GMC Sierra Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used GMC Sierra options? We analyzed 10 model years (2017–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the GMC Sierra has 4,345 owner complaints and 86 safety recalls across model years 2017–2026. The most reported issue area is ENGINE. 2022 drew the most complaints; 2021 drew the fewest.
- Make
- GMC
- Model
- Sierra
- Model years analyzed
- 2017–2026 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 4,345
- Safety recall campaigns
- 86
- Crash-related complaints
- 107
- Fire-related complaints
- 39
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2022 (1,250 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2021 (0 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ENGINE
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
GMC Sierra: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe GMC SIERRA has 4,345 NHTSA complaints and 86 recalls on record. 107 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 4,345 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 86 federal recall campaigns
- 107 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Oct 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
86 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
TIRES
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
SEAT BELTS
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
TIRES
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:ELECTRIC:CONTROL MODULE
SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELTS
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 4,345 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
4,345 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
GM Duramax L5P diesel engine electrical connector for #4 fuel injector. This failure caused the Diesel exhaust brake, which controls downhill speed, to disengage, extreme shaking of the vehicle, emissions system warning and speed limiting. This occurred while descending a steep grade while towing a 34 feet long, 10,000 pound trailer. This is a known issue with this diesel engine and documented in GM Technical Service Bulletin 23-NA-027. Inspection and repair at a GM dealership confirmed a known issue with the #4 injector pigtail connector caused by improper wire routing and interference wit the Sound Shield and Valve Cover Heat Shield This was a sudden failure of the #4 pigtail connector with no advance warning. In addition to violent shaking of the vehicle, multiple warnings on the DIC indicating that the Diesel Brake was disengaged, the emission system had an issue, and speed would be limited.
The component that failed is the rear glass. Yes, it is available for inspection. The rear glass defogger stopped working and melted the tabs off of the glass and burned the tabs cover. The problem has been confirmed by the dealership and i was advised there is already a recall for this but apparently my vin does not fall under the recall.
Service Trailer Brake System Warning From time to time, this warning goes off in the vehicle and when it does, it does it constantly. When the warning is dismissed, it does it again seconds later. If it is not dismissed, it does it again seconds later. It is a persistent three ding double chiming that is not only constant, the vehicle is doing it without a trailer connected to it. The GM dealerships we have been to regarding this issue do not know how to fix it since the warning is as intermittent as it is persistent. Once one of the dealerships was finally able to observe the warning themselves, we were told because it does not cause the check engine light to come on, they are not given a code, therefore, they do not know how to address the issue. The Service Engine Brake System warning is not only a persistent auditory nuisance. The warning chime overrides any other audio capability of the vehicle and it will be the only thing the control panel shows. If the warning is dismissed, it comes right back. This means we cannot hear anything else in the vehicle, such as turn signals, and we cannot see anything else on the control panel, such as speed. We can only surmise this issue is some sort of an electrical system malfunction since we do not have a trailer connected to the vehicle when the Service Trailer Brake System warning is coming on. The vehicle has been presenting this persistent warning since we purchased it from a dealership in August of 2022 and the vehicle continues to present this persistent warning intermittently, which will last days to weeks at a time and is not corrected by the engine being turned off and restarted, no matter if the engine is shut off for minutes or days. How much time passes between the persistent Service Engine Brake System warning events can be less than one day to several months later.
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the fuel pump control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.
Metal in the fuel filter and throughout the fuel system, 38 codes on the computer just in 2 weeks after a full service again at the dealer. All service has been preformed at A GMC Dealer since truck was serviced. 1. P026D - Fuel injection Quantity “A” Higher then expected 2. P06CC - cylinder 8 incorrect 3. P133F - cylinder 8 glow plug offset exceeding learning limits None stop this is happening since [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Constant issues with glow plug failures, fuel rail failure, fuel pressure failure. Truck has been in the Gmc service regarding these issues constantly for the last year with a total of five repairs and replacement of glow plugs with releaning learning new plugs and now the 6th return to the shop they’re tearing down the fuel system. Malfunction and engine light consistently come on with the same occurring problems generating from the fuel system and glow plugs. Fuel mileage is absolutely terrible and lose of power hazardous to safety!!! Gmc has issued an extended warranty for 15 years and 150,000 miles, but cant and hasn’t found a repair for vehicle and just replaces the glow plugs just so they can fail again and again!!! They need to replace everything that needs to be done and if no fix they need LEMON Law The vehicle. This is ridiculous going back to the shop every two weeks I have my truck in the shop for a month to get it back, to put it back in the shop two weeks later, to have it back in the shop for a month. Since this start 17months ago I’ve only been able to put less then 7000 miles on the vehicle because GMC constantly has the truck! The is ridiculous when you’re paying $800 a month for your payment and insurance on your vehicle that you can’t drive because the manufacturer is constantly having to repair and replace the same thing over and over again
Read 14 more owner reports
driving at 70mph, thread from tire blew.. That was in July, I went and purchased another tire from Bob King GMC Wilmington, NC. The first tire that blew was now discontinued so I purchased another Good Year . On Friday I noticed that another tire on my truck had a bubble along the threads again. It was also getting ready to blow like the first tire. I went to the dealer and they told me the tire I purchased (Good Year) was also discontinued... Please look into this matter.. They have faulty tires and this matter could have turned out with a death.. It isn't the dealers fault it is Good Year .... I have also read on line this isn't the first time people are complaining about the threads coming apart....
