GMC Sierra problems
598 owners have filed defect reports on this one. That's not a small number. No active recalls — patterns come from the complaint record.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
- Brakes: 60 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 4,000–13,000 mi
- Steering: 42 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 8,100–14,300 mi
- Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2019 GMC Sierra? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- engine — 217 owner reports · tends to show around 79,962 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- powertrain — 117 owner reports · tends to show around 36,749 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- electrical — 69 owner reports · tends to show around 27,854 mi · ~$850 to fix
- brakes — 60 owner reports · tends to show around 19,839 mi · ~$450 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: brakes is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 19,839 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2019 GMC Sierra
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2019 GMC Sierra
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~8,000 mibrakes~$450
- ~9,500 mielectrical~$850
- ~11,000 misteering~$700
- ~31,050 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~84,000 miengine~$3,100
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Tl* the contact owns a 2019 GMC sierra 1500. While driving approximately 25 MPH and attempting to brake, the brake pedal traveled all the way to the floorboard. Also, the ABS, check engine, brake, and differential warning indicators illuminated. In addition, the service trailer…
The vehicle is available for inspection - 35,000 approximate miles with a ebcm module repair needed in order to repair it to a level that meets federal motor vehicle safety standards of at minimum s5.3 no.126 & s5.1 no. 135 - I believe this vehicle should have been/should be…
Incident 12/29/2024 while making a stop at a Stop sign while making a left turn steering wheel broke free with no resistance what so ever??? Turned off the vehicle opened the hood discovered the intermediate steering shafts had separated??? retaining bolt missing causing shafts…
When backing up in the dark the backup camera goes to full brightness and is very disorienting and makes using you mirrors very difficult since your eyes are adjusted to the dark. Using the backup camera screen is useless due to how bright it is. Happens when vehicle is…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2019 GMC Sierra reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 598 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2019 GMC Sierra is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2019 GMC Sierra?
The 2019 GMC Sierra is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Brakes: 60 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 4,000–13,000 mi; Steering: 42 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 8,100–14,300 mi; Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2019 GMC Sierra?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 217 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 79,962 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2019 GMC Sierra a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 598 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 79,962 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2019 GMC Sierra?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 217 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 79,962 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 79,962 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my GMC Sierra has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2019 GMC Sierra?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 598 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.