Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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's husband owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact's husband was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, approximately 1 year later the failure recurred. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. An unknown warning light and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. …
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 while driving approximately 30 MPH to 50 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and made a shuddering sound while shifting between gears. Additionally, the contact stated that the engine lifters and camshaft were previously replaced. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The traction control warning light was intermittently illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to a dealer to determine whether the failures were associated with a recall for coverage consideration. …
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500. While the contact's husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the RPM increased, and the drive signal flashed on and off. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with transmission control module (TCM) failure. The contact was informed that the transmission control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact requested a second opinion from another independent mechanic, and it was confirmed as a transmission control module (TCM) failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. …
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the RPM increased quickly. The contact stated that the failure occurred while driving on a busy highway. The contact drove the vehicle across a four-lane highway to get the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that the transmission had seized. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. …
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 while driving approximately 45 MPH and slowing while exiting the highway, the vehicle started to lose forward momentum and lurch forward. The contact had not depressed the brake pedal but instead attempted to accelerate however, the RPM increased but the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that there were no mechanical issues found. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had become recurring. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the spark plugs, but the failure persisted. The contact stated that on another occasion while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who determined that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 110,000.
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and shuddered upon depression of the accelerator pedal with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was initially taken to a dealer where the dealer found no defects with the vehicle. The contact was then informed that the shuddering was normal operation. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic discovered a defect with the bell housing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000.
Transmission complaints in other Sierra 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2017 GMC Sierra 1500?
NHTSA has 118 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2017 GMC Sierra 1500, 33% of the model year's 355 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › torque converter (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 30,000 miles, and 46% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.