2019 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems: Engine (629 Complaints)
The most-reported problem on the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 is Engine (39% of 629 owner reports). There are 10 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Engine — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 629 complaints · 10 recalls
What problems show up on the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500?
247 of 629 filings named Engine (39% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.
Second is Transmission / driveline (111 reports).
There are 10 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Airbags, Seat belts, Electrical, Brakes, Transmission / driveline, and Tires. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.
The 2018 has 296 reports on file; this year has 629. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.
What owners reported
System named most often: Engine 247 complaints · 39.3% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
- Crashes 12
- Fires 3
- Injuries 11
- Deaths 0
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Which systems owners named
Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.
“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.
View component data as a table
| System / Component | Complaints | Share of Reports | Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine (ENGINE) | 247 | 39.3% | 2 crashes · 2 fires |
| Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) | 111 | 17.7% | 0 crashes · 1 fires |
| Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) | 57 | 9.1% | 4 crashes · 0 fires |
| Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) | 45 | 7.2% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Steering (STEERING) | 35 | 5.6% | 2 crashes · 0 fires |
| Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) | 16 | 2.5% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Body / frame (STRUCTURE) | 10 | 1.6% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) | 9 | 1.4% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Suspension (SUSPENSION) | 9 | 1.4% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Unclassified NHTSA leftover | 95 | 15.1% | 2 crashes · 0 fires |
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
When reports and recalls showed up
When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.
- Campaign 19V888000 was reported 367 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 20V055000 was reported 313 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 20V650000 was reported 670 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
| Date | Record type | Count | Record identifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-Q4 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2019-Q1 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2019-Q2 | Owner reports | 10 | |
| 2019-Q3 | Owner reports | 11 | |
| 2019-Q4 | Owner reports | 26 | |
| 2020-Q1 | Owner reports | 40 | |
| 2020-Q2 | Owner reports | 13 | |
| 2020-Q3 | Owner reports | 11 | |
| 2020-Q4 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2021-Q1 | Owner reports | 8 | |
| 2021-Q2 | Owner reports | 8 | |
| 2021-Q3 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2021-Q4 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2022-Q1 | Owner reports | 9 | |
| 2022-Q2 | Owner reports | 8 | |
| 2022-Q3 | Owner reports | 11 | |
| 2022-Q4 | Owner reports | 10 | |
| 2023-Q1 | Owner reports | 10 | |
| 2023-Q2 | Owner reports | 11 | |
| 2023-Q3 | Owner reports | 14 | |
| 2023-Q4 | Owner reports | 10 | |
| 2024-Q1 | Owner reports | 8 | |
| 2024-Q2 | Owner reports | 9 | |
| 2024-Q3 | Owner reports | 14 | |
| 2024-Q4 | Owner reports | 18 | |
| 2025-Q1 | Owner reports | 56 | |
| 2025-Q2 | Owner reports | 62 | |
| 2025-Q3 | Owner reports | 33 | |
| 2025-Q4 | Owner reports | 60 | |
| 2026-Q1 | Owner reports | 59 | |
| 2026-Q2 | Owner reports | 46 | |
| 2026-Q3 | Owner reports | 34 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 18V868000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 19V814000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 19V888000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 19V889000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 20V055000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 20V650000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 20V792000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 21V115000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 21V423000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 21V985000 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | PE25001 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | EA25007 |
Safety Recalls (10)
Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.
In short, these campaigns were filed about Airbags, Seat belts, Electrical, Brakes, Transmission / driveline, and Tires.
-
Recall campaign 18V868000
Airbags
- Report date
- Component:
- Airbags (AIR BAGS)
- Consequence:
- In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate properly can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy:
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N182198820.
-
Recall campaign 19V814000
Seat belts
- Report date
- Component:
- Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)
- Consequence:
- A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
- Remedy:
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will close off the opening in the pretensioner bracket, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192270600.
-
Recall campaign 19V888000
Electrical
- Report date
- Component:
- Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
- Consequence:
- An intermittent electrical connection between the B+ battery cable and the alternator could cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash. The intermittent connection could also lead to electrical arcing, which could generate sufficient heat to damage surrounding material, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy:
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect for the presence of glue or other contamination at the B+ cable attachment to the alternator and clean the connection and reattach the B+ cable connection, as necessary. If arcing has damaged the cable, nut, or alternator, the dealer will replace the damaged components. All services will be performed free of charge. GM issued owners an interim notification on February 4, 2020. GM issued second notice and the recall began March 9, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192273510.
-
Recall campaign 19V889000
Safety recall 19V889000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- If the driver operates the vehicle unaware that ESC and ABS are not functioning, there is an increased risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192268090.
-
Recall campaign 20V055000
Brakes
- Report date
- Component:
- Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
- Consequence:
- A loss of electronic brake assist can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began February 24, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192268091.
