2015 GMC Sierra 1500: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Jun 20, 2025 · Driver assistance, Transmission · AL

I am reporting a critical issue with the transmission. The transmission frequently slips, hesitates, and jerks unexpectedly during acceleration and gear shifts. On multiple occasions, the vehicle has lost power or failed to respond while entering intersections, merging onto highways, or attempting to accelerate—posing a serious safety risk. The issue often occurs without warning and has worsened over time. Additionally, there are instances of harsh downshifting, delayed engagement from park to drive, and sudden lurching forward or backward, which could easily result in a collision. Despite visits to the dealership and complaints made, the issue has not been resolved, and I’ve learned that many other owners of this same model have reported nearly identical symptoms. This appears to be a systemic problem with the transmission system. Given the safety risk, especially in traffic and at high speeds, I strongly believe this defect warrants immediate investigation and a formal recall.

Filed Mar 17, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · SD

Motor blew up while driving down the road. Had to replace motor on 08/23/2023 at about 116,000 miles. Left me and my family stranded in the middle of no where. Was going around 60 miles an hour and when passing someone got up to 71 mph and then motor blown push rod bent. Transmission issues. Hesitation when switching from park to drive/ reverse. Takes at least 40 seconds and when you accelerate it will jerk so hard. Will lunge forward very sudden and sometimes even when coming to a stop at a stop sign. This happens almost every day.

Filed Mar 1, 2023 · Brakes · 61,299 miles · MT

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH and coming to a stop, the brake pedal was depressed but hesitated to respond, causing 10-15 feet stopping distance delay. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving downhill. The brake pedal was depressed down to the floorboard but failed to respond, almost causing the vehicle to crash into another vehicle. The contact pumped the brake pedal and the vehicle stopped; however, the failure reoccurred while driving at slow speeds and approaching the residence. The contact stated that her son test drove the vehicle at high speed and informed her that the brakes operated as needed. The contact became aware that the failure was occurring mainly while driving at slow speeds. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that she needed to pay a diagnostic test fee, but the contact declined. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 61,299.

Filed Jul 20, 2022 · Brakes · TX

On July 18, 2022 my trailer brakes suddenly stopped functioning ( a few hours from home) Not only did did the trailer brakes stop functioning, but this warning message didn't popped up just one time, it kept coming again and again and again and again, relentlessy chiming and distracting me from driving. it covered my speedometer readout. it prevented me from receiving or making voice commands. the service warning chime also prevented the turn signal from functioning. So for a full 4 hours I was constantly reminded and was unable to receive calls or make voice commands. i absolutely wont hesitate to say the vehicle was not safe to drive in that condition. your vehicle's defect endangered my life. I will not hesitate to say your vehicle was not safe to drive in that condition. Your vehicles defect endangered my life! Lastly, my vehicle did not want to start the next morning!!

Filed Jun 23, 2022 · Engine · CA

bad lifters causing hesitation and and hard shifting.

Filed Jan 23, 2021 · Brakes · 36,000 miles · TX

Vacuum issue with brakes. Backing up vehicle with utility trailer when brake pedal is pressed their is hesitation and lack of ease when pressing pedal. Then if press pedal after that there is no movement and pedal is like pushing rock with foot, no softness, no movement all. Have noticed this occasionally for the past 8 or 10 months before finding this place here to note my issue

Filed Dec 8, 2018 · Transmission · 40,000 miles · NC

When accelerating truck will sag and or hesitate. When you slow down and try to speed up the truck will hesitate for 5 or more sec. Before speed back up gm said that this is due to zero torque to me this is a safety hazard

Filed Dec 8, 2016 · Transmission · 3,985 miles · WA

Extreme lag/delay- harsh engagement when shifting from park to reverse. Its like you are backing into something? When cruising 28-32 MPH and releasing accelerator(as if you were coasting into a turn) when slowing the vehicle seems to shift up and lunge entering the turn. Clunks and shifts hard when cruising normally when you have to release the gas pedal and slightly reaccelerate, causing the driver to hesitate. Vehicle shutters and hard accel 10x worse when towing a 7000 # trailer (truck is rated over 12,000 lbs. Towing).

Filed Dec 2, 2016 · Transmission · 50 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 gmc sierra 1500. While driving various speeds, the transmission vibrated and caused a hesitation when the gears shifted without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and repaired; however, the failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 50.

Filed Jun 25, 2016 · Fuel system · 30 miles · NH

When accelerating on an incline or hill or trying to pass traffic on the interstate the truck hesitates or stutters. This seems to happen when applying light acceleration. It almost feels like the transmission is having difficulty finding the correct gear. This is apparent to both driver and passengers. This has occurred since the truck was new and seems to be getting worse. The truck currently has 13,000 miles.

Filed Nov 3, 2015 · Transmission, Visibility · 500 miles · MS

The transmission seems to slip or hesitate at takeoff. The running lights are too dim to see down the road.

Filed Sep 13, 2015 · Fuel system, Lights · 750 miles · GA

Driving my new 2015 gmc $52,000 gmc sierra, I noticed a distinct slipping/hesitation/general roughness when accelerating from a dead stop. The truck seemed to either have a transmission or engine problem. Took it back to dealership for them to check, and they indicated that this was "normal" and it was just the "cylinder deactivation" feature performing as designed. I explained to them that cylinder deactivation only typically happens at highway speeds and especially not from a stand still. They stuck by their story and again stated this was normal. My son came to see me and drove my new truck. Of course the truck hesitated and slipped from a dead start. "what's wrong with your new truck dad?" he asked. I told him it was 'normal and he just rolled his eyes. This is not normal for every sierra that gmc makes with the 5.3 engine and 6 speed transmission would do this. I have read on numerous message boards and websites where this is an issue and gm needs to fix the problem. Also, the headlights are extremely dim and are barely usable. As others have stated, I can only see maybe 20-30 feet in front of me and not very bright at that.