NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The roof-rail air bag inflator end cap may separate, or the inflator sidewall may break open.
This page covers 9 recalls, 708 owner complaints and NHTSA crash-test ratings for the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Brake-related complaints dominate the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 owner reports, with exterior lighting and powertrain following at a distance. On the brake side, owners frequently describe ABS and stability control warning lights illuminating unexpectedly, both while driving and while the vehicle is stationary, often without an obvious triggering event. Some owners also report the brake pedal feeling soft or inconsistent. Exterior lighting complaints center on headlights and daytime running lights failing prematurely or cutting out entirely, with several owners noting the problem recurs after replacement. On the powertrain side, owners describe rough idle, misfires, and power loss tied to the Active Fuel Management system, with cylinder compression loss mentioned in multiple reports. A handful of owners also report clunking noises from the drivetrain. Frame corrosion shows up across several complaints, with owners describing paint failure leading to significant rust on the frame structure.
708
Total Complaints
23
Crash-Related
9
Fire-Related
7
With Injuries
By System
The 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 has 9 recalls, the most serious involving the roof-rail curtain airbag inflator, where the end cap can detach and be propelled into the cabin, raising the risk of injury to occupants.
Three recalls involve the seatbelt and airbag restraint system. The front airbags and seatbelt pretensioners may fail to deploy in a crash, and a separate issue involves the driver's seatbelt tensioner cable, which can fatigue and separate either from normal entry into the vehicle or from an incorrect replacement cable installed during a prior repair attempt, leaving the driver without full belt protection. On the steering side, the electric power steering assist can cut out momentarily and then return suddenly, making the vehicle difficult to control, particularly at low speeds. There are also two brake-related concerns: the vacuum pump that provides brake boost can weaken over time, requiring more pedal effort and extending stopping distances, and a driveline-protection sensor can misfire and apply braking to one wheel unexpectedly, pulling the vehicle to one side. This brake sensor issue only affects trucks equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle, and four-wheel drive.
At a glance
What can fail
The roof-rail air bag inflator end cap may separate, or the inflator sidewall may break open.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 6 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both the left and right roof-rail air bag modules at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The steel cable connecting your driver's seat belt may bend repeatedly as you enter and exit, causing it to wear out and separate.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver seat belt lap pretensioner at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The end cap of the roof-rail air bag inflator may separate from the inflator unit, potentially affecting air bag deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the roof-rail air bag modules on the affected side(s) at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A wheel-speed sensor may fail, causing the brake control computer to incorrectly activate the driveline-protection system while driving 41–60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the brake control computer at no cost to prevent the system from activating incorrectly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The vacuum pump produces less vacuum over time, which can reduce braking system performance.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module at no cost to restore proper braking function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The electric power steering system may temporarily lose assist, then suddenly regain it while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the steering system's software at no cost to restore normal operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The air bag control software may not have received a complete update from a previous recall. Under certain driving conditions, this software may run a diagnostic test that disables frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the air bag control software. If your vehicle previously deployed air bags, the control module will be replaced instead. Repairs are free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Under certain driving conditions, the air bag control module's software may run a self-test that disables the front air bags and seat belt pretensioners, preventing them from deploying in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the air bag control module software. If your air bags have previously deployed, the module will be replaced. Repairs are free of charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seat belt tensioner cable may be positioned so the driver slides over it when entering the vehicle, causing the cable to fatigue and separate.
What the fix does
Dealers will modify vehicles to protect the tensioner from damage and replace any already-damaged tensioners at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.