2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems: Engine (108 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 is Engine (36% of 108 owner reports). There are 1 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Engine — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 108 complaints · 1 recalls

What problems show up on the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500?

39 of 108 filings named Engine (36% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Transmission / driveline (13 reports).

This snapshot lists no safety recalls for this year. That is not a clean bill of health. Still check the VIN at nhtsa.gov.

The 2024 has 344 reports on file; this year has 108. A smaller lifetime total is not a clean bill of health. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2025 GMC Sierra 1500

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 1 campaigns on file below.
  2. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  3. Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
  4. Electrical. Have a shop scan for stored codes and check battery, charging and any warning lights that stay on.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Engine. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Engine 39 complaints · 36.1% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 3
  • Fires 0
  • Injuries 0
  • 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.

Which systems owners named Engine (ENGINE) appears in 39 of 108 owner complaints (36.1%) in this vehicle snapshot. Engine (ENGINE): 39 complaints, 36.1% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 39 · 36.1% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 13 complaints, 12.0% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 1 crash reports 13 · 12.0% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 10 complaints, 9.3% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 10 · 9.3% Automatic braking / collision warning (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE): 5 complaints, 4.6% of reports Automatic braking / collision warning (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE) 5 · 4.6% Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 5 complaints, 4.6% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 5 · 4.6% Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY): 5 complaints, 4.6% of reports Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 5 · 4.6% Rear camera / backup safety (BACK OVER PREVENTION): 3 complaints, 2.8% of reports Rear camera / backup safety (BACK OVER PREVENTION) 1 crash reports 3 · 2.8% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 3 complaints, 2.8% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 3 · 2.8% Steering (STEERING): 3 complaints, 2.8% of reports Steering (STEERING) 3 · 2.8% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 26 complaints, 24.1% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 2 crash reports 26 · 24.1% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“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) 39 36.1% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 13 12.0% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 10 9.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Automatic braking / collision warning (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE) 5 4.6% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 5 4.6% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 5 4.6% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Rear camera / backup safety (BACK OVER PREVENTION) 3 2.8% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 3 2.8% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Steering (STEERING) 3 2.8% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 26 24.1% 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.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jan 2025; the first recall shown was reported in Dec 2025. 2025-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2025-Q2: 8 owner reports 8 2025-Q3: 17 owner reports 17 2025-Q4: 17 owner reports 17 2026-Q1: 20 owner reports 20 2026-Q2: 19 owner reports 19 2026-Q3: 22 owner reports 22 Owner reports Jan 2025 Aug 2026 Recall campaign 25V876000 ◆ Recall campaign 25V876000 Investigation EA26005 ● Investigation EA26005
  • Campaign 25V876000 was reported 236 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2025-Q1 Owner reports 5
2025-Q2 Owner reports 8
2025-Q3 Owner reports 17
2025-Q4 Owner reports 17
2026-Q1 Owner reports 20
2026-Q2 Owner reports 19
2026-Q3 Owner reports 22
Recall campaign 1 25V876000
Defect investigation 1 EA26005
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (1)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

  1. Recall campaign 25V876000

    Safety recall 25V876000

    Report date
    Component:
    Unclassified NHTSA leftover
    Consequence:
    An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints 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.

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
Safety incident filters
Showing 6 of 108 complaints · page 1 of 5
2026-09-03Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11762000
CrashFireInjuryDeath
So I spent many months trying to aquire a GMC Sierra Denali and with all the issues with the 20 - 24 6.2 engines we were assured by the dealer that all the issues were resolved with the 2025 6.2 models. So we spent big to aquire an 2025. So I bought one new. My truck had 8000 miles on it with 2 oil changes. So we booked a trip to [XXX] at considerably a large expense and loaded up our Harley's on my light aluminum trailer, less than 3.5k pounds and headed that way from [XXX]. We made it to [XXX] and spent the night. Next morning we were heading to [XXX] and the truck blew up on the XXX. We were pulled over on a very busy hi way and had to get truck and trailer towed back to [XXX]. We were stuck there for 3 days while GMC installed a rebuilt motor in my 83k truck and totally missed our entire vacation. On line it said GMC would cover hotel and 40.00 dollars a day food. I am so disgusted after being reassured that GMC had fixed the 6.2 and putting our life in danger blowing up on a major highway, and afterward GMC only gave us 200. For our inconvenience. Our room alone was more not counting the money lost on out trip accommodations. I am so completely disappointed with this truck that we bought new and spent more than we ever had on a vehicle, and am afraid of ever taking another trip in it. How can GM be allowed to do this to people. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2026-09-02Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11761746
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Safety Complaint – 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Tailgate While driving our 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 and towing a trailer, the tailgate unexpectedly opened and dropped down while the vehicle was in motion. No one touched the tailgate button, key fob, or any other controls to activate the tailgate. We were unaware that the tailgate had opened. When we made a turn, the trailer contacted the tailgate and crushed/damaged it. This occurred without any intentional activation of the tailgate release. We believe this presents a significant safety concern because an unexpectedly opening tailgate while driving, especially while towing a trailer, could result in property damage, loss of cargo, or a more serious accident. We are requesting that this issue be investigated to determine whether there is a defect with the tailgate latch, release mechanism, or electronic controls on the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500.
2026-08-29Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11760628
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Engine making noise during a trip took to dealership and they reported engine is bad and needs to be replaced because it would freeze on the road. Vehicle has 7000 miles.
2026-08-29Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11760587
CrashFireInjuryDeath
ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AT 18K MILES AND TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY FOUND METAL IN THE FILTER AND INSTALLED A NEW ENGINE AND ALSO REPLACED THE MIDPLATE GASKET ON THE VALVEBODY DUE TO A HARSH DOWNSHIFT WITHOUT CODES IN THE SYSTEM THIS ENGINE IS GOING ON 2K MILES AND IT SEEMS TO BE FINE NOW BUT THE PROBLEM WITH 6.2 WAS ONLY SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE 21-24 MODELS AND MINE IS A 25 MODEL AND ALREADY HAD A REPLACED AND NOTHING FROM GM WAS SAID TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THIS MODEL AND POWERTRAIN
2026-08-29Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11760562
CrashFireInjuryDeath
FROM DEALER ASSESSMENT Concern - CUSTOMER STATES WHEN VEHICLE IS ACCELERATING THERE IS A RATTLE Correction - test drove and was able to duplicate rattle/knocking from the engine. checked oil level and condition verified both are good. checked for bulletins and followed 23-NA-170. compared vehicle noise to noise is video and noise is nearly identical. removed oil filter and inspected for debris, found heavy amounts of metal debris present in the filter. performed crankshaft end play mesasurement and found that the crankshaft end play is way over spec at 1/4 of an inch. recommend replacing the engine assembly per bulletin Parts) 1x ENGINE 2x (S)GASKET $0.00 $0.00 6x (S)BOLT 1x BOLT 1x exhaust pipe connector gaskets both sides $0.00 8x (S)GASKET 1x fuel feed pipes all $0.00 1x (S)SEAL KIT 1x (S)GASKET $0.00 1x (S)SEAL 1x W-(S)RADIATOR $0.00 1x (S)HOSE 1x coolant $0.00 1x oil filter 1x oil $0.00 Approved 2026-08-18 Labor: $0.00 Parts: $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Subtotal Line B: $0.00 *Subtotal is before Shop Charge and Taxes
2026-08-28Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11760443
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Confirmed as catastrophic engine failure by dealership. New engine has been ordered.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500?

Owners named Engine most often — 39 of 108 reports (36%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500?

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall campaigns. This snapshot lists none, which is not a clean bill of health. 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 2025 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.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints 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.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources