The 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 is associated with 443 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 3 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Engine, accounting for 130 reports (29% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 16 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3l 6-cyl, 2.7l 4-cyl, 5.3l 8-cyl, and 6.2l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 15 to 26 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 443 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 3 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Engine (130 / 29%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 5 crash / 2 fire / 1 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 15–26 MPG (16 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Sierra 2WD Diesel | 3L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 24 MPG | 29 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $3,050 / yr |
| Sierra 4WD Diesel | 3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 22 MPG | 27 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $3,300 / yr |
| Sierra 2WD | 2.7L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 19 MPG | 22 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,100 / yr |
| Sierra 2WD | 2.7L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 19 MPG | 21 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,100 / yr |
| Sierra 4WD | 2.7L 4-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 18 MPG | 20 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $3,250 / yr |
| Sierra 4WD | 2.7L 4-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 18 MPG | 20 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $3,250 / yr |
| Sierra 2WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 16 MPG | 20 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / yr |
| Sierra 2WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 16 MPG | 21 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / yr |
| Sierra 2WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 16 MPG | 20 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / yr |
| Sierra 2WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 16 MPG | 21 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / yr |
| Sierra 4WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 15 MPG | 19 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| Sierra 4WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 16 MPG | 20 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| Sierra 4WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 16 MPG | 20 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| Sierra 4WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 15 MPG | 19 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| Sierra 4WD | 6.2L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 15 MPG | 19 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $4,450 / yr |
| Sierra 4WD AT4X | 6.2L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 10-spd | 14 MPG | 17 MPG | 15 MPG | — | $5,050 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| PU/CC 4WD | | | | | 19.8% |
| PU/EC 4WD | Not Rated | Not Rated | | | 19.8% |
| PU/RC 4WD | Not Rated | Not Rated | | | 19.8% |
| PU/CC RWD | | | | | 19.1% |
| PU/EC RWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | | | 19.1% |
| PU/RC RWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | | | 19.1% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Standard & Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Standard & Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 models.
View complete 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 problems & component breakdown (73 categories) →
Affected Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.
Affected Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP
Defect Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Escalade ESV vehicles. The electronic brake control module software may fail to display a warning light when a loss of brake fluid occurs. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Free Manufacturer Remedy: The Electronic Brake Control Module (eBCM) software will be updated through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2024. Owners can contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N242447990.
Affected Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
Defect Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Free Manufacturer Remedy: The body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222386380. This recall expands previous recall number 22V-827.
View all 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls & campaign history (3 campaigns) →