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2026 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 85 complaints about the 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (61) and the transmission & drivetrain (19). Those complaints describe 1 crash. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in May 2026 for the transfer case (4-wheel drive). For comparison, the 2025 has 131.

NHTSA data checked

FFar more problems than a typical Sierra 1500 year, for its age

#7 most complained-about 2026 vehicle

Complaints
85
Recalls
2
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Most common 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 problems

Share of all 85 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2026 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls 2

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)

26V28900066 vehicles affected

Do not drive
The problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles. A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.
The risk
Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
The fix
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N262557620. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 7, 2026.

Equipment: owners / service / other manual

26V1140005,861 vehicles affected

The problem
General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette Convertible E-Ray, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, Silverado EV, Suburban 1500, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Hummer EV Pickup, Hummer EV SUV, Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, Sierra EV, Terrain, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The radio may not have been set to the correct status to download the electronic owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Protection."
The risk
Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix
Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner's manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-467-9700, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. The manufacturer's number for this recall is N252540430. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 26, 2026.

What owners say

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85 complaints about the 2026 GMC Sierra 1500

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 4.

Engine & cooling

Engine knocking and failure

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11777398
Engine & cooling

See attached document for complaint.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11775968
Electrical system

My radio continues to suddenly reduce volume by approximately 70%. The volume will then come back for a second, then back down again. This can go one for several hours while on a trip, then suddenly back to normal. I have owned this truck for less than 3 months and have about 2500 miles on it. I was informed by a GM Service Technician that this has been an issue that GM is aware of but yet no remedy.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11775344
Wheels & tires

Subject: General Grabber Tire Failure at 13,464 Miles I am reporting a catastrophic General Grabber tire failure on my 2026 GMC Sierra at 13,464 miles\. I am concerned that the failure may involve a defect in materials or workmanship and am requesting that it be recorded and reviewed as a potential safety defect\. The tire is a General Grabber HTS60, size 275/60R20\. Photos of the failed tire are available\. I can provide the tire's DOT identification number if needed\. After the failure, we contacted a GMC...

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dealership in [[redacted]], and attended an appointment at Bergstrom in [[redacted]]\. We received conflicting information from the dealerships and GMC customer service about warranty coverage\. Because I needed a usable vehicle and could not wait for the warranty dispute to be resolved, I purchased a replacement tire from Walmart and my husband installed it\. My safety concern is that this tire suffered a catastrophic failure at only 13,464 miles\. The cause has not been confirmed, and I would like NHTSA to assess this report alongside any similar complaints\. Please advise what additional information or documentation would assist your review\. [[redacted]] Phone: [[redacted]] Vehicle: 2026 GMC Sierra Mileage at failure: 13,464 Tire: General Grabber HTS60, 275/60R20 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 11774996
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

Three different times now (most recent: 10/22/2026), I have had my truck completely shut off when coming to a stop on the highway/interstate. I always have auto start/stop disabled when I drive. When it happens, a message shows on the dash that says press start button. No other codes or check engine light. Thankfully it has started every time, but this is obviously a serious safety concern. After the second time it happened, I had the dealer (Woodhouse Buick GMC Omaha) look at it on 9/14/2026, but they couldn't...

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find anything since there were no codes. I'm not sure if it is an electrical issue or this is related but my audio will stop working at times as well. Nothing from the radio or any blinker sounds. Sometimes it's static with a high pitch noise. 2026 GMC Sierra Elevation 5.3 EcoTec3 v8 10 speed

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11773272
Electrical system

The contact owns a 2026 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped, the GPS was not operating as intended. The system failed to update after 15 minutes. The vehicle was difficult to start and had failed to start on another occasion. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and an update was forced and the battery was charged. The vehicle was scheduled for a fourth repair. The failure mileage was approximately 7,329.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11772895
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

While driving the truck it randomly shuts down, message on dash says shift to park to restart. No check engine light comes on or any other message. When it does this, the truck goes into park. It has been to the dealership 3 times and has not been fixed!

