Driving home with kids from snowboarding and check engine light comes on. “Power reduced, drive carefully” well I’m in 4 wheel drive the roads aren’t great and I have my kids in the truck. We were safe. Now? I am nearly getting ran off the road there aren’t any exits from the freeway. Kids are terrified. Able to limp home all the while with crying kids. Hook up scanner and it’s p1098. A little…
2022 GMC Sierra powertrain problems
moderate 90 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
90
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
1fire
1injury
What stands out
Owners have filed 90 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2022 GMC Sierra powertrain complaints cluster around two major failure modes: engine rod-and-main bearing seizure, and transmission valve-body degradation.
Engine failures strike without warning across mileage ranges (one case at 36k miles on a newly purchased vehicle; others at 60k–92k). Owners describe sudden loss of power on highways, inability to restart, and engine blocks that won't turn with a socket and breaker bar. Inspection reveals scattered metal in the oil pan, scored cylinders, and worn valve guides. Replacement engines sometimes fail within 25 miles of installation or exhibit the same symptoms as the original. GM's response has been inconsistent: some owners trigger a "pico test" oil-consumption protocol that can delay diagnosis for months; others report dealerships blaming exhaust systems or oil-change intervals instead of honoring the recall. One owner endured five-month shop detention after refusing a supposedly "passed inspection," only to experience total seizure three days after forced return.
Transmission valve-body failures cause harsh jerking, loss of propulsion, and entry into limp mode. Owners report the replacement part is backordered across the industry (one dealer cited 2,000 vehicles waiting; others quoted 2–3-month waits). Repair costs run $3,000+ out-of-pocket when outside GM's coverage window. Multiple dealers confirm this is a known defect with service bulletins; some owners receive GM's special warranty N242454441, others are denied it despite matching symptoms.
Transmission electrical failures strand vehicles mid-highway: one owner stuck in an interstate intersection for two hours unable to shift out of park while traffic swerved; another experienced engine kill at 319 miles (day 4 of ownership) with complete electrical shutdown. Cold-weather transmission lock-ups (24°F) and coolant control valve failures (P1098) forcing reduced-power mode at highway merge points create acute collision risk. Owners consistently report dealership loaner delays (days to weeks) and no manual park-shift override after electrical failure.
Same GMC Sierra powertrain reports on nearby years: 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2023 · 2024
Failure modes owners describe
Engine Oil Starvation / Rod and Main Bearing Failure
Owners report sudden engine seizure, loss of power, and locked crankshafts resulting in complete engine failure. Post-failure inspection reveals scattered metal in oil pans, seized rod and main bearings, and scored cylinders. Multiple owners describe high-mileage testing phases that delayed diagnosis and repair.
When: 11,000 to 92,000 miles; some failures occur early (19,000 miles post-purchase; one case at 36k after new purchase)
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of engine power while driving at highway speed; Engine stall without warning lights or advance symptoms; Blue smoke from tailpipe; Tapping or clunking in engine; Oil pressure dropping below 25 psi; Unable to restart; engine will not turn over manually; Burnt starter smell; smoke when attempting restart after seizure; Metal glitter visible in drained oil
Codes mentioned: P0016, P0011, P1098
Repairs/costs cited: Full engine replacement required; delays span weeks to months. One owner reported $10,000+ out-of-pocket costs. Another experienced three engine replacements in sequence (two failed after install). Replaced engines sometimes exhibit same symptoms (shudder, no proper break-in).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall investigation ongoing. Some owners report GM denying warranty coverage citing mileage thresholds (e.g., 60k+), oil-change intervals, or Active Fuel Management (AFM) system blame. Extended warranty program issued for some issues but not universally applied. One owner reported recall notice received but dealership attempted to blame exhaust system instead, then forced vehicle return after 5-month hold.
Transmission Valve Body Failure
Transmission control valve body degrades, causing harsh or unpredictable shifting, loss of propulsion, and entry into limp mode. Owners report the part is widely backordered (2000+ vehicles waiting; some dealers cite 2–3-month waits). Multiple owners confirm this is a known problem with service bulletins issued by GM.
