Fuel System complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 20% | — |
| 2024 | 5 | 10% | 20,000 miles |
| 2023 | 2 | 7% | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 3% | 68,000 miles |
| 2021 | 2 | 10% | — |
| 2020 | 6 | 12% | 19,000 miles |
| 2019 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2018 | 1 | 7% | 177,000 miles |
| 2016 | 3 | 16% | — |
| 2015 | 2 | 6% | 103,000 miles |
| 2014 | 2 | 29% | — |
| 2013 | 2 | 14% | 35,000 miles |
| 2012 | 3 | 33% | 30,000 miles |
| 2011 | 2 | 10% | 106,000 miles |
| 2008 | 3 | 12% | 68,000 miles |
| 2005 | 1 | 4% | 60,000 miles |
| 2004 | 4 | 17% | 125,000 miles |
| 2003 | 1 | 14% | 80,000 miles |
| 2002 | 6 | 30% | 101,000 miles |
| 2001 | 8 | 22% | 80,000 miles |
| 1999 | 1 | 5% | 75,000 miles |
| 1998 | 2 | 17% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 3500HD. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there would be a diesel odor coming into the cabin of the vehicle. The failure had become more persistent, causing black smoke to enter the cabin of the vehicle. The failure caused the contact and other vehicle passengers to have headaches, nausea, and dizziness. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the contact began speaking to their daughter, sitting in the front passenger seat, and noticed her not responding. When looking over, the contact noticed her daughter's head was lowered. The contact immediately pulled over to the side of the road, where she pulled her daughter out of the vehicle and called an ambulance. A fire truck was also dispatched in order to drive the vehicle to the fire department, where they tested the vehicle; however, they were unable to duplicate the failure. …
First incident we were driving on the interstate towing a fifth wheel RV, and several warning lights illuminated before everything just shut down. Manage to get to the side of the road. Vehicle finally restarted and the rest of the trip was uneventful. Second incident, vehicle had not run for two days, got in and while the starter cranks, the engine will not start or run. Engine/Transmission service and fuel system service messages showing on app and on email from OnStar. Vehicle requires towing to dealer.
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle jerked, lost motive power, and almost stopped unintendedly. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot, where the vehicle shut off. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the diagnostic trouble code: P129F was displayed, and the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The local dealer was contacted and advised the contact that the failure might be related to the fuel pump control module and that the part was on backorder. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
I was towing my 44'camper entering the highway and during excellration there was a loud bang and the truck shuddered no lights on the dash. Pulled over and did a visual check of the vehicle and did not see anything out of ordinary. Continued on our journey and during the the week noticed clunking noise when shifting into park and into drive with no camper. We shortened our trip and returned home with no futher incidents. Received recall letter from GM in December, called the dealer and was told Gm has not released my VIN number yet. Called twice in January 2025 and the software was done on February 20, 2025. Truck seems to run as it should. I use the truck for business and to tow my camper. The software is only a patch. My fear is I'm out traveling with my 44' camper and the truck goes into limp mode limiting to fifth gear. Then I have to get the truck towed home and the camper. …
This is a 2016 GMC 3500 Denali truck with 70,000 miles on it. The Bosch fuel pump threw metal shavings into the fuel system. This is a known issue with GMC trucks with a Bosch CP4 fuel pump for 2011-2016. The engine suddenly quits running leaving the driver without power steering or power brakes. It happened to me when pulling a 14,000-pound 5th-wheel RV. Fortunately, I was on an interstate outside of Grand Junction CO and the road was flat. If I had been in the mountains going downhill and the engine quit I'd likely caused an accident perhaps fatal. GMC quoted me $16,000 to repair. Again, this is a known issue at GMC but they refuse to do anything about it. GMC Dealership in Grand Junction performed the analysis and advised me to drive it home to Phoenix. I got 60 miles when the engine quit. …
I own a 2016 GMC 3500 Diesel that had a serious mechanical breakdown while traveling on the freeway. The truck lost all motive power and needed to coast across 4 freeway lanes. Once towed to a local GMC Dealer, they diagnosed the problem as the Bosch CP4 fuel pump internally came apart while driving. I have to have this vehicle working so I got it repaired at a cost of $16,145. This is a known issue and losing all power while at highway speeds could have caused a serious incident. Please address this issue before someone dies.
Driving from GM dealer for two miles change fuel filter message appeared and engine died. Towed to a dealer diagnosed as a high pressure injector pump failure with metal contamination to fuel system. I have found a bulletin dated 2009 from equipment manufacturers. This joint statement has information about the fuel used in the USA that I was not aware of and May have avoided this failure. This is a very expensive repair as I use my truck for work.
While pulling my fifth wheel trailer 12500# at highway speed 65 MPH pulling a grade the check engine light came on and the reduced engine power message appeared on the dash. This reduced and limited the speed to 50 MPH and steps the truck down from there until you can only do 20 MPH on the interstate. This issue has happened three times in three months.
Related recalls (4)
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump › Control/drive module
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.
Fuel system, diesel › Storage › Tank assembly
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 vehicles equipped with a dual fuel tank option. The rear fuel tank may collapse and prevent the fuel pump from transferring fuel to the front tank, resulting in an engine stall.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and fuel pump module, replacing them as necessary. Dealers will also add a vent hose to the rear tank assembly. Repairs will be performed free of charge.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 GMC Sierra 3500 and Chevrolet Silverado 3500 trucks equipped with gasoline engines and dual fuel tanks. The fuel-level sensor in the front tank may stick in a low-level position, allowing the rear tank to overfill the front tank.
Remedy: GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rear-tank fuel-pump module, inspect the front tank and, if necessary, replace the front tank, free of charge. The recall began July 30, 2019.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Auxillary tank
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 and GMC Sierra 3500 trucks equipped with dual fuel tanks. The low fuel level sensor for the front tank may stick causing the rear tank to overfill the front tank.
Remedy: GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rear tank fuel pump or update the fuel-level sensor software, as well as inspect the front tank, replacing it as necessary, free of charge.
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Sierra 3500 years have fuel system problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (8), 2002 (6), 2020 (6) and 2024 (5) model years. Fuel System complaints make up 22% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for GMC Sierra 3500 fuel system problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 26V-129 (control/drive module, Mar 5, 2026); 23V-047 (tank assembly, Feb 2, 2023); 19V-088 (tank assembly, Feb 7, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do GMC Sierra 3500 fuel system problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles; 29% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the fuel injection system (3 mentions), followed by the delivery (2).
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.