Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the transmission inadvertently shifted from high to low gears and the RPMs revved up. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be duplicated. However, the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the valve body, the clutch, the piston, and the transmission plates needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that while driving and an undisclosed speed, the transmission was shifting hard into a lower gear, then into third gear without warning. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra Denali. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked, failed to accelerate, and stalled. The vehicle was unable to shift into third gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was drivable and was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with a wiring harness failure on the transmission. The vehicle was repaired based on the diagnostic test but failed to fix the vehicle. The vehicle was parked at the residence and was undrivable. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.
While driving my GMC Sierra denali the transmission shudders really bad. I have a 2017 with just 13,200 miles on it. I was pulling my bass boat and the shurdder was so bad my dash was shaking and the steering wheel was also .I have had the fluid changed at the dealership and it shifted fine and did not shudder until it reached around 1000 miles after fluid change and it is doing it worse now than before. I took it to the dealer close to me and they informed me today they were going to do nothing and they told me to take it back to the dealer I bought it from! This is unacceptable! I understand from all I have been reading about this problem GM still is building and selling trucks with the 8 speed trans in them and still having problems. Really? I guess I will keep driving mine and I hope the transmission just comes apart then they will give me another transmission doing the same thing! …
This truck is a 3500 hd. I was pulling a camper on a 1100 mile trip. With 50 miles left I noticed that the truck was leaking transmission fluid from under the transmission cooler. Upon further investigation I found that the return hose from the trans cooler was positioned so the it rubbed on a frame component which caused a hole to rub in the aluminum trans coolant return line. I noticed this when the truck was parked running at a rest area for an hour but it was obviously an ongoing issue. Had I not noticed it when I did this condition could have caused catastrophic failure of the transmission. The dealer says there is no recall and it is not under warranty. I consider this to be a serious design flaw and a major safety issue. I was able to get to my delivery stop and get the line patched. It is at the dealer for repairs right now.
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH their was sudden loss of motive power and the gears disengaged. The contact stated the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle to the side of the road and restarted vehicle and the check engine warning light disappeared. The vehicle was towed to (dublin Chevrolet GMC Buick, 2042 veterans blvd, dublin, ga 3102[phone]) where it was diagnosed that the transmission showed evidence of large amounts of metal shavings from the torque converter. The oil pan also showed evidence burnt metal. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 61,719.
The vehicle exhibits vibrations that can be rather extreme at times. It seems to be most noticeable in the 70-75 MPH range but can sometimes be felt at other speeds. It feels like the vibration originates from the rear of the vehicle. Two dealerships have replaced multiple parts and have performed numerous alignments and road force balances but can not identify/remedy the problem. There are thousands of complaints on multiple online forums of this same issue for 2014-2015 GM 1500 series pickup truck. So far there has been no fix for them either. GM treats it as an annoyance in the comfort of the ride, however if they can not identify the issue how do they know it is not a safety risk.
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle failed to shift out of gear and there was a delay of three to four seconds before shifting into second gear. The failure recurred every morning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (jim causley, located at 38111 gratiot ave, clinton township, mi 48036) where it was confirmed that GM was aware of the issue. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall on his VIN. No further assistance was offered. The approximate failure mileage was 4,500. Updated 11/13/17
There is a shuttering in the transmission as the vehicle attempts to climb slight/steep grades at slow to medium speeds. Around 1500 RPM the vibration is sent throughout the whole vehicle. Having to increase acceleration to allow the truck to shift properly to overcome the lack of power has created a dangerous situation while navigating up snowy/ice hills. The vehicle also performs a lurching or sudden speeding up when downshifting when slowing to come to a stop. Depending on road conditions this creates a dangerous situation when approaching icy/slippery intersections.
Vehicle shifts very hard in and out of 1st and 2nd gear. When starting to go at low speeds the vehicle almost stops when shifting and then jerks when it shifts. Same occurs when slowing to a stop. Vehicle was taken to the dealer and the power train was reprogrammed. The issue was a little better for a while. A few weeks later the same issue appeared again. Vehicle was taken back to the dealer in January 2020 and there is now a check engine code. Dealer plans to change 2 harnesses and change the fluid. Unfortunately the parts are on back order which kind of tells a story.
My 2017 GMC Sierra shutters and jerks when going into and out of 1st gear and going around corners when it changes gears. Especially when cold. Does not happen all the time. At times it has jerked into an intersectionand was scry. My wife will not drive this vehicle. Have had it looked at numerous times and they have changed the fluid. They tell me I have a quirky trans or it is inherent to this transmission. It is extremely frustrating and scary at times. I don't know what to do to get GM to fix it. This has been going on since I purchased the truck on 10/31/2017.
Transmission complaints in other Sierra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2017 GMC Sierra?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2017 GMC Sierra, 34% of the model year's 76 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 GMC Sierra transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 13,000 miles, and 60% before 25,000 miles.
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.