2015 GMC Sierra 1500 engine problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. 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
2. Filed Apr 20, 2026SCEngine

   Active Fuel Management Miss firing Idle rough Shaking Loss of power #7 cylinder loss of all compression Bad fuel mileage Skipping

   NHTSA complaint #11732442 · source
3. Filed Mar 17, 2026124,000 miFLFireTowedEngine

   The contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 mph, he observed a popping noise beneath him. The contact stopped the vehicle and observed smoke emanating from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle went into limp mode, lost power, and when the brake was depressed, the vehicle did not slow the vehicle down as intended. The contact stated that as he pulled into a parking lot to inspect the vehicle, he observed flames emanating…

   NHTSA complaint #11724912 · source
4. Filed Mar 8, 2026IDEngine

   Another GM truck AFM failing. It failed at 70,000 miles causing P0307 cylinder 7 misfire. No aggressive driving just commuting to work. Truck just got done with a new oil change. It's another to add to the hundreds/thousands seen on Reddit threads of all 5.3/6.2 AFM/DFM that this organization turns a blind eye to.

   NHTSA complaint #11722758 · source
5. Filed Jan 22, 2026ALEngine

   The engine seized up traveling about 40MPH in the middle lane on a busy road with my child in the passenger seat. I was able to get off the busy road but part of my truck was still intruding into the lane. The truck is parked at my house. The vehicle has not been inspected by anyone and is still in the same condition as the day the engine seized. The only thing that indicted any issue was a couple popping noises right before the engine seized. It all happened while I was…

   NHTSA complaint #11712775 · source
6. Filed Dec 8, 2025TNEngine

   The GMC Sierra 1500 started a knocking sound. The collapsed lifter on a AFM cylinder bent a push rod which led to cam failure. Metal fragments are throughout the oil system.

   NHTSA complaint #11703847 · source
7. Filed Nov 2, 2025FLEngine

   While driving the vehicle at approximately 40MPH the motor made a tapping sound, I was able to pull into a parking lot and have the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer told me that the vehicle was out of warranty and appeared that under initial inspection the would have to rebuild the motor due to a lifter failure at the estimated cost of $18,000. I had the vehicle towed to a reputable repair shop and after the did a tear down to the small block they determined a bent…

   NHTSA complaint #11696998 · source
8. Filed Oct 31, 2025WAEngine

   This occurred 5+ years ago. Coming home one night I had a sudden loss of power with the truck and barely made it home. Was able to limp the truck to the dealership the next day and was told that one side of the engines lifters had failed. Prior to the failure I had noticed a ticking sound coming from the engine that was becoming increasingly more prominent. It was several thousand dollars to repair. Fortunately the failure occurred near home, not on the freeway where I could…

   NHTSA complaint #11696869 · source
9. Filed Aug 20, 2025MIEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   I have owned 4 of these trucks in my lifetime ranging from 2007-2015 all equipped with the same drivetrain. 5.3l engine and 6l80 transmissions. All have had the same failures. The engine afm system particularly the lifters fail which in turn destroys the camshaft and destroys the engine. More importantly the transmission torque converter fails sending debris through the whole system causing a sudden loss of drive. This happened while driving down the road and was a safety…

   NHTSA complaint #11681851 · source
10. Filed Jul 16, 2025LAElectrical SystemEngineSteering

    At low speeds when applying the brake, whether in a turn or traffic, the vehicle will shut off completely. This has happened multiple times and has almost caused accidents on a few occasions. It has also happened while just driving down the road, the entire truck lost power and then came back, the windshield wipers came on as well.

    NHTSA complaint #11674013 · source
11. Filed Apr 30, 2025PAEngine

    With all the GM engine problems being recalled, the known issue witht he AFM/DOD on all the models 2013 and up on 5.3L and 6.2L engines should have been recalled. The valves are known to collapse and nending push rods, causing damage to the cam shaft. This can cause ht eengine not to run. The symptoms and possible icidents include the same as the current recall NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000. My engine has been repaired twice now due to this AFM/DOD issue. I have all the…

    NHTSA complaint #11658005 · source
12. Filed Apr 29, 202597,000 miFLEngine

    The contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the diagnostic result was confirmed. The contact was informed that…

    NHTSA complaint #11657568 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. 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