T1XX GMC Sierra 1500: 2019-2026 Guide
The T1XX GMC Sierra 1500 covers the 2019 through 2026 model years. It brought the MultiPro tailgate, the AT4 and a 3.0-liter Duramax diesel, then a big 2022 refresh added a much nicer cabin, Super Cruise, the AT4X and the Denali Ultimate. Here's what changed year to year, which engine to pick, the recalls that matter and how it rates for safety.
T1XX GMC Sierra 1500 at a Glance
Model years 2019–2026 Eight model years
Platform T1XX Shared with the Chevy Silverado 1500
Refresh 2022 New cabin, AT4X, Denali Ultimate
Power range 277–420 hp 3.0 Duramax to 6.2 V8
Max towing 13,200 lb 2023 and up, 6.2 or diesel
Built in Indiana and Mexico Fort Wayne and Silao
What Made the T1XX Sierra 1500 Different
The T1XX Sierra 1500 arrived for 2019 with new styling and a long list of truck tricks. The headline was the six-way MultiPro tailgate, which folds into a step, a work surface and a load stop, and it quickly spread across GM's trucks. GMC also added the AT4 off-road trim and, midway through 2019, a carbon-fiber CarbonPro bed on some Denali and AT4 trucks.
However, the early cabin drew complaints for looking too much like the old truck, with a small screen and plain plastics. GMC fixed that with the 2022 refresh, which brought a 13.4-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, standard automatic emergency braking and Super Cruise hands-free driving that works while towing.
Engine choice is wide, too. You can get a 2.7-liter turbo four, the 5.3 and 6.2 V8s or a smooth 3.0-liter Duramax diesel, and the newer trucks lean on 8- and 10-speed automatics. As a result, there's a Sierra for nearly every budget, although the 6.2 V8's engine recall is something every shopper needs to understand.
What we like
- 2022-and-up cabin is a big step up
- Smooth, frugal 3.0 Duramax diesel
- MultiPro tailgate and great trailering cameras
What to watch
- Big 6.2 V8 engine recall and an open NHTSA probe
- 2019–2021 interior feels dated
- Pricey in Denali and AT4X form
T1XX GMC Sierra 1500 Engines and Power
The T1XX Sierra had six engines over its run, though the 4.3 V6 and the older 5.3 with the six-speed were gone after 2021. The 5.3 V8 is the most common choice, while the diesel is the one for long-distance towing.
| Engine | Years | Found in | Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7L turbo I4 (L3B) | 2019–2021 | Base and SLE trucks | 310 hp / 348 lb-ft |
| 2.7L turbo I4 (L3B, TurboMax from 2024) | 2022–2026 | Pro, SLE, Elevation | 310 hp / 430 lb-ft |
| 4.3L V6 (LV3) | 2019–2021 | Base and work trucks | 285 hp / 305 lb-ft |
| 5.3L V8 (L82) | 2019–2021 | Lower trims, 6-speed | 355 hp / 383 lb-ft |
| 5.3L V8 (L84, Dynamic Fuel Management) | 2019–2026 | Most trims, 8- or 10-speed | 355 hp / 383 lb-ft |
| 6.2L V8 (L87) | 2019–2026 | Denali, AT4, AT4X, Denali Ultimate | 420 hp / 460 lb-ft |
| 3.0L Duramax I6 diesel (LM2) | 2020–2022 | Most trims | 277 hp / 460 lb-ft |
| 3.0L Duramax I6 diesel (LZ0) | 2023–2026 | Most trims; standard AT4X from 2024 | 305 hp / 495 lb-ft |
One big refresh, lots of small updates
T1XX Sierra 1500 Changes by Model Year
Most T1XX changes came in one big step for 2022, when the truck got a new face and a new cabin. Otherwise, GMC added engines and features a little at a time.
- 2019 Launch year with the MultiPro tailgate, AT4 and Elevation trims and a new 2.7 turbo four. The old K2XX truck was sold alongside it as the 2019 Sierra 1500 Limited, and CarbonPro bed editions arrived midyear.
- 2020 The 3.0-liter Duramax diesel arrives with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft. In addition, the 10-speed spreads to more 5.3 V8 trucks.
- 2021 Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto arrive, plus an X31 Off-Road package for SLE, Elevation and SLT. The diesel's price drops by $1,500.
