2019 GMC Sierra 1500: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500: 10 recalls, 650 owner complaints.
Recalls
10 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #18V868000 · 2018 · 154 vehicles
What's wrong: The passenger-side frontal air bag module May have been damaged during assembly, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly in the event of a crash.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate properly can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2018.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #19V814000 · 2019 · 556,399 vehicles
What's wrong: When the front seat belt pretensioners deploy, hot gas May vent through an opening in the pretensioner bracket, possibly igniting the carpet.
Why it matters: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will close off the opening in the pretensioner bracket, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2019.
Electrical Vehicle recall #19V888000 · 2019 · 350,371 vehicles
What's wrong: The battery positive (b+) cable rings May have been manufactured with excessive glue, potentially causing an intermittent electrical connection between the b+ cable and alternator.
Why it matters: 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 fix: 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…
Brakes, Stability control Vehicle recall #19V889000 · 2019 · 463,995 vehicles
What's wrong: Due to an electronic brake control module (ebcm) software error, the vehicle's electronic stability control (esc) and antilock brake system (ABS) May become disabled. Furthermore, if this specific error occurs, the vehicle's diagnostics will not illuminate the instrument cluster esc and ABS malfunction warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety…
Why it matters: If the driver operates the vehicle unaware that esc and ABS are not functioning, there is an increased risk of a crash.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ebcm, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2020.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #20V055000 · 2020 · 148,055 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles received updated software for the electronic brake control module (ebcm). This software has an error, and as a result, the vehicle's electronic brake assist May be disabled. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 126, "electronic stability control" and 135, "light vehicle brake systems."
Why it matters: A loss of electronic brake assist can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ebcm, free of charge. The recall began February 24, 2020.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #20V650000 · 2020 · 42 vehicles
What's wrong: One of the driveshaft joints May not have been properly welded, causing the driveshaft to separate while the vehicle is moving.
Why it matters: If the driveshaft separates, there May be a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of crash.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 2020.
Seat belts, Seat belts Vehicle recall #20V792000 · 2020 · 624,216 vehicles
What's wrong: The seat belt brackets May not be secured to the seat frame in the front-row center seating position.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Tires Vehicle recall #21V115000 · 2021 · 33,838 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021.
Tires, Tires Vehicle recall #21V423000 · 2021 · 896 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers inspect and replace the tires as necessary, free of charge, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 25, 2021.
Tires Vehicle recall #21V985000 · 2021 · 626 vehicles
What's wrong: The 17" spare tire provided with the vehicle is not compatible for use with the accessory wheels, which can cause the anti-lock brake system (ABS) to not function properly under certain conditions.
Why it matters: An ABS system that does not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 12 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (307): the most common themes are warning light on (87), stalls / loses power (76), noise or vibration (50).
- Transmission & drivetrain (139): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (70), warning light on (40), noise or vibration (28).
- Brakes (107): the most common themes are warning light on (50), brake failure / soft pedal (34).
- Electrical (95): the most common themes are warning light on (31), electrical failure (24).
The 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 has 650 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 33 Sierra 1500 model years for complaints (2.4× the average Sierra 1500 year). Complaints peaked in 2025 (211 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 14,075 miles. Neighboring years: 2018 (304 complaints, 7 recalls), 2020 (475 complaints, 12 recalls).
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500.
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FAQ
Does the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 10 vehicle recalls for the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 problems?
Owners have filed 650 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (307), transmission & drivetrain (139), brakes (107).
Where can I get a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.