GMC Sierra 1500 jerking problems

Filed Oct 26, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · TX

After the recall was completed for the propulsion update and oil weight of 0-20 to 0-40 the truck started experiencing engine jerking and noise while driving. The MPG decreased significantly after the engine was replaced at 22k miles, driving on the interstate cruise control at 80mph the engine seized and I was almost smashed by a simi-truck. No steering, no power whatsoever. I was pulling on the steering wheel to get the truck off the freeway and out of the way. Fast forward around 70k miles, all the while I could deal with loss of MPG after engine replacement. No problems. Then came the recall and reflashing of the firm/software and a few months later I was making an u-turn when all a sudden the engine made a loud bang and bad tapping noise came from the engine. I could barely make it to the dealership where I bought the truck maybe 2 miles from where it happened. The dealership service center had the truck for a week then told me to come pick it up there is nothing they could do under warranty. All valve lifters except #3 are blown. GMC says the engine is not under warranty and I must pay $17k for a new engine.

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 18, 2026 · Fuel system, Transmission · TX

This report shows 4 more new attempts to repair the drop in power, bucking, surging, and lurching that my truck has been doing since May 2026, after the L87 Engine replacement. This issue has caused me to come very close to rear ending a few vehicles, including a Deer Park police officer. It has caused me to run through red lights unexpectedly. The vehicle has had a case open with GM Corp. Customer Care, Case(s) 95259917 (OLD), Case # 108994166 current case (Phone, Instagram). The problems are dangerous because the truck can begin shutting down and feel as if its stopping due to being stuck between gears or maybe torque converter. It happens on the highway at different speeds. It happens in city, stop and go traffic. The lunging forward comes into play with no prior warning. No lights, no messages on the instrument cluster. The dealer had me come in and drive the vehicle to show one of the managers what is happening while I am commuting. It has been confirmed EVERYTIME I was told there is no problem. I am attaching the latest work orders related to the issues after the engine replacement. For the past 6 months this truck is in the shop or stuck in my driveway more than it is driven or used. It is medically necessary that I have transportation available 24/7. I am under the care of several specialists since I was diagnosed and treatment for cancer began. Notice there are TWO work orders NUMBERED "63481" They are attached. ONE the third attempt dated (8-28-26) printed when i picked it up my ADAS was replaced and it has AVISRentCar, I paid for. Second "63481" forth attempt dated (9-15-26) printed when i picked it up after a Transmission relearn AGAIN (duplicate W.O. #) This one has Enterprise Rental I paid for. Now a FIFTH attempt to repair the same issue (9/21-9/29) This time they replaced the transmission valve body. Now, the truck is in the shop AGAIN, a Sixth time for the same problem. No issues found. I tested it again to show them. I am also attaching FTC report

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 Oct 5, 2026 · Transmission · 7,000 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2022 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal banging sound and jerked intermittently upon shifting into drive(D). The contact stated that while the vehicle was in neutral(N) at a car wash, the vehicle drove forward and nearly crashed into another vehicle, and the driver slammed on the brake pedal. The contact was informed that he could no longer return to the car wash due to the failure. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the vehicle jerked as if the parking brake was engaged. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission was slipping, and the vehicle jerked and occasionally failed to exceed 30 MPH. The vehicle was taken to a transmission specialist, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was scheduled for the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 7,000.

Filed Sep 28, 2026 · Electrical · SD

2 issues. The radio will go blank and not work regardless of the method using to listen. Example- Sirius/XM or FM/AM. The vehicle will accelerate/jerk forward/backward dramatically compared to the pressure on the pedal. Scared to let anyone else operate the vehicle to prevent accident. Scared to back up to a camper or trailer because it is unpredictable how far it will jerk. No alerts or warnings. Has been taken to the dealer shop many occasions. Accelerator pedal has been replaced. Transmission reprogrammed. The radio/electronics has been updated on multiple occasions. Still both problems exist. GM has been contacted and there is an open case; however, still not resolved. This issue began when purchased in 2023 and continues in 2026. Neither the dealer nor GM seem to have a solution.

