Check a VIN

GMC Sierra 1500 check engine light comes on

627 of the 9,082 owner complaints about the GMC Sierra 1500 describe check engine light, most of them for the 2021 model year.

owner complaints
627
worst model year
2021
typical repair cost reported
$3,600
typical mileage
60,000
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

Often reported together

Engine failure 117Loss of power 114Knocking 72Misfire 64Stalling 42Won't shift 38Transmission failure 30ABS 27

Trouble codes mentioned

P0016 14P0700 10P0300 7P1098 6P25A2 5P2C7A 4P06DD 4P129F 3P0747 3P0711 3

What owners say

Filed Nov 5, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · AL

1. The engine has failed. Yes it is available upon request. 2. My safety was put at results because the vehicle loss power/pressure as I was driving. 3. Yes the problem has been confirmed by an independent service center. 4.The vehicle has been inspected by an ASE Certified Mechanic. 5. The engine light came on in the vehicle. Carshield Denied Claim, therefore I am responsible for the repairs. I spoke with GMC and it was nothing they could do and advised me to contact the federal safety agency.

Filed Oct 27, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

On XXX, at approximately 2:30am, about 30 hours after purchase, a 2023 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate suffered catastrophic engine failure in [XXX] during a planned 20 hour trip. The vehicle had about 49,007 miles at purchase and 49,411 miles at the time of failure. The check engine light appeared during the trip. Over five hours into the journey, shortly after passing through a one-lane construction zone with no shoulder, the truck made noises, then lost driving power and began slowing among highway traffic. The dashboard displayed "LOW OIL PRESSURE STOP ENGINE," code P0016, and a transmission warning. I had to move into another lane to reach the shoulder. The sudden loss of propulsion at 2:30am created a serious crash risk because the truck could have been struck by nearby traffic or become disabled on the one-lane road without a shoulder. The engine had received the GM L87 recall remedy on XXX involving a change to 0W-40 oil. Despite this remedy, the engine failed while the vehicle was moving. The repair order lists replacements for the engine, radiator, oil cooler lines, intake manifold and gaskets, spark plugs and wires, water pump gaskets, high pressure fuel lines, fuel pump gasket, and battery. The GMC app currently lists a "Required Product Emission Recall" for the fuel pump power control module and states that module failure can interrupt fuel flow to the engine. However, the federal safety agency VIN lookup, refreshed XXX reports zero unrepaired recalls. The reason for this discrepancy is unknown, as is whether the fuel pump recall condition contributed to the incident. I am reporting this sudden loss of driving power and engine failure despite the prior L87 recall remedy because these conditions may pose a serious safety risk. Provide Your INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 23, 2026 · Engine, Steering · MN

This morning it seems as if my 6.2L GM motor threw a rod. All the initial sounds and check engine information point toward that. I will be taking it to a dealer to confirm the issue. Data center driving ability and sounds indicate steering was affected as well or is somehow connected.

Filed Oct 23, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · NE

Three different times now (most recent: 10/22/2026), I have had my truck completely shut off when coming to a stop on the highway/interstate. I always have auto start/stop disabled when I drive. When it happens, a message shows on the dash that says press start button. No other codes or check engine light. Thankfully it has started every time, but this is obviously a serious safety concern. After the second time it happened, I had the dealer (Woodhouse Buick GMC Omaha) look at it on 9/14/2026, but they couldn't find anything since there were no codes. I'm not sure if it is an electrical issue or this is related but my audio will stop working at times as well. Nothing from the radio or any blinker sounds. Sometimes it's static with a high pitch noise. 2026 GMC Sierra Elevation 5.3 EcoTec3 v8 10 speed

Filed Oct 21, 2026 · Engine · NE

I had driven about 30 minutes on the Interstate at highway speeds and had just exited the Interstate and the truck made a horrible noise, shut off, and the transmission threw itself into park at about 10 mph. At this time, the engine did not want to restart, but did eventually and I had a check engine light on, but I was able to move the truck out of the intersection so that I could be towed to the dealership. Prior to the incident, there were no check engine lights and the vehicle had only been serviced at a GMC dealership. I was very uncomfortable with the way the truck stopped and slammed into park. I am happy that no one was behind me, but it could have been bad. The vehicle has not been inspected yet to my knowledge.

