Is the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 a bad year?
516 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 238, 24× a quiet Sierra 1500 year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
The engine draws 24× the complaints of a quiet Sierra 1500 year, but the 2023 is still young: half of its engine complaints so far came in by 36k 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 2023 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 36,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 238 (46%) | 20k–64k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 94 (18%) | 16k–74k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 97 (19%) | 37k–56k miles · ahead | — |
| Electrical system | 64 (12%) | 11k–56k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel system | 39 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 17 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 14 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 14 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 11 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 11 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 7 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Lane assist | 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 36,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 516 complaints: 5 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 1 reports an injury · 16 say the car was towed.
243 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 2023 GMC Sierra 1500: 3
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 electronic brake control module software may fail to display a warning light when a loss of brake fluid occurs. Without a warning light, the vehicle may be driven with low brake fluid, which can reduce braking performance and 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.
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: 548
Repair instructions GMC sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2023 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
Diagnostic information to assist Technicians with a possible transmission shudder
Potential cause for Buzz/rattle/vibration/ from the passenger side when the vehicle is under light load, with a 3.0L LZ0 Engine
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
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
2022 Sierra 1500: 606 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2024 Sierra 1500: 383 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 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 a bad year?
516 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 238, 24× a quiet Sierra 1500 year. At 36,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. The engine draws 24× the complaints of a quiet Sierra 1500 year, but the 2023 is still young: half of its engine complaints so far came in by 36k miles, and that mark will move as owners add miles. Check your powertrain warranty first.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (238), transmission and drivetrain (94), body structure (97), electrical system (64), fuel system (39). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 20k–64k miles.
How many recalls does the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Engine (NHTSA 25V-274), Brakes (NHTSA 24V-674), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 22V-903). 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.