-
Recall campaign 20V650000
Transmission / driveline
- Report date
- Component:
- Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
- Consequence:
- If the driveshaft separates, there may be a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of crash.
- Remedy:
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N202314870.
-
Recall campaign 20V792000
Safety recall 20V792000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- 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.
- Remedy:
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect left-side and right-side front-row center seat-belt bracket attachments and reassemble it correctly as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202314670.
-
Recall campaign 21V115000
Safety recall 21V115000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- 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.
- Remedy:
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.
-
Recall campaign 21V423000
Safety recall 21V423000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- 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.
- Remedy:
- Dealers inspect and replace the tires as necessary, free of charge, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 25, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212336230.
-
Recall campaign 21V985000
Tires
- Report date
- Component:
- Tires (TIRES)
- Consequence:
- An ABS system that does not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- Dealers will provide a new 17" spare tire and wheel assembly that is compatible with the accessory wheels, free of charge. Dealers will also apply a new spare tire information label, and provide owners with an owner's manual insert clarifying which spare tire to use with the accessory road tires and with the 17" original tires. Owner notification letters were mailed February 7, 2022. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212346510.
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
What owners actually wrote
Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Showing 6 of 629 complaints · page 1 of 26
CrashFireInjuryDeath
I was coming to a stop at a stop a 3 way stop intersection. I parked completely and when I stopped the vehicle just shut down I did not have any warning signs come on prior as I looked at the dash it said place vehicle into park and start. I tried that but truck did not start. Call my friends we towed the truck on a trailer to my house and set up an appointment with gmc here in Tucson az
CrashFireInjuryDeath
My truck is a 2019 6.2 motor GMC it fell outside of the motor recall. On May 23, 2026, I had a catastrophic engine failure. GM would not cover any costs associated with the engine replacement. I have a photo of the failed lifter. This issue is a problem with GM and its active fuel management system. GM knew about the issue and put the engine into service.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
See attached document for complaint.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Engine went out very devastating $10k out of pocket
CrashFireInjuryDeath
My 2019 6.2 engine suffered from severe loss of compression caused by internal piston ring failure and bore scoring also loss of power . In the 6.2L engine , piston ring failure and ring- seal are direct consequences of connectiing rod alignment errors, My engine failure is proof that this is the same situation that is currently under investigation and have proof with compression test and report done by my Technician . First time it happened to me it just stopped on me in the middle not the road all lights came on the dash including ESC light something it never done before. But before this happened it had been running rough. I took it first to the local repair shop and they wouldn't be able to work on it , So I took it to the local dealer and there it got. worse from there . Took it to the dealer changed the battery and it was running again but they found it had really bad leak on the rear main seal spent over $3,000 for all of it. Thought the problem was over after that months later after it was running rough again took back to the dealer and from there they told me there were oil coming through the piston rings and metal shaving in the engine and from there found out engine needed to be replaced Warranty company would not cover it. I had to pay 1500.00 for rental car coverage, teardown of engine was 3,500 since the extended warranty did not cover it Endurance Warranty Co. denied my claim.Dealership is charging me out of pocket charges of 13,495 for the engine replacement plus engine teardown Endurance Warranty Co. denied my claim. Even after paying for warranty for almost 2 Years. GM says manufacture warranty is out of coverage can not be apart of the recall but engine failure mirrors 21-24 recall 6.2 engines.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
2019 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate (6.2L L87 V8 Engine)Description of Safety Defect & Incident Chronology: XXX (49,801 miles): While idling in my driveway, the engine began ticking loudly, running roughly, and ultimately stalled. The vehicle was towed to Hight Chevrolet in [XXX]. The dealership stated they test-drove the vehicle twice while monitoring live data, could not duplicate the noise, and released the truck back to me.XXX (57,920 miles): The engine began ticking loudly again. I returned the vehicle to the dealership. Upon inspection, technicians found metal debris in both the oil filter and the oil pan. The dealership diagnosed a catastrophic bottom-end engine failure.Resolution: The original engine was replaced with a GM remanufactured crate engine, covered under the GM factory warranty.Safety Concern:Although my vehicle is a 2019 model, it suffered the exact same catastrophic bottom-end bearing failure currently being investigated by NHTSA for 2021–2026 GM 6.2L L87 engines. This defect poses an imminent safety hazard, as a sudden bottom-end failure can cause the engine to seize without warning, resulting in a complete loss of motive power and propulsion at highway speeds, drastically increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, despite GM's claims regarding limited production windows, this case proves the defect is present in earlier 2019 model years. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems on the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500?
Owners named Engine most often — 247 of 629 reports (39%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.
Are there recalls for the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500?
NHTSA lists 10 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Airbags, Seat belts, Electrical, Brakes, Transmission / driveline, and Tires. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.
What should I inspect before buying a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500?
Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.
Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?
No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.
Estimated Ownership Cost
EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates
Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Adjacent Model Years
Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Methodology & Data Integrity
Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.