2019 GMC Sierra 1500 · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 157owner reports
- 83,000median miles
- $9,000median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Sep 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
323 of the 646 complaints on this car are about the engine. 157 of those describe engine failure, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2019 Sierra 1500.
Narrower sheets: Engine seized (37 reports)
Tick what matches of 157 reports
Engine failure on other Sierra 1500 years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018.
What this problem usually is
These are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (156 reports), the timing chain (7 reports) and the short block or long block (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the engine covers the 2019 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Sierra 1500
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy. Open.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy. Closed aug 20, 2026.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure. Open.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure. Closed oct 23, 2025, led to recall 25V-274.
What owners paid
35 of the 157 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $5,000 to $11,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 60,000 and 114,000 miles, from the 66 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 3 service bulletins or notices for the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
This bulletin advises the tech to inspect deeper into what may be to main cause of an engine failure.
This bulletin advises the tech to inspect deeper into what may be the main cause of an engine failure.
This Preliminary information communicates the following issues and directs dealership to inspect the engine harness for shorting.
What owners wrote
“Engine Failure. 1. The lifter in cylinder 5 failed (dropped) this prompted me to bring the truck in initially. 2. Upon further inspection all the cam bearings were scored and out of spec. Waited 4 months for an engine replacement from GM. Eventually I cut my losses and sent the block to a machine shop. This was all paid out of pocket. Truck had 74,000 miles on it.”
Filed Nov 1, 2025 · 74,000 miles
“On 7/17/25 vehicle was taken to Star Buick/GMC in Easton PA for rear brakes and an oil change. This vehicle has 49,981 miles on it. I was told after the oil change the tech took the truck for a test drive. I was told he made it about 20 feet and the engine seized. Either the tech forgot to refill the crank case or it is another GM 6.2 disaster. Please advise as the dealer is quoting over 12K to replace engine.”
Filed Jul 19, 2025 · 49,981 miles
“My engine suffered a catastrophic failure, at 139468 miles. 2019 GMC Sierra Denali 1500. I had the engine replaced with a new engine date June 2024 GMC 6.2 engine failures is happening with more than just 21-24 models years.”
Filed May 14, 2025 · 139,468 miles
“Just purchased this vehicle, at 84000 miles had engine failure and electrical issues while traveling down interstate with my family. Lost power steering and all warning lights popped up. Safely exited busy interstate -- avoided major accident. This engine should have been included in the recent GMC recall - After a diagnostic $7000.00 plus to fix. UNSAFE ENGINE ISSUE!! Please help the consumer!!”
Filed May 3, 2025 · 84,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 157 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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 112 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 105 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 94 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 63 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 41 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 30 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 26 reports