GMC T Series Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used GMC T Series options? We analyzed 10 model years (2000–2009) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
Free VIN check
Found a GMC T Series? Check that exact car.
Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the GMC T Series has 30 owner complaints and 5 safety recalls across model years 2000–2009. The most reported issue area is EQUIPMENT.
- Make
- GMC
- Model
- T Series
- Model years analyzed
- 2000–2009 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 30
- Safety recall campaigns
- 5
- Crash-related complaints
- 4
- Fire-related complaints
- 1
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2002 (25 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- EQUIPMENT
- Reliability signal
- Average
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
AverageThe GMC T SERIES has 30 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. 4 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 30 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 5 federal recall campaigns
- 4 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: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
5 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:COMPRESSOR
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:COMPRESSOR
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:AIR
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2000–2009. 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 30 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
30 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.
YOU KEEP SENDING NOTIFICATIONS TO GET THIS REPAIRED FOR YEARS NOW; BUT THE DEALERS IN LOUISIANA CLAIM TO HAVE NO PARTS TO MAKE REPAIRS. HOW DO YOU PROPOSE I GET THIS REPAIRED? THEY REPAIRED MY 2007 2500 YEARS AGO. THIS IS ONLY A COVER-YOUR-ASS NOTICE BECAUSE YOU ALL DO NOTHING TO FORCE COMPLIANCE BY THE AUTO MANUFACTURERS.
DUE TO AN ACCIDENT AND EVERY TIME I PUT MY TRUCK IN THE SHOP SOMETHING ELSE IS WRONG, NASTY PEOPLE AT STATEFARM INSURANCE. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON MY TRUCK AND NO ONE WOULD FIX IT THE GAUGES IS ONE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 GMC T SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE DIESEL TANK WAS CRACKED AND SEVERELY CORRODED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE METAL WAS PEALING ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE TANK AND STRAPS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
ON 02-21-2010 MY 2002 FORD RANGER STARTED ON FIRE. I WAS RETURNING HOME WITH IN LESS THEN 5MINS MY CAR WAS BURST INTO FLAMES. AFTER THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO MY AID THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT OF MY TRUCK. I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD IN 12-2010 AND TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THIS WAS 3 WEEKS BEFORE THE FIRE. EVEN WITH THE RECALL MY TRUCK BURST INTO FLAMES LEAVING NOTHING BUT THE FRAME. *TR
1979 PONTIAC TRANS AM 10TH SILVER ADDITION-CRASH, STEERING FAILED AND STRUCK TREE, PERSON DRIVING RECEIVED C6 SPINAL CORD INJURY. *TR
GAUGE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DEFECTIVE ON 2003 GMC SIERRA. SPEEDOMETER READING INCORRECT SPEED. CONSIDERED A SAFETY DEFECT. UNABLE TO ACCURATELY DETERMINE VEHICLE SPEED. GENERAL MOTORS DEALERSHIPS UNWILLING TO REPAIR DEFECTIVE PARTS. *TR
Read 14 more owner reports
MY 2003 GMC 1500 EXTENDED CAB PICKUP'S INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS NOT WORKING. SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T EVEN WORK. THIS IS NOT SAFE. I HAVE TO PARK MY TRUCK, OR EVEN GET IT TAKEN FOR SPEEDING. NOT TO MENTION IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE GM HAS A FAULTY PART. THAT IS NOT FAIR. I AND THOUSANDS OF OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED TO THEM BUT NO SOLUTION. PLUS I HAVE LESS THAN 70,000 MILES ON MY TRUCK. *TR
2001 YUKON DENALI- ABS FAILS AT SLOW SPEEDS 2001 YUKON DENALI- CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE. *TR
JUST AFTER WARRANTY, SPEEDOMETER STICKS TO ZERO OR PEGS TO BOTTOM. I'VE ASKED MY DEALER ABOUT GETTING IT FIXED, THEY SAID IT WOULD COST SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS. SINCE THEN, THE TACH HAS STARTED DOING THE SAME THING AND I FEEL THIS IS UNSAFE DUE TO NOT KNOWING WHAT SPEED I AM GOING. *TR
