GMC Sierra 1500 2007–2013 problems by year and mileage
2nd generation Sierra (GMT900)
NHTSA data through 24 September 20261,587 complaints, 866 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
Close- Median failure report
- 72,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 263
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2007
- Airbag system146 reports · median 100,000 mi
- Electrical system22 reports
- Engine19 reports
4 recall campaigns name the 2007: Air bags — frontal; Electrical system. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2008 GMC Sierra 1500
Close- Median failure report
- 74,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 399
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2008
- Airbag system246 reports · median 86,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise44 reports · median 89,000 mi
- Electrical system33 reports · median 64,000 mi
4 recall campaigns name the 2008: Air bags — frontal; Electrical system. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2009 GMC Sierra 1500
Close- Median failure report
- 73,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 241
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2009
- Airbag system124 reports · median 100,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise41 reports · median 76,000 mi
- Body structure22 reports
5 recall campaigns name the 2009: Air bags — frontal; Equipment; Electrical system. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2010 GMC Sierra 1500
Close- Median failure report
- 60,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 178
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2010
- Airbag system79 reports · median 65,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise50 reports · median 60,000 mi
- Body structure38 reports · median 62,000 mi
4 recall campaigns name the 2010: Air bags — frontal; Equipment. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2011 GMC Sierra 1500
Close- Median failure report
- 55,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 284
- Recalls naming this year
- 7
Most reported on the 2011
- Airbag system113 reports · median 62,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise72 reports · median 56,000 mi
- Body structure45 reports · median 49,000 mi
7 recall campaigns name the 2011: Air bags — frontal; Equipment; Electrical system — ignition. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2012 GMC Sierra 1500
Close- Median failure report
- 60,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 107
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2012
- Airbag system42 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise36 reports
- Body structure21 reports
5 recall campaigns name the 2012: Air bags — frontal; Equipment; Electrical system — ignition. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2013 GMC Sierra 1500
Close- Median failure report
- 70,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 115
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
At least 40% of the complaints about the 2013 were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading. The median here rests on the earlier reports and likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.
Most reported on the 2013
- Problems owners could not categorise42 reports
- Airbag system35 reports
- Body structure25 reports
6 recall campaigns name the 2013: Air bags — frontal; Equipment; Equipment — other. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
Each tile shows the median mileage at which that model year’s failures were reported. † marks a year whose median likely understates the mileage: much of its reporting came after 2020, when most complaints stopped recording an odometer reading. The 2008 reports latest and the 2011 earliest, but part of that gap is age: the 2008 has had 3 more years on the road to accumulate mileage.
The short answer
“Is the 2007–2013 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 65,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 145,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 866
- Recalls
- 15
Most reported
- Airbag system49.5% of complaints · median 75,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise18.9% of complaints · median 65,000 mi
- Body structure12.5% of complaints · median 65,000 mi
Owners filed 1,587 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007–2013 GMC Sierra 1500; the airbag system leads with 49.5% of them, and half of the 866 that record an odometer reading came by 65,000 miles. A count like this can’t rate reliability on its own: NHTSA records what owners chose to report, not how many of each car were sold.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 37,000 and 105,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2007–2013 GMC Sierra 1500 last?
Complaint records can’t measure how long a car lasts; they show when reported failures happened. On the 2007–2013 GMC Sierra 1500, half of the 866 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 65,000 miles and 90% by 145,000 miles.
