GMC Sierra engine problems, 2016–2026
1,996 of the 4,555 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the GMC Sierra 2016–2026 name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). The loudest years: 2021 (355), 2019 (337), 2022 (265). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 recall campaign, 4 NHTSA investigations. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
GMC Sierra engine problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the engine | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 in depth | 88 | 65% | — | 3 TSBs · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2025 in depth | 57 | 46% | — | 46 TSBs · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2024 in depth | 215 | 58% | 25k | 181 TSBs · 1 recall · 4 investigations | the record → |
| 2023 in depth | 230 | 47% | 21k | 293 TSBs · 1 recall · 4 investigations | the record → |
| 2022 in depth | 265 | 45% | 46k | 400 TSBs · 1 recall · 4 investigations | the record → |
| 2021 in depth | 355 | 62% | 59k | 440 TSBs · 1 recall · 4 investigations | the record → |
| 2020 in depth | 260 | 54% | 64k | 631 TSBs · 2 investigations | the record → |
| 2019 in depth | 337 | 50% | 84k | 648 TSBs · 2 investigations | the record → |
| 2018 in depth | 78 | 24% | 59k | 546 TSBs | the record → |
| 2017 in depth | 67 | 16% | 58k | 672 TSBs | the record → |
| 2016 | 44 | 12% | 73k | 653 TSBs | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the engine. Nothing here is a rate.
When the engine complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2017: 4 · 2018: 5 · 2019: 11 · 2020: 46 · 2021: 50 · 2022: 37 · 2023: 62 · 2024: 86 · 2025: 943 · 2026: 752
Across the model years, half of the 398 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 24,000 and 87,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
While driving on the highway my truck started to buck and had a loud engine knocking noise. Speed was greatly reduced so much so that I was going under 45 mph in a posted 65. The check engine light did not come on. While sitting on the side of the highway there was a severe engine knock only when the revs on the engine were increased.
The truck has 7500 miles on it and the check engine light keeps coming on then goes back off. It is impossible to schedule service as the light goes off before it gets to dealer. The when driving the truck many times the check engine light will flash for a minute or so and then remain on steady.
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra Denali. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph, a "Turn off engine, No oil pressure" message appeared and was accompanied by a warning chime alert. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and turned off.
The lifters were replaced leas that 2years under warranty at Pooler Chevrolet. They have stated this is a common problem with this vehicle and they had a lot of these vehicles come in with the same exact problem.
Just got off the highway was at stop sign on exit ramp and it just died. No warnings no lights no indication that something was about to happen. No neutral so couldn’t even push it out of the way of traffic. Had it towed to shop for diagnostic. Possible lifter problem. $600. Dealership towed it to their shop.
What is on file about the engine, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 25V274000 HighApr 24, 2025 · 597,571 vehicles
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
NHTSA investigations
- EA26005 Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedyopened Aug 20, 2026 · open
- On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001. This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V-274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement. General Motors (GM) issued R…
- RQ26001 Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedyopened Jan 16, 2026 · closed Aug 20, 2026
- On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001. This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V-274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement. General Motors (GM) issued R…
- EA25007 Loss of motive power due to engine failureopened Oct 23, 2025 · open
- The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 1,157 reports of engine bearing failure failures in the L87 6.2L engine produced by General Motors (GM). Of the 1,157 reports received, 173 are outside of the scope of recall 25V-274. These engines are installed in Model Years (MY) 2019–2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, and 2021-2024MY Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, GMC Yukon/Y…
- PE25001 Loss of motive power due to engine failureopened Jan 16, 2025 · closed Oct 23, 2025
- On January 16, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE25001 after receiving complaints and field reports concerning engine failures in MY2019-2024 GM’s full-size truck and SUV T1XX platform equipped with the L87 6.2L V8 engine. These complainants alleged engine bearing failures resulting in knocking and growling noises from the engine’s bottom end and in so…
Other systems with a record on the GMC Sierra
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: GMC Sierra problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich GMC Sierra years have the most engine complaints?
2021, 355; 2019, 337; 2022, 265. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2026 (65%).
Is there a recall for the engine on the GMC Sierra?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 25V274000 (2024). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do engine problems show up on the GMC Sierra?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 54,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 24,000 and 87,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.