- 2022 Big refresh with new lights, a new cabin with a 13.4-inch screen, Super Cruise and standard automatic emergency braking. AT4X and Denali Ultimate debut, while the 4.3 V6 and L82 5.3 are dropped. Early 2022 trucks were sold as the 2022 Sierra Limited with the old cabin.
- 2023 The updated LZ0 diesel brings 305 hp and 495 lb-ft, and max towing climbs to 13,200 lb.
- 2024 The 2.7 is renamed TurboMax, the AT4X gets the diesel as standard and an active exhaust becomes available on upper trims.
- 2025 Super Cruise becomes standard on Denali Ultimate, and a trailer brake controller is standard on SLE, Elevation and SLT.
- 2026 Final year of this generation, with new colors and a dealer sport exhaust tune for the 6.2. Regular Cab orders closed in May 2026.
Our verdict: if you can stretch to it, buy a 2022 or newer. You get the much better cabin, standard automatic emergency braking and a 5-star NHTSA overall rating on the Crew Cab.
T1XX GMC Sierra 1500 Special Models
The T1XX era gave GMC its off-road AT4 line and its fanciest Sierra yet.
2019–2026
AT4
2-inch lift Locking rear diff 4WD
The AT4 was GMC's first premium off-road trim, with a 2-inch factory lift, a locking rear differential, skid plates and darker trim, and it stayed in the lineup all eight years.
2022–2026
AT4X
Multimatic DSSV dampers Front and rear lockers 33-in mud tires
The AT4X added spool-valve dampers, electronic lockers at both ends and 33-inch mud-terrain tires. It launched with the 6.2 V8 and switched to the 3.0 Duramax as standard for 2024.
2022–2026
Denali Ultimate
6.2 V8 standard Super Cruise Alpine Umber cabin
The top Sierra brought 16-way massage seats, Bose audio, a 15-inch head-up display, 22-inch wheels and the CarbonPro bed. Super Cruise with trailering became standard for 2025.
T1XX GMC Sierra 1500 Recalls
The recall that matters most on a T1XX Sierra is the 6.2-liter L87 V8 campaign, because a failed engine is a huge repair. In addition, 2020–2022 diesel trucks have a transmission recall that can lock the rear wheels.
| Model years | Campaign | What's affected |
|---|---|---|
| 2021–2024 (6.2L V8) | NHTSA 25V274 | Connecting rod or crankshaft defects can cause engine failure. Dealers inspect the engine and repair or replace it; engines that pass get 0W-40 oil, a new oil cap and filter. |
| 2020–2022 (3.0L diesel) | NHTSA 24V797 | A transmission control valve can fail and lock the rear wheels. Fix is a software update plus a special coverage program. |
| 2020–2022 (3.0L diesel) | NHTSA 26V083 | Re-recall for trucks that weren't repaired correctly under 24V797. |
| 2026 (4WD) | NHTSA 26V289 | A missing transfer-case part can cause sudden wheel lockup on a small number of trucks. GM says not to drive them until repaired. |
| 2019 | NHTSA 19V889 | ABS and stability control can be disabled without a warning light. |
| 2019–2020 | NHTSA 19V888 | Alternator cable can come loose, raising the risk of a stall or fire. |
| 2019–2020 | NHTSA 20V650 | A driveshaft weld can separate. |
| 2019–2021 | NHTSA 20V792 | Front center seat belt brackets may not be secured. |
T1XX GMC Sierra 1500 Safety Ratings by Region
The T1XX Sierra was crash-tested in the US, and IIHS ran its tests on the mechanically identical Chevy Silverado. Keep in mind that IIHS has toughened its side and small overlap tests since 2019, so older scores aren't directly comparable with today's.
| Region | Program | Rating | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | NHTSA | ★★★★ overall (2019–2021) | Crew Cab 4WD: 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover. |
| United States | NHTSA | ★★★★★ overall (2022 and up) | Crew Cab 4WD: 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover. The 2024 Double Cab 4WD scored 5 stars frontal. |
| United States | IIHS | Good / Marginal (Crew Cab) | Good in the driver-side small overlap and original side tests, Marginal in the passenger-side small overlap and Acceptable in the updated side test. No Top Safety Pick in any year. |
| United States | IIHS | Poor headlights (2019–2021) | Every 2019–2021 headlight version rated Poor. Front crash prevention rated Superior. |
| Canada | NHTSA and IIHS | As above | Canada doesn't run its own crash-star program, so Canadian buyers use the US results. |
| Europe, Australia, Middle East | Euro NCAP, ANCAP | Not rated | The Sierra wasn't sold officially in Europe or Australia, and the Middle East has no regional crash-test program. |
Buying a Used T1XX GMC Sierra 1500
A used T1XX Sierra 1500 is a great truck if you pick the right engine and check the recall history. Here's what comes up most.