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11772705
Engine & cooling

I had driven about 30 minutes on the Interstate at highway speeds and had just exited the Interstate and the truck made a horrible noise, shut off, and the transmission threw itself into park at about 10 mph. At this time, the engine did not want to restart, but did eventually and I had a check engine light on, but I was able to move the truck out of the intersection so that I could be towed to the dealership. Prior to the incident, there were no check engine lights and the vehicle had only been serviced at a GMC...

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dealership. I was very uncomfortable with the way the truck stopped and slammed into park. I am happy that no one was behind me, but it could have been bad. The vehicle has not been inspected yet to my knowledge.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11772611
Engine & cooling

I am writing to formally request that General Motors repurchase my 2026 GMC Sierra 1500, currently with approximately 9,445 miles, due to a serious and unresolved mechanical defect that poses a significant safety risk. Since purchasing this vehicle, I have experienced four separate incidents involving a complete and unexpected loss of engine power, causing the truck to become inoperable. In each instance, the vehicle suddenly lost propulsion and came to a stop without warning. While three of these events occurred...

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while operating the vehicle near my residence, one incident occurred while I was attempting to merge onto a highway. Fortunately, traffic conditions at the time prevented a collision or serious injury. However, the sudden loss of power while entering a highway created an extremely dangerous situation and exposed both myself and other motorists to substantial risk. The vehicle has now been at the selling dealership for nearly one month while technicians attempt to diagnose and repair the issue. To date, I have not been provided with a definitive root cause or a permanent corrective action. The lack of resolution, combined with the recurring nature of the defect, has resulted in a complete loss of confidence in the vehicle's safety and reliability. My concerns are heightened by information suggesting that similar issues may have been experienced by owners of comparable GMC Sierra vehicles. Regardless of the ultimate root cause, the fact remains that my truck has repeatedly exhibited a condition that can unexpectedly disable the vehicle while in motion, creating an unacceptable safety hazard. I purchased this truck with the expectation that it would provide safe, dependable transportation. Unfortunately, after four loss-of-power events and an extended period in the repair facility without a successful resolution, I no longer believe this vehicle can safely fulfill that purpose.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11772182
Transmission & drivetrainBrakesEngine & cooling

On 10/15/2026 I was making a slow right-hand turn up a slight incline into a parking lot when the vehicle braked very hard and the transmission made a grinding noise. I looked at the dashboard, and it was showing that the truck shifted into park while I was driving. The electronic brake engaged as well. I tried putting the truck back into drive, but it would not go into drive. On the dash there was a Service Transmission warning. The push to start engine button still had the green LED on as if the vehicle was...

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running. I pushed the start engine button and the engine started (I didn't realize until now that the engine had shut off). At this point the truck would shift into drive. Another point of note is that I had turned off the Auto Stop feature. I do this every time I start my trip. The truck will be looked at on 10/16/2026 by the dealership. I did report the problem to the service department of the dealership. This incident was the first time it ever happened and there was no warning.

Filed Incident Power train · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 11771425
Electrical system

Since I purchase this truck I've been having no audio twice a week. Dealer has no fix GMC knows they have issues and still they are selling this vehicles. Took a trip to [[redacted]] a storm was moving in and we had no audio to alert us I also believe with no audio we have no blinkers we almost cause an accident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11770798
Acceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

I was approaching an intersection about to make a left turn as the turn signal was flashing yellow and my truck just stopped accelerating. If i had taken that turn i would have got hit and most likely cause a huge pile up because the amount of traffic going through. I put my hazard lights on and tried shifting my truck into park, and then back into drive, and it would not accelerate. I had to turn my truck off and on a few times for it to accelerate. There were no warning lights on my dash and the truck is brand new.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 11770641
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & coolingCrash

5/08/2026: I stopped outside my garage. I then placed the truck in park and exited the vehicle while running. I went inside my garage and several minutes later, heard a crash. The truck had driven forward while unattended, and crashed into the corner of my garage, causing damage to both the building and the truck. Truck indicated it was still in park upon reentry. 5/11/2026 In a separate incident 3 days later, while driving at approximately 50mph, truck engaged in an automatic braking event with no discernible...

