The Lemon Index2019 GMC Sierra.
The 2019 GMC Sierra is about average by owner complaints: 228 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 96, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 10 recalls, and it gets 16 to 19 mpg combined. The best GMC Sierra year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 726 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every GMC Sierra year. 2019 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 4K to 70K miles on the car (262 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 12K–101K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 4K–66K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 2K–11K miles
Recalls 10
- tires 2021
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.
- tires 2021
The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
- tires 2021
The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
Show all 10 recalls
- seat belts 2020
The seat belt brackets may not be secured to the seat frame in the front-row center seating position.
- transmission & drivetrain 2020
One of the driveshaft joints may not have been properly welded, causing the driveshaft to separate while the vehicle is moving.
- brakes 2020
These vehicles received updated software for the Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM).
- brakes 2019
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.
- electrical 2019
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.
- seat belts 2019
When the front seat belt pretensioners deploy, hot gas may vent through an opening in the pretensioner bracket, possibly igniting the carpet.
- airbags 2018
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Government investigations
- OpenLoss of motive power due to engine failure2025
- ClosedLoss of motive power due to engine failure2025
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMC Sierra 1500 PU/RC 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| GMC Sierra 1500 PU/RC RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| GMC Sierra 1500 PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| GMC Sierra 1500 PU/CC RWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| GMC Sierra 1500 PU/EC RWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| GMC Sierra 1500 PU/EC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3400–4700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.3L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Trailer disconnect warning when no trailer is connected cold weather seems to cause the error the warning continually pops up
2019 GMC Sierra owner · NHTSA complaint 11171492
More owner reports
Driving to work. Power steering went out and braking system seem to be ineffective. Instrument panel service light came on with the battery indicator displaying "battery charging system" fault.
NHTSA complaint 11390458
Transmission slipping turning corners at 5 mph, transmission slip take off at hill stop sign, transmission hard shift 2nd to 3rd gear intermitted and vibration 45 mph to 55 mph
NHTSA complaint 11315642
Quick answers
Is the 2019 GMC Sierra reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 96; 100 is average, lower is better). The best GMC Sierra year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2019 GMC Sierra problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (40%), electrical (23%) and transmission & drivetrain (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2019 GMC Sierra have?
10 safety recalls (latest: tires). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2019 GMC Sierra get?
16 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2019 GMC Sierra safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2019 GMC Sierra problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 4,500 and 70,000 miles. The middle report was at 13,000 miles, from 262 complaints.
Does the 2019 GMC Sierra have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 20% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2019 GMC Sierra cost in fuel a year?
About $3400 to $4700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2019 GMC Sierra have?
4.3L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.
What GMC Sierra year is better than the 2019?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2012 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works