Best Years to Buy a Used GMC Sierra 1500
The GMC Sierra 1500 is a popular used car choice, but certain model years have documented issues worth knowing about — including active fuel management (afm) lifter failure. Here's a breakdown of the best and worst years to buy.
Known Issues — GMC Sierra 1500
- 2014–2021: Active Fuel Management (AFM) lifter failure — same as Silverado V8 [High severity]
- 2015–2019: Transmission shudder — torque converter shudder on 8-speed auto [Medium severity]
Best Years to Buy
Based on documented issues, the cleanest years for the GMC Sierra 1500 are: 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026. These model years avoid the most common documented failure points and represent the best value for used buyers.
Years to Avoid
Exercise extra caution with model years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 due to documented high-severity issues. If buying one of these years, have a pre-purchase inspection done and verify any known repairs have been completed.
- 2014–2021: Active Fuel Management (AFM) lifter failure
What to Inspect Before Buying
- Run a VIN report (Carfax or AutoCheck) to check for accidents, title issues, and odometer rollbacks
- Ask specifically about Active Fuel Management (AFM) lifter failure — verify it has been addressed
- Verify all open recalls at NHTSA.gov/recalls using the VIN
- Have an independent mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection ($100–$200)
- Ask for service records — consistent maintenance history is the best reliability indicator
Check Repair Costs Before You Buy
See repair cost estimates, known issues, and a pre-purchase inspection checklist for any by model year.
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