4
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners of the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 frequently report issues with the fuel pump control module, leading to unexpected stalling and loss of engine power without prior warning lights or indicators. Complaints describe scenarios where the vehicle abruptly loses power, leaving drivers stranded and unable to restart despite sufficient fuel levels. Some owners note that dealerships are aware of the problem and can replace the faulty module quickly, suggesting a known issue. Additionally, there is a report of a separate issue involving a bumping noise from fuel splashing in the tank, which is noted to be more pronounced when the tank is full. The sudden loss of power while driving poses potential safety risks, particularly in high-traffic areas.
Owner complaints3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners report issues with the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 related to vehicle speed control, including sudden deceleration and loss of power. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle unexpectedly entering limp mode, with warning lights such as check engine, service power steering, and service transmission illuminating. These issues are noted at mileage as low as 5,000 miles and up to 14,037 miles. Safety implications include a loss of braking control and potential inability to stop, with one owner nearly experiencing a collision. Multiple owners describe receiving numerous diagnostic trouble codes, although repairs are not always successful, as some failures cannot be duplicated by service technicians.