Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and slammed into the intended gear. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had persisted, and the vehicle had failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the drive was rough, and there was an abnormal rumbling sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that the engine misfired. The vehicle was taken to several unknown locations for diagnostic tests, and it was confirmed that the transmission and the engine had failed. The contact was informed that metal shavings were found in the transmission fluid. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact was provided with the manufacturer's TSB Number: 20-NA-138; however, the vehicle was not covered. …
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle began to shift hard, started shuddering, and lost electrical power. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to push the vehicle to the side of the road with assistance. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle was shifting hard and was shuddering while driving. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the main power cord had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer; Fresno Buick GMC (5515 N Blackstone Ave, Fresno, CA 93710) where it was diagnosed that the transmission torque converter and the engine mounts needed to be replaced. Additionally, the dealer diagnosed that the coolant reservoir had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that on four separate occasions while driving at highway speeds, the vehicle shut off with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after each failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer and the contact was informed each time that the failure was related to the active fuel management system. The manufacturer was notified of the failure after the first failure and the contact was informed that the repair would be covered under warranty. The contact stated that each time that the vehicle was towed to a dealer, the lifters and pushrods were replaced under warranty; however, the failure returned almost a month after each repair. After the most recent failure, the dealer pushed the manufacturer to replace the engine. …
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate and jerk upon acceleration without warning. The contact also stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer and was informed that there was a service bulletin that was linked to the failure. Moisture could enter the vehicle through the headlights and cause the electrical and transmission failures the contact was experiencing. The contact was given an estimate for the repair. The contact then called Tameron Buick GMC (27161 US-98, Daphne, AL 36526) and it was stated that they were unaware of such a failure. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal tapping sound coming from the vehicle. The check engine warning light and an unknown warning light were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while traveling out of state. The dealer was made aware of the failure, and the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under recall. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with lifters failure. The contact was informed that the lifters and camshaft needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the lifter's failure had damaged the camshaft. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,700.
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle unintendedly decelerated. The vehicle hesitated and was shaking abnormally while accelerating. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed due to the pistons misfiring and then collapsing. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.
The contact owns a 2017 GMC 1500 Denali equipped with Land Spider Tires, Tire Line: Wild Traxx, Tire Size: 35x121/2/R22, DOT: (N/A). The contact stated that while diving at various speeds and turning, the tires were rubbing against the sidewall. The coolant line blew out. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the thermostat and Oxygen sensor needed to be placed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. The tire failure mileage was 130,000.
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle, after which the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to continue driving to the destination. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the torque converter. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred 2-months later. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,000.
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a tapping sound coming from the engine compartment, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the lifter rod had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,581.
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic sign, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with Vehicle Control Module (VCM) failure. The contact was informed that the VCM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
Engine complaints in other Sierra 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2017 GMC Sierra 1500?
NHTSA has 59 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2017 GMC Sierra 1500, 17% of the model year's 355 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2017 GMC Sierra 1500, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.