Brand record
GMC Recalls by Model: Reliability and Common Problems
Every GMC model in NHTSA's owner complaint file, 2010 to 2025: the recall campaigns for each model, which models and years owners complain about most, and the problems they report.
NHTSA owner complaintsChecked Oct 2, 202620,371 complaints15 models
The Sierra 1500 drew the most owner complaints of any GMC in NHTSA's file for 2010 to 2025, then the Acadia and the Terrain. The Sierra 1500 and the Yukon have the most recall campaigns, 49 and 46.
Best-sellers draw the most reports, so a high count is not a failure rate. Check one car with its VIN.
The 2014 Sierra 1500 steering complaints match recall 17V-414, for a temporary loss of electric power steering assist at low speed. On the 2014 to 2018 Sierra, recall 19V-645 covers a brake vacuum pump that can weaken over time, and GM extended the pump's coverage to 10 years or 150,000 miles.
The 2017 Acadia is under recall 17V-516, for a right front driveshaft that can break while driving.
GMC recalls by model
Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for each GMC model, model years 2010 to 2025, read Oct 2, 2026. Each campaign counts once per model, however many years it covers. NHTSA's recall service returned no answer for Acadia 2024 and 2025; Canyon 2019 and 2020; Terrain 2025, so those years are not counted. Recall repairs are free at the dealer; check one car with its VIN.
- Sierra 1500Most often: airbag system49
- YukonMost often: airbag system46
- Yukon XlMost often: airbag system33
- AcadiaMost often: airbag system31
- CanyonMost often: airbag system25
- TerrainMost often: seat21
GMC complaints by model
Owner complaints to NHTSA for each GMC model with at least 1,000 of them, model years 2010 to 2025, and the year that drew the most. A best-seller draws more reports than a rare model, so read these as counts, not failure rates. 9 smaller models are left out.
- Sierra 1500Most: 2014 · steering6,123
- AcadiaMost: 2017 · powertrain3,903
- TerrainMost: 2011 · engine3,053
- YukonMost: 2015 · exterior lighting2,469
- Yukon XlMost: 2015 · exterior lighting1,573
- CanyonMost: 2015 · steering1,049
GMC model years with the most complaints
The ten GMC model years owners complained about most, with the system they named most. These are the years to inspect hardest before you buy, not a verdict on every car.
- 2014 Sierra 1500Steering21%738
- 2015 Sierra 1500Braking system31%715
- 2017 AcadiaPowertrain32%701
- 2019 Sierra 1500Engine46%625
- 2022 Sierra 1500Engine40%546
- 2021 Sierra 1500Engine52%534
- 2015 YukonExterior lighting49%528
- 2014 AcadiaAirbag system52%461
- 2020 Sierra 1500Engine48%444
- 2023 Sierra 1500Engine42%435
Most common GMC problems
The systems owners named most across every GMC model and year in the file, counted from each model year's six most-named systems.
- Engine24% of the complaints4,935
- Powertrain16% of the complaints3,273
- Electrical system14% of the complaints2,843
- Braking system8% of the complaints1,677
- Airbag system7% of the complaints1,465
- Exterior lighting7% of the complaints1,422
Our guides for these problems
Common questions
Are GMCs reliable?
The complaint file can't grade a brand, because it counts reports, not failures per car sold. What it shows is where GMC owners report trouble: the engine most, then the powertrain, and the Sierra 1500, Acadia and Terrain draw the most complaints.
Which GMCs should you stay away from?
No model is bad in every year. The model years with the most owner complaints are 2014 Sierra 1500, 2015 Sierra 1500, 2017 Acadia and 2019 Sierra 1500; inspect those hardest and check their recalls before you buy.
Which GMC has the most recalls?
The Sierra 1500, with 49 recall campaigns across model years 2010 to 2025, then the Yukon with 46.
What is the most common problem with GMCs?
Owners name the engine most, in 4,935 complaints, 24% of the GMC record, then the powertrain, in 3,273.
How do I check if my GMC has a recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN in our free recall checker or on NHTSA's recall page. It lists open recalls for that one car, and the dealer does the repair for free.
What the complaint record can't tell you
Sources
Show all 6 sources
Counts by system and year cover vehicles with at least 10 complaints.