81 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 22 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Sierra 1500 reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · GMC Sierra 1500 2007–2013 · 866 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 10,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 78 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 22 complaints (2.5%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 11,800
- 25%
- 37,000
- Median
- 65,000
- 75%
- 105,000
- 90%
- 145,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 77 | 8.9% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 46 | 5.3% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 43 | 5.0% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 70 | 8.1% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 74 | 8.5% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 78 | 9.0% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 64 | 7.4% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 65 | 7.5% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 54 | 6.2% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 40 | 4.6% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 54 | 6.2% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 44 | 5.1% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 31 | 3.6% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 23 | 2.7% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 22 | 2.5% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 19 | 2.2% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 10 | 1.2% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 13 | 1.5% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 7 | 0.8% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 10 | 1.2% |
| 200,000+ | 22 | 2.5% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Common Sierra 1500 problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · GMC Sierra 1500 2007–2013
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Transmission and driveline58 reports44,00017,000–103,000Transmission and driveline: 58 reports, median 44,000 miles, middle half 17,000 to 103,000 miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise300 reports65,00044,000–95,000Problems owners could not categorise: 300 reports, median 65,000 miles, middle half 44,000 to 95,000 miles.
- Body structure199 reports65,00038,000–96,000Body structure: 199 reports, median 65,000 miles, middle half 38,000 to 96,000 miles.
- Electrical system116 reports65,00040,000–128,000Electrical system: 116 reports, median 65,000 miles, middle half 40,000 to 128,000 miles.
- Airbag system785 reports75,00048,000–115,000Airbag system: 785 reports, median 75,000 miles, middle half 48,000 to 115,000 miles.
- Suspension42 reports84,00043,000–108,000Suspension: 42 reports, median 84,000 miles, middle half 43,000 to 108,000 miles.
- Engine92 reports97,00057,000–136,000Engine: 92 reports, median 97,000 miles, middle half 57,000 to 136,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag system | 785 | 49.5% | 75,000 | 48,000–115,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 300 | 18.9% | 65,000 | 44,000–95,000 |
| Body structure | 199 | 12.5% | 65,000 | 38,000–96,000 |
| Electrical system | 116 | 7.3% | 65,000 | 40,000–128,000 |
| Engine | 92 | 5.8% | 97,000 | 57,000–136,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 58 | 3.7% | 44,000 | 17,000–103,000 |
| Suspension | 42 | 2.6% | 84,000 | 43,000–108,000 |
| Brakes | 37 | 2.3% | 80,000 | 59,000–140,000 |
| Seat belts | 32 | 2.0% | 61,000 | 46,000–130,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 31 | 2.0% | 72,000 | 34,000–103,000 |
System by system, in words
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 65,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The airbag system accounts for 49.5% of complaints (785 reports, 269 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 75,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 48,000 and 115,000 miles.
A single system taking 49.5% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 18.9% of complaints (300 reports, 198 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 65,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 44,000 and 95,000 miles.
Body structure accounts for 12.5% of complaints (199 reports, 140 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 65,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 38,000 and 96,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 7.3% of complaints (116 reports, 84 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 65,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 40,000 and 128,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 5.8% of complaints (92 reports, 74 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 97,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 57,000 and 136,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 3.7% of complaints (58 reports, 43 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 44,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 17,000 and 103,000 miles.
Known problems with the 2007–2013 Sierra 1500
Engine 2007–2013
Active Fuel Management (AFM) excessive oil consumption on Gen IV 5.3L V8s. The AFM oil pressure relief valve in the crankcase sprays oil onto the cylinder walls while worn low-tension piston rings fail to control it; the result is oil burn of roughly a quart per 1,500-2,000 miles, fouled spark plugs on the deactivated cylinders, and collapsed AFM lifters that wipe camshaft lobes. Subject of the Sloan v. GM and Siqueiros v. GM class actions.
Brakes
Brake and fuel line corrosion perforation on salt-belt trucks, a very high-frequency NHTSA complaint category for this generation.
Transmission
6L80-E torque converter and valve body wear producing harsh shifts and shudder.
Before you buy a 2007–2013 Sierra 1500: the 3-minute check
Generated from 866 mileage-tagged complaints, 15 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 15 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check engine on 2007–2013 (5.3L AFM engines) cars. Active Fuel Management (AFM) excessive oil consumption on Gen IV 5.3L V8s. The AFM oil pressure relief valve in the crankcase sprays oil onto the cylinder walls while worn low-tension piston rings fail to control it…
- Check brakes. Brake and fuel line corrosion perforation on salt-belt trucks, a very high-frequency NHTSA complaint category for this generation.
