GMC Sierra 2500 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 1,829 consumer complaints across the 30 model years of the GMC Sierra 2500 (1997–2026) that have at least 5 complaints. 2003 has the most, with 160. Across all years, the part named most often is brakes (503 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
Best and worst Sierra 2500 years →
All Sierra 2500 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 12 | 9,000 | 1 | 172 | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 28 | 1,300 | 1 | 367 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 107 | 9,904 | 4 | 853 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 33 | 34,000 | 1 | 765 | 40 · Typical | Too new |
| 2022 | 44 | 15,167 | 3 | 968 | 65 · More | Rising |
| 2021 | 52 | 53,000 | 6 | 1,061 | 69 · More | Rising |
| 2020 | 79 | 31,800 | 9 | 1,392 | 98 · More | Rising |
| 2019 | 32 | 28,729 | 7 | 946 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2018 | 35 | 10,000 | 5 | 1,119 | 52 · Typical | Falling |
| 2017 | 37 | 22,060 | 6 | 890 | 53 · Typical | Falling |
| 2016 | 59 | 29,500 | 6 | 1,583 | 64 · Typical | Stable |
| 2015 | 89 | 37,023 | 6 | 2,217 | 93 · More | Falling |
| 2014 | 30 | 39,000 | 2 | 1,813 | 10 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2013 | 46 | 60,000 | 3 | 1,684 | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2012 | 31 | 68,500 | 3 | 1,725 | 2 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2011 | 63 | 55,400 | 4 | 1,577 | 34 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2010 | 10 | 77,000 | 5 | 1,396 | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 31 | 39,600 | 5 | 1,176 | 38 · Typical | Falling |
| 2008 | 63 | 67,500 | 3 | 1,121 | 17 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2007 | 83 | 70,000 | 3 | 1,146 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2006 | 66 | 43,500 | 1 | 386 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 115 | 60,000 | 1 | 381 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 143 | 60,000 | 1 | 309 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 160 | 73,000 | 0 | 203 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 134 | 85,500 | 1 | 142 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2001 | 134 | 65,000 | 2 | 124 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 48 | 91,000 | 1 | 121 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 36 | 100,000 | 0 | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 15 | 47,000 | 1 | 7 | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 14 | 100,000 | 2 | 5 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Brakes503 29%
- Electrical system293 17%
- Transmission and drivetrain204 12%
- Air bags169 9.8%
- Other or unknown151 8.7%
- Fuel system146 8.5%
- Steering133 7.7%
- Engine128 7.4%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2013: “The vehicle loses power steering at speeds under 25 MPH. I noticed a recall by Gmc for this but the dealership said it doesn't cover my truck. It only happens when I am in a slow turn like a traffic circle or turning onto a street after being stopped. The vehicle has 201,000 miles. Are recalls limited by mileage?”
NHTSA complaint #11331217, filed 2020-06, 201,000 miles2016: “Warning states TPMS needs service. Everything works off this system, air pressure, door locks, remote start. None of these features work now. My service tech says that the tire pressure sensors are transmitting. New batteries were installed in the key fobs. First time it happened was when I tried to remote start.”
NHTSA complaint #11319434, filed 2020-03, 22,000 miles2004: “During cold mornings (wisconsin) I start my truck and I have no power steering and soft brakes. It is my understanding that the power steering runs the brake boost. Also, it is my understanding that there is a service bulletin that says that the power steering fluid should be replaced with low/cold temp fluid. My concern is what happens if I lose power steering and brakes while I am driving.”
NHTSA complaint #11297098, filed 2020-01, 158,500 milesOther GMC models
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About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology