GMC Sierra Problems by Year

We compared every GMC Sierra model year from 1995–2020 using 3,835 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 53 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 1995, 1996 and 1997, which drew far more complaints than other Sierra years at the same age. The best years are 2020, 2018 and 2009.

26model years
3,835complaints
53recalls
1999, 2000worst years
2020, 2018best years

Complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’202612462381906004432642622061991215860864444713947115753676172611
Owner complaints per model year, GMC Sierra. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
202011−83%—EngineGood
201926−60%—BrakeGood
201817−77%—EngineGood
201776−27%—TransmissionAverage
201636−64%2TransmissionGood
201575−30%6HeadlightAverage
20141151.3×11HeadlightAverage
201347−55%3AirbagGood
201239−61%2BodyGood
201171−39%2AirbagAverage
201044−61%—BodyGood
200944−64%1AirbagGood
200886−23%2AirbagAverage
200760−44%2AirbagGood
200658−45%4BrakeGood
2005121typical10BrakeAverage
20041991.6×7BrakeCaution
20032061.7×6BrakeCaution
20022622.4×4BrakeAvoid
20012642.4×4BrakeAvoid
20004434.2×8BrakeAvoid
19996006.2×5BrakeAvoid
19981902.0×—BrakeAvoid
19972382.6×—BrakeAvoid
19962462.7×2Window & WiperAvoid
19952612.8×6Window & WiperAvoid

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

Most common GMC Sierra problems

Latest GMC Sierra recalls

Electrical system › Software

NHTSA recall 16V-084 · Feb 11, 2016 · 139 vehicles

Genera Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, Malibu, Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles. The radio may intermittently fail to provide an audio warning when the key has been left in the ignition and the door is opened or when the driver does not fasten their seat belt.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at…

Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive

NHTSA recall 15V-830 · Dec 10, 2015 · 90 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pick up trucks manufactured October 13, 2015, to October 14, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the mounting stud used to secure the air bag sensing and diagnostic Module (SDM) may be incorrectly positioned, and as a result, the SDM…

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will have the mounting stud repositioned and the SDM replaced, free of charge. The recall began December 2, 2015.

Equipment › Other › Labels

NHTSA recall 13V-544 · Oct 30, 2015 · 1,808 vehicles

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD, Chevrolet Express, and GMC Sierra HD vehicles, and model year 2013 GMC Savana compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles that fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No.

Remedy: GM will notify owners and will send them a replacement label, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782.

Electrical system › Ignition

NHTSA recall 15V-640 · Oct 9, 2015 · 3,073 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks manufactured January 24, 2014, to February 26, 2014, 2015 Chevrolet Suburban vehicles manufactured February 12, 2014 and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles manufactured February 6, 2014, to February 13, 2014.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on November 20, 2015.

Electrical system › Ignition

NHTSA recall 14V-827 · Dec 30, 2014 · 84,192 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015.

All 53 GMC Sierra recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the GMC Sierra should you avoid?

1999, 2000, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 2001 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Sierra years at the same age, led by brakes problems in the 1999.

What is the best year for the GMC Sierra?

2020 has the fewest complaints compared with other Sierra years at the same age, followed by 2018 and 2009. 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 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the brakes (1,413), windows, wipers & sunroof (348) and transmission & drivetrain (321). Brake complaints peak in the 1999 model year.

How many recalls has the GMC Sierra had?

53 recalls across 1995–2020. The model year with the most is 2014. See all GMC Sierra 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.