2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs 2015 GMC Sierra 1500
Two full-size trucks, compared on what actually matters when you're buying used:
what breaks, when it breaks, and what it costs you.
2015 Chevrolet
Silverado 1500
6/10
The K2 Silverado is handsome, capable, and cheap to fix — but only if you dodge the 5.3L AFM lifter tick and the 8L90 shudder.
VS
2015 GMC
Sierra 1500
6/10
Buy the 5.3L V8 with the 6L80 auto for parts-bin simplicity, but budget for a transmission rebuild by 150k and get the vacuum brake booster recall verified before you sign anything.
Dead heat: both score 6/10. The tiebreaker is which specific car you find.
By the numbers
Green is the better number — higher on every score, lower on failures, complaints and recalls.
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 |
GMC Sierra 1500 |
| Known failure points | 9 | 6 |
| NHTSA complaints | 1178 | 811 |
| Safety recalls | 11 | 9 |
| Service bulletins | 12 | 12 |
| Reliability | 62 | 62 |
| Cheap to own | 65 | 68 |
| Fun factor | 68 | 55 |
| Holds value | 72 | 58 |
| Enthusiast cred | 60 | 45 |
The most expensive thing that goes wrong
2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
5.3L EcoTec3 AFM (Active Fuel Management) lifter collapse — usually cylinder 1 or 7
$2,500–$6,00060k–120k mi
2015 GMC Sierra 1500
Active Fuel Management (AFM) lifter collapse/failure on 5.3L V8 causing ticking, misfire, or camshaft damage
$1,500–$4,50060k–120k mi
If you buy one, buy this one
✅ 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2015 Silverado 1500 LTZ Crew Cab 4x4 with the 5.3L L83 and the 6L80 6-speed (not the 8-speed), Z71 package, Max Trailering (NHT), G80 locking rear diff, and 3.42 gears. Build date after March 2015. Then plug in an AFM disabler on day one.
✅ 2015 GMC Sierra 1500
A 2015 Sierra SLE or SLT crew cab with the 5.3L V8, 6L80 transmission, and complete recall/service records — ideally one that's had regular full transmission fluid services, not just a top-off.
Narrowed it down? Get the full report
This comparison is model-level.
Milo's report goes car-level — the one you're actually looking at:
- A line-by-line negotiation script
- The pre-purchase inspection checklist
- VIN-specific open recalls
- What it's really worth right now
- Your next 15,000 miles, forecast
- Hidden features & money-savers
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Scores and findings blend documented NHTSA recalls and complaints with
patterns synthesized from owner communities. Always inspect the specific vehicle and
verify open recalls by VIN before buying.