Is the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 a bad year?
661 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 334, 33× a quiet Sierra 1500 year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 were filed between 42k and 115k miles. You're at 84,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2019 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 84,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 334 (51%) | 42k–115k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 141 (21%) | 5k–70k miles · mostly behind | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 112 (17%) | 3k–13k miles · mostly behind | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Electrical system | 95 (14%) | 1k–33k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Steering | 42 (6%) | 3k–19k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Stability control | 16 (2%) | 3k–14k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Fuel system | 27 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 15 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 11 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Backup camera | 10 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 10 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 10 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 8 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 8 (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 84,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 661 complaints: 13 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 8 report an injury · 60 say the car was towed.
205 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
While driving the vehicle 21OCT2020 it started whining and jerking.
Driving at roughly 3 miles per hour in 4 wheel high on a gravel road.the axle broke and the tire collapsed. I strongly believe something is defective.
2019 GMC sierra shifts extremely hard when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear when accelerating after sitting idle for a long period of time.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 84,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500: 10
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. A loss of electronic brake assist can increase the risk of a crash.
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. If the driver operates the vehicle unaware that ESC and ABS are not functioning, there is an increased risk of a crash.
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.
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.
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.
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: 711
Repair instructions GMC sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
General Motors has decided to conduct a Voluntary Emission Recall
This document assists GM dealer technicians with diagnosing torque converter concerns to ensure torque converter replacement is necessary
The document advise technicians after an engine repair involving removal of the camshaft actuators…
Some vehicles may have a condition that could cause the Catalytic Converter to fail
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Neighbouring years
2018 Sierra 1500: 305 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2020 Sierra 1500: 484 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
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 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 a bad year?
661 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 334, 33× a quiet Sierra 1500 year. At 84,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 were filed between 42k and 115k miles. You're at 84,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (334), transmission and drivetrain (141), brakes (112), electrical system (95), steering (42). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 42k–115k miles.
How many recalls does the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 have?
10 recall campaigns list this model year: Tires (NHTSA 21V-985), Tires (NHTSA 21V-423), Tires (NHTSA 21V-115), Seat belts (NHTSA 20V-792) 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.