2019 GMC Sierra 1500 · symptom sheet

Brake pedal feels soft or spongy

30owner reports
9,500median miles
0involved a crash

Newest report Apr 3, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026

30 of the 112 reports of brake wear on the 2019 Sierra 1500 describe soft brake pedal.

Part of Brakes grind, pulse or wear early (112 reports) · also: ABS light on

Tick what matches of 30 reports

the pedal feels soft or spongy

the pedal sinks toward the floor

it takes longer to stop

the master cylinder was replaced

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the master cylinder (4 reports).

Recalls and investigations

2 recalls on the brakes cover the 2019 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

20V-055Jan 30, 2020

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. These vehicles received updated software for the Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM). This software has an error, and as a result, the vehicle's electronic brake assist may be disabled. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Risk and remedy

Risk: A loss of electronic brake assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began February 24, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192268091.

19V-889Dec 12, 2019

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Cadillac CT6, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. Due to an Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) software error, the vehicle's Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Antilock Brake System (ABS) may become disabled. Furthermore, if this specific error occurs, the vehicle's diagnostics will not illuminate the instrument cluster ESC and ABS malfunction warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Risk and remedy

Risk: If the driver operates the vehicle unaware that ESC and ABS are not functioning, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192268090.

NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the Sierra 1500

PE18-012opened Nov 20, 2018

Brakes · model years 2014 to 2016

Brake vacuum pump failure. Closed apr 10, 2022, led to recall 19V-645.

NHTSA summary

On November 20, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE18-012 to investigate instances of sudden onset of a hard brake pedal that could result in extended stopping distance due to an issue with the brake assist vacuum pump in model year (MY) 2014 through 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series pickup trucks and MY 2015 through 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, and GMC Yukon SUVs.If the brake assist vacuum pump fails to operate as intended, the amount of brake power assist supplied to the driver can be significantly reduced, extending the subject vehicle stopping distance. GM stated that the root cause of pump failures was due to foreign debris such as oil sludge in the engine oil. GM stated that this debris can become trapped by the oil inlet filter screen. Under normal operation, this screen allows a small amount of oil into the brake vacuum pump. The foreign debris can, over time, clog the pump which can cause a loss of lubrication and a reduction in the amount of vacuum produced leading to a hard pedal and extended stopping distance.On December 13, 2018, GM issued a Special Coverage (N182202780) for the brake vacuum pump issue in MY 2014-2017 trucks and 2015-2017 SUVs on the K2XX platform for 6 years or 72,000 miles. Special Coverage repair includes the replacement of the vacuum pump and vacuum pump belt. Consumers received notification of the coverage via mail. On September 6, 2019, GM notified NHTSA that it w

None of these investigations covers the 2019 model year.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 3,930 and 13,950 miles, from the 24 reports that gave a mileage.

719

1120

321

322

425

226

What owners wrote

“Brake pad monitor listed over 90% for both front and rear brakes then all of sudden I get warning light that says Service Brake Monitor. I have had this happen twice since I purchased this vehicle new. The dealership has fixed it twice, there were software bugs. I cannot tell when I have a real issue or is it just a software bug.”
Filed Aug 24, 2022

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 30 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.