While braking ( after being on the highway) all dash gauges turn black, radio shuts off, AC shuts off. Service Stabilitrak light comes on when dash flashes back on. While driving AC turns off, Radio turns off same stabilitrak warning flashes, speedometer turns off. Power steer control went out while trying to turn. Truck put itself in 4 wheel drive when I turned on the trailer assist. Parking assist periodically turns itself off.
Low coolant warning light came on. I was towing a travel trailer on a very busy roadway with no place to pull off while pulling a trailer. I had to pull over to the shoulder to check the coolant level and make sure I didn’t cause major damage to my engine by letting it overheat. While waiting to let the engine cool down, I researched and found that this is a very common issue with L5P Duramax Engines in GM trucks and it is specifically related to a faulty coolant level sensor. As it turns out, my coolant level was fine and there was no issue. The danger posed by me pulling over and waiting for well over an hour on the side of the busy backroad with my son in the truck was not a necessary one. It appears that this is a well known issue that is not being addressed by GM.
I have a 2018 GMC Sierra Duramax Quad-Cab and when it is connected to either my boat, stock trailer, or cargo trailer the lights and electric trailer brakes on the trailers do not work. and the chime from the "Service Trailer Brake" indicator sounds and doesn't stop until I unplug my trailer harness from my truck making it a distraction and an unsafe situation when trying to navigate through traffic(changing lanes, stopping, and other functions needed when hauling trailers). The dealership said it was a module and specified which one and so I elected to replace it myself and it wasn't the issue. I choose to do the work myself as they quoted me a price of $700.00+ to repair the problem.
Water leak, known in other years of the same model vehicle, caused the rear defrost to fail and smoke when in operation nearly causing a fire in the vehicle as it was being operated.
2018 GMC SIERRA 2500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE BEGAN LEAKING FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRE, WHICH COULD NOT BE DONE THE SAME DAY. THE CONSUMER WAS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE HOTEL EXPENSE, SINCE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING OUT OF STATE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURED.
Faulty pigtail connector for fule injectors. Cause The vehicle to shut down even while going down the highway possibly causing injury by immediate deceleration wich could cause an accident. For me on this vehicle I’ve had this happen three times and it has cost me anywhere from $800 to 1000 per injector especially if damage is done to one of the fuel injectors.
2018 GMC SIERRA 2500 HD. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ACCELERATION ISSUES. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED WARNING LIGHTS. AND BEGAN SHAKING. THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO ACCELERATE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT NUMBER 4 INJECTOR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. SHORTLY AFTER, THE GLOW PLUG FAILED AND THE COMPUTER REQUIRED AN UPDATE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO REIMBURSED FOR THE RENTAL VEHICLE AS WELL AS REPAIR COSTS.
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V496000 (Equipment) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Diesel exhaust fluid systems limited to slower speeds causing traffic back up. Issue is these components are failing on these trucks. Mine failed with in 3 yrs of manufacture date.
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V496000 (Equipment) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Both the outside mirrors are loose and will fold while driving. At night if I am not aware and it is dark the mirror fails to identify vehicles in the visibility area because they vibrate closed to the door from the driving air on the mirror. I will have to pull over and push the mirror back. I have brought it to the dealer and they say they all do it. It is normal. The issues has been confirmed by the dealer. It has been present on the car for about 1 year. The internet is filled with this safety complaint. They are starting to fold when you close the door.
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V496000 (Equipment) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer had been notified about the recall; however, the contact was informed that the part was not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the recall. The contact recently stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was 30,600. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V496000 (Equipment) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that parts were not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.
Showing 20 of 4,345 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact GMC Sierra
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used GMC Sierra, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The GMC Sierra has 4,345 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The GMC Sierra has 86 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 107 of the GMC Sierra's 4,345 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all GMC Sierra vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two GMC Sierra vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The GMC Sierra has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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How does the GMC Sierra stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
By state
Check a GMC Sierra by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used GMC Sierra.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
GMC Sierra reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the GMC Sierra reliable?
Poor. The GMC Sierra has 4,345 NHTSA owner complaints and 86 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ENGINE. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which GMC Sierra years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2022 (1,250 complaints), 2019 (1,122 complaints), 2017 (601 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common GMC Sierra problems?
Top reported issues: ENGINE (1,552 complaints); POWER TRAIN (949 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (665 complaints).
Does the GMC Sierra have recalls?
Yes — 86 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the GMC Sierra. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.