GMC Sierra 1500 2007–2013
2nd generation Sierra (GMT900)
NHTSA data through 12 August 20261,900 complaints, 1,083 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 37,000 and 105,000 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 22 complaints (2.0%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 12,000
- 25%
- 37,000
- Median
- 65,000
- 75%
- 105,000
- 90%
- 146,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 86 | 7.9% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 64 | 5.9% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 53 | 4.9% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 91 | 8.4% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 92 | 8.5% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 102 | 9.4% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 88 | 8.1% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 76 | 7.0% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 62 | 5.7% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 50 | 4.6% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 64 | 5.9% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 54 | 5.0% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 35 | 3.2% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 30 | 2.8% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 31 | 2.9% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 24 | 2.2% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 15 | 1.4% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 20 | 1.8% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 10 | 0.9% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 14 | 1.3% |
| 200,000+ | 22 | 2.0% |
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.
Owners filed 1,900 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007–2013 GMC Sierra 1500, and 1,083 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 37,000 and 105,000 miles. The median is 65,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the airbag system (40.8% of complaints, typically around 75,000 miles), problems owners could not categorise (15.2% of complaints, typically around 65,000 miles), body structure (9.8% of complaints, typically around 65,000 miles).
8 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Airbag system75,000median 75,000 miles, middle half 48,000 to 116,000
- Problems owners could not categorise65,000median 65,000 miles, middle half 44,000 to 95,000
- Body structure65,000median 65,000 miles, middle half 40,000 to 96,000
- Electrical system65,000median 64,698 miles, middle half 40,000 to 128,000
- Engine96,000median 96,000 miles, middle half 57,000 to 130,000
- Transmission and driveline44,000median 43,751 miles, middle half 17,000 to 103,000
- Suspension82,000median 82,000 miles, middle half 50,000 to 108,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag system | 776 | 40.8% | 75,000 | 48,000–116,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 289 | 15.2% | 65,000 | 44,000–95,000 |
| Body structure | 186 | 9.8% | 65,000 | 40,000–96,000 |
| Electrical system | 113 | 5.9% | 65,000 | 40,000–128,000 |
| Engine | 91 | 4.8% | 96,000 | 57,000–130,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 59 | 3.1% | 44,000 | 17,000–103,000 |
| Suspension | 45 | 2.4% | 82,000 | 50,000–108,000 |
| Brakes | 34 | 1.8% | 80,000 | 55,000–140,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 31 | 1.6% | 38,000 | 4,000–73,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 31 | 1.6% | 72,000 | 34,000–103,000 |
Which systems, and when
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 40.8% of complaints (776 reports, 264 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 116,000 miles.
A single system taking 40.8% 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 15.2% of complaints (289 reports, 190 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 94,640 miles.
Body structure accounts for 9.8% of complaints (186 reports, 130 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 96,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 5.9% of complaints (113 reports, 83 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 64,698 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 4.8% of complaints (91 reports, 73 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 96,000 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 130,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 3.1% of complaints (59 reports, 44 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 43,751 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 17,000 and 103,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2008 model year drew the most — 439 complaints — while 2012 drew the fewest at 146. The median year sits at 280.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 8 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 suspension (2), equipment (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
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.
Reported severity
Of the 1,900 complaints filed against this generation, 49 reported a crash; 22 reported a fire; 51 reported an injury. Crash-involved reports represent 2.6% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
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.
Documented problems
Engine 2007–2013 (5.3L AFM engines)
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.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 310 | 176 |
| 2008 | 439 | 239 |
| 2009 | 280 | 152 |
| 2010 | 216 | 131 |
| 2011 | 362 | 201 |
| 2012 | 146 | 93 |
| 2013 | 147 | 91 |
Recalls (8)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 21V052000 | 2021-09-20 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 21V054000 | 2021-05-11 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 21V053000 | 2021-05-11 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 21V051000 | 2021-05-11 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 21V050000 | 2021-03-01 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 18V267000 | 2018-06-11 | Equipment |
| 11V007000 | 2011-01-11 | Suspension:rear:axle:spindle |
| 10V643000 | 2011-01-11 | Suspension:rear:axle:spindle |
What owners reported
Cloth seats accumulate pollen and dust creating a potentially dangerous problem for people with breathing conditions - this problem is acknowledged by gm via a TSB numbered subject: excessive lint accumulation on cloth seats (replace seat covers) #07-08-50-018 - (08/28/2007) and then again with document id# 2023269. I…
2007 · 5 miles · Seats
Tl*the contact owns a 2007 GMC Sierra 1500. When the pavement was wet, the vehicle would begin to fishtail and aggressively turn 180 degrees. The dealer stated that nothing could be done unless the pavement was wet. They gave her the option to trade in the vehicle for a different vehicle, but she declined. The…
2007 · 12 miles · Suspension
Tl*the contact owns a 2007 GMC Sierra 1500. While driving 65 MPH the contact accidentally activated the adjustable throttle pedal switch and the vehicle began to accelerate. The contact was able to maintain control of the vehicle and avoid a collision. The throttle switch engaged the vehicle's speed control. The…
2007 · 110 miles · Throttle and speed control
The brake lights turn off if you press the brake and then slightly depress the pedal, although the brakes are still applied the brake lights are not on. I first noticed it while backing out of a driveway at night, and i did not think it was a safety concern until i saw my wife stop from 45 MPH and the brake lights…
2007 · 1,000 miles · Hydraulic brake circuit
Built from 1,083 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page