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GMC Sierra 1500 — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every GMC Sierra 1500 model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
34
Years to Avoid
2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2015, 2014
Best Years
2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994
2027
0 complaints0 recalls4 TSBs
2026
211 complaints2 recalls1 invest.207 TSBs
2025
197 complaints1 recalls1 invest.455 TSBs
2024
524 complaints1 recalls5 invest.925 TSBs
2023
680 complaints3 recalls5 invest.1264 TSBs
2022Avoid
802 complaints6 recalls5 invest.1606 TSBs
2021Avoid
831 complaints7 recalls5 invest.1451 TSBs
2020Avoid
722 complaints12 recalls3 invest.1537 TSBs
2019Avoid
934 complaints10 recalls2 invest.1752 TSBs
2018
432 complaints7 recalls956 TSBs
2017
478 complaints6 recalls1018 TSBs
2016
451 complaints8 recalls1 invest.1215 TSBs
2015Avoid
936 complaints9 recalls2 invest.1441 TSBs
2014Avoid
1,037 complaints9 recalls2 invest.3020 TSBs
2013
148 complaints3 recalls2 invest.984 TSBs
2012
149 complaints3 recalls2 invest.892 TSBs
2011
364 complaints5 recalls2 invest.801 TSBs
2010
217 complaints4 recalls2 invest.827 TSBs
2009
280 complaints4 recalls2 invest.680 TSBs
2008
442 complaints2 recalls3 invest.646 TSBs
2007
314 complaints3 recalls3 invest.726 TSBs
2006
183 complaints2 recalls357 TSBs
2005
218 complaints3 recalls255 TSBs
2004
253 complaints5 recalls197 TSBs
2003
210 complaints4 recalls181 TSBs
2002
192 complaints4 recalls2 invest.146 TSBs
2001Best Year
171 complaints5 recalls2 invest.136 TSBs
2000Best Year
215 complaints3 recalls2 invest.114 TSBs
1999Best Year
182 complaints4 recalls2 invest.32 TSBs
1998Best Year
68 complaints4 recalls19 TSBs
1997Best Year
100 complaints5 recalls11 TSBs
1996Best Year
7 complaints0 recalls4 TSBs
1995Best Year
3 complaints0 recalls4 TSBs
1994Best Year
15 complaints0 recalls3 TSBs

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which GMC Sierra 1500 Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2015, 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used GMC Sierra 1500, consider the 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

34 model years analyzed