- Check transmission. 6L80-E torque converter and valve body wear producing harsh shifts and shudder.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 37,000 and 105,000 miles, with a median of 65,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the airbag system and problems owners could not categorise are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. Problems owners could not categorise in particular shows a median failure mileage of 65,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Sierra 1500 problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer reading, or read the common mileages in the table. Your marker lands on the timing chart above and on the curve below.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi45% below | At 90k mi66% below | At 120k mi82% below | At 150k mi91% below | At 200k mi97% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag system | 48,000–115,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 44,000–95,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Body structure | 38,000–96,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 40,000–128,000 | in window | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 57,000–136,000 | in window | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 17,000–103,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Suspension | 43,000–108,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · GMC Sierra 1500 2007–2013 · 866 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 45% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 66% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 82% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 91% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 97% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it above
The staircase tops out at 97%: the remaining 2.5% of reports (22) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
2007–2013 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls (15)
NHTSA records 15 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (5), the electrical system (3), equipment (2). Several campaigns against one area can mean a remedy that did not hold, or separate defects in parts filed under the same heading; the summaries below name each defect.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Feb 2021 · 2010–2013 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting…
The defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February…
Feb 2021 · 2009–2010, 2013 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting…
The defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February…
Feb 2021 · 2007–2009 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting…
The defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February…
Feb 2021 · 2012 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting…
The defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL originally sold, or ever…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February…
Feb 2021 · 2007–2011 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting…
The defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February…
Apr 2018 · 2009–2013 · EquipmentIn the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain…
What can happen. In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at…
Oct 2015 · 2013 · Equipment filed under the shared nameText that does not conform to the required labeling size could inhibit fuel tank inspection practices and…
The defect. General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD, Chevrolet Express, and GMC Sierra HD vehicles, and model year 2013 GMC Savana compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles that fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety…
What can happen. Text that does not conform to the required labeling size could inhibit fuel tank inspection practices and safe refueling, increasing the risk of a fire.
The free fix. GM will notify owners and will send them a replacement label, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer…
Dec 2014 · 2011–2012 · Electrical System filed under the shared nameIf stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected…
What can happen. If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If…
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at…
Dec 2013 · 2012–2013 · Fuel System, Diesel filed under the shared nameIf the fuel gauge indicates an inaccurate reading it may result in the vehicle unexpectedly stalling…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD vehicles, equipped with 6.6L diesel engines and dual fuel tanks. In the affected vehicles, the transfer pump which moves fuel from the rear tank to the…
What can happen. If the fuel gauge indicates an inaccurate reading it may result in the vehicle unexpectedly stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. General Motors will notify owners and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel transfer pump, as necessary, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. The recall…
Jan 2013 · 2013 · Power Train filed under the shared nameAs a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF…
The defect. General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles…
What can happen. As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while…
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call…
Jun 2011 · 2011 · Steering filed under the shared nameThis could allow the joints to separate, and the driver could experience loss of steering increasing the risk…
The defect. Gm is recalling certain model year 2011cadillac escalade, escalade esv; Chevrolet silverado hd, silverado ld, suburban, tahoe; and GMC sierra hd, sierra ld, yukon, and yukon xl vehicles. The intermediate steering shaft attaching bolts may not have been…
What can happen. This could allow the joints to separate, and the driver could experience loss of steering increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Gm dealers will inspect and ensure that the intermediate steering shaft bolts are tightened to the proper specification. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about july 13, 2011. Owners may…
Jan 2011 · 2011 · SuspensionThe driver may not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without…
The defect. General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; Chevrolet avalanche, colorado, express, silverado, suburban, tahoe; and GMC canyon, sierra, savana, yukon and yukon xl vehicles. The rear axle cross pins were…
What can happen. The driver may not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without warning.
