Is the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 a bad year?
606 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 269, 27× a quiet Sierra 1500 year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
The engine draws 27× the complaints of a quiet Sierra 1500 year, but the 2022 is still young: half of its engine complaints so far came in by 47k miles, and that mark will move as owners add miles. Check your powertrain warranty first.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2022 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 47,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 269 (44%) | 29k–79k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 116 (19%) | 24k–79k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 107 (18%) | 30k–51k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 84 (14%) | 12k–65k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel system | 32 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 31 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 24 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Lane assist | 13 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 13 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 9 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Backup camera | 6 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Latches and locks | 5 (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 47,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 606 complaints: 9 mention a crash · 5 mention a fire · 3 report an injury · 40 say the car was towed.
216 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.
Recalls for the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500: 6
The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up. Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.
The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure. Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
The attachments that hold the front grille deflectors in place may fracture, resulting in grille detachment. A detached front grille deflector may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up. Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.
The accessory sport bar contains a high-mounted brake light that may not function. In addition, it may block the vehicle's existing high-mounted brake light. An inoperative high-mounted brake light can reduce visibility to other drivers and increase the risk of a crash.
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: 681
Repair instructions GMC sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Engine Control Module designation E01 is on a ordering restriction through technical assistance
This document assists GM dealer technicians with diagnosing torque converter concerns to ensure torque converter replacement is necessary
If the K160 Brake System Control Module sets DTC P0606 along with P0562 and/or P25A2, additional diagnostic aids should be followed before replacing parts
The document advise technicians after an engine repair involving removal of the camshaft actuators…
NHTSA defect investigations: 5
Upper Grille Deflector Detachment
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Neighbouring years
2021 Sierra 1500: 603 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2023 Sierra 1500: 516 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 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 a bad year?
606 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 269, 27× a quiet Sierra 1500 year. At 47,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. The engine draws 27× the complaints of a quiet Sierra 1500 year, but the 2022 is still young: half of its engine complaints so far came in by 47k miles, and that mark will move as owners add miles. Check your powertrain warranty first.
What are the most common problems with the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (269), transmission and drivetrain (116), body structure (107), electrical system (84), fuel system (32). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 29k–79k miles.
How many recalls does the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 have?
6 recall campaigns list this model year: Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 26V-083), Engine (NHTSA 25V-274), Body structure (NHTSA 25V-060), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 24V-797) 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.