VinCanary

Reliability report · 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 · Updated July 2026

Newest and only three recalls — but GM's own programs admit the lifter and 8-speed still travel with it.

On the numbers, 2023 is one of the best years in the current generation — few recalls and mostly still in warranty. But GM's own paperwork tells you the two signature issues are still around: a Customer Satisfaction Program covers oversized lifter bores by replacing the engine, another covers soft transmission pinion gears by replacing the transmission, and the older 8-speed it carried drew a class action over harsh shifting.

The saving grace is that these are free remedies, and the truck is young enough that most are still available. So 2023 is a genuinely sensible buy — the discipline is confirming the programs and recalls are done and listening for the same lifter tick that defines every year of this engine family. Same truck under the skin — see the 2023 Silverado 1500 report.

Evidence: 401 NHTSA complaints · 3 recall campaigns · 6 mechanic & forum sources

Canary status

Chirping

What that means: The Sierra twin of the newest, calmest 2023 Silverado — only three recalls and much of the truck still in warranty. But GM's 2023 Customer Satisfaction Programs (replace the engine for oversized lifter bores; replace the transmission for soft pinion gears) and an active 8-speed class action show the two familiar patterns didn't fully leave. Reassuringly, the fixes are free.

CalmChirpingSquawkingFainted

401

Federal complaints

3

Recalls

$3,000–$10,000

Out-of-program lifter repair

$0

Under the lifter-bore CSP (engine replacement)

Known issues

Ranked by the cost of ignoring them. Every claim carries its source.

Engine lifter bores — Customer Satisfaction Program

major

GM's clearest admission of the lifter problem lands on 2023: a Customer Satisfaction Program for trucks that may have oversized engine lifter bores, with the remedy being engine replacement. That's the same lifter-failure family — tick, misfire, power loss — that spans this engine across the generations, now serious enough that GM replaces the whole engine on affected trucks. It's a free fix if the truck qualifies; confirm eligibility by VIN and whether the work was done, and cold-start to listen for any valvetrain tick.

What to check

Pink and cleanServiced. Proceed.

Dark brownDamage underway.

Under the lifter-bore CSP (engine replacement)

$0

Out-of-program lifter repair

$3,000–$10,000

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2023 Sierra 1500 · NHTSA recall database and manufacturer communications (lifter-bore & pinion-gear CSPs; recall 25V274; recalls 22V903, 24V674)

8-speed harsh shifting — class action, and a pinion-gear programmoderate

2023 shipped the older 8-speed on some trims, and owners describe harsh shifts — hard first-to-second, delayed park-to-drive engagement, shudder — enough to feed a class action. Separately, GM ran a Customer Satisfaction Program for 2023 trucks with transmission pinion gears of low core and surface hardness, replacing the transmission. Test-drive for shudder and hard shifts, and confirm the pinion-gear program by VIN. The 10-speed on other trims is the stronger unit.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2023 Sierra 1500 · NHTSA recall database and manufacturer communications (lifter-bore & pinion-gear CSPs; recall 25V274; recalls 22V903, 24V674) · Independent mechanic transcripts (T1XX Silverado/Sierra; AFM/DFM lifter deep-dives)

$0

Pinion-gear CSP (transmission replacement)

6.2L V8 connecting-rod / crankshaft failure — recall 25V274major

If the truck has the 6.2L (common on Denali), it's covered by GM's ~597,571-vehicle recall (2021–2024) for connecting-rod and crankshaft defects that can cause sudden engine failure; the remedy inspects and repairs or replaces the engine free and moves to 0W-40 oil. On a 2023 the truck may still be in warranty, but confirm the recall specifically was completed by VIN and look for the 0W-40 spec.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2023 Sierra 1500 · NHTSA recall database and manufacturer communications (lifter-bore & pinion-gear CSPs; recall 25V274; recalls 22V903, 24V674)

$0

Under recall 25V274 (inspect/repair/replace)

Infotainment glitches and heated-seat programminor

As on 2022, owners report infotainment and backup-camera flicker/reset behavior, usually a nuisance, and GM ran a Customer Satisfaction Program for 2022–2023 trucks whose heated/ventilated seats were left non-functional by the chip shortage. Exercise the screen, camera, and seat heaters/coolers, and VIN-check the seat program.

Sources: NHTSA recall database and manufacturer communications (lifter-bore & pinion-gear CSPs; recall 25V274; recalls 22V903, 24V674) · Independent mechanic transcripts (T1XX Silverado/Sierra; AFM/DFM lifter deep-dives)

Low-brake-fluid warning software — recall 24V674minor

A 2023 recall addresses electronic-brake-control-module software that may fail to display a low-brake-fluid warning light. The fix is a software update, over-the-air or by a dealer, free. It's a compliance/software item rather than a mechanical failure — just confirm it's been applied.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2023 Sierra 1500 · NHTSA recall database and manufacturer communications (lifter-bore & pinion-gear CSPs; recall 25V274; recalls 22V903, 24V674)

Customer Satisfaction Program: certain vehicles may have oversized engine lifter bores — dealers are to replace the engine.
6 mechanic & owner sources

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Open recalls

Free fixes at any GMC dealer. Run the VIN — “completed” isn’t always completed.

  1. 25V2746.2L V8 connecting rod/crankshaft defect can cause engine failure (2021–2024 Sierra); inspect and repair or replace the engine free, switch to 0W-40 oil.open
  2. 22V903Daytime running lights may not deactivate with the headlights on (2022–2023); body-control-module software update, dealer or over-the-air, free.open
  3. 24V674EBCM software may fail to show a low-brake-fluid warning light (2023); software update over-the-air or at a dealer, free.open

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