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HIT A LARGE ROCK-CAUSING A HOLE IN THE OIL PAN. NO LIGHTS OR WARNING SOUNDS WENT OFF NOTIFYING ME THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE OIL PAN AND THAT OIL WAS LEAKING OUT. VEHICLE IS STILL AT BLUE RIBBON GMC IN SALLISAW OK, THEY ARE ADVISING THAT THEY WILL NOT WARRANTY ANY OF THE DAMAGES. *TR
REDUCED ENGINE POWER, THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 7 TIMES. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN TO 1500 RPMS MAXIMUM. TOOK TO DEALER, THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY VALVE AND ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY. THIS PART WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $481. WITHIN TWO WEEKS THE SAME PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TWICE MORE. THIS IS DANGEROUS WHEN TRAVELING IN TRAFFIC. *TR
AT 68,994 MILES MY TRUCK LOST 2ND GEAR, DRIVE, OVERDRIVE AND REVERSE. A NEW REACTION SHELL WAS INSTALLED. AT 90,027 MILES AND 360 DAYS LATER THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AND A BEAST HEAVY DUTY REACTION SHELL WAS AVAILABLE AND INSTALLED. *JB
THE 2004 MONTE CARLO SPEEDOMETER ERRATIC, INDICATING GOING 30-12 MPH, EVEN THOUGH I STOPPED/ OR DROVE AT OR NEAR THE SPEED LIMIT ON INTERSTATE 55 MPH AND IT READ 45 MPH. I COULD DRIVE 30 MPH, AND IT READ 110 MPH. DEALER WANTED $500.00 TO FIX. I HOPE GM RECALL SOON. I HEARD THAT GM TRUCKS AND SUV HAD THIS PROBLEM. *AK
I HAVE AN 04 GMC SIERRA WITH ABOUT 80,000 MILES ON IT NOW, I BOUGHT THE TRUCK WITH 70,000 AND AT ABOUT 73,000 MILES THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED STICKING. I WOULD BE DOING 65 AND THEN I WOULD COME TO A STOP THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD NOT GO BACK DOWN. SO I STARTED MY TRUCK REPEATEDLY UNTIL THE NEEDLE WENT BACK DOWN TO 0. ABOUT A WEEK LATER IT DID IT AGAIN, AND AGAIN THE NEXT WEEK, AND NOW THIS HAS BEEN THE 4TH TIME IT HAS HAPPENED AND IT WILL NO LONGER WORK. I READ IN ONE FORUM THAT THERE WAS SUPPOSEDLY A RECALL ABOUT IT BUT I LOOKED ONLINE ALL OVER THE PLACE AND FOUND NOTHING. THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL BECAUSE THIS SEEMS LIKE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT IS NOT VERY CHEAP TO FIX (550.00 PLUS 150.00 FOR PROGRAMMING) AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP. I AM IN COLLEGE I CANNOT AFFORD THAT!!!! **OH AND I ALSO GOT A SPEEDING TICKET SO THANK YOU GM! *JB
THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK. IT ALLOWED ME TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD. *NM
FUEL PUMP FAILED 3 TIMES IN 3 YEARS TWICE WHILE DRIVING CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE, NEARLY CAUSING A ACCIDENT. *NM
ON TWO OCCASIONS IN 2005, WE HAD INCIDENCES OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION. WE OWN A 1999 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVAN AND IN GENERAL IT HAS BEEN A TROUBLE-FREE VEHICLE. IT IS WELL-MAINTAINED BY THE CHEVROLET-OLDSMOBILE DEALER. IN THE FIRST INCIDENT MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND EASING INTO A PARKING PLACE WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE. WHEN ABOUT 5 FEET FROM A CAR PARKED IN FRONT OF HER, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. SINCE SHE HAD HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE SHE MANAGED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BEFORE HITTING IT. ABOUT A MONTH LATER, I WAS EASING THE CAR INTO OUR GARAGE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND AS I APPROACHED RACKS AT THE BACK OF THE GARAGE, THE TIRES SQUEALED FORWARD BUT SINCE I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE I MANAGED TO STOP BEFORE HITTING THE RACK. I MEASURED THE DISTANCE FROM THE TIRE MARKS ON THE GARAGE FLOOR AND DETERMINED THAT THE BUMPER WAS ABOUT 3 FEET FROM THE RACK WHEN THE TIRES SPUN. IF I OR MY WIFE HAD PUSHED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ACCIDENTALLY, WE COULD NOT HAVE POSSIBLY STOPPED IN TIME TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT. I AM A RETIRED MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND I CAN ASSURE THAT THIS INFORMATION IS CORRECT. IN BOTH CASES WE WERE USING OUR RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN THE ACCELERATION OCCURRED. WE SUSPECT THE CRUISE CONTROL WHICH WAS ACTIVATED IN BOTH CASES. WE HAVE SINCE BEEN CAREFUL TO KEEP IT DEACTIVATED. BECAUSE OF THE TIRE STREAKS ON THE GARAGE FLOOR, I CAN PROVE THAT I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AT THE TIME OF THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. WE HAVE NOT HAD A RECURRENCE SINCE WE HAVE KEPT THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATED. *NM
