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2015 GMC SierraProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 53 owner complaints about the 2015 GMC Sierra, most often about the exterior lighting. It is covered by 6 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-640 the manufacturer reports only 83% of affected cars repaired.

2015 GMC Sierra
67
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years50% below the Sierra median · #19 of 28 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Lowest repair rate 83%Owner complaints535 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage1kExterior lighting, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 30, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2015 GMC Sierra has problems

53 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Exterior lighting300
Power train62
Steering60
Air bags41
Service brakes21
Engine20
Seats20
Structure20
Engine and engine cooling10
8 other systems82

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

6 recalls

2015 GMC Sierra recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

83%repaired · 2017 Q1

Electrical system: ignition

Recall 15V-640 · Oct 9, 2015 · 3,073 vehicles · 2,551 repaired

Risk. If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power,…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

100%repaired · 2015 Q3

Axle assembly: axle shaft

Recall 14V-819 · Dec 24, 2014 · 152 vehicles · 152 repaired

Risk. If the rear axle shaft fractures, the rear wheel may separate from the axle shaft, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

99%repaired · 2016 Q1

Steering: electric power assist system

Recall 14V-719 · Nov 10, 2014 · 679 vehicles · 670 repaired

Risk. An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

95%repaired · 2015 Q4

Seats

Recall 14V-446 · Jul 23, 2014 · 124,007 vehicles · 117,787 repaired

Risk. A seat that does not stay secured increases the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
94%repaired · 2015 Q4

Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)

Recall 14V-374 · Jun 27, 2014 · 392,459 vehicles · 369,338 repaired

Risk. If the transfer case switches to neutral while the vehicle is parked and the parking brake is not in use, the vehicle may roll away increasing the risk of…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

98%repaired · 2015 Q2

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system

Recall 14V-007 · Jan 13, 2014 · 325,213 vehicles · 319,467 repaired

Risk. The overheated exhaust components may melt nearby plastic parts and may result in an engine fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with GMC.

Mileage at failure

When do exterior lighting problems start?

1kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 21 exterior lighting complaints. 100% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
21under 30k miles21under 100k miles0100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2015 vs. every other Sierra year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sierra median. How we score

'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What Sierra owners report

Recent exterior lighting complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THE PROJECTOR HEADLIGHTS ARE INADEQUATE ON A LEVEL ROAD, AND ARE DANGEROUS ON ROLLING TERRAIN ROADS AND CURVES. THEY COULD BE POSSIBLY DESIGNED FOR STATIONARY USE IN A PERFECT ENVIORMENT BUT NOT FOR MOVING VEHICLES, I CANNOT SAFELY DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AT NIGHT, I FEAR NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF BUT FOR…
Complaint 10860170 · Apr 18, 2016 · 200 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT WAS DEFECTIVE AND DID NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHT COVERAGE. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENGAGE THE HIGH BEAMS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER RAISED THE LOW BEAMS; HOWEVER; THE LIGHT COVERAGE WAS…
Complaint 10854991 · Apr 12, 2016 · 300 miles
HEADLIGHTS ARE FAR TO DIM AND DIRECTIONAL TO DRIVE SAFELY AT NIGHT. HAD THE LIGHT FIX DONE AT DEALER. NOW HORIZONTAL BLACK LINE GOING DOWN HILL MEAN YOU CAN ONLY SEE A VERY SHORT DISTANCE IN FRONT OF YOU? HEADLIGHTS STILL INADEQUATE.
Complaint 10853135 · Apr 3, 2016

Own a 2015 Sierra?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.