Is the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 a bad year?
720 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Sierra 1500 years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 are in line with other Sierra 1500 years. Brakes and steering stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2015 Sierra 1500 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 57,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 229 (32%) | 42k–74k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 81 (11%) | 36k–73k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 98 (14%) | 8k–92k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 96 (13%) | 35k–68k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 84 (12%) | 42k–89k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Air bags | 37 (5%) | 26k–86k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 28 (4%) | 25k–75k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 26 (4%) | 19k–59k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 16 (2%) | 27k–119k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 13 (2%) | 3k–91k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Stability control | 13 (2%) | 50k–82k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exterior lightingSTANDS OUT | 93 (13%) | 1k–29k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Suspension | 18 (3%) | 4k–54k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Seats | 9 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 57,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 720 complaints: 23 mention a crash · 9 mention a fire · 7 report an injury · 23 say the car was towed.
32 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
When accelerating truck will sag and or hesitate. When you slow down and try to speed up the truck will hesitate for 5 or more sec.
The vehicle is stuck in 4WD hi even though the indicator is set to 2WD. When turning at low speedfs the vehicle applies the rear brakes.
Brought in my 2015 GMC 1500 sierra truck in for vibrations issues at high speed of 70-75 mph. After 4 attempts GMC corp refuses to admit that there is a safety issues in driving this vehicle at a normal rate.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 57,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500: 9
The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture. A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
The flexible steel cable connecting the driver's seat belt to the outboard side of the seat may be repeatedly bent over the seat side shield as the driver enters and exits the vehicle causing the cable to fatigue and separate. A broken pretensioner cable reduces the effectiveness of the driver's seat belt, increasing the risk of injury.
The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator. If the end cap separates from the inflator, the compressed gas will escape and the end cap can be propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system. Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time. As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Electric power steering (EPS) assist may be lost momentarily, followed by a sudden return of EPS assist. If EPS assist is lost and then suddenly returns, the driver may have difficulty steering the vehicle, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash. A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash. A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
While entering the vehicle, the seat belt tensioner cable may be positioned such that the driver slides over it. This movement may result in the fatigue and separation of the cable. If the tensioner cable separates, the driver may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from GMC: 671
Repair instructions GMC sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Engine related shudder
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Diagnostic aids for a no start or DTC'S following a transmission replacement
Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips, or Flares
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
Neighbouring years
2014 Sierra 1500: 744 complaints, keep it · 2016 Sierra 1500: 343 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every GMC Sierra 1500 year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Sierra 1500 years side by side
Other GMC models: GMC Acadia · GMC Canyon · GMC Denali · GMC Envoy · GMC Envoy XL · GMC Envoy Xuv · GMC Jimmy · GMC Safari · GMC Savana · GMC Sierra · GMC Sierra 2500 · GMC Sierra 3500 · GMC Sierra Denali · GMC Sonoma · GMC Terrain · GMC Yukon · GMC Yukon Denali · GMC Yukon Denali XL · GMC Yukon XL · GMC Yukon XL 1500. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 a bad year?
720 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Sierra 1500 years. At 57,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: brakes (229), steering (81), transmission and drivetrain (98), electrical system (96), engine (84).
How many recalls does the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 have?
9 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 21V-504), Seat belts (NHTSA 21V-245), Air bags (NHTSA 20V-736), Brakes (NHTSA 19V-761) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.