GMC Sierra 3500 years to avoid (and the best years)
308 NHTSA owner complaints and 35 recalls across 13 model years, 2011 to 2025. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 308complaints
- 35recalls
- 16reported crashes
- 7reported fires
- 13reported injuries
Which GMC Sierra 3500 years should you avoid?
No GMC Sierra 3500 model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical GMC Sierra 3500 year has 20 complaints on file.
What are the best GMC Sierra 3500 years?
The GMC Sierra 3500 years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2019 (13), 2017 (13) and 2018 (14). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 16 | 0.8× | 1 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2024 | 44 | 2.2× | 3 | 0 | 1 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2023 | 28 | 1.4× | 1 | 5 | 1 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2022 | 31 | 1.6× | 3 | 3 | 5 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2021 | 20 | 1.0× | 5 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2020 | 45 | 2.2× | 8 | 4 | 4 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2019 | 13 | 0.7× | 7 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2018 | 14 | 0.7× | 6 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2017 | 13 | 0.7× | 7 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2016 | 19 | 0.9× | 7 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Steering |
| 2015 | 31 | 1.6× | 7 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2013 | 14 | 0.7× | 4 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2011 | 20 | 1.0× | 5 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Airbags |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 204 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain77 (38%)
- Brakes35 (17%)
- Steering, suspension & tires26 (13%)
- Electrical & infotainment24 (12%)
- Structure & body20 (10%)
Recalls (35)
Airbags · 26V611000 · Sep 2026 · model year 2016
A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Airbags · 26V325000 · May 2026 · model year 2019
A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Airbags · 26V166000 · Mar 2026 · model year 2019
A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Fuel system · 26V129000 · Mar 2026 · model year 2025
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 26V083000 · Feb 2026 · model year 2020
Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 25V432000 · Jun 2025 · model year 2019
A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increases the risk of injury or crash.
Safety · 24V894000 · Nov 2024 · model year 2024
An unlatched tailgate may open and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 24V797000 · Oct 2024 · model years 2020, 2021, 2022
Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 24V756000 · Oct 2024 · model years 2018, 2019
A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Safety · 24V060000 · Feb 2024 · model years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
An unlatched tailgate may open while driving and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 23V549000 · Aug 2023 · model year 2024
A steering arm that disconnects may result in a total loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 23V047000 · Feb 2023 · model years 2017, 2018, 2019
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 21V758000 · Sep 2021 · model years 2021, 2022
Water in the BPMV may cause an electrical short circuit and increase the risk of fire.
Airbags · 21V504000 · Jul 2021 · model years 2015, 2016
A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Safety · 21V496000 · Jul 2021 · model years 2017, 2018, 2019
An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Airbags · 21V054000 · Feb 2021 · model years 2011, 2013
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 21V050000 · Feb 2021 · model year 2011
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 21V053000 · Feb 2021 · model year 2013
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Seat belts · 20V811000 · Dec 2020 · model year 2021
If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Seat belts · 20V792000 · Dec 2020 · model years 2020, 2021
If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Airbags · 20V736000 · Nov 2020 · model year 2015
If the end cap separates from the inflator, the compressed gas will escape and the end cap can be propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
Airbags · 20V446000 · Jul 2020 · model year 2020
If the diffuser separates from the inflator during deployment, RRAB performance may be degraded, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Structure · 20V324000 · Jun 2020 · model year 2020
If a striker wire fractures, the hood may open unexpectedly while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 20V142000 · Mar 2020 · model year 2020
If a striker wire fractures, the hood may open unexpectedly while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 19V814000 · Nov 2019 · model year 2020
A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
Safety · 19V328000 · Apr 2019 · model years 2017, 2018, 2019
A short-circuit may damage the engine components and increase the risk of fire.
Fuel system · 19V088000 · Feb 2019 · model years 2016, 2017, 2018
If the front tank overfills, the excess pressure may cause the front tank to expand and contact the driveshaft, possibly resulting in a hole in the tank. The hole will leak fuel, which in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
Brakes · 18V578000 · Aug 2018 · model years 2015, 2016
If the brake pedal becomes loose or inoperative, the driver may be unable to stop the vehicle by using the brake pedal. Additionally, a loose pedal may also interfere with the accelerator pedal. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 18V267000 · Apr 2018 · model years 2011, 2013
In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fuel system · 17V664000 · Oct 2017 · model years 2011, 2013, 2015
If the front tank overfills, the excess pressure may cause the front tank to expand and contact the driveshaft, possibly resulting in a hole in the tank. The hole will leak fuel, which in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
Seat belts · 17V567000 · Sep 2017 · model years 2017, 2018
The seat belt retractors may not perform as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Airbags · 17V437000 · Jul 2017 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017
A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Airbags · 16V651000 · Sep 2016 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017
A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Brakes · 16V069000 · Feb 2016 · model years 2015, 2016
If the brake pedal becomes loose or inoperative, the driver may be unable to stop the vehicle by using the brake pedal. Additionally, a loose pedal may also interfere with the accelerator pedal. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 14V407000 · Jul 2014 · model year 2011
If the fusible link melts it may come into contact with adjacent components, damage the electrical center cover, the nearby wiring harness conduit and other vehicle components, increasing the risk of a fire.