GMC · Known Issues
2015 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems: 16 Known Issues
2015 model year · 4,309+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2015 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2015 model year · 4,309+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2015 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
Interest applies to the selected vehicle and configuration; it is not a reservation. Voting stores a first-party identifier for up to 180 days to prevent repeat votes. No account or email is needed. Clearing cookies or using another device may count separately. Privacy
Visual coming soon
Your interest helps us choose what to build next.
Visual Known Issues · Coming soon
$4.99/month plus taxes at launch · No payment today
According to Au7o's analysis of 4,309+ owner reports, the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 has 16 documented known issues, with 7 rated critical. The most serious are AFM/DFM Lifter Collapse and Failure ($4,000-$8,000 repair), 8-Speed/10-Speed Transmission Torque Converter Shudder ($150-$4,500 repair), Electronic Brake Control Module Failure ($150-$1,500 repair), Transfer Case Unintended Shift to Neutral ($0-$0 repair), NHTSA Recall 19V645000: Declining Vacuum Pump Output Reduces Power Brake Assist, P0016 — Crank/Cam Correlation Fault from Stretched Timing Chain on 5.3L AFM V8 ($150-$1,800 repair) and P0700 — Transmission Fault Flag from Failing 6L80/6L90 Internal TEHCM ($600-$2,500 repair). The most commonly reported issue is AFM/DFM Lifter Collapse and Failure with 1,250 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $20 to $8,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP
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."
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
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."
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
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.
SEAT BELTS
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon XL and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The seat belt brackets may not be secured to the seat frame in the front-row center seating position.
SEAT BELTS
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.
+ 17 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.
Don't see your problem? Describe your symptoms to get a diagnosis, or get a full repair guide.
According to Au7o's analysis of 4,309+ owner reports, the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 has 16 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: AFM/DFM Lifter Collapse and Failure, 8-Speed/10-Speed Transmission Torque Converter Shudder, Electronic Brake Control Module Failure. Of these, 7 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 has 16 known issues documented across 4,309+ owner reports. 7 issues are rated critical: AFM/DFM Lifter Collapse and Failure and 8-Speed/10-Speed Transmission Torque Converter Shudder and Electronic Brake Control Module Failure and Transfer Case Unintended Shift to Neutral and NHTSA Recall 19V645000: Declining Vacuum Pump Output Reduces Power Brake Assist and P0016 — Crank/Cam Correlation Fault from Stretched Timing Chain on 5.3L AFM V8 and P0700 — Transmission Fault Flag from Failing 6L80/6L90 Internal TEHCM. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known GMC Sierra 1500 issues range from $0 to $8,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, AFM/DFM Lifter Collapse and Failure, typically costs $4,000-$8,000 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
The Active Fuel Management (AFM) and Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) systems use special hydraulic lifters that collapse to deactivate cylinders for fuel economy. These lifters are prone to premature failure due to poor physical design and inadequate oil flow. Failures can occur as… Repairs typically run $4,000-$8,000. Severity: high.
The 8L90 8-speed and 10L80/10L90 10-speed automatic transmissions experience shuddering during light throttle acceleration, particularly at highway speeds between 35-60 mph. The issue is caused by the torque converter lock-up clutch slipping and chattering. Harsh shifts between g… Repairs typically run $150-$4,500. Severity: high.
The electronic brake control module (EBCM) experiences failures causing ABS, traction control, and stability control systems to malfunction. Issues range from warning lights illuminating to complete system failures. The 2023 models have a specific recall for software that may fai… Repairs typically run $150-$1,500. Severity: high.
An electrical signal short in the transfer case can cause it to shift to neutral without driver input while driving. This results in sudden loss of power to the wheels creating a serious safety hazard, particularly at highway speeds or when towing. Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
GM recalled 2014-2018 GMC Sierra trucks under NHTSA campaign 19V645000 because the amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time. The vacuum pump is what gives the Sierra's brake pedal its power assist, so as the vacuum level drops, brake assist decreases. A… Severity: high.
P0016 means the crankshaft and Bank 1 intake camshaft are out of sync beyond tolerance. On the 5.3L V8 Sierra 1500 this is a signature failure because of two engine-specific problems: (1) the timing chain stretches over time — accelerated by AFM lifter debris and extended oil-cha… Repairs typically run $150-$1,800. Severity: high.
P0700 itself is only a flag: the Transmission Control Module has stored one or more transmission faults and is requesting the MIL. On Sierra 1500s with the 6L80 (and 6L90 on heavier variants) 6-speed automatic, the notable design issue is that the TCM is integrated into the valve… Repairs typically run $600-$2,500. Severity: high.
The upper intermediate steering shaft develops excessive wear causing a pronounced clunking noise when turning the steering wheel or going over bumps. The issue is caused by wear in the shaft's universal joints or the plastic bushing near the firewall. GM has redesigned the part… Repairs typically run $50-$600. Severity: medium.
The A/C compressor is prone to premature failure due to faulty welds, insufficient lubrication, or internal mechanical failure. When the compressor fails catastrophically, metal debris contaminates the entire A/C system requiring replacement of multiple components. The A/C clutch… Repairs typically run $500-$2,500. Severity: medium.
Direct injection engines do not spray fuel over the intake valves like port injection systems, allowing carbon deposits from oil and blow-by gases via the PCV system to accumulate on intake valve backs and ports. Over time, this buildup restricts airflow causing performance and e… Repairs typically run $400-$800. Severity: medium.
P0430 is the Bank 2 counterpart to P0420 and, on the Sierra 1500 V8, points to the driver-side (Bank 2) catalytic converter falling below efficiency threshold. The mechanism is identical to Bank 1: the rear O2 sensor voltage begins mirroring the front sensor, so the ECM concludes… Repairs typically run $400-$1,500. Severity: medium.
P0011 means the Bank 1 intake camshaft is timed more advanced than the ECM commanded — the phaser is stuck/biased advanced. On the Sierra 1500 5.3L/6.2L, the dominant cause is a VVT (camshaft actuator) solenoid whose internal screen has clogged with oil sludge or AFM debris, jamm… Repairs typically run $40-$450. Severity: medium.
On the 5.3L V8 Sierra 1500, P0420 sets when the downstream (post-cat) O2 sensor tracks the upstream sensor too closely, meaning the Bank 1 catalytic converter is no longer scrubbing exhaust efficiently. The distinctive part on these trucks: the converter frequently dies premature… Repairs typically run $400-$1,500. Severity: medium.
On the Sierra 1500, P0128 means the coolant did not reach the expected regulating temperature within the time/airflow the ECM predicted — almost always a thermostat stuck open (or partly open) so the engine runs too cool. The GM thermostat on the 5.3L/6.2L is integrated into a pl… Repairs typically run $200-$850. Severity: low.
P0442 on the Sierra 1500 is a small EVAP leak detected during the ECM's key-off/idle vacuum test. On these trucks the two most common real-world causes are a loose, worn, or cracked gas cap seal (the cheapest fix and always the first check) and — a documented GM issue (TSB 15-NA-… Repairs typically run $20-$250. Severity: low.
P0455 indicates a large (gross) EVAP leak — the ECM cannot pull or hold vacuum in the evaporative system at all. On the Sierra 1500 the classic causes are a completely missing/unsealed gas cap, a stuck-open or failed EVAP vent solenoid (mounted under the truck near the fuel tank/… Repairs typically run $20-$350. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.