165 of the
11,637 complaints filed about the GMC Sierra 1500
are about the throttle and cruise control —
100% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2009.
165
Complaints
100%
Share of all complaints
3
Crashes
1
Fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year
Purchased above listed vehicle new in XXX. Immediately noticed a 'coolant' smell in cab. brought vehicle in for coolant smell issue on XXX and XXX. We were told that there was no issue until finally on XXX we were told the radiator needed to be replaced at OUR expense. XXX we received a letter from GMC advising the "engine coolant control valve" may fail. In XXX while driving on mountain roads (we live in [XXX]) the check engine light came on and while at 50 mph, the vehicle went into "limp mode" we lost power and speed was immediately reduced. We now know that a symptom of that valve failure is coolant smell in the cab of the car, a problem we had attempted to address with GMC from the beginning. We could have had a serious accident driving on a busy mountain road when this failure occurred. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11763393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
P2101 Reduced Engine Power Idle instabilitystruggling to idle correctly, hunting/surging slightly, and possibly going into reduced-power protection mode. While driving engine reducing power, struggles then surges forward. Ive taken it to GMC however the techs say they have to experience the situation themselves and are unable to diagnose
NHTSA complaint #11762547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I own a 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali equipped with the 6.2L V8 L87 engine, VIN [XXX]. The vehicle had approximately 35,000 miles when the engine experienced a catastrophic engine failure. Prior to/during the failure, the vehicle experienced abnormal engine noise and a loss of power. Multiple warning/alarm lights appeared on the dashboard, including the Check Engine and Traction Control warning lights. The engine failure resulted in a loss of motive power and made the vehicle unsafe to operate. PHONE# [XXX] The sudden loss of engine power while driving created a serious safety hazard because the vehicle could no longer operate normally in traffic and could potentially cause a crash. I am requesting that NHTSA document and investigate this engine failure as a potential safety defect involving the GM 6.2L L87 engine. I am also requesting that NHTSA determine whether 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with this engine should be included in an appropriate safety recall or other corrective action. The vehicle is a 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali with approximately 35,000 miles. The engine failure and warning lights occurred during normal vehicle operation. The vehicle and repair records can be made available for inspection, and I can provide dealer repair orders, diagnostic information, photographs, and other documentation concerning the failure. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11760197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This truck was bought brand new by my father. Around 38,000 miles it begin having issues with shifting which eventually got worse. When I searched google for issues many others on different pages have had the same issues. The shifting would be so rough it feels like you're being hit by another vehicle. This could cause accidents for anyone who cannot afford to fix these known issues by GMC. I was told today by my local dealership their transmissions for my specific truck is on backorder. Should that not indicate an issue when this truck is a 2020. But to my father having a stroke I was not able to handle this issue sooner as he was very ill for four years and passed last year. The truck was not the priority at the time.
NHTSA complaint #11759816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The forward-facing camera module and related Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist. The system has failed repeatedly, with the camera replaced three previous times. On XXX, the vehicle performed unintended hard braking at approximately 70 mph on the interstate, after which Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist became inoperative. Similar hard-braking events followed by system failure also occurred approximately one month prior to the most recent previous failure. The dealership (Confidence Chevrolet Buick GMC in [XXX]) has confirmed the forward-facing camera and ADAS failures on multiple occasions. The camera module has been replaced three times (XXX). During the XXX repair, technicians documented Diagnostic Trouble Code U3000:49 (internal malfunction in the front view camera module), opened TAC case XXX, and performed radio programming per bulletin 25-NA-318. The dealer has repeatedly verified the loss of Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11759482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cruise control activates at speeds between 1-5mph, which frequently happens while turning, parking, or going through a drive-through. The cruise control activates by a toggle on the left spoke of the steering wheel, which can be easily bumped while doing low-speed maneuvers like parking. When bumping the toggle, the cruise indicator shows a set speed of 15-18 mph, and the vehicle surges forward trying to attain that speed. Since this occurs while maneuvering to park, it creates a dangerous situation if anyone is nearby and you are unable to react in time. This is an ongoing problem that can be duplicated at will. Rear backup camera very dark at night it’s unusable.
NHTSA complaint #11758980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle: 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 (3.0L LZ0 Duramax Diesel) Current Mileage: ~16,500 miles Check Engine Light Status: NO Check Engine Light active Description of Incident & Symptoms: •Interstate Incident: While driving at highway speeds, a severe drivetrain vibration occurred (felt like a rear wheel weight flew off). •Dashboard Warnings: Within 5 minutes, intermittent "Traction Control" and "Forward Collision Warning" alerts appeared on the dash, accompanied by a sudden drop in engine power. •Engine Noise & Idle: Once safely pulled over, the engine exhibited a loud mechanical knock and a very rough, unstable idle. •Extended Crank: After shutting the engine off and waiting a few minutes, restarting the truck took roughly twice as long as normal (long crank/delayed start)
NHTSA complaint #11758123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Current Unsafe Conditions: Post-Replacement Active Safety Failures. The vehicle presently exhibits two distinct categories of active, ongoing, and dangerous safety failures, both of which were introduced as a direct result of the engine replacement performed by Monument Chevrolet: (a) Severe Drivability Failure. Between approximately 1,500 and 5,000 RPM, the engine repeatedly and without warning lunges forward, drops all power, and lunges again — cycling in this manner between three (3) and six (6) times before stabilizing. This behavior occurs across all gears and driving conditions, which creates a severe and unpredictable hazard particularly when merging into traffic or accelerating onto highways. This failure constitutes an immediate and ongoing risk to the safety of myself and other motorists. (b) Complete ADAS System Failure. The frontal crash response warning light is permanently illuminated on the instrument cluster, rendering the following federally relevant safety systems entirely non-functional: (i) Automatic Emergency Braking / Forward Collision Alert; (ii) Cruise Control; and (iii) Lane Change Assist / Lane Control System. All of these systems were fully operational and properly functioning before the vehicle was submitted for the engine swap. Their failure is an assembly defect introduced by Monument Chevrolet during the course of the repair and constitutes a warranty and safety defect for which General Motors, as the manufacturer and warrantor, bears full responsibility. Medical Hardship and Urgency. This vehicle is my sole personal transportation. It is essential for travel to active medical appointments and upcoming medical procedures. The ongoing failure of General Motors and its authorized service network to restore this vehicle to a safe and fully operable condition has created a serious hardship that directly affects my ability to access needed medical care. Yes, it was driven by a service department supervisor. He did experience the issues.
