2019 GMC Sierra 1500 · symptom sheet
Transmission jerks, lurches or bangs into gear
- 32owner reports
- 30,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Aug 20, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
32 of the 63 reports of transmission shudder on the 2019 Sierra 1500 describe jerking or hard shifts.
Part of Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard (63 reports)
Tick what matches of 32 reports
Jerking or hard shifts 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, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
This is the narrower sheet inside transmission shudder for shifts that jerk, lurch or bang. Where the wider sheet also takes in slipping and vibration, these reports are about a shift that arrives too hard: the car lunges forward, or a clunk comes through the floor as it drops into gear.
What got replaced
Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the transmission and drivetrain covers the 2019 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
One of the driveshaft joints may not have been properly welded, causing the driveshaft to separate while the vehicle is moving.
All 10 recalls on the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 5,255 and 70,000 miles, from the 19 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 5 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 service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise.
This service bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operation.
This informational bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operations.
This informational bulletin provides information on Some vehicles may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise.
1 more on the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 page.
What owners wrote
“Transmission hesitates. Transmission jerks when shifting. Possible torque conversion issues. Mileage is 35,623.”
Filed Mar 30, 2025
“Transmission is slipping into neutral from a slow start and re-engaging with a hard bang to the point it feels like Iâve been rear ended from a vehicle behind me. Itâs done it twice in two weeks and it seems to happen when Iâm leaving from a stop or slowing down and then come back into the accelerator.”
Filed May 15, 2023
“Stopping at a light and transmission jerks forward, almost causing me to rear end and other vehicle. Transmission jerks and clunks forward.”
Filed Oct 30, 2022
“The vehicle jerks when I put it in reverse or drive. And when I'm going down the road while it shifts gears. It's be doing it since I purchased it (new). It was light at first but lately its been worse. I took it to the dealership a couple of months ago & they replaced something small & said it was fixed. But it still bad. My truck still only has 30K miles.”
Filed Jun 2, 2022 · 30,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 32 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 Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 157 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 112 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 105 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 94 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 41 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 30 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 26 reports