GMCModel report

GMC Sierra Denali Problems by Model Year

NHTSA recorded 245 consumer complaints across the 16 model years of the GMC Sierra Denali (2002–2020) that have at least 5 complaints. 2016 has the most, with 30. Across all years, the part named most often is other or unknown (53 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.

Best and worst Sierra Denali years →

All Sierra Denali 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	TSBs	Score (50 = typical)	Trend
2020	11	20,000	358	—	Not enough data
2019	26	5,269	647	77 · More	Falling
2018	17	28,000	947	—	Falling
2017	15	60,000	606	—	Falling
2016	30	48,000	1,276	50 · Typical	Falling
2015	22	47,800	1,815	—	Stable
2014	14	59,496	388	—	Not enough data
2013	8	70,000	1,761	—	Not enough data
2012	10	50,000	1,702	—	Not enough data
2011	28	65,000	1,609	0 · Fewer	Falling
2010	10	45,284	1,440	—	Not enough data
2009	7	94,000	1,252	—	Not enough data
2008	18	58,000	1,154	—	Stable
2006	5	61,000	65	—	Not enough data
2004	11	44,000	49	—	Not enough data
2002	13	79,315	71	—	Not enough data

Parts named most often, all years

Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.

Other or unknown53 21%
Brakes53 21%
Body and structure34 13%
Transmission and drivetrain28 11%
Steering26 10%
Air bags25 9.7%
Engine22 8.5%
Electrical system17 6.6%

Example complaints

One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

2011: “Dash cracked on passenger side starting at air bag top left corner and center bracket broke this is a safety concern along with the air bag inflators GM needs to fix this issue one day I got off work opened my door I got in shut the door and crack this is stupid there needs to be some kind of improvement design to many people are having this issue”

NHTSA complaint #11217302, filed 2019-06, 40,000 miles

2018: “While getting my truck inspected the shop owner told me about a bulge on right front tire. He asked me if they sold that to me like that I proceeded to tell him yes. He said it should be reported so that is what I'm doing. I'm not sure if this is covered. I considered it a safety when vehicle was purchased in tennessee and going to upstate ny, and I'm 74 yrs old. Widow”

NHTSA complaint #11329856, filed 2020-06, 26,000 miles

2017: “Above 35mph I begin to get an extreme shake and vibration. It gets more and more pronounced as I drive. At 65mph is nearly unbearable, and shakes and vibrates violently. It gives me headaches, and I can feel it in my arms as I drive. I first noticed it about 100 miles after buying the truck. It now happens daily.”

NHTSA complaint #11325950, filed 2020-05, 60,000 miles

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About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology