2019 GMC Sierra 1500: jerking or lurching

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · 120,500 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. While driving 65 MPH with cruise control activated, the messages "Service ESC", "Service Park Brake", and an unknown message was displayed, causing the cruise control to deactivate. The check engine and transmission warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was jerking and the transmission was lagging while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the camshaft and lifter needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone and advised the contact to file a complaint with the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 120,500.

Filed Aug 20, 2026 · Transmission · 108,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle started jerking and shaking before unintendedly accelerating. Additionally, the vehicle jerked and started to lose motive power. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

Filed Mar 13, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · WA

While driving down the highway experienced a partial loss of engine power causing jerky/rough operation, harsh shifting, and unpredictable behavior. Was told by the dealer service manager that it was likely a misfire in one of the cylinders. After diagnostics and servicing that included changing spark plugs, wires, and a full engine service it was later confirmed to most likely be due to a stuck lifter and will require a complete engine replacement. I have subsequently learned that this is a common problem with this L87 engine and may be an early indicator of failing crank bearings associated with a recall for later model years of my same vehicle. Seems to me that recall ought to be expanded to include earlier models with L87 engines.

Filed Jan 9, 2026 · Engine · 71,799 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, blue and white smoke was coming from under the hood. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, and the smoke ceased. The contact opened the hood and inspected the engine. The contact restarted the vehicle, and the smoke started coming from under the hood again. The messages "Parking Brake Service Required”, “Reduced Steering Assist”, “Proceed with Caution" were displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while driving and coming to a stop, the engine jerked abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with oil intrusion into the spark plugs with a misfire in cylinder #6, and the piston rings were fractured, and there were scratches on the cylinder walls. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. However, the contact was concerned about the damage to the engine and feared driving the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The failure mileage was 71,799.

Filed Dec 10, 2025 · Electrical, Steering · TX

The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was an abnormal sound coming from the transmission. The message "Reduced Engine Power” was displayed and the transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the transmission was repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and the transmission was replaced. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the A/C failed to function as intended. The contact had to drive for fifteen minutes for cold air to come from the A/C vents. The vehicle was taken to Houston Cadillac and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and informed the contact that there was a short circuit. However, no cause for the short circuit failure was found. An unknown repair was done on the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, there was an abnormal sound coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to Payne Rio Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, where it was diagnosed that one of the bolts found on the steering column was missing and the other bolt was loose. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was informed that the A/C condenser had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The entire A/C assembly was replaced. The contact stated that the failure had occurred soon after the vehicle was purchased. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Nov 10, 2025 · Transmission · AZ

Transmission problem I have had 3 transmission replacement. I was told that these trucks have a faulty transmission from the sales representative to the mechanics. After these transmission replacement now I have an engine problem where the lifters need to be replaced and camshaft. I have had all service done on time never missed a service. Now the dealership is telling me that this could be a reason why my transmission keeps going out. And can’t really give me a reason why I keep having the same problem. Truck has 97k miles on it when I purchased it had 45k I can’t even enjoy the vehicle because it’s always at the dealership with the same problem and they don’t know why it’s keeps happening, at this point it is a safety concern for me this is my daily driver where I drive my kids to school now I never know when it will just stop running. It jerks I’m afraid when I’m stop at a stop sign I might hit the car I front of me.

Filed Nov 1, 2025 · Steering · WI

Without any notice, I lost my power steering while driving. The wheel jerked to the side, and when I corrected I realized that I no longer had power steering. I was still able to "steer" my vehicle, but not without brute force. If it were someone of lesser ability (e.g. elderly) it may have led to a devastating outcome. I have yet to get the issue diagnosed, as it just happened yesterday, but it certainly is concerning! I just wanted to bring this to the attention of the federal safety agency, as I've since learned that I'm not the first GM Sierra owner to suffer this malfunction.

Filed Sep 23, 2025 · Fuel system · 97,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at undisclosed speeds, the engine was idling low, and the vehicle hesitated like it would stall. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light on several occasions, while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle jerked and then accelerated. The contact stated that when the accelerator pedal was released, the vehicle continued to accelerate. The brake pedal was depressed to slow down the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the fuel pump module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred a short while later. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,000.

Filed Aug 13, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · GA

Subject: Urgent Vehicle Safety Complaint – 2019 GMC Sierra Denali Escalating mechanical and electrical failures — many beginning before 100,000 miles, and continuing as of today, at approximately 110,000 miles. These issues have made the vehicle unreliable and unsafe to drive. Since purchasing the vehicle, I have had it serviced regularly and reported that it was driving rough, jerking into gear, and showing early signs of engine and transmission problems. These issues were noted during multiple multipoint inspection services, yet no lasting solutions were provided. Major issues have included: •Engine performance failures •Fuel injector malfunction •Serpentine belt and idler pulley damage •A/C compressor belt failure •Power steering malfunctions •Vehicle stalling at traffic lights •Loss of power on major highways •Rear window water leaks •Significant and ongoing electrical system problems •Shaking when brakes applied after having brakes and rotors replace in March •Screen monitor going out after paying over $ 900 dollars for updated software and repairs to the electronic component that cost over $2500. Despite continued maintenance, on Thursday, July 3, 2025, my truck began losing power and smoking heavily while driving on a busy highway in Georgia. My grandchild, who was riding with me, yelled, “Grandma, it’s smoking — please get out!” as we pulled off the road in fear of a fire. This terrifying incident left us stranded and emphasized just how dangerous this vehicle has become. I filed a formal complaint with the GMC Corporate Office, but no support provided or an investigation. Over the past six months, I have spent more than $5,000 trying to keep this vehicle operational. So many critical systems have failed, despite consistent maintenance, raises serious concerns. Finally, the fuel injector repaired 3 days later a message on dashboard displaying service Tire monitor system and steering wheel shaking when brakes are applied.

Filed May 17, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · LA

Since I bought the truck, it has had transmission problems. The truck will violently jerk forward between Park - 1st - 2nd gears (up and down) pretty frequently. The dealership denied being able to recreate the issue and nothing was wrong. After dropping the vehicle off a few times, the dealer service dept said they recreated the problem and replace the torque converter. It did not work and the service dept manager told me that they knew about the problem the whole time but were instructed by General Motors to not attempt to fix the issue. I called GM Company and a supervisor eventually admitted to knowing of the transmission and engine issues all along but the GM engineers have not found a solution yet but they are working very hard to figure it out. Since those calls, my lemon law claim with BBB Auto was approved, but suddenly denied with no explanation. Following that, the #2 lifter failed and damaged the cam shaft. All were replaced and that was at 70,000 miles. The transmission has not been fixed.

Filed Mar 30, 2025 · Transmission · TN

Transmission hesitates. Transmission jerks when shifting. Possible torque conversion issues. Mileage is 35,623.

Filed Feb 14, 2025 · Transmission · NM

My transmission keeps on jerking all the time when we are driving