GMC Sierra Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 3,929 consumer complaints across the 30 model years of the GMC Sierra (1988–2017) that have at least 5 complaints. 1999 has the most, with 600. Across all years, the part named most often is brakes (1,411 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Sierra 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 61 | 35,000 | 0 | 883 | 54 · Typical | Falling |
| 2016 | 6 | 39,500 | 2 | 61 | — | Not enough data |
| 2015 | 53 | 2,750 | 6 | 181 | 100 · More | Rising |
| 2014 | 101 | 3,000 | 11 | 76 | 100 · More | Rising |
| 2013 | 39 | 7,250 | 3 | 252 | 76 · More | Falling |
| 2012 | 29 | 31,450 | 2 | 279 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 43 | 45,000 | 2 | 294 | 29 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2010 | 34 | 53,500 | 0 | 282 | 11 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 37 | 42,000 | 1 | 287 | 29 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2008 | 68 | 66,850 | 2 | 317 | 23 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2007 | 59 | 70,000 | 2 | 230 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2006 | 53 | 43,500 | 4 | 202 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 117 | 60,000 | 9 | 291 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 188 | 49,752 | 7 | 261 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 206 | 55,750 | 6 | 206 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 249 | 40,490 | 4 | 148 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 264 | 61,500 | 4 | 133 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 443 | 67,666 | 8 | 81 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1999 | 600 | 62,000 | 5 | 58 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 190 | 71,500 | 0 | 5 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 238 | 78,000 | 0 | 4 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 246 | 83,000 | 2 | 5 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1995 | 261 | 114,184 | 6 | 4 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1994 | 190 | 110,000 | 3 | 3 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 72 | 75,000 | 2 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 30 | 178,000 | 3 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 12 | 108,500 | 1 | 1 | — | Not enough data |
| 1990 | 18 | 115,832 | 1 | 1 | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 16 | 187,575 | 1 | 2 | — | Stable |
| 1988 | 6 | — | 1 | 1 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Brakes1,411 43%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)505 15%
- Transmission and drivetrain314 9.5%
- Steering255 7.7%
- Electrical system254 7.7%
- Body and structure201 6.1%
- Air bags193 5.8%
- Engine cooling171 5.2%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2017: “Noticed mushy, vibrating brakes. Took it to tire store and was advised the brake booster and vacuum pump are bad. I've had several close calls in parking lots, as the vehicle is slow to resond to the application of the brakes. The drivers seat is also loose. It moves from side to side as I go around corners. I'm afraid it will come off the rails or worse yet, not secure me in the event of an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #11311089, filed 2020-02, 70,000 miles2015: “Driving north on the garden state parkway in the center lane it felt like I had a back tire blowout but what happened was my rear axle broke causing my vehicle to be extremely hard to control. I was trying to steer the vehicle but could not control the truck, it felt like I had limited braking ability, smashing into guardrail it finally came to a stop.”
NHTSA complaint #10839187, filed 2016-03, 16,469 miles2010: “The truck was parked in my driveway when I got in and started the ignition. As soon as I did, the plastic dashboard cracked at the passenger side air bag. One week later, same situation, as I started the ignition, the dash cracked above the driver's side instrument panel. The cracks have continued to grow since initially appearing. …”
NHTSA complaint #10826142, filed 2016-02, 86,000 milesOther GMC models
9,015 complaintsGMC Acadia
5,592 complaintsGMC Yukon
5,013 complaintsGMC Terrain
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2,712 complaintsGMC Envoy
2,456 complaintsGMC Yukon XL
2,442 complaintsGMC Sierra 2500
1,829 complaints
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