GMC Sierra transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2026

1,074 of the 4,555 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the GMC Sierra 2016–2026 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2017 (145), 2019 (140), 2021 (139). Filed under the same heading across these years: 4 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.

1,074 complaints, 11 model years 24% of everything filed about the Sierra typically at 35k miles

GMC Sierra transmission and drivetrain problems by model year

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications

One 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 transmission and drivetrain	Share of the year’s	Typically at	On file under the heading
2026	29	21%	—	1 recall	the year →
2025	27	22%	—	31 TSBs	the year →
2024 in depth	73	20%	—	86 TSBs	the record →
2023 in depth	91	19%	—	135 TSBs	the record →
2022 in depth	108	18%	37k	175 TSBs · 2 recalls	the record →
2021 in depth	139	24%	66k	188 TSBs · 2 recalls	the record →
2020 in depth	97	20%	75k	222 TSBs · 3 recalls	the record →
2019 in depth	140	21%	20k	315 TSBs · 1 recall	the record →
2018 in depth	133	41%	30k	235 TSBs	the record →
2017 in depth	145	34%	29k	286 TSBs	the record →
2016 in depth	92	24%	47k	323 TSBs	the record →

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 transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.

When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage

Source: NHTSA complaint database

1,074complaints name the transmission and drivetrain, all years

Filed per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 3 · 2017: 9 · 2018: 22 · 2019: 65 · 2020: 60 · 2021: 47 · 2022: 61 · 2023: 52 · 2024: 97 · 2025: 369 · 2026: 289

35kmiles, typically

Across the model years, half of the 292 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 11,000 and 74,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.

In owners’ own words

Source: NHTSA complaint database

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, 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.

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra Denali. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked, failed to accelerate, and stalled. The vehicle was unable to shift into third gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was drivable and was taken to the dealer.

Power Train at 103,000 miles Mar 9, 2026 NHTSA owner report

While driving my Gmc Sierra Denali the transmission shudders really bad. I have a 2017 with just 13,200 miles on it. I was pulling my bass boat and the shurdder was so bad my dash was shaking and the steering wheel was also .I have had the fluid changed at the dealership and it shifted fine and did not shudder until it reached around…

Power Train at 13,200 miles Oct 13, 2020 NHTSA owner report

The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra Denali. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, the vehicle inadvertently stalled without warning. The contact attempted several times to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle would not restart. The contact attempted to jump start the vehicle and the failed to start.

Power Train at 91,000 miles Jul 20, 2022 NHTSA owner report

Transmission shifting rough transmission shifting delay dealer company says transmission needs an update but they don't have the program

Power Train at 4,500 miles Sep 18, 2020 NHTSA owner report

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available.

Power Train at 120,000 miles Dec 16, 2024 NHTSA owner report

What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years

Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications

Recall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year

26V289000 Critical do not drive
May 7, 2026 · 66 vehicles
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.
26V083000 Critical
Feb 12, 2026 · 1,055 vehicles
General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, 3500, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles that may have been repaired incorrectly under recall 24V797. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up.
24V797000 Critical
Oct 24, 2024 · 463,295 vehicles
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
20V650000 High
Oct 22, 2020 · 42 vehicles
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 and 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 trucks. One of the driveshaft joints may not have been properly welded, causing the driveshaft to separate while the vehicle is moving.

Other systems with a record on the GMC Sierra

Source: the same files

Every system, every model year: GMC Sierra problems by year →

From here

Every 2027 model on file, by price Compare two vehicles, trim vs trim See what a VIN was priced at See what owners reported

Common questions

Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communications

Which GMC Sierra years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?

2017, 145; 2019, 140; 2021, 139. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2018 (41%).

Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the GMC Sierra?

Yes — 4 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 26V289000 (2026), 26V083000 (2022), 24V797000 (2022), 20V650000 (2020). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the GMC Sierra?

Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 35,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 11,000 and 74,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.

What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?

The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.