2010 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls and problems

The 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 has 4 safety recalls and 168 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any GMC dealer.

Recalls
4
Complaints
168
Crashes / fires
2 / 2
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2010 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls

Recall 21V-054: Air Bags

Reported Feb 5, 2021 · 1,778,128 vehicles affected · General Motors, LLC

Problem: 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.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 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.

Recall 21V-050: Air Bags

Reported Feb 5, 2021 · 2,641,272 vehicles affected · General Motors, LLC

Problem: 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.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 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.

Recall 21V-053: Air Bags

Reported Feb 5, 2021 · 692,526 vehicles affected · General Motors, LLC

Problem: 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."

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 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.

Recall 18V-267: Equipment

Reported Apr 26, 2018 · 6,154 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: 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

Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

2010 GMC Sierra 1500 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Air Bags77
Unknown or Other46
Structure34
Engine11
Electrical System10
Vehicle Speed Control6
Fuel/Propulsion System6
Engine and Engine Cooling4
Power Train4
Seats3
Suspension3
Steering3

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 23
  • Structure › Frame and Members — 2
  • Structure › Body › Door — 2
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 1
  • Equipment › Mechanical › Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift — 1
  • Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System — 1
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 1
  • Structure › Interior Panels › Dashboard — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 64,500 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Structure · at 102,928 miles · reported Aug 21, 2026
The contact owns a 2010 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V053000 (Air Bag). The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, he became aware that there was a crack on the top of the infotainment system on the dashboard. The contact stated that a month later, the vehicle was taken to a dealer for the recall repair. The vehicle was repaired, but there was a large hole approximately one to two inches in size on the driver's side dashboard near the defroster vent. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 102,928.
Air Bags · reported Apr 6, 2026
The contact is an attorney who was representing a client who owns a 2010 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being driven at an intersection, the front end of the vehicle crashed into the side of another vehicle, where it came to a stop. The contact stated that the passenger side dash air bag ruptured, related to a Takata Inflator. The driver's side air bag deployed as well. The vehicle speed was undisclosed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. A police report was filed. Both the driver and passenger were injured in the accident. The injuries sustained were…
Forward Collision Avoidance · reported Dec 11, 2025
With no warning truck just started jumping in neutral after take off from red light litterly almost getting hit from behind and on coming traffic and than I let off the gas pedal than it jerks back in gear and doesn’t want to stop and wants to jerk to keep moving like transmission won’t stop pulling had to turn truck off it is something electrical in transmission I can pull fuse and it resets than it’s normal till it decides to do it again I’ve got on line and notice there is a lot more of the same truck and year having same issue and people have complained also mechanical at dealer…
Structure · reported Oct 23, 2025
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.
Vehicle Speed Control · reported Sep 7, 2023
Over the last 3 years we have had ongoing issues with our truck going into limp mode. We have spent thousands of dollars at dealerships and mechanics trying to troubleshoot the issue. Several occasions while trying to merge onto the freeway the truck would slip into limp mode causing us to have other drivers slam on their breaks almost hitting us. We had 2 cars in January of 2023 veer off the side of the road. We pulled over and thankfully they missed hitting one another. We just couldn't speed up to get out of their way. We cant believe their hasnt been a safety recall on the TCM for these…

Other GMC Sierra 1500 years

Compare all GMC Sierra 1500 years · All GMC models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2010 GMC Sierra 1500: 21V-054 (air bags), 21V-050 (air bags), 21V-053 (air bags), 18V-267 (equipment). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2010 GMC Sierra 1500?

Owners report air bags problems most often (77 reports), followed by unknown or other (46). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 64,500 miles.

Are GMC recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized GMC dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.