- 6.2 V8 engine recall. On 2021–2024 trucks with the L87 6.2, confirm recall 25V274 was done and ask whether the engine was repaired or replaced. Listen for knocking or a check-engine light, and keep an eye on NHTSA's follow-up probe, which also covers 2025–2026 engines.
- V8 lifters. Owners of 5.3 and 6.2 V8s with cylinder deactivation report lifter failures, and a lawsuit covering 2014-and-up Sierra V8s was still pending in 2026. A ticking or misfire at idle is a red flag.
- Diesel transmission recall. On 2020–2022 diesels, make sure both 24V797 and the 26V083 re-recall are done.
- Know which 2022 you're getting. The 2022 Sierra Limited is the old 2019–2021 design. Look for the refreshed cabin with the 13.4-inch screen if you want the newer truck.
Our picks
- Best overall: 2022–2026 Elevation or SLT with the 5.3 V8
- Best for towing: 2023–2026 with the 305-hp diesel
- Best off-road: 2024–2026 AT4X
Think twice
- Any 6.2 V8 truck without recall paperwork
- 2020–2022 diesels with open transmission recalls
- Trucks with a ticking or misfiring V8
Other Sierra 1500 Generations
The T1XX sits between the K2XX and the redesigned 2027 truck. Jump to the newer one, or see every generation.
T1XX GMC Sierra 1500 FAQ
What years is the T1XX GMC Sierra 1500?
The T1XX Sierra 1500 covers the 2019 through 2026 model years, with a big refresh for 2022. The redesigned 2027 Sierra 1500 replaces it.
What is the 2022 Sierra Limited?
It's the pre-refresh 2019–2021 design, sold early in the 2022 model year while GMC switched production over to the refreshed truck with the new cabin.
Which T1XX Sierra 1500 years have the 6.2 engine recall?
NHTSA recall 25V274 covers 2021–2024 Sierra 1500s with the 6.2-liter L87 V8 built from March 2021 to May 2024. NHTSA's EA26005 probe, opened in August 2026, also looks at 2025–2026 engines.
How much can a 2019–2026 Sierra 1500 tow?
From 2023 on, up to 13,200 lb with the 6.2 V8 or the 3.0 Duramax and the Max Trailering package. The 2019 launch truck topped out at 12,200 lb. Check your truck's door-jamb label for its exact rating.
Does the Sierra 2.7 turbo have a cracked block problem?
Not widely. GM ran a customer satisfaction program for a small number of 2023 trucks with a block casting defect, but there's no recall, and the widespread cracked-block reports turned out to be wrong.
Is the T1XX Sierra 1500 safe?
The 2022-and-up Crew Cab earned 5 stars overall from NHTSA, up from 4 stars for 2019–2021. IIHS rated it Good in most crash tests but Marginal in the passenger-side small overlap test, and it never earned a Top Safety Pick.
Sources
- GM Authority: 2019 GMC Sierra 1500
- GM Authority: 2022 Sierra 1500 powertrains
- GM Authority: 2023 Sierra 1500 towing
- GMC newsroom: 2024 Sierra 1500
- GM Authority: 2026 Sierra 1500 changes
- NHTSA recall report 25V274
- NHTSA recall report 26V083
- autoevolution: NHTSA L87 engineering analysis
- IIHS: Sierra 1500 Crew Cab ratings
- CarComplaints: GM lifter lawsuit
- GM-Trucks: 2.7L cracked block story
Keep Exploring
See every Sierra 1500 generation side by side, or head back to the full GMC lineup.
Photo credits
- Header image: ShortlineBuickGMC, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Dashboard of a refreshed 2022 GMC Sierra…: deathpallie325, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4X in dark…: HJUdall, CC0, cropped and resized.
- Pre-refresh GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 Crew Cab…: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation Crew Cab…: deathpallie325, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.