2015 GMC Sierra 1500 — Carivo review Representative photo — may show another model year
Truck

2015 GMC Sierra 1500

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $29,492–$34,166
Fuel Economy 12 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category Truck
Est. Annual Fuel $4,375/yr
The 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 scores 7.2/10 at Carivo, ranking #336 of 515 trucks, with 9 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $4,375/year fuel cost.

Key Specifications — 2015 GMC Sierra 1500

Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleTruck
Base Price$29,492–$34,166

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500

The 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 is a truck that earns a Carivo score of 7.2/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.9/10, while Technology at 6.5/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional truck — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 6.8/10 for reliability, this truck trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 7.9/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.

With 7.5/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. Technology scores 6.5/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.

Priced from $29,492–$34,166, 12 MPG, seating 5, the GMC Sierra 1500 sits in the mid-market bracket of the truck segment. At 7.0/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 11 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Verdict: The 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 sits in the middle of the field. Until its reliability and technology scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among Trucks

The 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 ranks #336 of 515 trucks in the Carivo database — better than 35% of the segment. Its 7.2/10 overall score is 0.2 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $29,492 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $35,138 by about 16%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Truck ranking → · Best Trucks under $35k →

5-Year Cost Snapshot — 2015 GMC Sierra 1500

Fuel (75,000 miles)~$21,875 ($4,375/year at $3.50/gal)
Recall repairs$0 — 9 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
InsuranceVaries widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying

We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.

Which Sierra 1500 Year Should You Buy?

Smart-money pick: the 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 scores 6.8/10 — within striking distance of the 2015's 7.2 — and starts roughly $7,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2025 7.6/10$41,612 Read review →
2024 7.5/10$40,400 Read review →
2023 7.5/10$39,188 Read review →
2022 7.5/10$37,976 Read review →
2021 7.4/10$36,764 Read review →
2020 7.3/10$35,552 Read review →
2019 7.4/10$34,340 Read review →
2018 7.2/10$33,128 Read review →
2017 7.2/10$31,916 Read review →
2016 7.1/10$30,704 Read review →
2015 (this review) 7.2/10$29,492
2014 6.8/10$22,400 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2015 GMC Sierra 1500

✓ What it does well

  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Competent performance that satisfies most everyday driving demands
  • Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well

✗ Where it falls short

  • Reliability scores are mid-pack; some owners report higher-than-expected maintenance needs
  • Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra
  • Fuel economy at 12 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly

NHTSA Recalls — 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 (9 on record)

The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.

Steering / Electric power assist system
07/09/2018 · 18V586000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade vehicles. Electric power steering (EPS) assist may be lost momentarily, followed by a sudden return of EPS assist.
Service brakes, hydraulic / Power assist / Vacuum
06/09/2019 · 19V645000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
Service brakes, hydraulic / Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip / Wheel speed sensor/tone ring
24/10/2019 · 19V761000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a…
Air bags / Frontal
08/09/2016 · 16V651000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet…
Air bags / Frontal
10/07/2017 · 17V437000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade…

Showing 5 of 9 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.

Own a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →

Common Questions — 2015 GMC Sierra 1500

Is the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?

We rate the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500's reliability 6.8/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 9 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).

How many recalls does the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 have?

9 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 worth buying?

It scores 7.2/10 overall, ranking #336 of 515 trucks in our database (better than 35% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.

How much does the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 cost?

The 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 starts at $29,492 and ranges up to $34,166 across trims (MSRP when new). At 12 MPG, expect roughly $4,375/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.

Which Sierra 1500 years should you avoid?

Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest Sierra 1500 years we've rated are 2014 (6.8/10), 2016 (7.1/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (7.6/10). See the full year table above before deciding.

What problems does the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 have?

The documented issues for the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Steering, Service brakes, hydraulic, Air bags, Seat belts (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.

Owner Essentials — GMC Sierra 1500

Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

All-weather floor mats → Dash cam → OBD2 scanner → Phone mount →

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