Filed Oct 21, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · IL

While driving the truck it randomly shuts down, message on dash says shift to park to restart. No check engine light comes on or any other message. When it does this, the truck goes into park. It has been to the dealership 3 times and has not been fixed!

Filed Oct 20, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

Recall N262576260 has just come out. My truck has the same symptoms/conditions consistent with the recall. I have a code P0420, check engine light, high oil consumption and loss of power. also, the GM representative i spoke with told me i have an open recall N242450631. it does not show on the federal safety agency website and it does not show at the dealer. the high oil consumption has allowed the turbo to damage the catalytic converter and something in the engine to tap due to less lubrication.

Filed Oct 20, 2026 · Transmission · 106,554 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact became aware of an abnormal sound, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact inspected the vehicle and connected a portable diagnostic tester to the vehicle. The contact retrieved a pressure fault code. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a torque converter shudder. Additionally, the solenoids were clogged with debris. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 106,554.

Filed Oct 20, 2026 · Engine · 50,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2023 GMC Sierra 1500. While driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle jerked and lost motive power. The vehicle was restarted and driven at reduced power to the dealer, where unknown electrical repairs were performed. The failure persisted, and the vehicle was towed to a second dealer, Grissom Chevrolet (181 S Interstate 20 Frontage Rd, Pecos, TX 79772), who replaced the engine. However, the failure recurred, and the vehicle was towed back to the first dealer, who diagnosed that the spark plugs and other unknown parts needed to be replaced. After the dealer performed the unknown repairs, the check engine warning light illuminated when the contact's son-in-law picked up the vehicle. The contact's brother, an independent mechanic, diagnosed that the catalytic converter and other unknown parts needed to be repaired. The contact filed a lemon law claim. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Oct 19, 2026 · Engine · OH

My vehicle fits Special Coverage N252508341in every way, except the dealership tells me that my VIN is not covered. I drive a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 with approximately 61,000 miles. This weekend a Check Engine Light illuminated with P1010 code. All the symptoms described in Special Coverage N252508341 were exhibited: the vehicle displayed 'Engine Power Reduced', and the electric cooling fans began operating at full output. I have taken the vehicle to Cronin GMC here in Perrysburg and it has been diagnosed with Coolant Control Valve failure that requires replacement. They state that my VIN is not covered by Special Coverage N252508341 and that I must pay full price for the replacement. I am writing to extend this coverage to my vehicle so I can either receive a no-charge repair or seek reimbursement after I pay for the service.

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanicalReported April 24, 2025 · 597,571 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
Risk
Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.

Recall number 25V274000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust systemReported January 13, 2014 · 325,213 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors is recalling certain 2014 model year Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, and 2015 model year Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV; Chevrolet Silverado HD; and GMC Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL, equipped with a 4.3L engine or 5.3L engine.
Risk
The overheated exhaust components may melt nearby plastic parts and may result in an engine fire.
Remedy
General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the engine control module, free of charge. The recall began on January 16, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020 and GMC at 1‑800‑462‑8782. General Motors' number for this recall is 14008.

Recall number 14V007000 · Recall details

Questions about the GMC Sierra 1500 check engine light

Why does the check engine light come on in the GMC Sierra 1500?

Owners who report it most often also describe engine failure, sudden loss of power and engine knocking or ticking, and the codes they mention most are P0016, P0700 and P0300.

Which GMC Sierra 1500 years have check engine light problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2021 (111 complaints), 2019 (93 complaints) and 2020 (85 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix check engine light on the GMC Sierra 1500?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $3,600 (median of 47 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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