I DROVE ON THE HIGHWAY APROX. 20 MILES. WHEN I CAME TO MY EXIT AND STOPPED AND TRIED TO GO MY TRANSMISSION SLIPPED CAUSING MY TO ROLL OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND PAUSE BRIEFLY TILL IT SLAMMED INTO GEAR. WHEN I GOT TO A SPOT I COULD PULL OVER AND CHECK IT OUT I REALIZED NO REVERSE. IT WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST ALSO. I CALLED GM TO REPORT SINCE THE TRANSMISSION HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ONCE UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT TO GM DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED REPLACED OR REBUILT. I GOT A SECOND OPINION FROM R AND R TRANSMISSION. THEY EXPLAINED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED AN UPDATE TO WORK PROPERLY AND THIS IS PROBABLY WHY THE FIRST ONE FAILED. THEY REBUILT TRANSMISSION. THIS NEAR MISS COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS. *JB
THERE WERE SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN JUNE OF 2004 AT CLAY CHEVORLET IN NEWTON, MA. THE FIRST DAY I DROVE MY CAR THE TEMPERATURE THERMOMETER CONTINUED TO FLUCUATE BETWEEN C AND H. A FEW MONTHS LATER I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY DEMISTER AND THAT WAS FIXED. A FEW WEEKS AGO I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FAN AND THAT WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED. RECENTLY THE THERMOMETER WENT ALL THE WAY TO H AND DID NOT COOL DOWN. MY CAR WAS TOWED BACK TO THE COMPANY AND I WAS TOLD THAT SOMETHING IN THE ENGINE EXPLODED AND THEY ARE SUPPOSEDLY REPLACING THE ENGINE ALTHOUGH I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR 3 WEEKS FOR IT. *JB
THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MAKES A GRINDIND NOISE AND DOES NOT STOP THE TRUCK PROPERLY.I HAVE DRIVEN PAST DRIVEWAYS AND ALMOST WENT THROUGH A STOP SIGN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I WORK FOR THE CITY SO GETTING TO WORK TO PLOW IS IMPORTANT, BUT I CANT TRUST THE TRUCK TO GET ME THERE SAFELY
Showing 20 of 30 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact GMC T Series
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 T Series, 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 T Series has 30 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 T Series has 5 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. 4 of the GMC T Series's 30 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 (Average) 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 T Series vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two GMC T Series 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 T Series has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
Compare
Buyers also compare
How does the GMC T Series stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
By state
Check a GMC T Series 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 T Series.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
GMC T Series reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the GMC T Series reliable?
Average. The GMC T Series has 30 NHTSA owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is EQUIPMENT. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which GMC T Series years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2002 (25 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 T Series problems?
Top reported issues: EQUIPMENT (26 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (6 complaints); ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (5 complaints).
Does the GMC T Series have recalls?
Yes — 5 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the GMC T Series. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.