Research

2019 GMC Sierra 2500Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 32 owner complaints for the 2019 GMC Sierra 2500. Most complaints involve electrical system (9) and engine (6). NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
—
No EPA rating found
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest May 2026
Owner complaints
32
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
—
No EPA estimate
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags

Free remedy

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles. The left-side or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.

Air bagsReported May 21, 2026NHTSA 26V325000

Air bags

Free remedy

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 Crew Cab vehicles. The left or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.

Air bagsReported Mar 19, 2026NHTSA 26V166000

Air bags

Free remedy

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain 2018 GMC Sierra 1500, 2019 Sierra 2500, 3500, Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab vehicles. The left or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.

Air bagsReported Jun 26, 2025NHTSA 25V432000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

32 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2019 – Jul 2026
  1. Electrical system9
  2. Engine6
  3. Service brakes4
  4. Fuel system, diesel3
  5. Engine and engine cooling2
  6. Power train2
  7. Fuel/propulsion system2
  8. Equipment2
  9. Tires2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Sierra 2500 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199936
201932
202079
202152
202245
202333
2024108
202528
202612
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

9 reports3 fires
“On 07/10/2026 at approximately 1:10 a.m., the parked and unoccupied vehicle caught fire while turned off. The vehicle had not been driven for several hours. A neighbor was awakened by the horn/alarm and popping noises, observed fire near the passenger-side cab/engine area, and called 911. The fire rapidly spread throughout the cab, engine compartment, rocker-panel areas, wheel wells, and truck bed, creating an explosion hazard and threatening a nearby occupied residence and garage. The fire department extinguished the blaze, but the vehicle was completely destroyed. Before the fire, the vehicle had experienced recurring coolant warnings, a DEF-system warning, and delayed starting associated with the main battery. No smoke, fuel odor, intentional ignition source, charging device, or known external fire source was present before the incident. Weather was calm. The exact failed component and cause remain UNKNOWN. A firefighter stated that the apparent fire origin was near the passenger side of the vehicle. The remains are available for inspection, subject to coordination with the vehicle owner and insurer. The incident has been reported to the fire department,…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 22, 2026Electrical system, EngineFire reportedODI 11752275

Engine

6 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the stabilitrak stopped functioning properly. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing to reset the computer electronic system. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The contact stated he was also smelling battery acid inside the cabin of the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V496000 (Engine); the VIN was included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 18, 2022EngineODI 11479903

Service brakes

4 reports
“DEFECTIVE TRAILER BRAKE SWITCH ,WHICH POSES A RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY IF YOU ARE TOWING A TRAVEL TRAILER, WHERE BRAKES FAIL LOCK UP IS POSSIBLE DANGEROUS TO PULL”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 21, 2023Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11533680
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

6 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
GMC Sierra 2500 PU/RC 4WD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
20.4%
Overall
4 / 5
GMC Sierra 2500 PU/EC 4WD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
20.4%
Overall
4 / 5
GMC Sierra 2500 PU/RC RWD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
20.4%
Overall
4 / 5
GMC Sierra 2500 PU/EC RWD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
20.4%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 14025Vehicle 14023Vehicle 14019
05 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
07 —FAQ

2019 Sierra 2500 questions

How many recalls does the 2019 GMC Sierra 2500 have?

7 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2019 GMC Sierra 2500 problems?

Owners filed 32 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (9), engine (6), service brakes (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

How safe is the 2019 GMC Sierra 2500?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2019 GMC Sierra 2500 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026