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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2026 GMC Sierra 1500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
35about this part
Share
24%of 147 total for the year
Median mileage
2,000miles
Trend
Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.

NHTSA recorded 35 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2026 GMC Sierra 1500, 24% of the 147 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 2,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“While driving on the highway, the steering became much more stiff, and then I heard metallic clanging sounds for a few seconds. The dashboard said press start to start Vehicle. I pressed start while going 30 miles an hour and all lights and instrument clusters went black. I pulled into the grass median where the truck would not start or shift gears. Truck was towed to a GMC dealership”

NHTSA complaint #11740289, filed 2026-05

“26’ GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 3.0l Duramax experiencing Harsh shifting occurring sporadically while accelerating and deceleration. More frequent and severe during quick deceleration. Severe clunking/rear wheel lock up while reversing. Very repeatable. Truck was a dealer demo and had 2400 miles on it when I bought it last week. Took it in to the dealer today and they said I need a complete new transmission.”

NHTSA complaint #11711300, filed 2026-01

“On 10/15/2026 I was making a slow right-hand turn up a slight incline into a parking lot when the vehicle braked very hard and the transmission made a grinding noise. I looked at the dashboard, and it was showing that the truck shifted into park while I was driving. The electronic brake engaged as well. I tried putting the truck back into drive, but it would not go into drive. On the dash there was a Service Transmission warning. The push to start engine button still had the green LED on as if the vehicle was running. …”

NHTSA complaint #11771425, filed 2026-10

“The motor on my 2026 GMC Sierra stalled 2 weeks ago with a p0016(crankshaft position sensor issue). Was able to clear code and limp home. Vehicle did stall on a busy road and stop abruptly. Scheduled service and was advised to drive it in. Was experiencing irregular idle when warmed up, and a slight hesitation in the pedal. Service advisor started the vehicle and claimed no codes, and everything appear OK. Later in the afternoon the service advisor called to inform me that the vehicle had a siezed engine and had siezed during a test drive on the highway. …”

NHTSA complaint #11729317, filed 2026-04

“I heard a loud metallic knock that was not consistent with normal engine noise. I noticed the oil pressure was on the lower end of the scale but not abnormal based on how it is displayed. I decided to take the vehicle to the dealer ASAP for an oil change (that was coming due) and discuss with them. I drove roughly 20 miles from start of noise until delivery at the dealer. The truck gave me a Reduced Acceleration, drive with caution message 10 miles prior to the dealership but no associated lights, engine codes, check engine light or associated alerts on the myGMC app. …”

NHTSA complaint #11712965, filed 2026-01

Related recalls

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20263524%
20252822%
20247319%
20239218%
202211319%
202114524%
20209920%
201914021%
201813143%
201711833%
20168424%
20159914%
2014699%
201333%
201266%
2011248%
201042%
200994%
200862%
200762%
2006139%
2005116%
200484%
200363%
200253%
200132%
200095%
199921%
1998712%
1997810%
199418%

Other parts of the 2026 GMC Sierra 1500

Engine
101 complaints
Electrical system
20 complaints
Fuel system
11 complaints
Other or unknown
11 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
6 complaints
Brakes
5 complaints
Steering
4 complaints
Vehicle speed control
4 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
3 complaints
Lane departure
2 complaints
Body and structure
2 complaints
Equipment
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2026 GMC Sierra 1500

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology