2023 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report engine problems — sudden loss of power or stalling on the road, knocking or ticking noises, and in several cases an engine that had to be replaced, with many complaints under 30,000 miles. A separate cluster involves the front grille trim and the power tailgate coming loose or opening on their own, and transmission shudder, harsh shifting and valve body replacement come up as well.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine stall, loss of power or internal failure

   • 173 complaints (35%)
   • median 24,500 mi at 2.8 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners describe the truck losing power or shutting off while driving at highway or moderate speeds, sometimes with no warning light beforehand, and sometimes failing to restart afterwards. Several complaints say the dealer diagnosed internal engine damage and replaced or ordered a replacement engine, while others report knocking, ticking or grinding noises at startup or under load. Some owners mention waiting on parts related to recall 25V274000, and more than one describes a replacement engine that later developed problems again. Often reported between roughly 1,000 and 35,000 miles, with some cases reported well past 70,000 miles.

   Recall 25V274000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 25V274000 (6.2L V8 connecting rod/crankshaft) applies to the VIN and whether the inspection or repair was completed. Listen for cold-start ticking or knocking and ask for oil change records.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On June 1 my 2023 gmc sierra 1500 6.2 began making a grinding and knocking sound on the engine no previous warning or symptoms. I believe it's a problem related to the engine recall so on June 2nd I took my vehicle to the dealership Brown Chevrolet of Eagle Pass TX where I was told that it would be about two weeks for them to get to it.”

   NHTSA complaint #11665101, filed 2025-06

   “While driving on the interstate, my vehicle started losing speed. I pulled over to the shoulder of the interstate and put in neutral so I could coast further to the exit ramp where I would be in a safer location. My vehicle has 14037 miles on the odometer and has now gone through 2 engines. It has always been serviced by GM.”

   NHTSA complaint #11641203, filed 2025-02
2. 2
   Body and structure

   Front grille trim detaches at speed

   • 73 complaints (15%)
   • median 50,675 mi at 3.8 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners describe the chrome upper grille deflector or shutter breaking loose at highway speed and flying off the truck, sometimes striking the windshield or landing in traffic. Complaints say the plastic retention brackets had sheared and that the dealer quoted replacement of the deflector or the whole grille assembly; several owners note their VIN was not covered by the related structure recall and that parts were backordered. Mostly reported between about 40,000 and 75,000 miles, usually at highway speeds.

   Recall 25V274000

   What to check: Inspect the upper grille trim and its clips for looseness or cracking, and ask the dealer whether any structure campaign covers the VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving at highway speeds the upper front grill part of my gmc sierra truck simply flew off. It went airborne and flew behind me causing traffic directly behind me to swerve out of the way into other traffic lanes to avoid missing the grill piece from hitting them. There was no indication of the part being loose or rattling or any warning. It simply just flew off. This could have easily caused an accident or flew into my windshield and cracked it as well. This needs to be investigated. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11771269, filed 2026-10

   “The upper grill chrome trim blew off at highway speed. The plastic brackets holding it in place sheared off. This was a known defect resulting in 70,000 recalled trucks for the prior year model (2022), but for some reason isn't covered for 2023. Same exact issue”

   NHTSA complaint #11757457, filed 2026-08
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Harsh shifting, shudder and valve body replacement

   • 116 complaints (23%)
   • median 28,615 mi at 2.5 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2023–2026

   Complaints describe shuddering at speed, rough or delayed shifts, and the transmission jerking or slamming into gear, sometimes with a "Service Transmission Now" message. Dealers identified the valve body or torque converter in several cases and replaced them, with owners reporting the shudder returning later. One owner also noted a gear shift control module failure that required replacement. Spread from about 8,000 to 100,000 miles, with many reports in the 30,000-80,000 mile range.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive at steady highway speed and in stop-and-go traffic and feel for shudder or harsh shifts. Ask whether any transmission software update or valve body work has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2023 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving in 1st and 2nd gear, the transmission was slipping, causing the vehicle to jerk. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the valve body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11719403, filed 2026-02, 97,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2023 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered while in first gear. The contact stated that the transmission sounded strained and shifted rough before slamming into gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the vehicle was oversteering while turning to the right. The dealer replaced the valve and torque converter. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11715151, filed 2026-02, 8,496 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Power tailgate opens on its own

   • 31 complaints (6%)
   • median 4,050 mi at 0.9 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners report the tailgate releasing or dropping without input while parked or driving, in some cases with cargo falling out, and the ajar warning not always appearing. Complaints say the exterior touchpad or release switch was diagnosed as faulty and replaced, and several owners were told their VIN was not included in the recall covering this symptom. Reported from as little as 900 miles up to about 6,000 miles, plus a few at higher mileage.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check that the tailgate latches firmly and that the ajar message shows when it is open, and ask whether the tailgate release switch has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On May 5, 2024, while driving my 2023 GMC Sierra truck on HWY 40 near Holbrook, AZ, the tailgate lowered un-commanded twice while driving. I called GMC and they told me that my vin is not included in the recall. There is a recall for this exact problem however GMC said it is only for GMCC truck built at a specific plant. This happened twice and did significant damage to my tailgate.”

   NHTSA complaint #11590258, filed 2024-05

   “Approx 17 months after purchase, tailgate release button (the lower button on the tailgate that is used to open (fully) the tailgate) stopped releasing the tailgate, however tailgate releases randomly when opening one of the truck doors. Based on the fix that has been subscribed for existing Chevy & GMC trucks with recalls for this same problem (although my truck isn't covered by current recalls) , my mechanic has ordered a new tailgate release switch (or whatever it is called) which they are installing tomorrow.”

   NHTSA complaint #11605042, filed 2024-07
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Rear or surround camera blank or fuzzy

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the rear-view camera showing a black or frozen image, or a blurry image, and sometimes the front and side cameras failing at the same time. Some owners were told the camera module needed replacement but the part was unavailable, and others had the wiring and display inspected without a fault being found. Reported from about 8,500 miles up to roughly 60,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Put the truck in reverse and cycle through camera views to confirm a clear image, and ask whether any software update or camera module replacement was done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2023 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in reverse(R), the rear-view camera froze and occasionally glitched. The failure was a recurring failure. The contact associated the failure with Technical Service Bulletin: PIT6369B. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11772613, filed 2026-10, 60,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2023 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the rearview camera, front view camera, and side view cameras became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the camera module needed to be replaced; however, the part to fix the vehicle was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,500.”

   NHTSA complaint #11575712, filed 2024-03, 8,500 miles

Buying note. This model year's complaints cluster around engine failures and the front grille trim, so checking recall 25V274000 coverage and the grille trim condition matters more than mileage alone. A thorough test drive covering highway speeds, steady-speed crawling and reverse camera views will surface most of what owners describe.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.