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cause. Simply applied what felt like 100% braking for a split second, then released. 5/12/2026: Truck taken to GMC for investigation. No codes in any modules detected. 9/20/2026: Vehicle reports transmission fault, states it should not be driven. 9/21/2026: Towed to GMC dealer. Found codes P17A8 and P189D and diagnostic code 6906361, internal fault within gearshift control module. Requested GMC pay for damage resulting from collision, as clearly the unattended driving appeared related to gearshift control, but was refused. GMC stated that unattended driving was not possible and did not result from the detected failures.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11769781
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

We bought the vehicle on February 28th and on March10th my husband was driving on his way to work on the I95 highway and the engine shut down. My husband was in the middle of the highway with a speed limit of 65. Traffic was able to slow not to cause any more accidents however he had to be towed and GM replaced the engine. Because it had not been 30 days in the shop. Due to GM abiding by Lemon laws we were not able to qualify for a buy back. We have been fighting with them ever since. I was able to get a...

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reimbursement of my first car payment. However, my husband is a general contractor and is absolutely terrified to accept jobs far away because we don't know when the truck engine might give up again. All of the charging ports stop working a couple of weeks ago, we had to take it in for repairs. This is a $78,000 vehicle with 4 miles on it when we purchased it. I don't know what it is worth now because the engine was replaced with in 10days of purchasing it. I need help!!!!!!!!!!

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11769460
Engine & cooling

Engine had catastrophic failure at only 1,433 miles driven. Incident happened on the interstate and truck was required to be towed to the dealer. Dealer said engine replacement is necessary.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11769298
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & coolingFuel system

While driving on a public road, the 6.2L L87 V8 stalled without warning. There was heavy smoke and an oil trail of about 300 yards behind the truck. The engine would not restart, and the transmission would not shift into neutral. The truck was moved a short distance off the road and towed the next day to the selling GMC dealer. Odometer was 4,663 miles. Oil life remaining was 38 percent. The truck was stock, with no modifications, and was operated on premium fuel. No warning lamp was noticed before the stall. The...

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failed engine is at the dealer and currently under inspection. The dealer inspection is not finished, and no written cause has been provided. This is a sudden loss of propulsion. Please associate this report with Engineering Analysis EA26005 concerning connecting-rod and crankshaft failures in the GM 6.2L L87 engine.

Filed Incident Power train · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11769243
Brakes

At 20 mph, the truck experienced unintended acceleration during normal braking. Light braking did not trigger the safety brake-override system, and the engine continued to pull forward until I was forced to mash the brake pedal completely down to overpower the engine.

Filed Incident Service brakesNHTSA 11769205
Engine & cooling

On September 29, 2026, I was driving my GMC Sierra 1500 on the highway at approximately 15 mph due to construction when the truck suddenly lost acceleration. Engine warning messages appeared, the vehicle automatically shifted into neutral, and the engine completely shut off while I was driving. A message instructed me to restart the engine. I attempted to restart it, and the truck eventually turned back on, although it was difficult to start. I was able to carefully drive the vehicle home. This was extremely...