When: 30,000 to 100,000+ miles; some failures within 2–3 years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Hard clunking or jerking during shifts (1st–2nd gear particularly noted); Inability to shift into reverse or other gears; Transmission will not engage drive or neutral; Vehicle locked in high gear (7th gear reported); Reduced power mode / limp mode activation; Rear-wheel lock-up during downshift (rare; noted in recall); Message 'Service Transmission Immediately' or 'Transmission Service' warning displayed; Check engine light illumination; Metal shavings inside transmission pan; Transmission refuses to respond to shifter input after restart
Codes mentioned: P0700, P0746, P07B4, C1555, U0101, U220F
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission valve body replacement or full transmission replacement. Parts severely backordered; some vehicles sit at dealers for 1–5+ months. One owner quoted $3,000 out-of-pocket for valve body at 72k miles (outside GM coverage window). Another dealer told customer part redesign is underway due to known faultiness but new vehicles receiving priority over in-service replacements.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM issued Special Warranty Coverage #N242454441 for control valve issues; however, many VINs not included despite matching failure profile. Recall N242454440 addresses excess wear of transmission control valve causing harsh shifting and rare rear-wheel lock-up; remedy is TCM software update. Some owners report VINs excluded from recall or warranty despite symptoms matching recall description. One owner outside 60k-mile threshold denied coverage.
Transmission Pressure Control Solenoid / Hydraulic Pressure Degradation
Transmission pressure control solenoid fails or becomes stuck, degrading hydraulic pressure and causing erratic shifting or propulsion loss. Owners describe sudden loss of motive power and high-rpm lockup, sometimes requiring vehicle to be towed mid-highway.
When: Primarily 50,000–100,000+ miles; some early (31k reported)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle suddenly loses motive power while driving; Message 'Pull Over' displayed on instrument cluster; Check engine light illumination; Pressure control solenoid stuck or failed; Erratic shifting at highway speeds; Vehicle must be turned off, cooled, and restarted to restore power; Recurrent failures even after repair
Repairs/costs cited: Solenoid replacement attempted; multiple owners report failure recurs or transmission requires full replacement. One owner diagnosed with stuck solenoid requiring valve body replacement; part on backorder.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific manufacturer response cited in narratives beyond dealer diagnosis and referral to warranty coverage boundaries.
Coolant Control Valve Failure (P1098)
Coolant control valve failure causes reduced power mode activation, often at inopportune driving moments (highway merging, heavy traffic). Owners report this is a known issue; GM issued extended warranty but recently reclassified it from powertrain to shorter bumper-to-bumper / emissions warranty without owner notification.
When: 50,000+ miles and beyond; some failures reported well under 5,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminated; Vehicle enters reduced power mode ('Power reduced, drive carefully' message); Loss of acceleration capability (vehicle unable to exceed 30–40 mph); Hesitation and sputtering while driving; Difficult steering during reduced-power event; Oil pressure gauge dropping below normal
Codes mentioned: P1098
Repairs/costs cited: Coolant control valve replacement. Part reported on national backorder. Owners note this failure creates collision risk during highway merging or in traffic.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM issued extended warranty coverage for coolant control valve issue but recently reclassified it from powertrain warranty (longer coverage) to bumper-to-bumper warranty (shorter coverage) without notifying owners. No recall issued despite widespread reports.
Transmission Electrical / Shift-to-Park Logic Failures
Transmission electrical system fails to allow shift out of park when engine is off or during emergency. Vehicle becomes immobilized in drive position or refuses to shift to neutral for towing, creating dangerous stranding situations.
When: Early in ownership (319 miles, 17,000 miles, 15,000 miles reported)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not shift out of park after engine stall; Message 'Conditions Not Correct for Shift' displayed; Electric shifter inoperative when engine is off; Vehicle stuck in drive position during emergency; Tow truck unable to place vehicle in neutral for flat-bedding; Persistent 'Shift to Park' message displayed even when already in park
Codes mentioned: U0101, U220F
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission control module or electrical harness replacement. One owner stranded for 2 hours on interstate; another unable to move vehicle out of intersection for extended period. Owners request manual shift release provision.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented. One owner noted lack of manual park release override as design deficiency.
