2015 GMC Sierra 1500 problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 334 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500, most often about brakes. There are 9 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 334
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes
- 8
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 5
- Median mileage
- 75,000 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Brakes is the most-reported problem area, named in 84 of 334 complaints (25%).
- Transmission & Drivetrain (66) and engine (60) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 75,000 mi.
- Owners reported 8 crashes, 4 fires and 5 injuries.
- The 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 has 9 recalls on file.
- NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
- It ranks 7th of 22 GMC Sierra 1500 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
- That is 25% more complaints than the 2014 model year (268).
2015 GMC Sierra 1500 problems by category
- Brakes · 4 crashes84 complaints
- 66 complaints
- 60 complaints
- Electrical System · 1 crash59 complaints
- Steering · 1 crash50 complaints
- Airbags · 4 crashes32 complaints
- Other / Unknown30 complaints
- Lighting15 complaints
- Body & Structure14 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts10 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers9 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech7 complaints
- Suspension7 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control5 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion4 complaints
- Wheels & Tires1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Service brakes | 78 |
| Power train | 65 |
| Engine | 59 |
| Electrical system | 56 |
| Steering | 50 |
| Air bags | 31 |
| Unknown or other | 29 |
| Exterior lighting | 14 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2015 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls (9)
- AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks. The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Risk: A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on August 18, 2021. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy is available. Phase I owner notification letters were mailed on May 5, 2022. Phase II owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 31, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. This recall supersedes NHTSA recall number 20V-736. GM's number for this recall is N202324251.
- SEAT BELTS:FRONT
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2015-2016 Chevrolet Tahoe, and 2014-2015 GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles that may have received an incorrect replacement tensioner cable assembly as part of a previous recall remedy or a subsequent repair. The flexible steel cable connecting the driver's seat belt to the outboard side of the seat may be repeatedly bent over the seat side shield as the driver enters and exits the vehicle causing the cable to fatigue and separate.
Risk: A broken pretensioner cable reduces the effectiveness of the driver's seat belt, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver seat belt lap pretensioner, free of charge. The recall began on May 5, 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 N212330040.
- AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2015 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 trucks. The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator.
Risk: If the end cap separates from the inflator, the compressed gas will escape and the end cap can be propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RRAB modules on the left and/or right side, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on December 22, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. Note: GM filed a new recall, number 21V-504 that supersedes this recall. All vehicles previously recalled under 20V-736 will now be repaired under the new recall number 21V-504. GM's numbers for this recall are N202309680, N202309681, and N202309682.
- ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) · SERVICE BRAKES · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
Risk: Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
Risk: As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.
- STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade vehicles. Electric power steering (EPS) assist may be lost momentarily, followed by a sudden return of EPS assist.
Risk: If EPS assist is lost and then suddenly returns, the driver may have difficulty steering the vehicle, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the EPS module software, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18289.
- AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.
- AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
- SEAT BELTS
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks manufactured January 29, 2013, to January 21, 2015. While entering the vehicle, the seat belt tensioner cable may be positioned such that the driver slides over it. This movement may result in the fatigue and separation of the cable.
Risk: If the tensioner cable separates, the driver may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will modify the vehicles to prevent the tensioner from being damaged. Any tensioner that has already been damaged will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15822.
NHTSA defect investigations
- EA21002Opened Sep 17, 2021Open
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C…
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
On November 20, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE18-012 to investigate instances of sudden onset of a hard brake pedal that could result in extended stopping distance due to an issue with the brake assist vacuum pump in model year (MY) 2014 through 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series pickup trucks and MY 2015 through 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, and GMC Yukon SUVs.If the brake assist vacuum pump fails to operate as intended, the amount of brake power assist supplied to the driver can be significantly reduced, extendi…
NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 PU/CC RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 PU/EC 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 PU/EC RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 PU/RC 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 PU/RC RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Recent 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Sep 25, 2026MAEngine
In August, 2019, at 93,672 miles, GM covered a lifter failure on our 2015 GMC Sierra, V8 AFM engine. Only the left side was repaired. Now, in 2026 at 130,000, the right side has the same issue and needs repair. The estimate to repair is $16,697. This is a known issue and a safety concern.
NHTSA complaint #11766980 · source - Filed Sep 22, 2026FLTransmission & Drivetrain
The transmission Started Shuddering, it would slip occasionally and slipped badly when i was driving in rush hour traffic in the middle of a left turn. had no power for several seconds then it finally reengaged. The shuddering got worse and worse to the point i took it to a transmission shop to look at it and they said i needed a replacement transmission unit. I did get a replacement unit, the whole process was extremely unpleasant. The previous unit was sent as a core to be…
NHTSA complaint #11766154 · source - Filed Aug 31, 2026IAElectrical SystemSteering
My 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 recently started having all the symptoms under GM internal recall number 18289. I lose my power steering briefly and the electronics turn off momentarily. I lose dash, AC, radio and GPS. It comes back on within a second or two and only does this during low speed turning. I ran my VIN but it does not show under this recall despite having the correct Make/Model/Year. It is currently at the shop because it isn't safe to drive and I was hoping I could get…
NHTSA complaint #11760877 · source - Filed Aug 20, 2026LAElectrical System
From time to time since I got the vehicle, the lights flicker inside and out. I've had the alternator changed but it continues. Then when pressing the lock button on the key fob the horn sounds as if it has a shortage. Sometimes its loud and sometimes it's barely heard.
NHTSA complaint #11758124 · source - Filed Aug 6, 2026NETransmission & Drivetrain
My 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE has the 6L80 transmission. While traveling on the interstate with my fiancé, the transmission failed. It was towed to a garage and they informed me that it needed to be replaced.
NHTSA complaint #11755314 · source - Filed Jul 12, 2026NDVisibility & Wipers
my rear window defrost turned on when i auto started my pickup. i realized it was on after about a half hour and looked back and my drivers side of the rear sliding window was shattered completely
NHTSA complaint #11749832 · source - Filed Jul 7, 2026MSBrakes
When backing up, either on a hill or flat surface, the brakes fail to stop the vehicle. There is a pulsing sensation with the brakes due to failure of the vacuum. The brake pedal also becomes impossible to depress. No warning lights appear when this occurs.
NHTSA complaint #11748839 · source - Filed Jun 8, 2026153,000 miMISeats & Seat Belts
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the front driver's seat belt completely failed. The lap belt portion came apart, causing the chest strap to loosen. Upon inspection, the contact observed that the steel anchor cable bolted to the floor had separated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.
NHTSA complaint #11742780 · source
Compare the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 with another vehicle →
Other 2015 GMC models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology