2015 GMC Sierra 3500 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 13%of 31 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 36,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine of the 2015 GMC Sierra 3500, 13% of the 31 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 36,500 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving white smoke bellowing out front right tire wheel well. Upon inspection, smoke coming from exhaust pipe clamp near turbo. Smell so bad have to drive with window open. It appears engine on fire from the amount of smoke emitting from under the hood. At idle it get worse. It appears smoke is exhaust fumes leaking from the pipe joint. No engine light to indicate a problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10721253, filed 2015-05, 5,421 miles“The contact owns a 2015 Gmc SIERRA 3500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH a knocking noise was present coming from the engine and heavy smoke was seen coming out of the exhaust. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the piston fractured and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer fair grounds Gmc (100 fairgrounds rd, rolla mo) was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 106,000. The VIN was not available.”
NHTSA complaint #11302285, filed 2020-01, 106,000 miles“Vehicle has a cp4 fuel pump. This pump has a high failure rate. Upon failure the vehicle shuts down and cannot be restarted. This can happen at any time and anywhere. Can happen while on a highway or freeway. This vehicle is used to haul heave loads. This failure can ending up to $10,000 or more to repair. This failure has not happened on this vehicle yet. Am very concerned about me safety and the safety of others because of the high failure rate.”
NHTSA complaint #11476314, filed 2022-07Related service bulletins
- 11026017Jun 5, 2025This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- 11024485May 15, 2025The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 11020254May 7, 2025This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000 miles that may not pass California smog inspection or smog inspection in…
- 11017263Mar 25, 2025This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to…
- 11016942Mar 4, 2025This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to…
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11014233Jan 30, 2025This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large…
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11012907Dec 18, 2024This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- 11011900Nov 22, 2024This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 12% |
| 2024 | 8 | 16% |
| 2023 | 3 | 11% |
| 2022 | 3 | 9% |
| 2021 | 3 | 15% |
| 2020 | 6 | 12% |
| 2019 | 2 | 15% |
| 2018 | 1 | 7% |
| 2017 | 2 | 15% |
| 2016 | 5 | 26% |
| 2015 | 4 | 13% |
| 2014 | 1 | 14% |
| 2013 | 2 | 14% |
| 2012 | 3 | 33% |
| 2011 | 1 | 5% |
| 2008 | 1 | 4% |
| 2007 | 2 | 13% |
| 2005 | 1 | 4% |
| 2002 | 1 | 5% |
| 2001 | 2 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2015 GMC Sierra 3500
6 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2015 GMC Sierra 3500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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