2010 GMC Sierra 1500: Engine idles very rough
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2010 Sierra 1500 report: engine idles very rough. CarComplaints.com lists 3 owner complaints, average mileage 72,000 miles.
NHTSA has 18 owner complaints for the 2010 Sierra 1500 in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11543308 (filed 09/07/2023): “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 …”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11407913 (filed 04/13/2021): “While the vehicle was in motion on a city street, the fuel management system failed almost causing me to be in an accident. the engine sounded like it was blowing up with metal on metal sounds, loss of control and power. i had my vehicle transported to an au…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace plug, valve cover gasket (1 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $900 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
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