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concerning because the sudden loss of propulsion and engine shutdown occurred while I was on a highway and could have caused a serious accident, especially at normal highway speeds or in heavier traffic. I took the truck to Cavender GMC on September 30, 2026, for inspection and diagnosis. Still pending on results. I am especially concerned because there are ongoing NHTSA investigations, consumer complaints, and litigation involving certain General Motors vehicles and reported engine failures that can result in sudden loss of propulsion. Some reported incidents involving GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles describe symptoms similar to what happened to my truck, including loss of acceleration, shifting into neutral, engine shutdown, warning messages, and the need to restart the vehicle. I understand that my truck may not necessarily be affected by the same issue or included in any lawsuit. However, because of the similarities, I am requesting that GMC and Cavender GMC thoroughly investigate whether this incident is related to any known engine, powertrain, electrical, software, or safety issue affecting this vehicle. I am requesting that the underlying cause be identified and properly repaired before the vehicle is considered safe to return to service. My primary concern is safety, and I need confidence that the truck will not unexpectedly lose propulsion, shift into neutral, or shut off again while I am driving.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11769188
Engine & cooling

The 6.2L engine died at 8,300 miles. It took the dealership 6 weeks and would not give me a repurchase lease buyback. They put a new engine in, but I'm hearing that they didn't really fix the problem and this is just a new version.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11768920
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

The powertrain/transmission is malfunctioning. The vehicle shutters, vibrates, and surges forward when coming to a stop, as if it wants to take off on its own. These symptoms began within the first couple of days after purchasing the vehicle on [redacted]. The valve body was replaced, but the issue continues. The vehicle is available for inspection. GM Case Number: [redacted] Dealership TAC Case: [redacted] This creates a serious safety risk. When stopping, the truck shutters and unexpectedly tries to lunge...

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forward, which could cause a collision with another vehicle or pedestrian. The unpredictable movement makes it dangerous at intersections, stop signs, and in traffic. The dealership has reproduced the issue multiple times and performed diagnostics, but the shuttering and surging continue. The vehicle was last inspected around [redacted]. On [redacted], I called GM to speak with [[redacted]] for an update on when a GM representative/technician would inspect the truck. I was told the case had been closed even though no resolution or inspection occurred, and [[redacted]] never called me back. No other agencies have inspected it. There were no warning lamps. Symptoms began within days of purchase and include shuttering, vibration, surging forward when stopping, and inconsistent acceleration. These symptoms occur daily and have worsened over time. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Power train · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11768529
Engine & cooling

Dealer confirmed 6.2 V8 engine failed at a little over 4000 miles. Dealer stated it was the bottom of the engine. Probably the same failure the 21-24 recall is for.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11768111
Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2026 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle independently shifted into park(P). The check transmission warning light was briefly illuminated. The failure was a recurring failure. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11768027
Engine & cooling

I was driving home on the evening of September 12th 2026 and when I exited the interstate and came to a stop at the traffic signal my vehicle died and I had to have it towed. There was no way to flat tow because we couldn't get it into neutral without the vehicle's engine running. Once the vehicle's engine died it would not restart. Had this happened while still on the interstate causing my vehicle to be disabled in the lane of travel it could have been deadly since it was 10 p.m. in the evening and dark outside. Anyhow had the vehicle towed to the dealership for diagnosis and the engine spun #7 rod bearing which ruined the entire engine at just 15,182 miles.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11767996
Electrical system

The vehicle lost power after sitting for a week. start up with a jump, but the battery doesn't hold a charge after that.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11767825
Transmission & drivetrain

engine stall on the highway

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11767822

GMC Sierra 1500: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
202685210Engine & coolingF
2025131132Engine & coolingF
2024386151Engine & coolingF
2023520352Engine & coolingF
20226136105Engine & coolingF
All Sierra 1500 years

2026 GMC Sierra 1500 vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2026 GMC Sierra 1500

Does the 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2026 GMC Sierra 1500: transfer case (4-wheel drive) (May 2026); owners / service / other manual (February 2026). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 2026 GMC Sierra 1500?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (61), transmission & drivetrain (19), electrical system (15).

How many complaints has the 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 had?

85 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on July 31, 2026 and the latest on November 11, 2026. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 0 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical GMC Sierra 1500 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which GMC Sierra 1500 years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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