GMC Sierra 3500 Problems by Year

We compared every GMC Sierra 3500 model year from 1997–2026 using 580 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 45 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2024, 2020, 2023, 2025 and 2022, which drew far more complaints than other Sierra 3500 years at the same age. The best years are 2012, 2014 and 2013.

30model years
580complaints
45recalls
2024, 2020worst years
2012, 2014best years

Complaints by model year

’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26101219263620724241116255220914731191314135120322850175
Owner complaints per model year, GMC Sierra 3500. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
202651.5×2TransmissionFew
2025174.5×1BrakeCaution
2024508.4×3ElectricalAvoid
2023284.7×1TransmissionAvoid
2022324.1×3ElectricalAvoid
2021202.6×5TransmissionCaution
2020515.3×8TransmissionAvoid
2019131.3×7BrakeAverage
2018141.2×6BrakeAverage
201713typical7BrakeAverage
2016191.4×7BrakeCaution
2015312.2×7ElectricalAvoid
20147−42%3AccelerationGood
201314−16%4AirbagAverage
20129−42%4EngineGood
2011201.2×5AirbagAverage
20102−81%5SteeringGood
20095−61%5TransmissionGood
2008251.7×3AirbagCaution
200716−35%3AirbagAverage
200611−35%—TransmissionAverage
2005241.2×—BrakeAverage
2004241.4×—BrakeCaution
20037−55%—BrakeGood
200220typical2BrakeAverage
2001361.9×2BrakeCaution
2000261.4×2BrakeCaution
1999191.3×1BrakeAverage
199812−29%2BrakeAverage
199710−23%1SteeringAverage

* Complaints compared with the median Sierra 3500 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common GMC Sierra 3500 problems

Latest GMC Sierra 3500 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.

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.

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump › Control/drive module

NHTSA recall 26V-129 · Mar 5, 2026 · 11,807 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and GMC Sierra 3500 vehicles with gasoline engines and dual fuel tanks (RPOs L8T and N2N). The rear fuel pump may not transfer adequate fuel to the front tank, causing an engine stall.

Remedy: The vehicle's engine control module (ECM) will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 8, 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 45 GMC Sierra 3500 recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the GMC Sierra 3500 should you avoid?

2024, 2020, 2023, 2025, 2022 and 2021 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Sierra 3500 years at the same age, led by electrical system problems in the 2024.

What is the best year for the GMC Sierra 3500?

2012 has the fewest complaints compared with other Sierra 3500 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 3500 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the brakes (150), transmission & drivetrain (93) and electrical system (83). Brake complaints peak in the 2001 model year.

How many recalls has the GMC Sierra 3500 had?

45 recalls across 1997–2026. The model year with the most is 2020. See all GMC Sierra 3500 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.