Filed Sep 24, 2026 · Transmission · CA

I own a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 with the 3.0L Duramax diesel. The vehicle developed severe transmission problems, including harsh/jerky shifting and a hard clunk when shifting into reverse. The vehicle was subsequently diagnosed with an internal transmission failure. The repair facility informed me that the transmission gears had failed and caused damage to the transmission and stated that the failure appeared to be related to a manufacturing issue. The repair facility also advised me to watch for a future recall because they believed this could be a widespread issue occurring in other vehicles. I am submitting this complaint so the failure can be documented and considered along with other reports of transmission failures involving this vehicle.NOTE FROM AUTOSHOP:TRANSMISSION FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURE DESIGN FLAW, NOT DUE TO THE CUSTOMER'S DRIVING HABITS. THE PUMP ORIGINAL DESIGN IS WITH SLANTED GEARS AND THE GEARS ARE FORCED AWAY FROM EACH OTHER AND PLACING TOO MUCH STRAIN THE BEARINGS ANI THE BEARING FAIL. AN UPDATE PERFORMED TO HAVE STRAIGHT CUT PUMP GEARS TO AVOID BEARING DAMAGE. CDF DRUM AND CENTER SUPPORT CHANGED TO UPDATED PARTS THAT ARE HEATED TREATED TO AVOID DAMAGE

Filed Sep 7, 2026 · Engine · AL

Three times this has happened. Most recently Pulling in drive and jumps out of drive to park with a jerk and stops.

Filed Sep 6, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · KY

I own a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 V8 5.3 liter which is at 46, 433 miles. Over the past few weeks I have noticed the transmission having difficulty shifting in first gear and lurching, and making shuddering noises, and as well making a constant ticking noise. After an experienced mechanic had put a diagnostic system onto my truck, his system diagnosed a Transmission Lifter Failure, specifically 2 out of the 8 lifters. A few days later (9-04-26) I took my truck to a certified GMC servicing business (Patriot Chevrolet of Hopkinsville KY 270‑886‑1207) and had a transmission servicing done. I had told the Customer Service representative Amanda Williams about the ticking and that I thought 2 lifters going bad in the transmission were the source of it. 3 hours later the servicing was done which cost $ 474.43. She did not know if the ticking had stopped or not. I started my engine to head home and the ticking was still happening. Nothing had changed. I got home, parked and have not started the engine since to minimize any further damage. I have become aware that this year, make and model has become infamous for the engine/transmission design and parts failure which has been at the center of thousands of class action lawsuits. I have owned this vehicle since inheriting it from my late father for 2 months before he developed dementia and suffered a broken hip. I have religiously had the oil changed every three months regardless of the mileage, and this is a sealed transmission which cannot be worked on by someone but a certified GMC mechanic, which wasn't a worry because the truck's manual says doesn't need to be worked on unless there seem to be problems. Which is what I did on 9-4-26, hoping that a servicing would fix the issue. During the 5 years that I have owned this truck, I never received ANY sort of notice from GMC that might've hinted at possible Transmission Failures, though GMC has been totally aware of. Sudden power loss dangerous and unfairly expensive to drivers.

Filed Sep 2, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · PA

I am reporting a serious safety concern involving a 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali, 6.2L L87 V8, VIN [XXX]. This vehicle has now experienced two catastrophic powertrain failures at very low mileage. The first catastrophic engine failure occurred at approximately 23,696 miles. The vehicle was taken to a GMC dealer, where the repair documentation states that the engine had suffered significant internal damage, including damage to the #3 connecting rod, a missing connecting-rod bearing, bearing material throughout the engine, and a scored crankshaft. The dealer determined that the engine was seized and required replacement. GM replaced the engine under warranty with GM engine assembly part number 12740076. The vehicle has now experienced a second catastrophic failure. On [XXX], while traveling approximately 40 mph, experienced grinding, lurching, and knocking, followed by a complete loss of propulsion. The truck would no longer move and had to be towed to a GMC dealer. At the time of the incident, no warning lights or warning messages were observed. The transmission is also suspected to have failed, although the exact cause and extent of the transmission failure have not yet been determined by the dealer. I understand that the federal safety agency is currently investigating failures involving GM 6.2L L87 engines, including failures occurring after previous recall remedies and engine replacements. I am therefore requesting that this incident be included in the federal safety agency’s investigation and considered when evaluating the effectiveness of the existing recall remedy and the safety of replacement L87 engines. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)