NHTSA complaint #11755385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When I accelerate the vehicle, the gears shifts every 10mph when it shouldn’t. It does it all the way up to 60mph. It has been an on going problem since we got the truck
NHTSA complaint #11753626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
6 month old, 9,000 miles 2026 Sierra 1500 with Duramax 3 liter suffered an engine control module failure 4 hours into a 12.5 hour drive home from family vacation. First a transmission service warning flashed, then an emissions system failure with a forced speed reduction warning. This happened with two children and a dog in the vehicle. OnStar did diagnotics and said I had to see a dealer. Fortunately one was nearby and they determined the engine control module needed to be replaced--but i was 8.5 hours' drive from home with kids and dog and would have had to stay for 2-4 days awaiting parts and repair. I traded the truck at the dealer for a new vehicle and drove that home. This was a major safety concern traveling with children and a dog on a nearly 100 degree day. And it was a brand new vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11752717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving my family on the highway and my truck completely shut down. The screen flashed a warning and it slowly started decelerating. Thankfully I was able to make it to the shoulder of the road safely. Engine failure was a known safety issue with my model of truck, but I completed the L87 Engine Loss of Propulsion safety recall testing on 9/18/2025 and was assured my engine passed the testing and was not at risk for engine failure.
NHTSA complaint #11748693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
After driving my vehicle for a short period of time I stopped to go shopping. When I returned to my vehicle I started it as usual and the check engine light illuminated. I began driving and within 0.25 miles I received an info enter message that stated my vehicle would have reduced acceleration and to please drive safely. My engine fans became noticeably louder and ran the entire trip home (about 15 minutes). After pulling into my driveway I sat in the vehicle and listen to the fans continue to operate. Additionally, my OnStar system, WiFi, and navigation systems quit working. A P1098 Code was returned when using a diagnostic code device. Disconnecting the battery would cause the check engine light to extinguish and for the truck to operate without reduced acceleration; however, OnStar, navigation and WiFi would not work. After shutting off the engine and then restarting the check engine light would once again illuminate and the reduced acceleration message reappeared.
NHTSA complaint #11740519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I passed the recall inspection on 12/17/2025 and the higher viscosity oil was put into my vehicle. On 12/25/2025 my vehicle's engine shut off while I was traveling on the highway (I-25). The vehicle went into to neutral and I had to pull over to the side of the highway without power. The vehicle started again and as I was merging onto the highway it shut down again. The truck started again and I was able to drive it home. There were no codes found when I took it in for service on 12/26/2025. On 01/24/2026 I was driving on the highway (US-40) and I had complete engine failure. I had to get my vehicle towed to the service center and a new motor was installed. On March 27th the vehicle's engine shut off again while driving on the highway (US-191). There were no codes or check engine lights on this time either. The service records state that the starter mount stud was loose.
NHTSA complaint #11736670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
First occurrence was 02/27/2026 - onstar detecated a critical issue, the check esc, check tsc words came on in the center dash, then the orange lights came on and my truck went into limp mode at a stop light. I had to limp mode a mile to the nearest dealer. Where nothing was repaired just reset. Second occurrence - exhaust flap valve failed creating chirping noise resulting in a muffler replacement on 04/28/2026 - picked the vehicle up on 04/30/2026 Third occurrence - 05/01/2026 came out after a wedding to start my truck which it immediately repeated the first occurrence, check esc, check tsc with the orange lights and chugging. recorded on camera now the trucks been at the dealership awaiting updates.
NHTSA complaint #11735531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle decelerated to 30 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the timing belt needed to be replaced. The part was on back order. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated the vehicle previously experienced brake failure, sensor failure, and glow plug failure. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The BBB referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #11734531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
At speeds of 65-75, both with the adaptive cruise control enabled and disabled, I accelerated a little bit to pick up speed and pass another vehicle. The vehicle responded initially by gaining speed, then it feels like I hit something and the front brakes lock up for 1-2 seconds and the tires start screeching from sliding, then everything resumes to normal. I was very shocked during a recent roadtrip when this happened 4-5 times. I feel like my safety and my family’s safety is at risk and of the 2 dealerships I called, they don’t prioritize it and make it seem like a minor repair.
NHTSA complaint #11726911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.