GMC Sierra 2500 Problems by Year

We compared every GMC Sierra 2500 model year from 1997–2026 using 1,826 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 47 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2024, 2025, 2020, 2021 and 2022, which drew far more complaints than other Sierra 2500 years at the same age. The best years are 2012, 2014 and 2013.

30model years
1,826complaints
47recalls
2024, 2025worst years
2012, 2014best years

Complaints by model year

’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26141536481341341601431156683633110633146308959373532785243331062812
Owner complaints per model year, GMC Sierra 2500. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
2026122.7×1ElectricalAverage
2025284.7×1BrakeCaution
202410610.9×4ElectricalAvoid
2023332.3×1TransmissionAvoid
2022432.4×3ElectricalAvoid
2021522.5×6TransmissionAvoid
2020783.1×9TransmissionAvoid
201932typical7ElectricalAverage
2018351.3×5EngineAverage
201737typical6BrakeAverage
2016591.5×6SteeringCaution
2015892.2×6HeadlightAvoid
201430−29%2SteeringAverage
201346−17%3Fuel SystemAverage
201231−44%3AirbagGood
201163typical4AirbagAverage
201010−73%5BrakeGood
200931−39%5ElectricalAverage
2008631.3×3AirbagAverage
200783typical3AirbagAverage
2006661.5×1BrakeCaution
20051152.4×1ElectricalAvoid
20041432.8×1BrakeAvoid
20031603.0×—BrakeAvoid
20021342.2×1BrakeAvoid
20011341.9×2BrakeCaution
200048−49%1BrakeGood
199936−61%—BrakeGood
199815−66%1BrakeGood
199714−73%2BrakeGood

* Complaints compared with the median Sierra 2500 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common GMC Sierra 2500 problems

Latest GMC Sierra 2500 recalls

Air bags › Side/window › Curtain › Inflator

NHTSA recall 26V-611 · Sep 24, 2026 · 1,559 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500, GMC Sierra 2500/3500 vehicles, and 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The left-side or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.

Remedy: Dealers will replace both RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 9, 2026.

Tires

NHTSA recall 26V-530 · Aug 13, 2026 · 8 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and GMC Sierra 2500 vehicles equipped with the enhanced towing option and 20-inch accessory tire/wheel package.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect, update the engine control module (ECM) software, apply a tire label overlay, inflate tires to the correct pressure, and perform a tire pressure monitor system (TPMS) re-learn process as necessary,…

Air bags

NHTSA recall 26V-325 · May 21, 2026 · 4,315 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles. The left-side or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.

Remedy: Dealers will replace both RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 24, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.

Air bags

NHTSA recall 26V-166 · Mar 19, 2026 · 2,819 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 Crew Cab vehicles. The left or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right-side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026.

Equipment › Other › Owners/service/other manual

NHTSA recall 26V-114 · Feb 26, 2026 · 5,861 vehicles

General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette Convertible…

Remedy: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner's manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026.

All 47 GMC Sierra 2500 recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the GMC Sierra 2500 should you avoid?

2024, 2025, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Sierra 2500 years at the same age, led by electrical system problems in the 2024.

What is the best year for the GMC Sierra 2500?

2012 has the fewest complaints compared with other Sierra 2500 years at the same age, followed by 2014 and 2013. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common GMC Sierra 2500 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the brakes (503), electrical system (293) and engine & cooling (209). Brake complaints peak in the 2002 model year.

How many recalls has the GMC Sierra 2500 had?

47 recalls across 1997–2026. The model year with the most is 2020. See all GMC Sierra 2500 recalls by year.

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.