Common GMC Sierra 1500 Failures: Reliability And Solutions!

When you’re in the market for a reliable truck, you can’t go wrong with a GMC Sierra 1500. It’s a comfortable car, one that’s sure to please. However, it is not safe from having problems, know the common faults of the GMC Sierra 1500 , before considering acquiring one.

All of their models have something good to offer, from high safety ratings to excellent performance. Its resale value is also good, depreciating only 37% in five years.

How good is the GMC Sierra 1500?

The GMC Sierra 1500 enjoys average reliability ratings, with some model years scoring better than others. Reports conducted gave it a rating of 3.5 out of 5.0, ranking it third out of 17 full-size trucks in its category. Meanwhile, some consumers rated the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 84/100 for quality and reliability.

On the other hand, public surveys ranked the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 3rd out of 6 full-size trucks, giving it a rating of 8.0 out of 10. With these numbers, it is evident that with careful driving and regular maintenance , the GMC Sierra 1500 can easily enjoy a long service life.

Common failures of the GMC Sierra 1500

Although the GMC Sierra 1500 is a reliable truck, it still has its fair share of problems. Here are the common GMC Sierra 1500 failures reported for the different model years:

1. Headlight failure

Many 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 owners have complained about the terrible quality of their truck’s headlights. His truck’s headlights offered poor visibility, barely illuminating the road ahead.

The headlights on the affected units were reportedly too dim and unsafe for driving at night. There were also no noticeable changes between the bright and dim options . Although having poor lighting is a dangerous problem, GMC has not issued any recalls to fix this at the time of writing.

2. Problems with the interior handles

Brittle interior door handles have been a long-standing problem for some 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 owners. Most of them complained that their trucks interior door handle suddenly broke after moderate use. . They believe that your inner door handle was made of low quality plastic that’s why it broke easily.

Due to the large number of complaints about this issue, some owners believe that it is a general manufacturer defect. Despite this, there has been no known GMC recall to fix this issue as of this writing.

3. Problems with cracks in the control panel

According to some owners of the 2009 GMC Sierra 1500, problems with its control panel are typical for this model year. These owners reported that their truck’s control panel cracked easily.

The crack usually starts from the upper left corner of the airbag near the windshield . Most owners noticed this problem with only 45,000 miles on their vehicle.

GMC issued a recall for 2007 GMC Sierra 1500 trucks with the same problem, but did not list the 2009 model year.

4. Upper Intermediate Steer Shaft Strange Noise Issue

According to drivers of the 2006 GMC Sierra 1500, unusual noises from the upper intermediate steering shaft are common for some units of this model year.

They noticed that the steering wheel seemed to be about to burst while driving at low speeds. Some also complained of loud rattling or clicking noises coming from the intermediate steering shaft. The noise was produced by turning the truck to the right or left . Some owners have noted that this problem occurs with the tie rod every 30,000 miles.

A quick fix to this problem would be to grease the steering shaft. However, the noise usually comes back after a while.

5. Problems with the door actuator

Some 2000 GMC Sierra 1500 owners have noted problems with their HVAC, particularly their truck’s mode door actuator. According to their reports, their truck’s A/C rarely works as it should every time it is turned on. Some complained that their heater was only blowing cold air, while others noticed that only hot air was coming out of their A/C.

Upon closer inspection of these problems, most owners discovered that the cause was a faulty mode door actuator . Replacing the defective part usually solves this problem.

6. Fuel pump failures

According to some 1999 GMC Sierra 1500 owners, problems with their fuel pump are typical for some units of this model year.

They complained that their truck shut down and was unable to restart. Some reported that his truck suddenly died without any warning, while others experienced his engine turning over and over without starting. Reports show that these problems can occur as soon as 10,000 miles.

When they took their truck to the dealership to have it checked out, some owners were told that the cause of their truck problems was a faulty fuel pump . Replacing this faulty part should fix this problem.

To end

If you’re in the market for a GMC Sierra 1500, be prepared to embrace the potential good and bad. But do not worry. As long as you are aware of the issues associated with the specific model year you are planning to get, buying this truck should come with little risk. Just make sure everything is cleared up by the seller before you take your used GMC Sierra 1500 home with you.