2007 GMC Sierra 2500 Problems

What owners report

Complaints on the 2007 GMC Sierra 2500 are dominated by the passenger-side frontal air bag inflator recall: most owners in the sample say they were notified but the remedy part was unavailable for months or years, and many report no symptom at all. The remaining reports cover a cracked dashboard around the passenger air bag area, corroded or rusted brake lines and rotors, and occasional seat belt buckle, steering and axle problems. Sampled failures are spread widely, from near-new mileage to well over 100,000 miles.

1. 1
   Air bags

   Passenger air bag inflator recall — no remedy parts

   • 38 complaints (46%)
   • median 55,000 mi at 9.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2015–2020

   Owners describe receiving a recall notice for the front passenger air bag inflator and then being told the part was not available, put on indefinite back order, or that no remedy had been released yet. Several say the dealer could not give an expected date, and a few report the air bag warning light coming on while driving, with the dealer unable to diagnose it or with related parts discontinued. A small number describe a deployment with no impact, or an accident in which the air bags did not deploy. A recall describes the condition as a passenger frontal inflator that may rupture on deployment. Recall notices arrived from mid-2015 onward; mileage ranges from a vehicle showing 100 miles to ones around 70,000 miles, and many complaints list no mileage at all.

   Recall 15V324000Recall 20V0110002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for proof that the passenger frontal inflator recall was completed, and check the campaign number against the VIN with a dealer before purchase. Look at whether the air bag warning lamp stays off after start-up.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall: I received a safety recall notice in july of 2015 regarding the front passenger airbag inflator. Recall #15438. I have had my vehicle in to the dealer multiple times and am still being told that there is no remedy for this recall. I am concerned for the safety and well being of the vehicle occupants should this vehicle be involved in an accident and the airbags deployed. It has been over 17 months and this safety concern is effecting my use of this vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10936395, filed 2016-12, 47,254 miles

   “The vehicle is used as a plow truck on private property(farm). It is not registered or insured. Gmc refuses to tow it to the nearest dealership for its airbag recall. They are telling me I have to pay for the tow there and back(18 miles). They have sent out emails stating they will give me a $50 gift card, also they will give me a loaner car. I should not have to pay for there bad airbag. Please help. Thank you for your time I. This matter.”

   NHTSA complaint #11350110, filed 2020-08
2. 2
   Brakes

   Rusted brake lines and rotors

   • 5 complaints (6%)
   • median 17,000 mi at 5.4 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2017

   Complaints describe rear rotors that corroded or warped and smoked on downhill stops, and brake lines that rusted through and leaked or ruptured, sometimes while slowing for a light. Some owners mention replacing calipers at the same time because of corrosion and finding the other lines rusty; dealers were reported to attribute the corrosion to winter road treatment, and some owners had difficulty getting a discounted repair price. Reported from roughly 8,000 miles to over 70,000 miles, more often in vehicles driven in winter-road states.

   What to check: Have a shop inspect the steel brake lines along the frame and above the rear axle for rust, and check rotor surfaces for pitting or heavy corrosion.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Brake lines failed on my 2007 Gmc 2500 and my 2007 Gmc 1500. It appears to be a common problem with Gmc vehicles from 2003 to 2009. Why wasn't these vehicles recalled for this. I was told that Gmc was offering a discounted price for failed brake lines, but the dealer charged me full price. $1,667.00. The discounted price was supposed to be $500.00.”

   NHTSA complaint #11025150, filed 2017-09, 71,225 miles

   “On oct. 12, 20115, while driving on a state highway to the grocery store, as I was slowing down for a red light the passenger side rear brake line ruptured. To make a long story short, I purchased a new brake line and replaced it. I also had to replace the caliper because of corrosion. During the replacement of the brake line I inspected the other brake lines. They were also rusty. I called my service center and they told me it's a result of the pre-treatment solution they spray on the roads in the winter. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10852920, filed 2016-04, 17,000 miles
3. 3
   Body and structure

   Cracked dashboard around the passenger air bag

   • 7 complaints (8%)
   • median 87,500 mi at 9.4 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2016–2018

   Owners describe cracks forming in the top of the dashboard, most often at the upper corner of the passenger air bag cover, over the instrument cluster hood, and in the middle of the dash. Several say the cracks appeared without impact or rough use and spread over time; dealers were reported to say there was no recall or repair program. Owners' concern is that a cracked dash could affect air bag deployment or send fragments into the cabin in a collision. Reported mostly between roughly 55,000 and 103,000 miles, with the cracks widening over months to a year.

   What to check: Inspect the dash top closely around the passenger air bag seam and the instrument cluster hump for hairline cracks, and ask whether the dash has ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The dash of my 2007 Gmc 2500hd pickup truck has cracked in several places including around the passenger side airbag, up and over the instrument cluster hump, and in the middle of the dash. These cracks have expanded over the past year and have become quite large. I am concerned that the cracks at the airbag cover may impede the proper function of the airbag system as well. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10971883, filed 2017-04, 85,000 miles

   “The dash board of my 2007 new body style Gmc SIERRA 2500 hd is cracked at the passenger air bag at the upper left corner. This can possibly cause parts of the dash to hit the passenger or driver when an accident occurs. The crack has been growing steadily over time.”

   NHTSA complaint #10864605, filed 2016-05, 55,000 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Front axle and wheel bearing failures

   • 5 complaints (6%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 8.6 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2017

   Owners describe the right front axle separating where the boot and clamps hold it together, and wheel bearing assemblies failing on both front sides, in one case twice at under 100,000 miles. Another report describes a pressure line on the steering cooler rusting through and losing fluid, and others mention a bracket or subframe crack found after handling problems. Reported between about 70,000 and 133,000 miles.

   What to check: Check for play and noise in the front wheel bearings, inspect the axle boots and clamps for cracks or grease loss, and look at the steering cooler lines for rust.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I own a 2007 Gmc sierra 2500hd pickup with 94278 miles on it. This week end the right front wheel bearing assy failed for the second time, and the left one was on its way to failing. At a cost of 375.00 each I replaced both sides. This seems very excessive to me to have to replace the wheel bearings for the second time with less than one hundred thousand miles on the vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10654130, filed 2014-11, 37,574 miles

   “August 19, 2016 truck was in an accident when the vehicle went out of control.. A bracket on the left front of the truck broke and there appeared to be a crack on it. We believe the accident was caused by the bracket braking and then made it so that we could not control the vehicle”

   NHTSA complaint #10991928, filed 2017-05, 58,000 miles

Buying note. A used 2007 Sierra 2500 should be checked for completed air bag inflator recalls first, since the sampled complaints show owners waiting a long time for parts. Beyond that, a pre-purchase inspection focused on the brake lines, front axle and bearings, and seat belt latches covers most of what owners report.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.