Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 GMC Sierra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra LD. The contact stated that on two separate occasions while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the front passenger side wheel locked inadvertently. As a result, another vehicle crashed into the attached trailer which caused the trailer to jackknife. The driver alert warning light illuminated. The air bags failed to deploy. No medical attention was required. No injuries were sustained. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact then stated that on a separate occasion while driving at normal speed, the front passenger side wheel inadvertently locked without warning. As a result, the strut detached from the control arm which caused the attached trailer to detach and crashed into the vehicle that caused the vehicle to crash into a ditch. …
My 2017 GMC Sierra denali had already been the subject of the recall relating to the brake issue. Shortly after they performed this recall work the brakes began failing at low speed. When driving below 5 MPH, the pedal which suddenly fall and the ABS would trigger. During this time, the car would continue moving with the ABS fully vibrating. Thankfully, my trailer hitch absorb the rear impact against a wall. The problem continued. I then took the truck in for service and they reported that there has been a significant failure rate of the vacuum assist. The dealer replace the vacuum pump and vacuum lines. I'm extremely concerned that this would happen to someone else near an intersection, not just slowly backing into parking spaces. I have contacted GMC by email but still have received no response or acknowledgment of my communications.
I almost killed a kid today parking for a baseball game. I was traveling slowly and parking when my brakes became hard to push and failed. Truck went over curb and toward kid putting on his cleats and not facing me. I was able to push as hard as I could and it stopped. I backed up and brakes worked again. I have 46,000 miles on the truck. I am now afraid to drive it, but it seems they are working again. If this is common, GMC needs to take care of this. Someone will soon be hurt seriously!
As I was backing up I applied my brakes and for some reason nothing happened which resulted in my hitting my wife's car and damaging her drivers side quarter panel. When I asked GMC about the issue they said it was just an error on my part. Now I find out that there is a recall on the braking system that the pressure to the brakes May be affected. Who is responsible for the damage to her car?
Vehicle frequently exhibits loss of braking power. When this occurs, something sounding like the ABS systems is sometimes engaged by the vehicle and other times not. While GM claims braking performance meets federal standards, the braking power is greatly reduced when the hydraulic system is engaged and almost non-existent when neither vacuum pump nor the hydraulic system functions. Even if the braking performance meets federal standards, it creates a dangerous situation when the driver is not expecting a failure. A GMC dealership has admitted there is an issue and recommends replacing the vacuum pump but has been unable to source the parts in over two weeks and has no eta for when the part will be available. Meanwhile the braking power loss condition occurs every time the vehicle is driven. During the first instance, I was towing a travel trailer in stop and go traffic down a 7% grade. …
My brakes are not working to its full potential. I believe my vacuum pump is going back on my truck. I noticed last week that I was driving out of a parking lot and coming to a stop sign and I pressed my brakes and it was not working properly. I had to release the brake and slam on the brakes again almost causing a accident with incoming traffic. I called all my local dealerships and stated that there was no recall on this just yet for my truck, but there is a recall on the vacuum pump. They stated they already did the software update to my truck back in September 2019. My truck was going maybe 10 MPH to a stop sign and I applied my brakes once and was not completely stopping, so I took my foot off the brake pedal, and it got worse and I had the brakes pressed all the way down to the floor. This is not safe! …
October 2019 went to the dealership to have breaks worked on given recent recall about the mechanical vacuum pump output May decrease over time, decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake assist. However, shortly after getting the recall done on my truck (1 week later) I was in the parking lot backing up out of my parking spot and the break pedal became really stiff and I couldn't push hard enough to stop the vehicle from moving. I just kept rolling until I hit the curb. So far this has happened a dozen times and all when I was moving about 5 miles an hour the exact same way, pedal becomes stiff and I couldn't stop the truck from moving. I feel like things are worse now after getting the recall done. …
First and most importantly my brakes are my main issue and safety problem. I nearly ran into the car in front of me at a busy intersection. My trucks brakes lose pressure after the first initial stop coming to any traffic lights, stop sign, slow traffic, parking lots etc... No matter how slow or fast the trucks movement is. First break attempt is OK but 2nd starts losing pressure and 3rd attempt is complete lost of pressure anf and the truck just rolls until it slowly comes to a stop. I worry about the safety of myself and others motorist regarding this issue. My second complaint is my driver side mirror. Every time I get into my truck and start it. My driver side mirror moves out of its setting and I constantly have to fix it.
In my driveway on dry pavement at slow speeds when pressing the brake pedal the vehicle does not stop satisfactory. The brake pedal was then pressed until it was very hard the vehicle continued to move but slowly began to stop. When pressing the brake pedal to the maximum and a firm pedal a noise could be heard from under the hood. The noise sounded like a moan, similar to the brake anti skid system being activated. I was able to simulate this braking problem multiple times while backing up and moving forward at slow speeds. Cycling the ignition on and off did not correct the problem.
I live in oregon, my truck that I purchased from a private owner from utah in June of 2019 had 37,300 miles today's date March 1 2020 my truck has 39,100 miles. A couple of days ago I changed to my oregon license plate. While under the truck I noticed a lot of rust on many parts of the brakes, suspension and frame especially when I lowered the spare tire which showed severe rust damage. This truck has an extreme amount of rust for a vehicle built in 2017. I consider this to be a safety hazard especially because drivers use this type of truck to haul or tow heavy loads.
Brake complaints in other Sierra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2017 GMC Sierra?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the brakes of the 2017 GMC Sierra, 26% of the model year's 76 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2017 GMC Sierra brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2017 GMC Sierra. 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 51,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to brakes 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.