Used GMC Sierra 1500 Buyer's Guide (2019–2024)
Check the 6.2L V8 engine recall and NHTSA probe, the diesel 10-speed recall, and 8-speed shudder on early 2019 trucks.
Photo: Bull-Doser, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain. A representative example, not a car we inspected.
The Sierra 1500 was redesigned for 2019 and shares its bones with the Chevrolet Silverado 1500. You can find it as a plain work truck or a loaded Denali. Engines range from a turbo four to two V8s and a 3.0L diesel inline six.
The biggest thing to know is the 6.2L V8. GM recalled 2021 to 2024 trucks with that engine for crankshaft and connecting rod defects, and in 2026 NHTSA opened an investigation into engines that failed after the recall fix. If you want a 6.2L truck, the recall paperwork matters a lot.
The truck was refreshed for 2022 with a new interior and screens, per Car and Driver. In 2019 and 2022 GM also sold the older body alongside it, listed by NHTSA as the Sierra Limited 1500 in 2019 and the Sierra 1500 Limited in 2022. Those are a different truck, so check the exact model on the VIN report.
- 4.3L V6 (2019 to 2021)
- 2.7L turbo 4-cyl
- 5.3L V8
- 6.2L V8 (L87)
- 3.0L Duramax diesel inline 6
Fourth generation (GMT T1), sold as model years 2019–2024.
| Engine | Years | Transmission | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3L V6 | 2019–2021 | 6-speed automatic | The base engine on early work trucks. Car and Driver no longer lists it for 2022. |
| 2.7L turbo 4-cyl | 2019–2024 | 8-speed automatic | Early 2019 trucks with this engine are named in the 8-speed shudder bulletin. |
| 5.3L V8 | 2019–2024 | 6-speed, 8-speed or 10-speed automatic | The most common engine. Car and Driver lists a 6-speed or 8-speed for 2019 and a 10-speed from 2022. |
| 6.2L V8 | 2019–2024 | 10-speed automatic | The quickest engine. 2021 to 2024 trucks are in engine recall 25V-274. |
| 3.0L Duramax diesel | 2019–2024 | 10-speed automatic | The most fuel efficient choice. 2020 to 2022 trucks are in transmission recall 24V-797. |
SOURCE Car and Driver 2019 Sierra 1500 · Car and Driver 2022 Sierra 1500
- Pro The basic work truck.
- SLE The core trim with more features.
- Elevation Street styled trim.
- SLT Leather and more tech.
- AT4 Off-road trim with a lift.
- Denali The luxury trim, with the 6.2L V8 standard per Car and Driver in 2022.
- AT4X Off-road model shown by Car and Driver for 2022.
- Denali Ultimate New top trim for 2022 with real wood and upgraded leather.
- 2023 NHTSA's recall lookup lists far fewer campaigns for 2023 and 2024 than for 2019 or 2020, and it has the 2022 interior update. A 6.2L V8 still needs recall 25V-274 checked.
- 2024 Fewest recall campaigns in NHTSA's lookup for this generation. Check the 6.2L recall if equipped.
- 2019 First year. Brake software recalls, battery cable recall, and the 8-speed shudder bulletin for early builds.
- 2021 First year of the 6.2L engine recall 25V-274, and diesels are in transmission recall 24V-797.
Picked from the recalls, bulletins and NHTSA complaint records below, not from a reliability rating. Any single car can be better or worse than its year.
GM recalled 2021 to 2024 trucks with the 6.2L V8 (the L87) because the connecting rods or crankshaft can have manufacturing defects that lead to engine failure (recall 25V-274). Dealers inspect the engine and replace it if needed. Engines that pass get thicker oil, a new oil fill cap and filter, and an owner's manual update. In February 2026 NHTSA opened a Recall Query after 139 reports of failures in engines that already had the fix. In August 2026 it upgraded that to an Engineering Analysis (EA26-005) covering 997,743 GM vehicles from 2021 to 2026, per GM Authority, which reported 499 post-remedy complaints to NHTSA.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for recall 25V-274 and which remedy was done, confirm the correct oil and fill cap, listen for knocking from a cold start, check oil pressure on the scan tool, and scan for engine codes.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 25V-274 · NHTSA Recall Query RQ26-001 letter to GM (Feb 17, 2026) · GM Authority: NHTSA opens EA26-005 on L87 engines (Aug 2026) · CarBuzz: NHTSA L87 investigation expands (Aug 2026)
GM recalled 2020 to 2022 trucks with the 3.0L diesel because a transmission control valve can fail and lock the rear wheels (24V-797). Dealers install new software, and GM set up a special coverage program for transmissions the software finds have a bad valve. A 2026 follow up recall (26V-083) covers trucks that may have been repaired wrong the first time.
