2022 GMC Sierra 1500: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 439 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the engine, transmission, and body and structure. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2022- Owner complaints
- 439
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes reported
- 8
- 3 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2022 GMC Sierra 1500: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/2
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Engine bearing failure and seizure
11,000–80,000 miles
Grille molding flies off
13,100–50,000 miles
Rear brake pad wear
16,000–22,000 miles
Transmission limp mode, valve body
44,000–68,000 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Engine1441 crash
Knocking or ticking from the lower end often comes before the engine seizes or shuts off, frequently at highway speed and with no warning light. Dealers usually find failed crankshaft or connecting rod bearings, sometimes with metal in the oil filter, and replace the whole engine. Many reports name the 6.2L V8. Failures show up anywhere from about 11,000 to 80,000 miles. Replacement engines are often on national backorder for weeks or months, and some replacements fail again. Owners outside warranty report paying $11,500 or more.
Nearly every report involves engine recall 25V274000, and many describe waiting with no parts available and no repair date. Symptoms include excessive oil consumption, stalling with a hot oil message, knocking, and complete engine failure at highway speed. Some owners report problems after the recall work, including knocking within 3,000 miles of a replacement engine. One diesel owner reports a failed glow plug that was not covered by the special coverage for earlier 3.0-liter diesels.
Transmission731 crash
Two problems dominate. Engines lock up at highway speed, and the 10-speed automatic shifts hard or erratically, then drops into limp mode with reduced power. Dealers trace many transmission cases to a failed valve body or pressure control solenoid, and valve bodies are often backordered. Some transmissions need full replacement, at a cost of over $7,000. Sudden power loss forces drivers to cross lanes of moving traffic to reach the shoulder. One injury report describes the truck rolling away on an incline while still in Park.
Body and structure721 crash
The upper grille molding or deflector breaks loose at highway speed and flies off. It often strikes the windshield or hood, and following cars have had to swerve. Reports cluster between about 13,100 and 50,000 miles. A recall covers the part, but some pieces come off again after the recall repair, and some owners say their VIN is not included. Dealers quote full grille replacement when the trim is not covered. Other reports describe the tailgate dropping open while driving, camera failures, and underbody rust.
Electrical55No crashes
The power tailgate opens by itself, whether driving or parked, sometimes hitting garage doors or other cars and often after car washes. The radio volume jumps to maximum and will not turn down. Power running boards extend or retract on their own, and one owner was injured in a fall. The trailer brake controller disables the trailer brakes while towing. Two fire reports describe cabin smoke and sparks from the radio console, or a stall followed by a fire. OnStar modules and engine computers also fail.
Brakes17No crashes
The factory trailer brake controller shows Check Trailer Wiring, then disables the trailer brakes while towing. Dealers point to a GM bulletin with no fix, so owners of Max Trailer Package trucks lose trailer braking on the road. Separately, the master cylinder fails and the pedal sinks to the floor, in some cases below 16,000 miles. Some trucks need new rear pads or rotors by 16,000 to 22,000 miles. Several drivers report near-collisions when the truck did not slow.
Steering8No crashes
Power steering cuts out with Service Power Steering and Service ESC messages, which leaves the wheel very heavy and stability control off. The fault can come and go for days before it stays, and it sometimes clears after the truck sits overnight. One repair needed a reworked part from GM and a full steering rack. Other reports describe a loud noise followed by a pull to one side, and random shutdowns with loss of brakes and steering. This category has few complaints.
Suspension31 crash
A front upper ball joint and control arm fracture at highway speed, around 40,000 miles in one report. The wheel can wedge under the subframe, and the truck skids or loses braking. One of only 3 complaints involves a crash. Owners say warranty coverage paid for the control arm but not related damage. The number of reports is small, but each failure happened at highway speed.