Hard or Unpredictable Transmission Shifting
Transmission shifts harshly or unpredictably, jerking the vehicle abruptly between gears. Behavior often improves temporarily after software update or transmission flush but returns within months to 1,000 miles.
When: Throughout ownership; some present from early miles (35–40 mph shifts noted)
Symptoms owners cite: Hard clunking or jerking during shift (especially 1st–2nd gear); Vehicle jerks so violently items fly from cup holders; Aggressive downshift from highway speed into first gear; Transmission locked in high gear (7th) during normal driving; Delayed shift response after accelerator input; Vehicle must be stopped and restarted to clear condition; Shift shuddering and vibration
Repairs/costs cited: Software/system reset attempted; transmission flush attempted (quoted ~$500); temporary improvement followed by recurrence. One owner reports removal of accelerator pressure during 1st–2nd transition as workaround. Another experienced shudder immediately after replacement engine installation.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers initially advised 'normal' behavior or applied software updates with temporary effect. No permanent solution documented in narratives.
Engine Sensor / EGR Sensor Failures
Engine sensors fail prematurely, triggering check engine light and transmission service warnings. Diagnostic code P07B4 (transmission control malfunction) correlates with transmission pressure or sensor wear.
When: Early in ownership; repeated occurrences
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light flashing; Transmission service warning message; EGR sensor malfunction; Engine misfires; Transmission shifted to limp mode after sensor replacement
Codes mentioned: P07B4, P0700
Repairs/costs cited: EGR sensor replacement attempted; issue not resolved with sensor alone. Subsequent diagnostics revealed deeper transmission control issues.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall N242454440 addresses transmission valve wear; TCM software update provided as remedy, but some vehicles require additional hardware repair.
Rear Main Seal Failure
Rear main seal fails, allowing oil leakage. Failure occurs both on original and replacement engines, indicating possible design or installation defect.
When: Early in ownership (one failure at 35,000 miles initial engine; another at 70,000 miles on replacement engine)
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leakage from rear engine seal; Excessive oil consumption
Repairs/costs cited: Rear main seal replacement; one owner reported technician burned out seal immediately upon reinstallation, suggesting installation procedure defect.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty repair performed; no extended coverage noted.
Electrical System Failures (Tailgate, Infotainment, Lighting, Remote Start)
Multiple electrical faults: tailgate opens randomly during driving, infotainment system and rearview camera become inoperative, headlights illuminate independently, remote start fails after engine replacement. Some failures correlate with engine control unit or battery issues; others appear unrelated.
When: Throughout ownership; some manifest after engine replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Tailgate opens unexpectedly while driving, spilling cargo; Infotainment system becomes inoperative; Rearview camera inoperative; Lane control assist activates independently, steering vehicle into other lanes; Headlights illuminate or flicker independently; Remote start inoperative after engine replacement; Starter burned out; battery overcharged; Electrical system failures correlating with engine control module issues
Repairs/costs cited: Infotainment system replacement or reset attempted (repeated attempts); tailgate latch inspection and replacement; remote start system diagnostics after engine replacement reveal OnStar module failure or electrical integration issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership repairs applied; no recall or extended coverage noted for systemic electrical integration problems.
Braking and Steering Assist Failures
Power steering and lane-keeping assist systems malfunction or activate unexpectedly, compromising vehicle control. One incident involved steering independently activating across lanes.
When: Early in ownership (15,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Lane control assist independently activates, steering vehicle into adjacent lanes; Power steering function affected during electrical system event; Check suspension message displayed
Repairs/costs cited: Electrical system diagnostics attempted; root cause not clearly identified in narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership repair attempted; failure persisted.
Transmission Lock-Up in High Gear Under Load
Transmission locks into high gear (7th) or refuses to downshift when climbing grades or under towing load. Cold temperatures (24°F) correlate with onset in one case.