WE CHECK On diesel trucks we check the VIN for 24V-797 and 26V-083, scan the transmission for codes, and road test for harsh downshifts or wheel hop while slowing.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 24V-797 · NHTSA recall 26V-083
GM bulletin 19-NA-121 covers 2019 Sierra 1500 trucks built before March 1, 2019 with the 2.7L turbo or 5.3L V8 and the 8-speed automatic. Owners may feel a shake or shudder at light throttle between 25 and 80 mph, like driving over rumble strips. The fix in the bulletin is a full fluid flush to Mobil 1 Synthetic LV ATF HP.
WE CHECK We road test at steady highway speeds on light throttle, feel for shudder, and look for records of the fluid flush.
A class action filed in December 2021 (Harrison v. General Motors) alleges that 2014 to 2021 GM vehicles with 5.3L, 6.0L or 6.2L V8s and cylinder deactivation have defective lifters that can cause stalling and loss of power. These are claims in a lawsuit, not a finding, and there is no recall for lifters.
WE CHECK We listen for ticking at idle and under load, scan for misfire codes, and read records for any lifter or camshaft work.
SOURCE Top Class Actions: Harrison v. General Motors lifter lawsuit
Some 2019 trucks got brake control software that could turn off stability control and ABS with no warning light (19V-889), and a later update that could disable brake assist (20V-055). Some 2020 trucks had brake caliper bolts that were not heat treated and can break (20V-116). Some 2023 trucks may not show a warning when brake fluid runs low (24V-674), fixed by software over the air or at a dealer.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for each brake recall, check the brake fluid level, look at the calipers and bolts, and test the brakes on the road.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 19V-889 · NHTSA recall 20V-055 · NHTSA recall 20V-116 · NHTSA recall 24V-674
GM recalled 2019 and 2020 trucks because extra glue on the battery positive cable ring can cause a poor connection at the alternator. That can stall the engine or cause arcing and heat that could start a fire (19V-888). Dealers clean and reattach the cable and replace damaged parts.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for 19V-888, look at the alternator cable for heat damage, and test the charging system.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 19V-888
Several restraint recalls cover these trucks. 2019 and 2020 trucks with carpet can have hot gas from a seat belt pretensioner ignite the carpet (19V-814). 2019 to 2021 trucks may have a front center seat belt bracket not secured (20V-792). 2019 Crew Cabs may have a damaged passenger air bag (18V-868).
WE CHECK We check the VIN for each restraint recall, confirm the air bag light turns off after start, and look at the front center seat belt.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 19V-814 · NHTSA recall 20V-792 · NHTSA recall 18V-868
Some 2019 to 2021 trucks with certain accessory wheels came with a 17-inch spare that does not match, which can keep the ABS from working right (21V-985). Dealers supply a matching spare. Other recalls covered tires built wrong on some 2019 to 2021 trucks (21V-423, 20V-684).
WE CHECK We check the spare size against the wheels on the truck and check the VIN for tire recalls.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 21V-985 · NHTSA recall 21V-423 · NHTSA recall 20V-684
Some 2022 Sierra 1500s with chrome front grille deflectors can crack at the mounts and lose the deflector on the road (25V-060). Dealers reinforce or repair the mounts.
WE CHECK We look at the grille deflector mounts for cracks and check the VIN for 25V-060.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 25V-060
- Run the VIN for open recalls and match them to dealer records
- On a 6.2L, confirm the 25V-274 remedy and listen for knock from a cold start
- Road test for shudder, harsh shifts and rear wheel hop when slowing
- Listen for lifter tick and scan for misfire codes
- Scan all modules, including ABS and air bag
- Inspect the alternator cable, brakes and brake fluid level
- Confirm the spare tire matches the wheels
- Proof recall 25V-274 was done on any 2021 to 2024 6.2L V8, and which remedy it got (inspection with new oil, or a replacement engine)
- The correct oil for a 6.2L that got the oil remedy (GM Authority reports 0W-40)
- Transmission fluid flush records on 2019 8-speed trucks with shudder
- Transmission software for diesels under 24V-797 and 26V-083
- Brake control software updates on 2019 trucks
- Regular oil changes on every engine
Each year has its own guide. The engines, the transmission, and what changed that year.
A TSB is a note the maker sends to dealers about a known fix. They are not recalls. We check the bulletins so we know what to look for:
Cold-start noise, drivability, and idle issues for this vehicle. We test for each.
Shift quality and transmission fluid updates. We drive every gear.
Locks, wipers, infotainment, and trim items. Small, but good to know.
Bulletins stay with the maker, so we pull the current list for this exact vehicle during the inspection and tell you what applies.
Found a GMC Sierra 1500 you like? A pre purchase inspection checks every trouble spot above on the car you are buying.
Is the 6.2L V8 in the Sierra 1500 reliable?
What years of the Sierra 1500 have the engine recall?
Why does my Sierra shudder at highway speed?
Does the diesel Sierra have a recall?
What changed for 2022?
Is the Sierra 1500 the same truck as the Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
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