Airbags22 crashes
Airbags fail to deploy in front-end animal strikes at highway speeds, one above 45 mph and one at 65 mph. One driver was injured when their chest hit the steering wheel. After one crash, the airbag warning light stays on with a service restraint system message. Only 2 complaints are on file, but both describe crashes.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Sierra 1500 owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Day1: vehicle stalled resulting in warning lights related to the batter. Day2: battery was replaced. Day 3: vehicle was driven less than 30 miles and starting making noise under the hood. vehicle stalled in road and was towed to repair shop/dealership. I then received notice the stater needed to be replace to start the vehicle to diagnose. The vehicle started and it was determined the engine was blown and needed to be replaced.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2025
I was pulling a trailer loaded with my UTV when I suddenly lost power going up a hill. I pulled off to the side of the road and turned off the truck. When I attempted to restart it the truck wouldn’t do anything so it needed to be towed. Upon the dealer looking at it they said the crankshaft bearing broke which is a common problem with the 6.2 motor and it needs to be replaced. The truck has just over 16,000 miles on it.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2025
While driving my Vehicle down Interstate 20 in Odessa TX the engine locked up and quit running at 70 mph in traffic. The truck is 13 months old with 17,000 miles on it. No warning lamps or alarms prior to the truck just shutting down. It was towed to the nearest GM Dealership and the Maintenance facility was able to diagnose that the motor was locked up. It was towed back to the purchase dealership in Shreveport LA at owner expense of $2,500.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2023
While driving at 65 mph, the engine locked up, the truck went into neutral, and all power was lost. This occurred with no warning at all. The truck was towed 40 miles to a GMC dealership for repairs. GMC dealership has indicated that the engine is permanently locked up and will have to be replaced. The dealership did not provide any explanation as to why the engine locked up.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2025
Just purchased 2022 GMC Sierra elevation with 25,000 miles on it. The undercarriage is completely rusted and makes a terrible ticking noise. I have read that there is recalls and issues with this on a lot of of the trucks.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2025
I was driving down the interstate going 64mph and my grill deflector flew off. Then a piece of the bracket flew up and landed on the hood about 7-10 miles afterwards.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2025
Check engine light came on at 458 miles. Took it in and after an hour they determined it was the ecm. They said it was bad. Now they're on the hunt for one. In the meantime, in a day the truck has started feeling like it's over shifting and then bogging down. 458 miles, really! I'm going to need a loaner for longer than I've had it and still make payments.
Filed with NHTSA, April 2022
The vehicle is brand new with only 300 miles on the clock. Today while driving to work and listening to XM-radio the volume spiked to max and would not respond to controls to lower volume or turn off. I was able to lower by switching to a different output. It was very detracting and potentially dangerous since the Bose speakers are very loud.
Filed with NHTSA, May 2023
How the 2022 compares with other Sierra 1500 years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2022 ranks second for owner complaints among 8 Sierra 1500 years, about 1.4 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Engine144108
- Transmission7370
- Body and structure7210
- Electrical5536
- Brakes1718
- Steering819
Where the 2022 fits in the Sierra 1500's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2022 is the fourth model year of the Sierra 1500's fifth generation (2019 on).
Recalls to confirm (5)
Recall repairs are free at any GMC dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
25V274000EngineApr 2025
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
Risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.
25V060000Body and structureFeb 2025
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with chrome front grille deflectors. The attachments that hold the front grille deflectors in place may fracture, resulting in grille detachment.
Risk: A detached front grille deflector may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will reinforce or repair all attachment points on the chrome front grille deflector, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may call GM customer service for GMC at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N242490120.
24V797000TransmissionOct 2024
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
Risk: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.
22V903000Exterior lightsDec 2022
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.".
Risk: DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222386380. This recall expands previous recall number 22V-827.
22V463000Exterior lightsJun 2022
General Motors (GM) has decided that certain 2022 model year Chevrolet Silverado, and GMC Sierra vehicles equipped with an accessory sport bar. The accessory sport bar contains a high-mounted brake light that may not function. In addition, it may block the vehicle's existing high-mounted brake light. As such, these vehicles may fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.".
Risk: An inoperative high-mounted brake light can reduce visibility to other drivers and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the installation of the accessory bar and provide the correct vehicle wiring, if necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters advising owners of the safety risk were mailed on August 10, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 27, 2023. Owners may contact GM's customer service on 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.. GM's recall number for this recall is N222368110.
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