The 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 lasts around 250,000 miles with some brake system and transmission software issues reported. At $34,091 to $58,968, it’s expensive, but worth it for a truck that can tow a lot with an upscale interior.
Is the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 a Good Used Truck?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – 2019 is a good year for the GMC Sierra 1500 Series since it offers a lot of luxury paired with powerful engines, giving it a high overall score. Owner reviews praise the strong V8s, efficient diesel engine, as well as the 4 wheel drive system.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are luxurious for a full size truck, the seats are supportive for longer drives, three bed lengths are also available.
- Reliability 8/10 – There are no major issues reported on the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500. Stay away from models from 2014–2016 since they have mechanical problems. Models from 2017–2022 are all very dependable choices.
- Performance 8/10 – Performance is okay from the base engines, while the largest V8 has a very high towing capacity for a half-ton truck.
- Safety 8/10 – The 2019 Sierra is a safe truck, earning a 4-star rating in government crash tests. There’s a standard rearview camera. Optional upgrades include parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, along with low-speed automatic emergency braking.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – Fuel economy is okay at up to 23 MPG, giving 552 miles of range from the 24 gallon tank. Gas costs are $23 cheaper than average at $261 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 is similar in price to other full size trucks, while also holding its value well.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the GMC Sierra?
- Consumer Reports says the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 Series is greatly improved from earlier years with average owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Sierra 1500 at 3/5, praising the excellent passenger room, but doesn’t like the rougher suspension.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Sierra 1500 a 4.0/5, enjoying the very high towing capacity, but owners don’t like that it doesn’t have adaptive cruise control.
What Common Problems Does the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 Have?
Common problems found on the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 include the brake system becoming unresponsive, shifting hard between gears, as well as a frozen stereo system. Overall, these problems are similar to many other full size trucks, leading to average repair bills for a big truck.
The brake system becoming unresponsive is the most widespread complaint from 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 owners at around 12,000 miles. There is a recall for the electronic brake control module software. GMC will reprogram the unit for free on affected models, which improves the reliability of the brake system.
Shifting hard between gears is another problem mentioned by owners in the first 20,000 miles. The issue is most common with the eight-speed automatic transmission. Owners report having the transmission software update fixes the issue. Most dealerships will install the software update for free, while some charge around $80.
A frozen stereo system has also been reported on some Sierra 1500 models at roughly 15,000 miles. This is also caused by a software issue which makes the system become unresponsive, especially with Bluetooth connectivity. Many dealerships will update the software for free, while others charge up to $100.
There are 10 recalls on the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500, which is more than many other full size trucks. The most serious recalls cover the brake system software, which GM will update for free. Another important recall is for the alternator, which has loose connections which can cause the truck to stall. GMC will replace the cable on affected models for free. Most of the other recalls cover air bags, which are common on all trucks.
How Long Will the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 Last?
A well-maintained 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 series can last around 250,000 miles, which is about 100,000 less than the top-rated Toyota Tundra. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to other full size trucks according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $570 per year.
As a used 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 series reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the air pump for $550, windshield wiper motor costing $300, as well as the throttle position sensor which costs $250.
No problem so far. A very minor camera focusing problem shortly after purchase which was resolved. Great.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 is great for a truck with a standard 7-inch touchscreen stereo system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s a larger 8-inch touchscreen and more powerful stereo systems available as optional upgrades.
Safety technology is very good, offering a standard rearview camera along with teen driver mode, which allows you to set speed and audio volume limits. Optional active safety features include front and rear parking sensors, rear camera mirror, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, forward collision alert, rear seat reminder, pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, along with a surround-view parking camera system.
Is the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 a Good Value?
Yes, the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 series is a good value since it offers a lot of luxury and technology for the money. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $34,091 to $58,968, making it similar in price to the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado 1500. When new, the price range was $33,500 to $58,300. In current market conditions depreciation is nearly non-existent on large trucks, although in normal times they lose about 5% of their current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the GMC Sierra?
There are six models of the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 offered, from the entry-level Base all the way up to the very luxurious Denali. The Sierra also is offered in three cabin configurations, and with either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.
