2022 GMC Sierra 1500

Engine

Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 1524 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “While driving at 72moh, the engine started to knock/tick and then shifted into neutral indicating to press the start button again. Once I coasted to a stop, the truck shifted into park by itself and indicated to hit the start button again at which point it was completely locked up and inoperable. The vehicle had an engine replaced at 13,000 miles and currently has 54,000 miles on it. It now needs another complete engine replacement. The vehicle also had the recall inspection done in DEC/2025 and found no issues.” (NHTSA Complaint #11725126)

Body & Structure

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 has generated 804 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “front upper grille trim violently ripped off while driving down the highway. hit windshield and flew up and over the car into traffic on the highway.” (NHTSA Complaint #11724209)

Powertrain

Powertrain and transmission defects directly impair the vehicle’s core function and are generally considered substantial defects under California lemon law. Owners of the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 have reported harsh shifting, shuddering, slipping, and transmission warning lights. 540 NHTSA complaints have been submitted for this defect category. Owner reports include: “On 2/23/26 my GMC sierra 1500 AT4 3.0L Inline-6 Turbo-Diesel, it auto stopped (which I will never keep on again) on an incline and would not start back up or shift gears and rolled a few feet. I had to turn it off and restart it, then the engine light came on and a notification about conditions not favorable for shifting? My app said service was needed for engine/transmission issue. I took it to the dealership and it now has to have the transmission control valve body assembly replaced. I did not receive a recall notice for my truck but, it seems to be the same issue that the recall was for on GM vehicles of the same time period. Of course the dealership said they have no loaner vehicles and I’m supposed to be without my truck for approx. a week and a half at this point. I am disappointed with GMC and the quality that I am paying $70k for. I had a 07′ Silverado 2500 I purchased new and drove it for almost 15yrs. w/ no issues. Hopefully this is a good fix and it’ll last but, from what I’ve seen, GM is not the quality it used to be. This is on top of being in the shop for a coolant control valve issue that wasn’t recalled either but, a known issue on the pickups so beware. I did call GMC and they will reimburse up to $44 a day on a rental (has to be a GM vehicle btw) during this fiasco of course afterwards and with a bunch of paperwork but, I have to have a vehicle, in TX nothing is close by. Good luck everyone!” (NHTSA Complaint #11721024)

Other Systems

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 has generated 504 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “coolant control valve failed, truck cannot be driven due to overheating, Dealer has said due the national backorder, it could be 2 months before they receive the replacement part. There is a significant national backorder on the engine coolant flow control valve for 2020–2025 GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado trucks equipped with the 3.0L Duramax (LM2/LZ0) diesel engine. Many owners are reporting wait times of several weeks to months, with some vehicles sitting in repair shops for over 70 days.” (NHTSA Complaint #11720369)

Electrical System

Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 288 NHTSA complaints have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “Electrical system…battery is completely dead after short in tailgate button. Yesterday afternoon I washed out the bed and tailgate. This is important to know as a result of my research. Several hours later I go out to the truck and the tailgate is open unexpectedly, thought I had left it opened. After going to dinner and shopping with family I tried to open tailgate with tailgate button and it would not work. After several attempts I then used my FOB button, worked. The next morning I go out and the tailgate is opened not by me, I closed it. Got to my destination put truck in park and tailgate opened by itself. I closed it. Went inside grabbed what I needed 15 min later go back to truck and tailgate is open..I close it. I go to start truck and battery is dead. Confirmed by battery plus in Medford oregon. Did some research and see that a recall has been issued for this same reason: N232426400 Tailgate May Open Unexpectedly. Yes the recall does not cover my vim however I believe this needs to be as a result of the cause and effect you have already confirmed. Today is Sunday. I will contact local gmc dealer though I wanted to start a formal process.” (NHTSA Complaint #11724413)

Active NHTSA Recalls — 2022 GMC Sierra 1500

The following 6 recalls have been issued for the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 by the NHTSA or GMC. If your vehicle is affected, the manufacturer is required to provide a free remedy. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls.

California Lemon Law — Song-Beverly Act

California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2022 GMC Sierra 1500:

• 4+ repair attempts for the same non-safety defect without resolution
• 2+ repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury
• 30+ calendar days out of service for warranty repairs (cumulative, not consecutive)

Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to GMC to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), GMC must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.

What You Can Recover

If your 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 qualifies as a lemon under California law, GMC may be legally required to:

• Repurchase your vehicle — Full refund of your down payment, all monthly payments, registration fees, and incidental costs (towing, rentals), minus a mileage offset for miles driven before the first repair attempt
• Replace your vehicle — Provide a new, comparable vehicle at no cost to you
• Pay your attorney’s fees — Under § 1794(d), GMC pays all legal fees if you prevail
• Civil penalty up to 2x damages — If GMC willfully violated the Act, courts may award double the actual damages

Steps to Protect Your 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Claim

Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.

Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give GMC a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized GMC dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.

Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), GMC pays your fees if you win.

Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send GMC a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.

2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Lemon Law Questions

How many repair attempts qualify my 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 as a lemon?

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.

Does GMC pay my attorney fees?

Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), GMC is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.

Can I file a lemon law claim without an active recall?

Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.

What is the time limit to file a lemon law claim for my 2022 GMC Sierra 1500?

California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.