2023 GMC Sierra problems
The 2023 GMC Sierra has 420 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2023 GMC Sierra has 420 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 157 complaints, typically surfacing around 32,227 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Sierra | 442 | 0 |
| 2021 Sierra | 529 | 0 |
| 2022 Sierra | 543 | 0 |
| 2023 Sierra (this page) | 420 | 0 |
| 2024 Sierra | 322 | 0 |
| 2025 Sierra | 93 | 0 |
| 2026 Sierra | 60 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Electrical system: 44 complaints, classified severe
- Reliability score 7.2/10 — 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 2023 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 — 157 owner reports · tends to show around 32,227 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- powertrain — 79 owner reports · tends to show around 44,818 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- body — 59 owner reports · tends to show around 58,750 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
- electrical — 44 owner reports · tends to show around 27,570 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 27,570 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: 7.2/10 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 2023 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
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
While driving down the highway the top part of the front of the grill flew off bounced over top of my vehicle and landed on the ground in the highway where the car behind me then ran it over and it blew into the median. I notified my local GMC dealer who said there is no…
Tailgate can open by switch located at storage area in console. It can be easily bumped then tailgate will o pen without driver receiving a warning light or dashboard message. If this occurs, and it did with this vehicle, any cargo could potentially fall out causing accident to…
Upper grill trim panel broke off while on highway and went flying over the truck while at highway speeds. Same issue as existing recall for the 2022 model.
Cylinder failed right after I had the 6.2 engine recalled. Failed on a 1200 mile daily trip through winter conditions in Utah.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2023 GMC Sierra reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 420 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2023 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 2023 GMC Sierra?
The 2023 GMC Sierra is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 44 complaints, classified severe; Reliability score 7.2/10 — 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 2023 GMC Sierra?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 157 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 32,227 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 2023 GMC Sierra a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 420 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 32,227 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 2023 GMC Sierra?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 157 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 32,227 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 32,227 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 2023 GMC Sierra?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 420 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.