When: Variable; cold-weather event documented at 24°F ambient
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission locked in 7th gear (repeated 6x in succession); Inability to shift down during hill climbing; Inability to shift up or down once locked; Engine RPM stuck at 2,500 while driving 45 mph; Check engine light and reduced acceleration warning; Message 'Service Transmission, now unable to shift soon' displayed
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission control module or solenoid diagnostics; specific repair outcome not documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented.
Diesel Engine Failures (3.0L Turbo-Diesel)
3.0L turbo-diesel engines experience sudden shutdown, refusing to restart or shift gears. One failure at 319 miles (day 4 of ownership) caused catastrophic multi-system fault.
When: Early in ownership; one at 319 miles, others at variable mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts down without warning at highway speed; Entire electrical system shuts down simultaneously; Multiple diagnostic codes stored (C1555, U0101, U220F, P25A2); Vehicle will not shift out of park; Message 'Conditions Not Correct for Shift' displayed; Collision assist light and multiple warning lights illuminate
Codes mentioned: C1555, U0101, U220F, P25A2
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement required. One owner at 319 miles experienced full system reset after off-and-on cycle but vehicle remained dangerous.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified in some cases; warranty applies but customer experienced extreme stranding danger with young family in vehicle.
Park Brake / Shifter Cable Seizure
Shifter cable seizes or gear shifter handle fractures, causing vehicle to remain in drive when shifter is manipulated. One incident involved shifter handle fracturing during parking attempt.
When: 35,000 miles (shifter handle fracture), variable (shifter cable seizure)
Symptoms owners cite: Shifter handle fractures during normal operation; Shifter cable seized; vehicle remains in drive; Message 'Vehicle in Gear' displayed after restart; Unable to shift to park
Repairs/costs cited: Shifter handle replacement and transmission cable replacement or repair; both items required towing.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified in documented case.
Active Fuel Management (AFM) System Oil Starvation
AFM system operation correlates with oil starvation and bearing failure. One owner reports GM denied warranty claiming oil-change interval exceeded 7,500 miles, despite metal discovered in oil filter.
When: High-mileage failure (intervals between oil changes)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine bearing failure with metal in oil filter; No warning lights or symptoms prior to failure
Repairs/costs cited: Full engine replacement required; warranty denied on AFM-related failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM denied warranty coverage, citing oil-change interval exceeding 7,500 miles, despite metal in filter indicating systemic bearing failure independent of maintenance interval.
Synthesized from 90 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle and leaving the local dealer, he heard an abnormal sound with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the…
When the truck reaches approximately 50mph it is unable to shift into the next gears and then it's unable to downshift. The transmission will not go into neutral. The truck must be stopped and turned off, sometimes it will need to be restarted 2x before it's able to shift into first gear. The outdoors temperature was approximately 24F, transmission temp was 178F. The truck locked into 7th gear 6x…
Truck was placed in Park on an inclined road. Exiting truck, truck started to roll backwards. I was struck and right foot was run over by Driver's side front tire and knocked down. I was wearing composite toe shoes which enabled me to get up and run after the truck, trying to stop and control the truck a second time. I was hit again and thrown off the side of the road into a briar patch. Truck…
Transmission self destructed at 68,000 miles. Had to have it replaced at GMC dealership at a cost of over $7,000. GMC did not offer any coverage of the cost.
Purchased this vehicle used with having 34k miles. Currently has 37k. Powertrain is still under warranty. I will be taking it in to have looked at. The truck has already been in for rear main seal failure and the dealership failed to investigate the transmission issue as far as I know. The issue is with the transmission and shifting, specifically going into second gear. While going into…
My truck went into "limp" mode and had very little power. It was towed to the dealership where they diagnosed the issue as a bad solenoid causing the engine misfires. The solenoid was replaced, but the issue was not fixed. Now the dealership is stating the engine has bent lifters and the repairs will not be covered under the ongoing massive engine recall. The vehicle had the pico test on 9/17…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2022 GMC Sierra?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2022 GMC Sierra?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 90 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 30,000 and 81,000 miles, with the median around 52,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 81,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2022/GMC/Sierra.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.