2010 GMC Sierra 1500: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 167 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (53% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2021
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 167 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Took truck in to have brake light checked to prepare for a trip. Got a call the next day from auto service center that the frame off the truck is completely rusted and that it was unable to be lifted up for service. They stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive and that any hard bump, speed bump or over correction could cause the frame to fall out.”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2025
“TCM. Yes it's available for inspection. It failed causing my truck to just lock the brakes up in the middle of the road almost causing an accident. Causing driver and passenger risk of Injury”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2023
“The contact owns a 2010 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that on numerous occasions while driving over a bump or bridge, the vehicle swayed abnormally. The contact was unsure if any warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the entire subframe was rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,900.”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2023
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“Frame rusted out despite regular maintenance and cleaning. Rotted from the inside out, then spread to the wheel wells and bed. Crossmembers forming holes. Has gotten perpetually worse and is a well documented phenomenon by others online over the past 5 years.”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2022
“The contact owns a 2010 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that upon inspection it was discovered that the receiver hitch was rusted and caused several holes. In addition, the spare tire hanger was also severely rusted. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 104,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2021
“The contact owns a 2010 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced, she was informed that the sub-frame was corroded. The contact took the vehicle to the used car dealer where she purchased the vehicle, and requested a second opinion. The vehicle was taken to a second inspection station and was Informed that the sub-frame was corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 178,118.”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2021
“2010 gmc sierra. Consumer writes regarding takata airbag safety recall. *ld the consumer stated the vehicle spontaneously set on fire. The vehicle was not running when the when the fire occurred.*js”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2021
“Tl* the contact owns a 2010 gmc sierra 1500. The contact stated that the stitching of the front passenger's side seat was coming apart, exposing the air bag. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to niles sales and service (3500 n roosevelt blvd, key west, fl 33040) where it was diagnosed with the seat needing to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the recall was only for the frontal air bag replacement and not for the air bag in the seat. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.”Owner report · Seats · Dec 2020
“While the vehicle was in motion on a city street, the fuel management system failed almost causing me to be in an accident. The engine sounded like it was blowing up with metal on metal sounds, loss of control and power. I had my vehicle transported to an authorized mechanic and he determined the fuel management system had failed and the engine would have to be rebuilt. I spent over $3000 to have it repaired and it still leaks oil and has issues with providing correct engine power and control. It is not safe nor dependable.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2020
“The dashboard on my truck is just cracking all over. I continuously clean and use sun shades for it. This is a product defect that needs to be corrected.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2020
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328760.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C."
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 24, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328790.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Remedy: GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sierra 1500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?
NHTSA has 167 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2010 GMC Sierra 1500. The most complained-about area is air bags (53% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 64,750 miles or less.
Does the 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.