2026 GMC Sierra 1500 Safety Rating
Large pickups Β· Current IIHS listing Β· IIHS source checked 2026-09-16
The 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 is not yet ranked. Our required evidence is complete for 2 of 4 primary tests and 3 of 4 selected occupant-protection details. Missing results are shown as missing, never assumed.
Reported so far: Small overlap front Marginal; Side (updated test) Acceptable; Latch ease of use Marginal.
Which build and equipment does this score describe?
Latest applicable build; standard AEB and lowest current-trim headlight rating. Headlights use the lowest rating among applicable current trims; this is a conservative equipment baseline, not a claim that every trim has identical results. Confirm the production date and equipment of the car you are buying.
Pedestrian crash prevention: baseline Acceptable
- Acceptable β standard Automatic Emergency Braking/Front Pedestrian Braking. Rating applies to all 2024-26 models
Optional-system results are shown separately. Combining the best rating from different packages does not establish that one purchasable configuration earns them all. Check IIHS equipment details.
IIHS crash-test results
Detailed results by test (36 entries)
IIHS publishes these under the test they belong to, so the same label can appear more than once. Rear restraints and kinematics, rear head protection, structure and safety cage, and front restraints are the four that count toward the score (25%).
Small overlap front
Rating applies to 2019-26 models
Small overlap front
Rating applies to 2019-26 models
Side: updated test
Rating applies to 2019-26 models
Front crash prevention: pedestrian
Rating applies to all 2024-26 models Β· standard Automatic Emergency Braking/Front Pedestrian Braking
Child seat anchors
Rating applies to 2019-26 models
Opens on iihs.org in a new tab
How the score is built
See our full scoring methodology and rules β
NHTSA 5-star rating
2026 GMC SIERRA 1500 PU/CC N/A 4WD
NHTSA stars are shown for reference and carry no weight in the score. NHTSA source. Why the two programs disagree β
IIHS crash-test videos
These videos are embedded on IIHSβs ratings page for this model. The tested vehicle may be an earlier model year or a related version whose results IIHS applies to this vehicle. Check the test description and source for the exact coverage.
Load a player to watch on this page, or use the YouTube link. Video footage helps explain the test; the published injury measurements and ratings are the basis for comparison.
Small overlap front: Driver-side
Tested vehicle: 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Crew Cab 2wd
Rating applies to 2019-26 models
Small overlap front: Passenger-side
Tested vehicle: 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Crew Cab 2wd
Rating applies to 2019-26 models
Side: updated test
Tested vehicle: 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Crew Cab 4wd
Rating applies to 2019-26 models
Real-world context
| Measure | Result | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Class driver death rate | 31 per million registered vehicle-years | Large pickups as a class, adjusted for driver age and sex (Farmer, 2023); all vehicles average 38. Class context only. |
| GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab 4WD (2019-20) driver death rate | 24 (95% CI 9β38) | Earlier model years of this nameplate; class average for that study 28.5. Reflects who bought and drove those cars as well as the car. |
| Theft claim frequency (GMC Sierra 1500 crew cab 2WD) | 324 (100 = average) | HLDI whole-vehicle theft, 2022β24 model years: 3.24Γ average. See the theft ranking. |
| Theft claim frequency (GMC Sierra 1500 crew cab 4WD) | 292 (100 = average) | HLDI whole-vehicle theft, 2022β24 model years: 2.92Γ average. See the theft ranking. |
Compared with other large pickups
Closest-scoring current large pickups with complete IIHS records, plus the class leader. See every large pickup ranked β
| Vehicle | Class rank | IIHS award | Rear restraints | Starts at | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Tesla Cybertruck | #1 of 6 | TSP+ | $69,990 | 96.5 | |
| 2026 Ram 1500 | #4 of 6 | β | $44,775 | 67.3 | |
| 2026 Ford F 150 (Crew cab) | #5 of 6 | β | $46,730 | 66.1 | |
| 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | #6 of 6 | β | $45,000 | 43.0 |
Our analysis
The 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 belongs to the Large pickups class. This class has a driver death rate near the national average of 38 deaths per million registered vehicle-years. The class figure is adjusted for driver age and sex, which removes a large part of the selection effect in raw death rates. It is still a class average, not a measurement of this model.
The GMC Sierra 1500 has no IIHS Top Safety Pick award in the 2026 award cycle. That can mean a result below the award threshold in one test, or tests IIHS has not completed. Absence of an award is not evidence that the vehicle is unsafe.
Across the 3 IIHS rating categories reported, the GMC Sierra 1500 earned 0 Good ratings. Results below Good deserve attention, especially the updated frontal and side tests that IIHS toughened in 2022 and 2023. Our updated crash test analysis explains what changed.
This analysis is produced independently; we have no affiliation with GMC or any manufacturer. Read the full methodology or learn more about us.
Safety recalls for the 2026 GMC Sierra 1500
We do not have a verified NHTSA recall lookup for this model and year. An unmatched or unavailable lookup is not evidence of a clean recall record.
Recall campaigns from the NHTSA recalls database, retrieved 2026-09-16. A recall applies to a range of build dates, not necessarily every car of this model year, so confirm against your own VIN. Recalls do not affect the safety score on this page.
Questions about the 2026 GMC Sierra 1500
Is the 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 a safe car?
IIHS has published 2 of the 4 primary tests and 3 of the 4 occupant-protection details for the 2026 GMC Sierra 1500. Available results are shown below. Only current models with all required results enter the ranking.
What is the 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 IIHS rating?
IIHS reports: small overlap front = Marginal; side: updated test = Acceptable; latch ease of use = Marginal.
Is the 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 an IIHS Top Safety Pick?
No. The 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 does not hold an IIHS Top Safety Pick award for the 2026 model year, which can reflect a result below Good in a qualifying test or tests that IIHS has not yet completed.
How does the 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 compare with other large pickups?
The class leader is the 2026 Tesla Cybertruck at 96.5/100. The comparison table on this page lists the closest-scoring current large pickups with complete records.
Continue comparing
Shopping for a family? Compare three-row vehicles and rear-seat evidence. Buying used? See real driver death rates by model.