Base is the entry-level model with:
- 17-Inch Steel Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Automatic Xenon Headlamps
- Power Door Locks
- Locking Tailgate
- Power Windows
- Cruise Control
- Rearview Camera
- 7-Inch Touchscreen Stereo
- Six-Speaker Sound System
SLE is a step up, adding:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
- Upgraded 8-Inch Touchscreen Stereo System
- Dual-Zone Climate Control
- Tilt-and-Telescope Steering Wheel
Elevation is next in the lineup and has:
- 20-Inch Black Alloy Wheels
- LED Fog Lights
- Body-Colored Exterior Trim
SLT offers more upgrades including:
- Leather Upholstery
- Power Adjustable Front Passenger Seat
- Locking Rear Differential
- MultiPro Tailgate
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Power-Folding Heated Mirrors
- Second Row USB Charging Ports
AT4 has more off-road features such as:
- 18-Inch Wheels
- All-Terrain Tires
- 2-Inch Suspension Lift
- Rancho Shock Absorbers
- Standard Four-Wheel Drive
- Two-Speed Transfer Case
- Terrain-Selectable Traction Control
Denali is the flagship luxury model with:
- Chrome 20-Inch Wheels
- Premium Leather Seating
- Head Up Display
- Adaptive Suspension Dampers
- MultiPro Power Assist Steps
- Seven-Speaker Bose Stereo System
- Wireless Device Charger
What Engines Come In the GMC Sierra?
- The base engine is a weak 4.3L V6 which makes 285 horsepower and 305 lb.-ft. of torque while getting up to 17 MPG with active fuel management. It comes standard with a six-speed automatic transmission. This can tow up to 8,000 pounds.
- An available upgrade is the efficient 2.7L turbocharged 4-cylinder which produces 310 horsepower and 348 lb.-ft. of torque at 21 MPG. This comes standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It can tow up to 7,200 pounds.
- There’s another, more efficient 3.0L turbo diesel six-cylinder, which makes 277 horsepower and 460 lb.-ft. of torque while getting up to 23 MPG. It features a 10-speed automatic transmission. This engine can tow 11,600 pounds.
- A more powerful option is the 5.3L V8, which generates 355 horsepower and 383 lb.-ft. of torque and gets up to 19 MPG. This engine is paired with either a six-speed automatic transmission or an eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s capable of towing 11,600 pounds.
- The flagship engine is the very strong 6.2L V8 which produces 420 horsepower and 460 lb.-ft. of torque while getting 17 MPG. It is matched with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The towing capacity is high at 12,200 pounds.
What Colors Does the GMC Sierra Come In?
How Comfortable Is the GMC Sierra?
The 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 series is a very comfortable truck with seating for up to five passengers. There are three cabin configurations including a two-door regular cab, four-door extended cab, and a larger four-door crew cab. Seating is very nice, offering a lot of support paired with nice materials.
Passenger room is great in the largest four-door crew cab model, while the smaller cabs feel a bit more cramped for passengers.
How Much Storage Space Does the GMC Sierra Have?
There are three bed lengths available on the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500, including a 5-foot-9-inch short bed, 6-foot-7-inch standard bed, or a full 8-foot long bed.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The fourth generation of the GMC Sierra 1500 Series was launched in 2019.
2015: 4G LTE WiFi added to all models, stronger 6.2L V8 engine added, Denali has upgraded magnetic suspension.
2016: Upgraded touchscreen stereo system, eight-speed automatic transmission for the 5.3L V8, and standard Xenon headlights.
2017: New capless fuel-filler added.
2018: 7-Inch Touchscreen and rearview camera are standard on all models.
2019: Fully redesigned for the fourth generation with new engines, styling, and technology features.
2020: Turbo Diesel engine added to the lineup, available 10-speed transmission on the 5.3L V8, and optional adaptive cruise control.
2021: Double cab discontinued from SLT and AT4 models, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto added.
How Does the GMC Sierra Compare to the Competition?
The 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 is a great full size truck if you are looking for towing and hauling capabilities paired with an upscale cabin.
The Chevy Silverado 1500 is another full size truck which costs around $1,000 less. Both the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 are built on the same platform, while the GMC Sierra has a nicer interior with more technology. We recommend the GMC Sierra 1500 since you get a lot of quality improvements for the money.
The Ram 1500 is a competitor which costs almost $7,000 less. Passenger room is better in the Ram 1500 models, while the GMC Sierra 1500 has better long-term reliability ratings as they age. We recommend the GMC Sierra 1500, although both are decent trucks worth checking out if you’re in the market for a large pickup truck.
Do Owners Recommend the GMC Sierra?
Yes, excellent vehicle. Good tech and nice ride. Very good gas mileage and 4wd. Traffic warning options and good stereo.