2019 GMC Sierra brake problems
123 of the 673 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2019 GMC Sierra name the brakes (NHTSA’s “Service Brakes” heading — the hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist). Filed under the same heading: 2 recalls. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the brakes
Source: NHTSA complaint database5 of the 123 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 3 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2018: 2 · 2019: 25 · 2020: 47 · 2021: 9 · 2022: 8 · 2023: 13 · 2024: 3 · 2025: 11 · 2026: 5
Half of the 82 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the brake problem between 3,000 and 12,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
673 complaints in all about the 2019 GMC Sierra, 5 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Service Brakes” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: GMC Sierra brake problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the brakes. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The first issue is a bluetooth issue. The phone volume goes silent when I get in my vehicle. If I connect to car play, it works. I have missed important calls due to this issue. This started in july of 2019 and its not fixed yet. GM says it apple. Apple says its GM I do not care just fix it. Second see below images. You know the issue.
After starting my vehicle remotely using on-star, my brakes stopped functioning properly... After remote starting the vehicle using my on-star app, we entered it, depressed the brake and pressed the start button.
After using app to start the vehicle, I sat in the driver seat depressed the brake and pushed the start button. Immediately a warning popped up saying ESC needed service, service trailer brake, speed limited to 62mph. Additional lights illuminated including brake, traction control, ABS, and CEL.
The contact owns a 2019 Gmc Sierra Denali. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power failed to operate as designed. The brake pedal was depressed however, the stopping distance was extended.
After starting vehicle using the mygmc app, I received the following warnings: 1. Service trailer brake system 2. Steering assist is reduced drive with care 3. Service ESC 4. Brake system failure 62 MPH top speed 5. Check engine light. Vehicle was stationary and I did not drive afterwards.
What is on file about the brakes
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecalls filed under this heading
- 20V055000 HighJan 30, 2020 · 148,055 vehicles
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. These vehicles received updated software for the Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM). This software has an error, and as a result, the vehicle's electronic brake assist may be disabled. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
- 19V889000 ModerateDec 12, 2019 · 463,995 vehicles
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Cadillac CT6, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. 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. Furthermore, if this specific error occurs, the vehicle's diagnostics will not illuminate the instrument cluster ESC and ABS malfunction warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Trouble codes named on this system
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2019 GMC Sierra names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2019 GMC Sierra
Source: the same files- engine problems 337 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 140 complaints
- electrical problems 100 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre brake problems common on the 2019 GMC Sierra?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 123 owner complaints naming the brakes on this model year (18% of everything owners filed about it), and 2 recalls are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the brakes on the 2019 GMC Sierra?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading: 20V055000, 19V889000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do brake problems show up on the 2019 GMC Sierra?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 7,500 miles; half of them between 3,000 and 12,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Service Brakes" heading cover?
The hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.