The free fix. Dealers will install a new rear axle cross pin free of charge. The safety recall began on january 11, 2011. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, GMC at…
Dec 2010 · 2011 · SuspensionThe driver may not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without…
The defect. General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 Cadillac escalade ext, Chevrolet avalanche, silverado ld and GMC sierra ld vehicles. The rear axle cross pins were not properly heat treated and could fracture and become displaced within the rear axle.…
What can happen. The driver may not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without warning.
The free fix. Dealers will install a new rear axle cross pin free of charge. The safety recall began on january 11, 2011. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, GMC at…
Jun 2010 · 2007–2009 · Electrical System filed under the shared nameIt is possible for the heated washer module to ignite and a fire may occur.
The defect. Gm is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Buick, lucerne; Cadillac dts; hummer h2; model year 2008-2009 Buick enclave; Cadillac cts; model year 2007-2009 Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; Chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; GMC…
What can happen. It is possible for the heated washer module to ignite and a fire may occur.
The free fix. Dealers will permanently disable and remove the heated washer fluid module. An updated page for the owner manual will be provided and inserted in the owner manual to document that the feature has…
Aug 2008 · 2007–2008 · Electrical System filed under the shared nameThis may cause other electrical features to malfunction, create an odor, or cause smoke increasing the risk…
The defect. Gm is recalling 857,735 my 2006-2008 Buick lucerne; Cadillac dts; hummer h2; my 2007-2008 Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; Chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; GMC acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon xl, Saturn outlook; and my 2008 Buick…
What can happen. This may cause other electrical features to malfunction, create an odor, or cause smoke increasing the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Dealers will install a wire harness with an in-line fuse free of charge. The recall began on september 12, 2008. Owners may contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080; Cadillac at 1-800-982-2339 or…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 1,587 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 38 (2.4%)
- Fires
- 17
- Injury reports
- 37
- Fatality reports
- 0
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Sierra 1500 problems by model year
The 2008 drew the most complaints of this generation, 399, most of them about the airbag system, and the 2012 the fewest, 107. A typical year drew about 241.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 263 | 143 | 72,000 | Airbag system (146) | 4 |
| 2008 | 399 | 210 | 74,000 | Airbag system (246) | 4 |
| 2009 | 241 | 120 | 73,000 | Airbag system (124) | 5 |
| 2010 | 178 | 109 | 60,000 | Airbag system (79) | 4 |
| 2011 | 284 | 150 | 55,000 | Airbag system (113) | 7 |
| 2012 | 107 | 67 | 60,000 | Airbag system (42) | 5 |
| 2013 | 115 | 67 | 70,000† | Problems owners could not categorise (42) | 6 |
What Sierra 1500 owners reported
The contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH and towing a camper, the vehicle began to bounce while navigating curves. The traction control warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine…
2008 · 157,000 miles · Engine
The contact owns a 2010 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V053000 (Air Bag). The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, he became aware that there was a crack on the top of the infotainment system on the dashboard. The contact stated that a month later, the…
2010 · 103,000 miles · Body structure
The contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH with her husband and grandson inside the vehicle and entering the driveway at the residence, there was an abnormally loud explosion coming from inside the vehicle and the driver’s side seat belt tightened unexpectedly. The contact was…
2008 · 209,000 miles · Seat belts
The contact owns a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the garage, diesel fuel started leaking onto the garage floor. The contact recently purchased the vehicle, inspected the source of the leak, and discovered that the fuel lines were completely rusted. Additionally, the…
2008 · 163,000 miles · Fuel system, diesel
Built from 866 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-09-26 · open data · how it is built
Other Sierra 1500 generations
- Sierra 1500 1999–2006 1,225 reports with mileage, most about the hydraulic brake circuit
- Sierra 1500 2014–2018 1,507 reports with mileage, most about the brakes
- Sierra 1500 2019–2025 649 reports with mileage, most about the engine