VehicleVerdict

2022 GMC Sierra 1500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 carries two red flags at once: 742 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 3.4× the Sierra 1500 norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy). It is one of the Sierra 1500 years to avoid.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 250 reports (34% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

742

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

4

Investigations · 2 open

14

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2022 compare to other Sierra 1500 years?

Sierra 1500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2022 highlighted1,031 complaints1994: 15 complaints1995: 3 complaints1996: 7 complaints1997: 100 complaints1998: 68 complaints1999: 182 complaints2000: 215 complaints2001: 171 complaints2002: 192 complaints2003: 210 complaints2004: 253 complaints2005: 218 complaints2006: 182 complaints2007: 313 complaints2008: 440 complaints2009: 280 complaints2010: 217 complaints2011: 364 complaints2012: 149 complaints2013: 147 complaints2014: 1,031 complaints2015: 928 complaints2016: 445 complaints2017: 473 complaints2018: 422 complaints2019: 893 complaints2020: 679 complaints2021: 747 complaints2022: 742 complaints2023: 595 complaints2024: 463 complaints2025: 160 complaints2026: 135 complaints
Sierra 1500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2022 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sierra 1500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine25034%
Transmission10214%
Body & Structure9613%
Electrical System8111%
Other7310%
Driver Assistance517%
Brakes314%
Fuel System243%
Steering132%
Speed Control91%
Latches & Locks51%
Airbags30%
Suspension20%
Visibility & Wipers10%
Lighting10%

Does the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V083000TransmissionFebruary 12, 2026 · 1,055 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the vehicles and update the transmission control software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 6, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252516560. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 12, 2026.

25V274000EngineApril 24, 2025 · 597,571 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.

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.

25V060000Body & StructureFebruary 6, 2025 · 70,768 units

Defect

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with chrome front grille deflectors. The attachments that hold the front grille deflectors in place may fracture, resulting in grille detachment.

Consequence

A detached front grille deflector may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will reinforce or repair all attachment points on the chrome front grille deflector, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may call GM customer service for GMC at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N242490120.

24V797000TransmissionOctober 24, 2024 · 463,295 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.

22V903000LightingDecember 8, 2022 · 740,108 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

22V463000LightingJune 30, 2022 · 242 units

Defect

General Motors (GM) has decided that certain 2022 model year Chevrolet Silverado, and GMC Sierra vehicles equipped with an accessory sport bar. The accessory sport bar contains a high-mounted brake light that may not function. In addition, it may block the vehicle's existing high-mounted brake light. As such, these vehicles may fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

Consequence

An inoperative high-mounted brake light can reduce visibility to other drivers and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the installation of the accessory bar and provide the correct vehicle wiring, if necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters advising owners of the safety risk were mailed on August 10, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 27, 2023. Owners may contact GM's customer service on 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.. GM's recall number for this recall is N222368110.

Open NHTSA investigations

EA26005

Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy

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 Recall 25V-274 to address concerns of engine failure in the L87 engines produced between March 1, 2021 and May 31, 2024. GM cited the root cause as a supplier manufacturing and quality issue. GM’s recall remedy for Recall 25V-274 consisted of two different repairs, either an oil viscosity change or an engine replacement, based on the results of the remedy inspection procedure. ODI continues to receive reports of engine failures after the completion of the recall remedy. To date, ODI has received 499 complaints alleging post-remedy engine failure in vehicles subject to Recall 25V-274, 473 of which involved an oil viscosity change and 26 a complete engine replacement. Additionally, ODI has received 191 reports of L87 engine failures in engines produced after the production period cited in Recall 25V-274. GM reported receiving 6,953 complaints of post-remedy engine failure. ODI is opening this Engineering Analysisto continue investigating complaints of post-remedy engine failure. ODI is expanding the scope of this Investigation to include engines produced after the production period cited in the recall. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

EA25007

Loss of motive power due to engine failure

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/Yukon XL, and Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV vehicles. The subject engine failures were investigated as part of a Preliminary Evaluation (PE25001).  GM determined that these engine failures were due to multiple supplier manufacturing and quality issues. GM issued recall 25V-274 to address the supplier manufacturing and quality issues produced between March 1, 2021, and May 31, 2024. Based on the issuance of recall 25V-274, NHTSA has closed PE25001. ODI continues to receive a significant number of reports of engine failure in vehicles outside the scope of 25V-274.  This presents a potential safety risk that warrants further investigation.  ODI is opening this Engineering Analysis (EA) to further evaluate the scope and severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related issues of vehicles built outside the recall scope. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“ Engine suddenly started knocking and loss of power while driving on the highway. If engine had stopped or locked up it could have caused an accident. Took it straight to my dealer on Dec. 30, they said to leave it that the knocking was coming from lower part of engine. Couple weeks later they…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 30, 2024 · crash

“Please Append these work orders to this Complaint number and VIN COMPLAINT: NUMBER XXX VIN: [XXX] Three Repair Orders from Beck & Masten GMC South attached. Thank you!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 7, 2026 · crash

“Issues- Front and Rear external safety camera system fails to display. Tailgate falls open on its own while in motion. This was a new purchased vehicle off the lot. Yes-Vehicle is available upon request for examination. Yes-Safety risk are imminent due to blind spots caused by inoperative cameras…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 15, 2024 · crash

“On June 8th I started my truck and it made a strange unfamiliar noise before starting. I thought it was bizarre. Shortly after I stopped in traffic and my truck stalled out. It stayed on but when I went to give it gas I didn’t move. So I restarted the engine and the same strange noise was made.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 8, 2024 · fire

“The truck was parked indoors for a two days for tailgate repair/paint. The fire department responded to a fire at 6am 10/11/2023 and per their report the fire was started in the engine area of a 2022 GMC Sierra Denali. I am not the owner of the truck, my vehicle was damaged as a result. Owner's…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 11, 2023 · fire

2022 GMC Sierra 1500 — common questions

Is the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 742 complaints put the 2022 model at #5 of 33 Sierra 1500 years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Sierra 1500 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2022 Sierra 1500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (250 complaints), transmission (102 complaints), body & structure (96 complaints).

Does the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — 2 investigations remain open (Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which GMC Sierra 1500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sierra 1500 years to avoid are 2014, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2020, 2023, 2017, 2024, 2016, 2008, 2018, 2011, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2025, 2012, 2013, 2026. The cleanest record among Sierra 1500 years belongs to 1995.

How safe is the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through August 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated August 28, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.